Tis the season for holiday parties! With these festive get-togethers comes the excitement of finding the perfect side dish to wow your friends, and we’ve got you covered.
If you struggle, like I do, to come up with the perfect side dish that makes everyone happy and isn’t the same old same, this collection of recipes if for you!
As much as I love old favorites, it’s nice to mix things up and bring new flavors and textures to the table, especially for special occasions like the holidays.
If you’re attending a party or dinner and hate showing up empty handed, this collection of holiday dishes to bring to your next holiday party checks the boxes.
1

Nora Rusev
Cranberry Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe
This recipe for our cranberry apple stuffed acorn squash is hearty and memorable, bringing together some of the tastiest winter flavors in one unique dish that will put the perfect spin on festive side dish for your event. The squash gets roasted then stuffed with the filling then topped with chopped pecans for a mix of spices, flavors and textures that your friends will love.
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2

Nora Rusev
Greek Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans Recipe
These Greek roasted potatoes and green beans might just be the perfect side dish, leveling up the classic potatoes and veggies one often expects as a side dish. The combination of lemon, feta and mint is bright and delicious, making a perfect pairing with roasted meats and poultry at a more formal holiday dinner. You can make these potatoes in under an hour, too, making them great for the busy holiday seasons.
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3

Lindsay Landis
Winter Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe
Who doesn’t love a fresh salad? Especially during the holidays when so much of the food we’re eating is sweet and heavy. The best part about this winter salad with our simple, homemade citrus vinaigrette is the zesty, unexpected blend of flavors that come alive. The pomegranate is my favorite touch!
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4

Karly Campbell
Gnocchi Casserole Recipe
This gnocchi casserole is an awesome side dish to pair with any meal. Filling, hearty and rich, this recipe can be modified for vegetarians by omitting or replacing the meat, so you can cater to any number of guests. The best part is that gnocchi has become so popular that companies have made it even more versatile. Swap out cauliflower gnocchi to sneak in even more veggies!
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5

Gina Matsoukas
Vanilla Pumpkin Skillet Cornbread Recipe
This vanilla pumpkin skillet cornbread is going to change the game at your dinner table. Somewhere between sweet and savory, this delicious spin on traditional cornbread doubles as a light dessert or a perfect side. For bringing it along to a party, I love the idea of serving it right from the skillet.
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6

Nora Rusev
Garlic Butter Baked Mushrooms Recipe
I adore mushrooms – they are so versatile and add depth and flavor to almost any recipe, without overwhelming your tastebuds. Suffice it to say, this garlic butter baked mushrooms recipe speaks to me! The amazing neutrality of mushrooms allows for the garlic flavor to come to life. This dish tastes amazing on the side or on top of your favorite protein!
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7

Rebekah Garcia Kalinowski
Green Jello Salad Recipe
A staple of my childhood Christmas memories, this neon green dish actually brings back very fond memories! My grandmother always had green Jello salad on her table, and serving it with dinner was my entire excuse to eat a large helping of sugar before dessert.This classic side dish is a beautiful addition to a special meal and only takes minutes to prepare!
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8

Nora Rusev
Cranberry Pecan Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
I’m one of those people that can totally get behind Brussels sprouts, as long as they’re paired with another flavor. Add some bacon, or in this case, cranberries and pecans, and you have my full interest. Something about mixing in other flavors makes Brussels sprouts especially delicious. So if you’re not sure if you’ll like them, try them again with a twist!
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9

Katie Jasiewicz
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Our super popular recipe for these Instant Pot scalloped potatoes is a quick, easy and amazing way to make this popular, cheesy side dish. A warm, creamy dish, scalloped potatoes are usually tedious and exhausting to make, but the Instant Pot cuts back on the time and energy without compromising on flavor.
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10

Kim Beaulieu
Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Our parmesan smashed potatoes are so delicious and filling – a little goes a long way, and the flavor is incredible. I love how well they pair with ham or a roast! If you want to make a simple side dish that tastes gourmet, these are the way to go. They are easy to make and easy to transport making them a great option for brining along to a holiday party or holiday dinner.
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11

Taylor Kiser
Goat Cheese Cauliflower Bake Recipe
This goat cheese cauliflower bake recipe is a decadent, flavorful dish that can replace potatoes for people who are watching their carb intake without making them feel like they compromised on flavor. Not to mention, anything that calls for cream cheese is basically an instant win! In fact, it’s so scrumptious you might just eat it for the whole meal. It’s a side dish that can’t be beat.
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12

Amanda Powell
Skillet Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Recipe
The first time I had jalapeño cornbread, I was amazed – I had only had plain cornbread prior to that, and while there’s nothing wrong with good old-fashioned cornbread, you will definitely love the spicy, lively addition of fresh jalapeño peppers! This cornbread is amazing alone, with chili, with BBQ, or alongside a simple protein. I also love it served alongside soup. Enjoy!
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13

Shashi Charles
Potato Salad with Moringa Leaves Recipe
Definitely unique and unexpected, this potato salad with moringa leaves recipe will surely catch the attention of your dinner mates. Loaded with flavor, this superfood dish will leave you satisfied and craving more! A spicy sauté of moringa leaves, potatoes and a whole heck of a ton of flavor, this is not your average side dish. Your friends will be talking about it for a long time to come.
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14

Olivia Ribas
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Quinoa Salad Recipe
I love this roasted Brussels sprouts quinoa salad as a side to bring along to your next party! On its own, it’s a filling but light lunch, and paired with dinner, it’s a side that is sure to please and bring a little life and color to the table! It doesn’t hurt that it’s filled with rich red and green colors for the holidays.
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15

Amanda Powell
Caramelized Onion Focaccia Recipe
I LOVE bread – I could absolutely fill up on bread alone, making this caramelized onion focaccia especially dangerous for me. Focaccia is heavenly enough on its own, but adding caramelized onions will only bring me to the table even faster! Great as a pre-dinner appetizer or as a side, this dish will please everyone on the guest list at your next Christmas party, potluck or holiday feast.
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