When it comes to the holiday season, dairy can be hard to avoid. Grandma is famous for swirling way too much butter into her mashed potatoes, and those luscious pies usually involve a heavy dose of cream. But if you’re dairy-free, all hope for a festive holiday is far from lost. That’s right, we’ve done the impossible: we’ve designed an entire holiday meal that doesn’t include milk, cream, or butter. We’ve collected 30 of our favorite dairy-free holiday sides that will help you prepare a delightful Thanksgiving or Christmas feast. Not only do these dishes taste divine, but they’ll also leave you feeling lighter and help avoid the post-holiday-meal slump. These recipes focus on using fresh ingredients and lots of seasonal produce. From Southern Collard Greens to Ombré Citrus Salad, your guests will never even suspect that these stunning holiday sides are completely dairy-free. Now you’ll just have to convince Nana that her green bean casserole doesn’t really need to be topped with 3 pats of butter.
Jim Franco; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Simon Andrews
No holiday table would be complete without a big pot of collard greens.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Slightly sweet, slightly tangy cranberry salad is a Southern staple from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Southern Living
While we love a classic ambrosia salad, sometimes we just can’t resist throwing a few marshmallows into this holiday staple.
Jennifer Causey
Molded salads are a tradition worth keeping around—they’re wiggly, wobbly, and oh-so-good.
Iain Bagwell
Over the holidays, slow-cookers help us save precious oven space. These Slow-Cooker Green Beans are an easy way to get more veggies on the table.
Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro
If you’re running out of oven space, this simple stovetop dish will be your Hail Mary.
Trey Ellis
After a quick boil, smashing the brussels sprouts and then roasting them helps them become extra-crispy.
Jen Causey
A scoop of fresh fruit is a great way to lighten up your holiday plate.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Start with a base of dairy-free cornbread and you’ll have a scrumptious Thanksgiving dressing in no time.
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Fried okra doesn’t need much dressing up—a little cornmeal goes a long way.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Collard greens and ham hocks just go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
No need for mayo—these baby red potatoes, tossed in mustard and mixed up with green beans, stand on their own.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Sourdough bread—made with flour, salt, and water—torn up and toasted is the dairy-free crouton of our dreams, bringing a nice crunch to this veggie side.
Hector Sanchez
Paying homage to the latke, these crispy potato pancakes use sweet potatoes instead of russets and add in green onions for extra sharp flavor.
Iain Bagwell
This stunning squash blossom only calls for a few ingredients, letting the bright orange squash flower really shine.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
No dinner menu is complete without an indulgent side of mashed potatoes. Put a twist on a classic Thanksgiving dish with this dairy-free side.
Greg DuPree, Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
There is one dish that any born-and-bred Southerner can’t live without. Serve this gooey, decadent macaroni and cheese for a memorable holiday side for guests to enjoy.
Laurey W. Glenn
Whipping up this Christmas vegetable side dish will make you feel a little bit better about all that delicious white cake you’re about to eat. This quick lemon mustard collard green recipe is packed full of fresh flavor to perfectly compliment a rich holiday menu.
Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Be prepared with the perfect party snack for guests with this spicy, Southern-style deviled egg recipe. There is no occasion that cannot be improved upon by a deviled egg.
Greg Dupree Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Follow this quick and easy recipe for a memorable holiday dish. Just add the tangy taste of a fresh lemon and transform an ordinary side of green beans into a dish your guests can’t get enough of.
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick
No dairy. No problem. These crispy roasted potatoes are packed full of flavor to make for a delicious holiday side dish.
Photography, and Food Styling: Karen Rankin
Give your air fryer a whirl for the perfect golden, crisp fries made with less mess and less calories.
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Turn a traditional side dish into a bowl of rainbows with multicolored fingerling potatoes. This salad is striking enough to be served at your next holiday dinner, paired with fresh spring vegetables.