While a good main is important at your holiday dinner, the sides are what truly takes things up a notch. As we all start planning our festive menus, we’ve rounded up some of the very best crowd-pleasing side dishes that are so delicious, they might just become the star of the meal. They’re all pretty easy on the eyes, too – making them fit right in for your holiday Insta post. 😉
Check out all of the incredible recipes below, and happy holidays!
Elevated with bacon, this caramelized onion cauliflower gratin has all those deep, comforting flavours we look for in a holiday meal.
The re-brand brussels sprouts needed! Chef Paul Lillakas blows us away (again) with this incredibly delicious side, which also happens to feature bacon.
Cut down on calories by swapping out your classic mashed potato with this cauliflower whip! Trust us – it’s so delicious, your guests probably won’t even be able to tell the difference.
Options are key at a holiday feast, and this epic dinner board does not disappoint. Carrots, beets, cheese, bread – you name it, this board has it.
Elevating green beans is so easy with this recipe! Instead of just serving them with butter, this side dish uses sherry vinegar to give them all that rich and nutty flavour.
Mary Berg serves up some tasty carrots that are equal parts sweet, savoury and tender. The best part? They’re ready in just 20 minutes!
Buttery, garlicky, fluffy inside with crisp, golden edges.
This classic sauce is a must-have for any holiday feast, rounding out the rest of your festive menu.
We’re going to say some words, and won’t blame you if you start salivating. Button mushrooms. Crispy bacon. Parmesan cheese. Fresh garlic. Holiday perfection!
Salad, but make it festive! This layered side features apples, walnuts, grapes, yogurt and so much more deliciousness.
A holiday feast isn’t complete without stuffing, and bacon is once again the star here. Ready in just over an hour, it’s actually made with butter croissants for an extra flaky treat.
Cheddar jalapeño cornbread stuffing
Spice up your stuffing with this delicious side dish recipe. Made with cheddar cheese, perfectly spicy jalapeño and cornbread (stale works best!), this stuffing will be a guaranteed hit with everyone at the dinner table.
Roasted Brussels sprouts and kale Caesar
Upgrade your classic Caesar salad with this deliciously easy recipe. The dressing breaks down the kale’s toughness, revealing its true, velvety nature. There’s crunch from the Brussels sprouts, and you can add croutons, too. Add pancetta for the saltiness and get ready to dive into this tasty salad.
Fondant potatoes
Give this classic French technique a try for potatoes that are crisp on the outside and meltingly tender on the inside. Made with yellow potatoes, butter, beef stock, and thyme, these fondant potatoes will become your family’s favourite veggie side dish for the holidays.