You’re in for a treat. Ever-indulgent prime rib tends to make an appearance on special occasions, so the sides it pairs with should be special, too. Here are our 20 of the best.
V’s Fried Mashed Potatoes
naples34102
Mashing potatoes in a hot, buttered skillet allows a crisp crust to form.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries
Buckwheat Queen
With roasted garlic, crunchy prosciutto, and dried cranberries in the mix, this Brussels sprouts side does not go light on flavor.
Truffled Cauliflower Gratin
Chef John
If you can’t find truffled Pecorino cheese, home cooks recommend using regular Pecorino (or even Gouda or Gruyere) and drizzling the finished dish in truffle oil instead of olive oil.
Oven-Roasted Carrots
thedailygourmet
Pecans and panko bread crumbs add serious crunch to savory roasted carrots. You can replace the Italian seasoning with another spice blend, but you can’t go wrong with a mix that includes thyme and rosemary.
Fast and Easy Creamed Spinach
Chef John
Lemon zest brings a bright flavor to decadent creamed spinach.
Hasselback Sweet Potato with Pecan Streusel
Yoly
“Sweet potatoes come in different colors, from white to yellow to orange to orange-red. The darker the inside, the sweeter it is. I chose white because I was adding maple syrup and brown sugar, but any sweet potato will do,” recipe creator Yoly says.
Wild Mushroom Stuffing
Allrecipes Magazine
Swap grandma’s bread stuffing recipe with this version, which gets its heartiness from mushrooms, toasted hazelnuts, and herbs.
Muffin Tin Potatoes Gratin
lutzflcat
Break from homey casseroles for this elegant take on potato gratin. Each muffin-tin-sized serving packs in plenty of Parmesan and butter.
Rice Stuffing with Apples, Herbs, and Bacon
Mackenzie Schieck
Bacon and dried herbs balance the sweetness of dried fruit and diced apples.
Roasted Carrot Salad
Melissa
Roasted carrots, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, and blue cheese upgrade arugula salad.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
hungryallweighs
Some reviewers add veggies and sausage to the squash’s bread stuffing, while others replace it with cornbread dressing, brown rice, and even couscous. Lots of options here.
Brussels Sprouts Gratin
CookinCyn
“My husband and I are fans of Brussels sprouts to begin with, and we both agreed that these were the best we’ve ever tasted. Even my son, who usually rejects any veggie other than corn or potatoes, loved them,” Jen Myers says.
Gourmet Sweet Potato Classic
Angela F.
Let’s be honest. This classic pecan-crusted casserole could pass for dessert.
Parsnip and Carrot Puree
Allrecipes Magazine
“Tender parsnips and carrots are pureed with butter and chives for a splendid accompaniment to roasted meats,” says Always Cooking Up Something.
French Onion Green Bean Casserole
KathyBarbieri
French onion soup inspired Chef John to add caramelized onions and Gruyere cheese to traditional green bean casserole.
Beet Salad with Pecans and Blue Cheese
Here’s another salad that wouldn’t be out of place on a holiday table thanks to candied pecans, bold blue cheese, and microgreens.
Gourmet Mushroom Risotto
cookin’mama
“Check the rice by biting into it. It should be slightly al dente — or resist slightly to the tooth but not be hard in the center,” recipe creator Myleen Sagrado Sjödin says.
Pan-Fried Fennel
Allrecipes
“Fennel tastes great pan-fried, and you don’t need a lot of seasoning as fennel has so much flavor on its own, which just intensifies while sauteeing,” recipe creator Marianne says.
Fried Brussels Sprouts
France C
Fried in bacon grease, these Brussels sprouts can convert even the firmest skeptics.
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
lutzflcat
“Not only is this a delicious alternative to regular mashed potato recipes, but it’s a very user-friendly way to serve your potato side dish. They’re really decadent: not too rich, but just rich enough, and perfect for any special occasion,” Chef John says.