Filling your table with mouth-watering dishes this holiday season doesn’t have to be difficult. With these delicious veggie sides that all come together in less than 30 minutes of active time and/or in three steps or less, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family and friends. From our rich and savory French Onion Mashed Potatoes to our bright and fresh Brussels Sprouts, Kale & Pear Salad, making one of these recipes almost guarantees that the side dishes will be the star of the show this year.
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French Onion Mashed Potatoes
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
These French Onion Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate holiday upgrade to classic mashed potatoes. Creamy Yukon Golds get a boost from caramelized onions, cooked low and slow until jammy and sweet. The result is a side dish that’s perfect for pairing with roasts, poultry or festive vegetarian mains.
Crispy Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Parm
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Nutmeg, thyme and garlic give tender sweet potatoes a warm, savory backbone, while Parmesan creates a golden crust that crisps beautifully in the oven. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fresh thyme at the end adds just the right finishing touch. Whether served at a festive gathering or alongside a cozy weeknight roast, these potatoes are sure to steal the spotlight.
Maple-Mustard Green Beans with Crispy Shallots
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
Tangy and crisp-tender, these maple-mustard green beans offer a fresh twist on a classic side dish. The beans are tossed in a glossy dressing of maple syrup, Dijon and vinegar for a perfect balance of sweetness and zing. Crispy shallots add crunch, making the dish feel special enough for entertaining, yet it’s simple enough for a weeknight. The flavors work perfectly with roasted meats or holiday mains.
French-Onion Melting Potatoes
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
These French-Onion Melting Potatoes take inspiration from the flavors of classic French onion soup with richly caramelized onions, beefy broth and a blanket of melted Gruyère. Yukon Gold slices roast until crisp on the outside and tender within, soaking up savory broth for a creamy texture that melts in your mouth. A final broil turns the Gruyère into a bubbling, golden crust that steals the show.
Melting Carrots with Garlic Butter
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
These melting carrots strike the perfect balance of earthy sweetness and savory richness, making them a versatile side dish for any occasion. A high-heat roast brings out their natural sweetness, while a buttery garlic-lemon sauce infuses them with bright, aromatic flavor and a texture that melts in your mouth. Serve them alongside a weeknight roast chicken or as part of a holiday spread—they’re sure to earn a spot in your regular rotation.
Brussels Sprouts, Kale & Pear Salad
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This crisp and colorful salad celebrates the best of cool-weather produce while delivering plenty of texture and flavor in every bite. Kale and Brussels sprouts are massaged in a tangy apple-cider vinaigrette, while sweet red pear slices and jewel-toned pomegranate arils add juicy pops of freshness. Shaved Parmesan ties it all together with its rich, salty bite. This festive salad is sure to be the star of your holiday dinner.
Roasted Garlic Melting Sweet Potatoes
Photographer: Ali Redmond.
This simple recipe transforms sweet potatoes into a deeply savory and aromatic side dish. The secret is a whole head of garlic roasted alongside the potatoes until soft and caramelized, then whisked into broth that coats the potatoes and infuses flavor into every tender bite. It’s a foolproof, flavor-packed way to elevate any fall or holiday spread.
Broccoli‑Apple Crunch Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
This crisp, colorful broccoli-apple salad proves that broccoli is just as delicious raw as it is roasted. A tangy apple-cider vinaigrette, brightened with Dijon and honey, softens the bite of the raw florets and shallot as they marinate in the fridge. Just before serving, thin slices of Honeycrisp apple, shredded sharp Cheddar and crunchy sunflower seeds join the mix for a sweet-salty-crunchy finish.
Melting Leeks with Garlic & Thyme
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley.
This simple yet elegant Melting Leeks with Garlic & Thyme recipe transforms leeks into a tender, caramelized side dish. Slowly browned in olive oil, then gently braised with garlic, thyme and broth, the leeks turn silky and deeply flavorful, with a buttery finish. A splash of white wine adds aromatic depth. Serve these melt-in-your-mouth leeks alongside roasted chicken, fish or grains for a dish that’s both rustic and refined.
Garlic-Butter Delicata Squash
Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Isabelle Easter, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee.
With its naturally sweet, creamy flesh and tender skin, delicata squash makes an effortless yet impressive side dish. Scoring the squash helps the garlicky olive oil seep in as it roasts, giving every bite flavor from the inside out. Easy enough for weeknights but elegant enough for holiday meals, this dish is sure to win over everyone at the table.
Parsley-Butter Melting Potatoes
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee.
These herbaceous melting potatoes have a crisp, browned crust with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Parsley adds a fresh finish, but you could swap in a variety of herbs like chives, thyme or dill. Serve these velvety potatoes alongside roast chicken or pan-seared fish.
Marry Me Butternut Squash Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
This butternut squash casserole borrows the “marry me” flavor profile—creamy, garlicky and laced with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs—and gives it a cozy, vegetable-forward twist. Tender layers of squash soak up an infused sun-dried tomato cream sauce, while a blanket of golden mozzarella on top makes it extra inviting. This dish is comfort food with a romantic streak—one bite and you’ll understand the name.
Cinnamon-Butter Melting Apples
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
These Cinnamon-Butter Melting Apples are a simple yet elegant side. The apples bake until tender and lightly caramelized in a buttery maple-cider glaze that’s warm with cinnamon and just a touch of salt. For the best texture, choose apples on the sweeter side, like Honeycrisp or Red Delicious. Serve these golden wedges as a cozy side dish with pork or chicken, or spoon them over oatmeal, pancakes or yogurt for a naturally sweet, seasonal topping.
Melting Beets with Maple Butter
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
These Melting Beets with Maple Butter are a sweet-and-savory side that transforms humble beets into a showstopping dish. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, while the maple–sherry vinegar glaze adds depth and a subtle tang, perfectly balanced with butter. Simple enough for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough for a holiday spread, these tender, melt-in-your-mouth beets are sure to delight everyone at the table.
Roasted Cabbage Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Ali Redmond
This roasted cabbage salad combines the sweetness of roasted cabbage with the bright, zesty flavors of lime, orange and cumin. This versatile side dish works well alongside roasted chicken or steak. Or make it a vegetarian main dish by mixing it with brown rice and black beans.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
These baked sweet potatoes with marshmallows strike the perfect balance between savory and sweet, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite at holiday gatherings. This no-fuss recipe nods to classic sweet potato casserole and adds a festive touch to any Thanksgiving table. If you’re feeding it to a crowd, it easily doubles.
Spiced Butternut Squash & Apple Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This spiced butternut squash and apple casserole is a warm, cozy dish that captures the essence of fall. This easy dish combines the natural sweetness of roasted butternut squash with the tartness of fresh apples, finished with savory goat cheese and sweet maple-glazed walnuts. We love the tart flavor that Granny Smith apples provide, but feel free to swap in a sweeter baking apple like Honeycrisp if you prefer.
Dining and Cooking