22 Easy Thanksgiving and Christmas Side Dishes
Thanksgiving and Christmas are the times to bring out the best side dishes for friends and family. These are easy recipes that everyone will love.
I’ve got 22 Easy Thanksgiving and Christmas Side Dishes that y’all are going to want to save. These are the best side dish recipes that will not keep you in the kitchen for hours on end during family time.
Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time to be with family. However, we all know that we want food right at the center of the action. The entire day revolves around eating, and who doesn’t love that?
All of the recipes are holiday side dishes that are super delicious and budget-friendly. I like to keep the price of the holidays down, so you can be sure these will fit into your budget easily.
Plus, many of these posts have a video to go along with it, so you’ll be able to see just how it’s made. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
So, if you’re looking for the best Christmas and Thanksgiving side dishes, you are in the right place.
Side Dishes
Jiffy Corn Pudding
If you’re looking for a side dish that’ll wow everyone, Jiffy corn pudding with butter, corn, and sour cream is the way to go.
It’s a top pick in my collection of easy Christmas side dishes, and trust me, it’s so good you’ll be tempted to skip the main course!
The Best Green Bean Casserole
We’ve been making this simple green bean casserole in our family for years. It’s a cinch to make and so good to eat. Green beans are great alongside your Christmas ham or turkey.
Baked Corn Casserole
Corn casserole at Thanksgiving is like a warm hug in a dish. Seriously, it’s the perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, and a little bit sweet – a total crowd-pleaser!
Copycat Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
Ruth’s Chris sweet potato casserole is like the superstar of the Thanksgiving table – seriously, with its creamy inside and crunchy topping, who needs turkey?
Pair it with some roast beef or prime rib, and you’ve got the ultimate holiday feast lineup.
Homemade Canned Cranberry Sauce
We all love sweet cranberries around the holidays. Homemade canned cranberry sauce is the unsung hero of the holiday season, bringing that tangy-sweet kick to the dinner table.
Whether you’re serving at your big Christmas Eve dinner or adding it to your Thanksgiving sides, it’s a game-changer that makes every dish pop!
Crock Pot Jiffy Corn Pudding
Whipping up some Crock Pot Jiffy corn pudding is one of those easy Thanksgiving side dishes that just screams comfort.
With its creamy texture, it’s bound to be a hit next to your dinner rolls and mashed potatoes on the Thanksgiving menu.
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Whipping up easy homemade dinner rolls has become one of my new go-to recipes for the holiday season.
Whether it’s Christmas day or just a regular evening, these fluffy gems are the perfect addition to any dinner table, especially next to those creamy au gratin dishes and seasonal salads!
Add some garlic butter or brown butter to the rolls for a nutty flavor, or drizzle some maple syrup on top for dessert.
Jiffy Cornbread Dressing
Easy Jiffy cornbread dressing is a surefire hit for the holiday table. Not only is it great for Thanksgiving, but as one of your Christmas dinner sides, as well.
Pair it with a fresh seasonal salad or some sautéed collard greens, and you’re all set for a memorable feast.
By the way, stuffing or dressing? Find out more about the difference in my Thanksgiving Rivalry post.
Savory Quick and Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
I used to avoid sweet potatoes until I had this recipe. It is amazing and nothing short of that. I promise.
Now I can’t get enough of sweet potato recipes. My brother-in-law loves this dish but doesn’t like marshmallows on top. So, we leave a little corner free of marshmallows, and it cooks up perfectly.
Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn
It is not hard for me to be a piggy with this creamed corn cornbread. It’s that good. It’s inexpensive and really, really good. You’ll want more than one serving. I promise I won’t tell.
Southern Homemade Butter Beans
Butter beans were a staple in our house growing up. My mom loved these little beans.
They are so good for you, and y’all can plop them right into the slow cooker and make life pretty easy for yourself on those hectic holidays.
Broccoli Cheese Bake
Think about it…broccoli covered in cheese and puff pastry. Does it get any better than that? Those crispy edges, cheesy center, and delicious broccoli crunch.
The simple side dish is the perfect crowd-pleaser for Thanksgiving dinner. Plus, this is one of those vegetable side dishes the kids will love.
Cheesy Diced Baked Potatoes
I could honestly eat potatoes for every meal and snacks in between. I love potatoes any way I can get them. The great thing about this dish is that you can make it fresh from scratch or use frozen potatoes to make this an easy side dish.
Potatoes make great Thanksgiving or Christmas sides, and they are kid-approved. The melty cheese on the potatoes makes this a side dish you’ll want for many meals.
Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots with Brown Sugar
Glazed carrots are so delish. It takes less than five minutes to get these started in the slow cooker. You can use a small slow cooker to get the job done.
The brown sugar adds such a rich flavor to this veggie. It also has the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for a special holiday treat.
The carrots go along great with a roast turkey, chicken, or your favorite holiday main dish.
Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes And Ham Recipe
Whipping up cheesy au gratin potatoes and ham, especially with that rich shredded cheddar cheese and butter, is a total game-changer for the holiday menu.
Paired with a fresh kale salad or some roasted butternut squash, it’s a star player in the lineup of best Christmas side dishes.
Crock Pot Corn on the Cob with Coconut Milk
If you’d like to have corn on the cob at your family gatherings, this is a great way to cook it. You can switch out the coconut milk if you’d rather have plain milk.
This is one of my favorite ways to cook corn on the cob, and it adds such a rich and creamy flavor. Plus, if you cook it in the Crock Pot, it frees up oven space for more Thanksgiving side dish recipes.
Easy Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
No holiday meal would be complete without mashed potatoes. Why not make life easy and make them in the Crock Pot? It’s easy, saves you time in the kitchen, and tastes pretty amazing.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
For me, mashed potatoes are the best part of the holidays. Add some butter on top, and you’ve got a classic recipe.
The traditional dish is easy to make and is one of those delicious sides that is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any meal in between.
Homemade Gravy from Scratch with Drippings
Making homemade gravy from scratch with those rich drippings is the perfect way to elevate your main course during the holiday menu.
Whether you’re dishing it over mashed potatoes or wild rice, drizzling it on Brussels sprouts, or just dunking your dinner rolls, it’s the liquid gold of Thanksgiving recipes that ties everything together.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Loaded mashed potatoes are like the ultimate comfort food upgrade, with all the cheese, bacon, and green onions mixed in. Seriously, it’s mashed potatoes on a whole new level!
The perfect side dish can be made as a new dish or with leftovers.
Moist Jiffy Cornbread
Tired of dry cornbread? Give this moist Jiffy cornbread recipe a try. The recipe has been number one on the blog for years.
Want to try it in the air fryer? You can do that – even at the last minute. It’s such a crowd-pleaser, especially when you’re whipping up dishes from that extensive list of traditional classics for the perfect Christmas dinner menu.
Crock Pot Southern Green Beans and Ham Hock
Southern green beans and ham hock is like a trip down memory lane: pure, homey comfort in a pot. Add some cornbread on the side, and you’ve got yourself a soulful holiday meal that hits the spot every time.
You can make them in the Crock Pot or the Instant Pot for your favorite occasion.
Crock Pot Turkey
Although this isn’t a side dish, it’s the perfect turkey for a small crowd. You can make the turkey in the morning and have it ready by evening.
It’s moist, packed with flavor, and easy to make.
More Holidays Treats
Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge
Southern Praline Cake with Butter Sauce
The Easy Southern Praline Pecan Cake with Butter Sauce is a total game changer for dessert lovers. It’s that kind of sweet treat that makes you go back for seconds, even when you swear you’re full.
