The Side Dishes You’ll Be Asked to Bring Every Year

Holiday dinners are all about those dishes everyone remembers, the ones people ask you to make again next year. From cheesy potatoes and buttery biscuits to fresh green beans and sweet, spiced cranberries, these sides are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

Each one brings that homemade, comforting touch that turns a regular meal into a full-on feast.

Duchess Potatoes

Fancy without the fuss, these pretty piped potatoes are golden and crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and always a showstopper. They’re perfect when you want something elegant that’s secretly easy.

Recipe: Duchess Potatoes

Creamed Spinach

Rich, creamy, and lightened up just enough to make you feel good about going back for seconds. This one pairs beautifully with steak, chicken, or a holiday roast.

Recipe: Creamed Spinach

Sweet Potato Casserole (with Marshmallows and Pecans)

A classic sweet side that never fails to impress. Brown sugar, pecans, and gooey marshmallows make this one part side dish, part dessert, and all-around favorite.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Buttermilk Biscuits

Flaky, buttery, and straight-up comfort in biscuit form. These are the ones you’ll be proud to say are homemade, and you’ll never bother with canned again.

Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

Cranberry Sauce

Forget the can. This spiced cranberry sauce has warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pop of citrus that takes your holiday plate to the next level.

Recipe: Cranberry Sauce

Funeral Potatoes

Cheesy, creamy, and topped with that irresistible crispy cornflake crust. They feed a crowd and disappear fast, every single time.

Recipe: Funeral Potatoes

Au Gratin Potatoes (with Bacon)

Thinly sliced potatoes layered with a creamy garlic cheese sauce, plus smoky bacon and a golden, bubbly top. Pure comfort on a plate.

Recipe: Au Gratin Potatoes (with Bacon)

Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Green beans bundled in crispy bacon and brushed with a homemade sauce. They’re easy to portion, fun to serve, and always the first to disappear.

Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Blueberry Fluff Salad

Sweet, creamy, and full of blueberry flavor. This no-bake vintage favorite doubles as a side or dessert, and it’s done in minutes.

Recipe: Blueberry Fluff Salad

Cauliflower au Gratin

Tender cauliflower baked in a rich, cheesy sauce with a crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s elegant enough for a holiday but simple enough for any night.

Recipe: Cauliflower au Gratin

Green Beans Almondine

Tender green beans tossed with toasted almonds, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. Simple, classic, and totally delicious.

Recipe: Green Beans Almondine

Honey Mustard Roasted Baby Potatoes

Crispy roasted baby potatoes coated in a sweet and tangy honey mustard glaze. Perfect for pairing with ham or chicken.

Recipe: Honey Mustard Roasted Baby Potatoes

How to Make Gravy from Scratch

Silky, flavorful gravy made with or without pan drippings. Perfect for mashed potatoes, turkey, or anything that needs a little extra love.

Recipe: How to Make Gravy from Scratch

Lyonnaise Potatoes

Crispy potatoes and caramelized onions sautéed together until golden and perfect. A French classic that’s all about flavor and texture.

Recipe: Lyonnaise Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, fluffy, buttery perfection. These are the mashed potatoes everyone dreams about and the ones you’ll make on repeat.

Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Cheesy, creamy, and loaded with bacon. These are everything you want in a potato side dish, baked to bubbly perfection.

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Oven Roasted Vegetables with Balsamic & Feta

Colorful roasted veggies drizzled with balsamic and sprinkled with feta. Bright, flavorful, and a beautiful addition to any plate.

Recipe: Oven Roasted Vegetables with Balsamic & Feta

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Bacon

Crispy Brussels sprouts, caramelized shallots, and smoky bacon with a sprinkle of parmesan. Even the Brussels sprout skeptics will love these.

Recipe: Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Bacon

Red Lobster Biscuits

Garlic, cheddar, and buttery goodness baked into soft, fluffy biscuits. Just like the restaurant version, but better at home.

Recipe: Red Lobster Biscuits

Fried Apples (Southern Style)

Tart, sweet, and spiced just right. These warm, buttery apples make a cozy side or a simple dessert over ice cream.

Recipe: Fried Apples (Southern Style)

Roasted Broccoli

Simple, crispy, and full of flavor. A quick, hands-off side dish that turns broccoli into a family favorite.

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli

Rosemary Glazed Carrots

Sweet carrots glazed with brown sugar and fresh rosemary. A little sweet, a little savory, and totally perfect for holiday meals.

Recipe: Rosemary Glazed Carrots

Sautéed Green Beans

Crisp-tender green beans tossed with garlic and shallots. Quick, easy, and elegant enough for your holiday spread.

Recipe: Sautéed Green Beans

Scalloped Potatoes

Layered with onion, flour, butter, and a little cheese, these baked scalloped potatoes come out bubbly, golden, and impossible to resist.

Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Smashed Oven Potatoes

Boiled, smashed, and roasted until crispy on the outside and creamy inside. Buttery, salty, and seriously addictive.

Recipe: Smashed Oven Potatoes

Squash Casserole (au Gratin Style)

Creamy, garlicky, and packed with flavor. This quick squash casserole is rich, comforting, and perfect for busy holiday cooking.

Recipe: Squash Casserole (au Gratin Style)

Stuffing

Classic, cozy, and way better than boxed. Made with bread, celery, onions, herbs, and stock for that homemade flavor everyone loves.

Recipe: Stuffing

Twice Baked Potatoes

Cheesy, creamy, and comforting. Make extra, because these freeze beautifully and reheat like a dream.

Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes