Can't Miss Holiday Sides Everyone Will Be Talking About This Season

I’m a total side-dish girl, so this lineup makes me downright giddy. It’s packed with cheesy potatoes, crisp salads, slow cooker gems, creamy casseroles, and all the cranberry goodness you can imagine. Think warm, buttery, comforting flavors mixed with a few bright, fresh surprises. Whether you’re building a Thanksgiving spread, feeding a crowd, or just cooking something special on a random Tuesday, these sides bring the kind of easy, no-stress magic everyone reaches for first.

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Close up of mashed potatoes in a Dutch oven, with wooden spoon. — Cheesy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

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These mashed potatoes are pure comfort. They turn out rich and cheesy every time, and you can make them on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot in under an hour.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Close up of mashed potatoes with a slice of butter and a golden spoon. — Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These no-drain mashed potatoes come out creamy, garlicky, and ridiculously good. They’re quick, foolproof, and perfect for any holiday plate or weeknight craving.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

A super easy green bean casserole that levels up the classic with a creamy, cheesy twist. Use fresh or canned beans and have it on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes)

A close up image of cheesy potatoes in a casserole, garnished with parsley. — Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Real potatoes baked in a silky, chive-kissed sauce and topped with buttery cornflakes. It’s warm, cheesy, and ready in about half an hour.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes)

Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries

Close up of cranberry sauce made with dried cranberries. — Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This simple cranberry sauce uses dried cranberries and still gives you that sweet-tart holiday flavor we all love. Great for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries

Colcannon

Creamy mashed potatoes meet sautéed cabbage and green onions in this cozy Irish classic. It’s buttery, comforting, and so satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Colcannon

Sweet Potato Cornbread

Soft, golden cornbread with sweet potato baked right in. It’s moist, buttery, and crisp around the edges. Such a good fall side.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

A close up photo of fresh cranberry sauce placed in a white bowl with spoon, oranges and fresh cranberries in the background. — Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This cranberry sauce is quick, easy, and works perfectly with fresh or frozen berries. A holiday must that brightens the whole plate.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

The slow cooker does all the work in this creamy, dreamy green bean casserole. Just toss everything in and walk away.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Elevated Canned Cranberry Sauce

A close up view of cranberry sauce in white bowl, with a spoon and oranges in the background. — Elevated Canned Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Canned cranberry sauce gets a glow-up with just a few ingredients. It turns into a sweet, tangy, slightly fancy side with almost zero effort.
Get the Recipe: Elevated Canned Cranberry Sauce

Spinach Casserole

This creamy, cheesy spinach bake is cozy, simple, and ready in half an hour. Works with fresh or frozen spinach.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Casserole

Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Stuffing Recipe: A Classic

An overview of a cassserole of stuffing and a spoon. — Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Stuffing Recipe: A Classic. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers…

A classic stuffing that tastes just like the one Grandma made. Simple flavors, cozy texture, perfect for holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Stuffing Recipe: A Classic

Kale Salad With Cranberries

Bright, lemony, and crunchy with nuts and sweet cranberries. It comes together in minutes and pairs with just about anything.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad With Cranberries

Kale Harvest Salad

An overhead image of kale salad in a large serving bowl. — Kale Harvest Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A quick, fall-inspired salad with carrots, dates, and hearty kale. Fresh, colorful, and great for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Kale Harvest Salad

Easy Dinner Rolls

Close-up of a batch of a golden-brown dinner rolls. — Easy Dinner Rolls. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Soft, tender rolls with that buttery flavor everyone fights over. They’re vegan as written and perfect for holiday tables.
Get the Recipe: Easy Dinner Rolls

Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans

An image of cranberry salad with pecans served in a white salad bowl with a fork on the side. — Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Goat cheese, crunchy pecans, sweet cranberries, and a zesty dressing make this a protein-packed side that’s done in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

An overhead image of Vegan Caesar Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts in wooden bowl. — Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A fun twist on Caesar with shaved Brussels sprouts, creamy vegan dressing, and toasted chickpeas for crunch.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

Roasted Kabocha Squash

Close-up of baked kabocha squash slices seasoned with sesame seeds. — Roasted Kabocha Squash. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Sweet, caramelized kabocha squash that needs just a handful of ingredients. Cozy, earthy, and naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Kabocha Squash

Sweet Potato Bread Rolls

Fluffy, golden rolls with a hint of sweet potato. They feel like fall in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Bread Rolls

Maple Candied Brussels Sprouts

Glass bowl with roasted brussels sprouts and more sprouts on a baking tray behind it. — Maple Candied Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

These maple-sweet, crispy Brussels sprouts are impossible to stop snacking on. Even the skeptics go back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Maple Candied Brussels Sprouts

Gluten-Free Sweet potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping in a glass baking dish with a spoon in the dish. — Gluten-Free Sweet potato Casserole. Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

Creamy sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy maple-pecan layer. It’s indulgent, cozy, and totally gluten-free.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Sweet potato Casserole

Chili’s Baked Potato Soup

A person holding a bowl of baked potato soup garnished, with similar bowls and a spoon on a checkered tablecloth. — Chili’s Baked Potato Soup . Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

A hearty copycat baked potato soup loaded with tender potatoes, cheddar, bacon, and chives. Tastes just like the restaurant favorite.
Get the Recipe: Chili’s Baked Potato Soup

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

A plate with breaded chicken cutlet, roasted green beans with seasoning, and lemon wedges. — Parmesan Roasted Green Beans. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Frozen green beans turn into something amazing with a quick roast. They come out garlicky, crisp, and cheesy with parmesan.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes with the perfect amount of garlic. Simple, rich, and special enough for holidays.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Honey Glazed Carrots

Sweet, glossy carrots in a honey-butter-garlic glaze. They’re quick, colorful, and so easy..0

Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots

Parmesan Potatoes

Baby potatoes roasted until they’re tender inside with a crunchy, cheesy parmesan crust. Totally addictive.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Cornbread

A soft, pillowy cornbread recipe passed down through the family. It’s moist, golden, and the kind of nostalgic comfort you remember forever.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread

Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Light, fluffy, and low-carb mashed cauliflower that tastes surprisingly close to the real deal. Great way to get more veggies in. Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with chopped parsley. — Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes made right in the slow cooker. No juggling stovetop space, no stress, just easy comfort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Broccoli and Bacon Casserole

A metal baking dish filled with baked casserole topped with a golden breadcrumb crust, with pieces of broccoli nearby on a wooden surface. — Broccoli and Bacon Casserole. Photo credit: Lets Cook Today.

Creamy, cheesy broccoli baked with smoky bacon. It’s hearty without being heavy and works with any meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli and Bacon Casserole

Cold Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

A bowl of green bean salad with feta cheese, sliced almonds, red onions, and lettuce, served with a fork and spoon. — Cold Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Crisp green beans tossed in a tangy Dijon vinaigrette with almonds for crunch. Fresh, bright, and perfect for potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Cold Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

Easy Cauliflower Vegetable Fried Rice Bowl

A white bowl contains cauliflower rice mixed with chopped carrots, peas, and green onions. A fork is placed beside the bowl on a white plate. — Easy Cauliflower Vegetable Fried Rice Bowl. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

All the flavor of fried rice but lighter and veggie-packed. Riced cauliflower, crisp veggies, and sesame make it so satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cauliflower Vegetable Fried Rice Bowl

Faux Potato Salad

A white bowl of potato salad with mayonnaise. — Faux Potato Salad. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

A clever low-carb potato salad made with turnip radish instead of potatoes. Creamy, tangy, and great for anyone watching carbs.
Get the Recipe: Faux Potato Salad

Mushrooms Green Bean Casserole

Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole in a white bowl. — Mushrooms Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

A three-ingredient gluten-free green bean casserole with homemade mushroom soup and crispy onions. Simple and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Mushrooms Green Bean Casserole

TikTok Viral Onion Boil

Two whole baked onions, seasoned and cooked in foil, sit in a pan with juices visible around them. — TikTok Viral Onion Boil. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Whole onions simmered in buttery, savory broth. It’s a TikTok trend that tastes way better than it has any right to.
Get the Recipe: TikTok Viral Onion Boil

Cranberry Sauce

A sugar-free cranberry sauce that comes together in minutes. Sweet, tangy, low-carb, and festive.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce

Baked Buttercup Squash with Goat Cheese

A white plate topped with sliced roasted buttercup squash, goat cheese, and herbs. — Baked Buttercup Squash with Goat Cheese. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Sweet roasted squash topped with creamy goat cheese, herbs, and pomegranate seeds. It’s bright, flavorful, and feels fancy.
Get the Recipe: Baked Buttercup Squash with Goat Cheese

Pecan Cranberry Quinoa Salad

A glass bowl filled with quinoa, dried cranberries, and pecans. — Pecan Cranberry Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Fluffy quinoa tossed with pecans, feta, herbs, and dried cranberries. It’s a flavorful side that’s delicious warm or chilled.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Cranberry Quinoa Salad