27 Irresistible Christmas Sides That Will Outshine Your Ugly Sweater

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Get ready to upstage even the most flamboyant of ugly Christmas sweaters with our list of 27 Irresistible Christmas Sides! These aren’t just any ordinary sides; they’re like a holiday light show on your dinner table.

top view of squash casserole
Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

From the creamiest of casseroles to the crispiest of potatoes, each dish is ready to make your main course jealous. So, whether you’re serving prime rib or the old stand-by turkey (again), these sides have got you covered.

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Squash Casserole

Brighten your Christmas dinner with the colorful, comforting Squash Casserole. A simple mix of zucchini and yellow squash, it’s a visually appealing dish that’s as delicious as it looks.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole

Cranberry Fluff

A bowl of pink cranberry dip with a wooden spoon.
Cranberry Fluff. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The fluffy, sweet, and tart Cranberry Fluff is the unexpected star of your Christmas dinner. Adding a vibrant pop of color and a berry burst, it cuts through the traditional holiday fare like a cranberry cloud on your plate.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Fluff

7 Layer Salad

Seven layer salad in a bowl.
7 Layer Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy the layered beauty of 7 Layer Salad, a Christmas showstopper. It’s a delicious combination of veggies and creamy dressing, as appealing in taste as it is in appearance, much like a layered salad cake.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad

Lime Jello Salad

green jello salad topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
Lime Jello Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Lime Jello Salad brings a zesty and tangy twist to your holiday spread. This retro delight is not only a conversation starter but also the perfect green, festive balance to your richer dishes.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad

Green Bean Casserole

Classic Campbell's Green Bean casserole topped with fried onions.
Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Bringing creamy, crunchy comfort, Green Bean Casserole is the Christmas side hero we all need. With nostalgic holiday charm, it’s like that favorite cousin everyone’s thrilled to see at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Twice Baked Potatoes

Twice baked potatoes topped with cheese, bacon bits and chives.
Twice Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Twice Baked Potatoes are the spud upgrade your Christmas feast was waiting for. Packed with creamy, cheesy goodness and topped with bacon and chives, these potatoes are ready to outshine your main course.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes

Beet Gratin

A casserole dish filled with beets and spinach.
Beet Gratin. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Level up your Christmas dinner with the sophisticated Beet Gratin. A layered masterpiece of tender beets, rich cheese, and spices, it’s gourmet without the fuss, making your dining room feel like a five-star restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Beet Gratin

Classic Broccoli Salad

A close shot of a fork full of broccoli salad.
Classic Broccoli Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Shake up your Christmas carb fest with the crunchy, fresh Classic Broccoli Salad. A flavorful mix of broccoli, cranberries, and bacon, it’s a mixture of flavors that brightens your holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Classic Broccoli Salad

Honey Glazed Carrots

Multicolored carrots with a honey glaze one a plate with a green napkin at the side.
Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Add elegance and flavor to your feast with Honey Glazed Carrots. Their sweet and savory taste, coupled with the perfect air fryer char, turns simple ingredients into a spectacular side.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots

Pea Salad

Pea salad in a blue bowl.
Pea Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make room for the vintage charm of Pea Salad this Christmas. Creamy, tangy, and sweet, this salad offers a comforting blend perfect for any festive meal, making it a nostalgic and welcomed dish.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad

Air Fryer Garlic Knots

A person is holding up a garlic knot.
Air Fryer Garlic Knots. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

In under 10 minutes, Air Fryer Garlic Knots bring a quick, garlicky twist to your Christmas meal. Golden, delicious, and ready in a flash, they’re the reason everyone will be hanging around the bread basket..
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Knots

Pistachio Fluff

Pistachio salad topped with nuts and cherries.
Pistachio Fluff. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Light and fluffy Pistachio Fluff is here to sweeten your Christmas spread. Also known as Watergate Salad, it’s a nutty, easy-to-make side perfect for last-minute additions and full of nostalgic flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Fluff

Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Crock Pot Creamed Corn. Photo credit: .

Your Christmas table gets a creamy dream with Crock Pot Creamed Corn. Transforming simple corn into a buttery delight, this dish is a crock pot magic that has everyone scooping for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Orange Fluff Salad

Orange fluff salad in a bowl.
Orange Fluff Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Orange Fluff Salad is the creamsicle dream bringing summer vibes to your winter feast. Combining oranges, cottage cheese, Jello, and Cool Whip, it’s a creamy, sweet side lighting up your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Orange Fluff Salad

Chile Relleno Casserole

Casserole dish with chile relleno casserole topped with sliced jalapenos.
Chile Relleno Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Spice up your Christmas dinner with the easy, cheesy Chile Relleno Casserole. Loaded with fresh chile peppers and gooey cheese, it’s a low-effort dish with spicy Tex-Mex flavor perfect for holiday.
Get the Recipe: Chile Relleno Casserole

Chickpea Salad

Healthy chickpea salad in a blue bowl.
Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chickpea Salad adds a colorful, healthy touch to balance your festive indulgence. Simple, vegan, and gluten-free, it’s a fresh, crowd-pleasing side perfect for a refreshing holiday twist.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad

Hasselback Potatoes

Air fryer hasselback potatoes stuffed with cheese and bacon.
Hasselback Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Give your Christmas dinner a fancy twist with air fryer Hasselback Potatoes. Crispy skins filled with cheesy, bacon-stuffed goodness, these potatoes turn humble spuds into a holiday sensation.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Top view of blue bowl of mashed potatoes with butter and parsley.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ready in 30 minutes, Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes are the creamy, garlicky side everyone loves. This fuss-free dish pairs perfectly with any main, making your Christmas dinner both comforting and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Sweet Potato Casserole

Crock pot with sweet potato casserole with pecans and marshmallows.
Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ease into holiday classics with Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole. Merging soft sweet potatoes, brown sugar, marshmallows, and pecans, it’s a simple, beloved dish perfect for a hassle-free Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Cornbread Dressing

Top view of crock pot cornbread dressing with bacon and parsley on top.
Cornbread Dressing. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crockpot Cornbread Dressing is a moist, flavorful, and effortless side. Capturing all the traditional flavors with the convenience of a slow cooker, it’s a must-have for a stress-free, deliciously comforting Christmas meal. This dressing is the side that makes you feel like you’ve got your holiday act together, even if you’re winging it!
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Dressing

Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

A bowl of cranberry sauce on a wooden cutting board.
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce is the tart, tangy, and totally necessary side that completes your Christmas spread. It’s the homemade touch that adds a burst of flavor and color to every bite. This cranberry sauce will make you wonder why you ever bothered with the canned stuff.
Get the Recipe: Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

Cherry Salad

Cherry fluff salad in blue bowls with whipped cream.
Cherry Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cherry Salad, aka Pink Fluff, is a quick, sweet addition to cool down your Christmas feast. A potluck favorite, it combines sweet, tangy, and fluffy elements for an easy, party-friendly side.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Salad

Acorn Squash

Acorn squash after air frying with some of the insides scooped up on a fork.
Acorn Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Acorn Squash in the air fryer brings a quick, sweet charm to your Christmas table. In just 25 minutes, enjoy a flavorful, fuss-free side perfect for adding a fall touch to your spread.
Get the Recipe: Acorn Squash

Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Slow cooker with green bean casserole topped with fried onions.
Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole is the set-it-and-forget-it version of the classic holiday favorite. Free up your oven and let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting, turning green beans into a creamy, crispy-topped delight.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes with pecans and nuts on a cutting board.
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes are the air fryer sensation that’ll change how you see this holiday staple. Mixed with maple syrup, cinnamon, pecans, or marshmallows, they offer a twist that’s both sweet and savory.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Butternut Squash

Plate of butternut squash in front of an air fryer with a blue napkin in the background.
Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Spiced and savory, Butternut Squash in the air fryer is a quick, nutritious addition to your Christmas menu. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s a flavorful, fall side that’s both healthy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is the creamy, cheesy, no-brainer side that everyone from kids to grandparents will love. Let the slow cooker work its magic, turning pasta and cheese into a gooey delight. This mac and cheese is the side that brings everyone to the table, no questions asked.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

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anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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