What to Serve at Christmas Dinner? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Just as Thanksgiving calls for a special dinner, the winter months are centered around one prominent event – the Christmas dinner.

This dinner marks the culmination of a year-long journey, so it’s undoubtedly a fancy feast and is celebrated on the 24th and 25th of December.

Anything from whole-roast fowl to expensive beef becomes the centerpiece of the dinner table and is referred to as the ‘Christmas dinner’.

Now, knowing what to serve with Christmas dinner becomes essential if you want to make the most out of the holiday season.

So, let’s find out the best.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Christmas Dinner?

There is always news about people feeling discomfort after a Christmas dinner.

And if you’re wondering why this happens, it’s most often because of an improper meal plan that lacks variety.

Roasted turkey is generally considered a staple Christmas dinner in the US.

The savory fowl has zero carbs and is packed with protein, so you might want to consider some side dishes to complement the flavor and nutrition.

While most people usually serve some drinks with it, side dishes with a little substance always help in making a healthy and memorable Christmas dinner.

What to Serve at Christmas Dinner? 10 BEST Side Dishes

A Christmas dinner is all about seasonal appreciation.

So here are the best dishes that will warm the hearts and satisfy all your dinner guests’ palates.

1 – Hot and Sour Soup

–

With Christmas dinners being one of the most anticipated meals of wintertime, you have to do your best to showcase as many seasonal veggies as possible on your meal menu.

A hot and sour soup can use as many or as few ingredients as you prefer, so it makes a good start to your list of Christmas side dishes.

Moreover, its texture, flavor, and aroma contrast well with the entrée, making it a preferable choice.

Common ingredients in the soup include mushrooms, beans, carrots, tofu, and scallions cooked in a chicken broth.

You can adjust the number of ingredients depending on your dietary restrictions.

2 – French Carrot Salad

–

Anything sweet and crunchy is a total yes when considering a tender and whole savory roast.

You can make French carrot salad by mixing slices of carrot with olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.

If you like more protein in your meals, you can add some chickpeas to them.

Carrots are rich in antioxidants, so they make some of the essential winter veggies.

And best of all, it takes just 20 minutes of your time so you can spend more of your holidays eating delicious food rather than spending time in the preparation.

3 – Butternut Squash Casserole

–

The holidays are always hectic, and the secret to putting your meals together is a casserole.

Because all the work you have to do is toss in your ingredients and forget about it until your oven’s done with it.

And with the winter months being rich with butternut squash produce, you cannot say no to a colorful and sweet casserole.

Who wouldn’t want to pair sweet food with savory dishes?

Butternut squashes are rich in carbs, so it has the element that the fowl roast lacks.

Because this casserole is hearty and comforting, they’re a favorite among kids, meaning you can get them to eat their veggies.

4 – Stuffed Mushrooms

–

If stuffed potatoes are too large for a one-bite side dish, mushrooms are the ones to look for.

Their nutty and earthy taste pairs well with just about any stuffing.

But for a Christmas dinner as the entrée, consider using cheese and breadcrumbs as the stuffing; it’s simple yet satisfyingly delicious.

The meaty mushrooms and cheesy fillings complement the tenderness of the savory roast.

Because the mushrooms are compact, flavorful, and great for your health, everyone will love to take a bite, and you’ll be left with a ton of compliments.

5 – Beet and Avocado Salad

–

Beetroot is a winter essential that everyone needs in their holiday meals.

Eating beets raw will provide you with more vitamins and minerals than when cooked.

Pair them with avocadoes for a crunchy, buttery salad that contrasts the tender meats very well.

Shred some feta or goat cheese over them and garnish with fresh herbs for a delicious side dish.

The beet and avocado salad will help you digest all the meaty dishes you consume.

And they’re great if you wish to fight discomforting Christmas dinners.

6 – French Onion Soup

–

An onion soup always looks addicting on a dinner table.

Imagine how your guests would feel seeing it as a side dish for a Christmas dinner.

You need just a handful of ingredients, and a considerable part of it has to do with onions and cheese.

If you season your soup right, everyone will look for seconds within minutes.

The most favored seasonings are black pepper, olive oil, and white wine.

Meanwhile, garlic and butter are regular aromatics that you’ll find in every onion soup.

Remember to top the soup with a generous amount of grated cheese for a touch of visual and a boost of flavor.

7 – Italian Butter Beans

–

This dish uses large, tender butter beans (lima beans) mixed with meat, butter, and seasonings.

And they make an excellent pair for meaty meals.

Crispy bacon works best for the meat as it provides a contrasting texture to the tender beans.

Meanwhile, black pepper olive oil and lemon juice add a flavor that dances in your mouth as you bite into it.

Despite being a quick dish (provided the beans are pre-cooked), butter beans are packed with all you might need to fuel you for a day.

Blanching the onions reduces the overwhelming sensation you often get while eating them.

8 – Duchess Potatoes

–

This dish is like the upgraded version of mashed potatoes.

You need to add many eggs to make them fluffy and look delicious, and they’re a carb-rich option for a side dish.

Other ingredients that make this dish flavorful are butter and black pepper, the ultimate aromatic duo.

Once these fancy potatoes are baked, they retain a buttery yet firm texture and are delicious when paired with savory, meaty dishes.

Even the bright yellow color of a duchess potato is enough to make anyone want to try it.

9 – White Bean Soup

–

Winter is a time for soups, and you can get creative because there is a lot of seasonal food to try and uncountable guests to serve.

Tender white beans are the star of this soup, but you can add just about anything into the soup to make it feel complete.

You can never go wrong with carrots, kale, sausages, and parmesan.

They add texture, flavor, and a pop of color to the soup.

This soup adds carbs, minerals, and an extra dose of protein to your Christmas dinners.

10 – Farro Salad

–

This is a delicious way to add carbs to your meal.

Besides the nutrition that farro provides, it also provides a contrasting flavor to a traditional Christmas dinner.

The grains are chewy and taste nutty.

And the best thing about using them as a side dish is that you can add as many or as few ingredients to make it into a salad.

Pecans, crispy bacon, green apples, crushed nuts, and herbs are some things you can add to a farro salad to make a flavorful side dish that always impresses you.

Conclusion

Christmas dinner is as important as Thanksgiving and an even more significant event that marks the year’s end.

Because every family member attends this dinner, it is always a grand celebration marked by a special centerpiece such as roasted fowl or beef.

The best Christmas dinners are when you serve side dishes that incorporate the season’s produce into your meal.

Having elements of what’s in season is the best way to enjoy a perfect holiday dinner.

But as always, it is best to consider your family’s food preferences while choosing side dishes.