40 Best Christmas Vegetable Dishes to Brighten Up Your Holiday Table
Balance out your plate with these nutritious sides!
Christmastime always gives way to the most delicious culinary spread, from the holiday party appetizers to the delectable desserts. But since the traditional menu of the season is usually filled with hearty entrées, buttery sides, and sugary treats, you'll probably want to balance out all the heavy, rich dishes with a few healthy sides, namely vegetables. Even though veggies aren't the first thing everyone reaches for, done the right way, these nutritious accompaniments can be every bit as tasty and festive as a Christmas roast at the center of the holiday table. Vegetables add a variety of color, texture, flavor, and, of course, vitamins to the whole meal. And when there's crispy bacon, creamy sauces, and melty cheeses in the mix, they'll be a guaranteed hit!
Ahead, you'll find a bounty of Christmas vegetable sides that highlight fresh, in-season produce, from root veggies like beets, carrots, and parsnips to leafy greens like kale, spinach, and cabbage. Of course, there are plenty of winter staples, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, too. Whether you opt for simplicity by roasting it with olive oil and seasonings or go all out by transforming it into a cozy, cheesy casserole, these nutrient-dense dishes will freshen up every plate and appeal to every palate. Many of these sides can be made days ahead for hassle-free hosting, and some use frozen veggies like peas and green beans for no-fuss prep. For the vegetarians in the group, you'll notice a few hearty helpings that can definitely work as entrées, too.
Whatever you decide, one thing's for certain: these Christmas vegetable dishes will make your table merry and brighter!
Check out more Christmassy sides tailored to your main course:
Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries
Roasted Brussels sprouts coated in a sticky-sweet glaze and paired with chewy dried cranberries is a match made in heaven. Thanks to the red and green hues, this Christmas vegetable dish will bring a festive flair to your holiday table décor!
Get Ree's Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries recipe.
Broccoli Caesar Salad
Traditional Caesar salad is great and all, but swapping romaine for broccoli will bring a whole new level of crunch, flavor, and freshness. Of course, this Christmas vegetable dish has everything we love about the original, like shaved parmesan, crispy croutons, and creamy dressing.
Get the Broccoli Caesar Salad recipe.
Braised Cabbage Wedges
Turn crisp cabbage into a tender, flavorful delicacy by simmering it in a skillet with cozy seasonings and finishing it off with bacon shavings and a dollop of whipped cream. Just by the looks of it, no one will be able to turn this dish down!
Get the Braised Cabbage Wedges recipe.
Air-Fryer Cauliflower
If you're in need of a Christmas vegetable dish that's quick and simple yet unforgettably tasty, try these cauliflower bites. Tossing them in the air fryer will drastically cut down on the cooking time, but the spiced, golden end result will suggest otherwise!
Get the Air-Fryer Cauliflower recipe.
Winter Citrus Salad with Feta
Since citrus tastes oh-so fresh during the winter months, this seasonal salad will make mouths water during Christmastime. This healthy medley has blood oranges, paired with feta cubes and chopped pistachios for a salty, crunchy spin.
Get Ree's Winter Citrus Salad with Feta recipe.
Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon
Want to make veggies appealing to everyone, even picky eaters? Smother them in cheese, bacon, and buttery crackers, of course! With these tasty ingredients, no one will want to turn down a big scoop!
Get Ree's Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon recipe.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
Roasted until they turn crisp and golden and basted with a sweet-tart balsamic glaze, these Brussels sprouts will cater to every craving. Plus, they'll balance out the richness of a heavy Christmas main course, such as ham or beef.
Get the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates
Don't settle for plain green beans when you can make these veggies simultaneously tangy, sweet, savory, and crunchy by mixing in pomegranate seeds, shallots, ginger, and pistachios. The gorgeous colors will also make your holiday spread feel so Christmassy!
Get Ree's Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates recipe.
Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter
Roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness, but a drizzle of honey will heighten the flavor even more. With fresh herbs and a dash of vinegar, this Christmas vegetable dish will appeal to both savory and sweet enthusiasts.
Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash
Packed with roasted acorn squash, creamy goat cheese, tart cranberries, and roasted pumpkin seeds, this salad is a winter dream! Since everything is seasonal, you know the flavor will be undeniably fresh, bright, and bold.
Get Ree's Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash recipe.
Smashed Brussels Sprouts
These smashed sprouts make an excellent side dish or an appetizer. They're coated in panko and parmesan for extra crispy flavor and served with a zesty dipping sauce made from scratch.
Get the Smashed Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Roasted Asparagus with Cajun Hollandaise
Asparagus is pretty easy to find, even in the winter. And the best way to bring out its flavor is by roasting it. Make it extra special for the holidays with a spicy hollandaise!
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Sweet, smoky, and savory: Now that's an enticing side dish! Oh, and it's a bit tart, too, thanks to some dried cranberries. There won't be a boring bite in the bunch.
Get the Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Butternut Squash Casserole
Yes, this casserole features seasonal butternut squash. But it also has caramelized onion, kale, bacon, almonds, and gruyère. The combination will most certainly wow a crowd.
Get the Butternut Squash Casserole recipe.
Cabbage Salad
Reasons to make this salad: All of the ingredients are easy to find come wintertime and you can make it in advance to make the holiday easier. Oh, and it's really delicious, too, obviously.
Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.
Spinach Casserole
If you like creamed spinach, then you'll definitely love this casserole. The crispy fried onions and crunchy breadcrumbs take it over the top!
Get the Spinach Casserole recipe.
Carrot Salad
This salad has everything you want in a side: crispy, crunchy, zingy, and sweet. Plus, it only takes ten minutes to make, which is exactly what you need to hear during a busy holiday season.
Get the Carrot Salad recipe.
Stuffed Artichokes
Are these artichokes delicious? They get dipped in melted butter―need we say more? They're also stuffed with cheese if you really need another reason.
Get the Stuffed Artichokes recipe.
Collard Greens
These hearty greens are good any time of year, but their homey comfort feels just right around the holidays. Flavored with smoked turkey, they are super savory!
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
Collard Green Salad
Looking for a different, vegetarian take on collards? Try a salad! The contrast in textures between the raw greens, creamy black-eyed peas, and crunchy fried onions and peanuts will be a celebration in your mouth.
Get the Collard Green Salad recipe.
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