Christmas dinner is known for its turkey and tons of delicious side dishes. What you often don’t see at Christmas dinner is a nice salad, hey maybe you do serve a salad, but I can say I’ve hardly ever even thought to have one with Christmas dinner. There are surprisingly tons of different options that would work perfectly with Christmas dinner this year.
Cold salads, warm salad, all vegetable salads, and ones with nuts and cranberries! The possibilities are really endless with salad options. Check out these salads to serve with Christmas dinner recipes below for ideas!
Christmas Dinner Salads
Whether you enjoy a classic salad or something totally unique I have put together the perfect selection that is sure to have something for everyone this holiday season. Personally, I’m loving the sound of the walnut and cranberry salads!
The tartness of the cranberries and the crunchy walnuts just sound so delicious to me, not to mention how festive they look! Like I said before salads to me are not something I often do but after putting together this list I’m for sure adding one or two to my menu this Christmas. Hopefully you will find something that will inspire you to add to your menu as well!
So, get looking at these salad recipes and find the perfect one today.
This Christmas Salad with pomegranate, pear and cranberries is a stunning, light and delicious side dish that is perfect for holiday entertaining! It looks fancy, but is so quick and easy to make! The ultimate red and green themed winter salad to impress your guests this holiday season. {Gluten-free, vegetarian, & refined sugar-free}
Delight your holiday guests with this stunning Christmas salad wreath. This easy and quick recipe offers a refreshing salad in the shape of a wreath so your guests can serve themselves while they admire your artistic flair.
This Arugula Beet salad with feta, makes the BEST salad. It dresses up beets with arugula and feta cheese, two semi-sweet ingredients. It makes a great side dish for any meal. With a delicious balsamic vinaigrette, this simple salad can easily be made at home.
This Apple Brie Salad is a showstopper! Plus, it's quick, easy, sweet + savory. You and your guests will love the contrasting flavors and textures. Perfect for the fall and winter holidays.
Silken tofu creates a creamy but light base for the dressing and 9 simple ingredients like lemon juice, fresh garlic, and capers, add the unmistakable Caesar flavor.
Artichoke salad is so healthy and so good. It's made with artichokes, tomatoes, chickpeas, olives, feta, and a delicious Mediterranean dressing. You won't believe how tasty and simple to make this salad is. A nice refreshing option to go with your Christmas dinner!
Brussels sprout salad is an easy homemade salad with raw, thinly sliced brussels sprouts, pomegranates, dried cranberries, almonds, apple, feta and a sweet honey mustard dressing. The perfect side dish for holidays.
This harvest apple walnut salad is the perfect salad to make this Christmas dinner. Lots of leafy greens, candied walnuts, toasted rosemary croutons, thinly sliced apple, cranberries, feta cheese and juicy chicken- all topped with a homemade Honey Mustard Balsamic Vinaigrette. This harvest apple walnut salad is so easy and cozy.
Loaded with nuts, fruit, and other tasty goodies, Waldorf Salad is delicious. It’s perfect as a side salad, but it’s also hearty enough to be the main dish. Are you craving a bowlful of creative greens? Give this salad a try and fall in love with greens again!
Russian salad or Salad Olivier (ruska salata, insalata Russa) is a holiday staple in Balkan homes. Delicious, rich, and filling, this salad is at once an appetizer, side dish, and the main course. Can another salad say the same? We didn't think so!
This Pomegranate Mandarin Salad with Avocado and Feta is a festive salad for Christmas dinner or a holiday potluck! Serve it as a Christmas salad in a holiday wreath shape, just for fun.
This traditional 7 layer salad has been popular for generations! A staple of barbecues, potlucks and church suppers this easy to make salad features layers of tasty veggies topped off with a mayonnaise based dressing. This elegant side dish will be a hit at Christmas dinner for sure!
Caprese Christmas Wreath is the ideal addition to your festive table. Not only is it a delicious and popular salad, but it makes an attractive table centerpiece. Enjoy it as an appetizer or serve it as a side dish; it is the ideal companion to hot or cold dishes, meat, fish or poultry.
Why serve a boring salad, when you can create a beautiful, stunning Christmas Wreath Salad served with a dairy-free ranch dressing? This is a healthy, super easy and fun holiday party dish!
This fresh, bright salad is made with broccoli, cauliflower, red onion and cherry tomatoes mixed with a creamy dressing. It’s the kind of salad you want to heap on your plate. It’s so good! I love each crisp, crunchy and creamy bite.
Winter Pear, Pomegranate & Swiss Salad is a gorgeous way to use some of the best fruits of the season and perfect for any holiday dinner. The homemade Poppy Seed Dressing that goes with it is a family recipe that has been passed down and it makes a wonderful DIY Christmas gift for friends & neighbors.
Colorful Mexican Christmas Eve Salad (Ensalada de Nochebuena) is a delicious combination of lettuce, beets, and fruit served with a light orange vinaigrette. While traditionally consumed at the holidays, you'll want to enjoy this dish all year long.
This Winter Holiday Salad is loaded with baby greens, pear, pomegranate, pistachios and goat cheese which all gets topped off with a delicious, sweet and tangy pomegranate vinaigrette. The perfect salad for Christmas, Thanksgiving or a regular weeknight dinner!
The delicious flavors of these perfectly roasted beets and blanched green beans, topped with a zesty lemon dressing and crunchy pecans makes it the most perfect side dish anytime of the year, especially the Holiday season!
This red cabbage salad is a light and healthy side dish featuring seasonal produce that’s easy to find in the fall and winter. It’s full of tangy, crisp flavors and is quick and easy to throw together.
This traditional Ensalada de Nochebuena or Christmas Eve Salad is a colorful fruit salad featuring fresh pomegranates, oranges, pineapple, jicama and beets in a citrusy dressing.
Spinach and Persimmon Salad with citrus dressing combines a sweet fuyu persimmon and strawberries with salty feta cheese and pistachios in a spinach salad lightly dressed with a citrus marmalade-based dressing... perfect for your holiday table (or anytime)!
This lentil and pomegranate salad is a healthy and delicious dish that is perfect for any occasion (Especially Christmas dinner) and can be made entirely with store bought ingredients with virtually no prep.
How do you fancy a deliciously aromatic warm lamb salad with tricolor quinoa and bulgur wheat, mint and mixed peppers, all topped with crumbled feta and a cool tzatziki dressing? This warm salad would make the perfect addition to your next Christmas dinner!
Insalata Caprese or tomato, basil and mozzarella salad is a quintessential Italian salad that is hugely popular not only in Italy, but in the US, too. Make it for your next Christmas dinner to wow everyone!
This turkey pasta salad is packed with fresh ingredients, with a creamy maple tahini dressing. Perfect for your Christmas dinner or make good use with leftover turkey for after!
There is an explosion of flavors with this Roasted Squash and Beet Salad! Fat segments of juicy fresh grapefruit, chunks of soft, creamy blue cheese, and chopped Pistachio nuts add additional texture and flavor. A simple drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar is all that is needed for this refreshing salad.
This old-fashioned ham salad recipe is a classic throwback dish that is perfect to make use of the ham you are serving at Christmas dinner or making good use of leftovers! Simple, yet packed with flavor and a little crunch.
Roasted Vegetable Salad combines your favorite roasted veggies over a bed of fresh lettuce with a quick dressing, perfect sidedish to serve at your next Christmas dinner.
This French carrot salad recipe is healthy and fresh. This easy and raw recipe makes a great cold side dish or starter. It uses shredded carrots and apples.
This Quinoa Cranberry salad is full of fresh, feel-good flavors that everyone will love! With nutrients-rich spinach, sweet-dried cranberries and a zippy lemon dressing, it makes the perfect addition to any Christmas dinner.
A flavour packed Winter salad made with baby spinach, red apple, creamy Gorgonzola cheese and candied walnuts that are crunchy, sweet and spicy. This is a salad that's sure to keep those winter blues far, far away with salty, streaky, smoked pancetta and little sprinkles of pomegranate.
Cranberry Walnut Salad is a seasonal salad perfect for your holiday menus. A homemade balsamic vinaigrette lightly coats assorted lettuces, cranberries, goat cheese and glazed walnuts.
This roasted beet salad with goat cheese and citrus dressing is absolutely delicious! Not only is this dish colorful and inviting but its very healthy.
This healthy Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas is so appetizing! It has it all, in terms of color, texture, and flavor. This super healthy dish would be perfect to serve at Christmas time.
The classic Waldorf Salad is a sweet, savory, and creamy dish that’s so easy to make! It’s the perfect refreshing, light lunch, or a side dish for Christmas dinner.
This Green Bean Salad with tomatoes and creamy feta is made with fresh green beans, cherry or grape tomatoes, and creamy Danish feta. With a delicious homemade dressing, this salad is perfect for holidays, potluck dinners and family gatherings!
This kale slaw with apples is so good! This kale salad has tons of crunch and the most amazing flavor. Make it in just minutes with apples, slivered almonds, kale, and a sweet and tangy homemade dressing. This is going to become your new favorite salad.
Fig Arugula Salad With Maple Vinaigrette is truly a showstopper salad. Stunning colors and delicious flavors make it perfect side dish for holiday dinners and entertaining. You will fall in love with this fresh, healthy and luscious salad.
I hope you found a couple salads that will go with your menu this season. honestly, I’m not sure how anyone could pick just one! I’m definitely going to be making a few of these this season and I’m really excited to add a healthy touch to dinner this year. Drop a comment below what salad recipes you picked and how they turned out! Happy Holidays!
Christmas will be here before we know it. Time to start planning your big Christmas dinner! We all know turkey will be on the menu but what about the side dishes for Christmas dinner? They are extremely important after all. If you are like me, you are always wanting to find the next best recipe that will be a showstopper at dinner but also ensuring you have something for everyone.
I’ve gathered many different options to help you get inspired this Christmas season. Check out these side dishes for Christmas dinner below and get cooking!
Selecting Perfect Side Dishes
Meat, salads, maybe some potatoes. The options are endless! How do you know what sides will work best this holiday season for you? I start off by thinking who is going to be there. Do I have any vegetarians coming, those who have allergies, and will there be kids (we all know kids can be super picky!). Having the right-side dishes based on who is coming will make everyone feel more welcomed at dinner time.
That’s why I tried to include every type of side dish you would need in this list of recipes. From roasted sweet potatoes to amazing vegetarian options and some fun creative ones even kids will be excited to try. Find the perfect side dishes for your Christmas dinner today! Happy cooking!
Super easy and healthy asparagus casserole that comes together in just a few steps. This is perfect for Christmas dinner. Creamy and delicious but also low carb!
This Instant Pot creamed corn is seriously so easy to make. It is a sweet and creamy side dish that will be the perfect addition to any Christmas dinner.
This sour cream green bean casserole is classic holiday comfort food at its finest! This green bean casserole uses fresh green beans and sour cream instead of cream of mushroom soup.
An easy no-fail recipe for the best Oven Roasted Carrots! These perfect roasted carrots are naturally sweet with a touch of savory from fresh herbs and spices! They'll be your go-to side dish for every Christmas dinner.
An easy and delicious dinner side dish recipe for Rustic Rosemary Thyme Mashed Potatoes! They're gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and top-8 allergy-free; perfect for the holidays or as a simple healthy take on some good ole' comfort food!
The easiest Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe is also the best! Just 3 ingredients for these healthy, creamy, dairy-free mashed sweet potatoes! Gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free, you can make this side dish savory or sweet! Kid-friendly and perfect for a simple weeknight meal or a holiday dinner!
Classic side dish to have at Christmas time, roasted little potatoes (baby potatoes) with a few quick spices added, this dish can easily be made and will sure to be a big hit.
Make onions the star of the show with this classic Southern onion casserole! This version uses sweet onions, has 9 ingredients, and can be made in advance for a yummy Christmas side dish.
These Southern style green beans and potatoes are a hearty side dish. Tender, hearty, and full of flavor. This recipe is simple and straight forward not to mention its Whole30, Paleo, grain free, gluten free, sugar free, and easily made dairy free.
This stuffing recipe has a mix of tartness, savory and sweetness! Cranberries and sourdough bring the tart flavor, while fresh rosemary brings savory flavors and lastly apple brings some sweetness to it. Mix it up with a few more ingredients and you have a winning dish for Christmas.
This white asparagus recipe features fresh ingredients like pine nuts, capers and dill as well as the savory flavor of olive oil. It’s the perfect natural, woodland dish that’s accentuated by the vibrant hue of the white asparagus.
These honey roasted vegetables with rosemary have a lovely light sweetness that works perfectly with the aroma of herbs. It's very simple to make, pairs well with meat, fish or vegetarian options, and is a gluten free and low histamine side dish.
These ginger Brussels sprouts are a fun appetizer or side, and full of flavor from a zingy ginger marinade. Perfect for any holiday meal, these easy to make vegan smashed sprouts are a world away from the dull boiled sprouts we all used to avoid!
This potato cauliflower mash is a creamy, smooth and healthy side dish that goes perfectly with so many main dishes. A slightly lower carb mash, it definitely isn't lacking in taste with delicious hints of sage and garlic.
This cranberry sauce is a really simple recipe, and perfect for your Christmas celebrations. It combines cranberries, sugar, cherries and a touch of optional cinnamon for a sweet but slightly tart side-dish. Perfect as an alcohol-free and citrus-free cranberry sauce that is vegan, gluten-free and low histamine.
Cranberry Jello Salad is a new staple for your holiday feast! Whether you serve this cranberry salad for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, it is sure to be hit with Jello lovers. Featuring canned whole cranberries, crushed pineapples and sliced grapes, this is a colorful and refreshing holiday side dish.
Olive Oil Bread Dip is amazing however you serve it! Warm up your favorite crusty bread to dip it in and soak up the flavors. Everyone will love this delicious olive oil dip for bread.
Pan sautéed brussels sprouts with bacon, pecans, garlic and maple syrup for the best side dish. Easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes, these crispy, caramelized sprouts are perfect for any Christmas dinner.
Healthy sweet potato casserolewith crunchy pecan sugar topping is melt in your mouth, delicious and comforting casserole for your Holiday table without the guilt. Bonus – you can make it ahead and even freeze.
This delicious cornbread stuffing pairs perfectly with turkey and will make a great side dish. Full of onions, celery, chicken broth and of course bread it will leave you satisfied.
This recipe for sautéed Brussels sprouts and chestnuts uses the sweet taste of roasted chestnuts, which together with the natural bitterness of the seared Brussels sprouts is the perfect combination to go with your turkey.
Creamy macaroni and cheese is super easy to make in a crock pot. Cooked pasta, Velveeta and cheddar cheese along with evaporated milk make a rich and delicious side dish for any occasion!
Creamy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food and always a welcome side dish. This simple version is made with cream, a bit of butter, and lots of caramelized roasted garlic.
Take your stuffing to the next level with this Brioche Stuffing with Rosemary and Sausage. The pillowy soft and sweet brioche is tossed in garlic herb butter then combined with ground sausage, mushrooms, and rosemary, this stuffing recipe is disappear quickly! It’s so crispy and golden on the outside and soft on the inside.
This simple and easy method of twice cooking the mushrooms is the best way to cook mushrooms because it guarantees that they're not soggy, but rather have a delicious meaty texture and a savory, concentrated umami flavor.
Sour cream mashed potatoes are creamy, buttery, and the perfect side for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any family meal. They're made with sour cream, chives, and Yukon gold potatoes for a rich and creamy flavor!
For a truly no-fuss recipe for fluffy, buttery Brioche Dinner Rolls, look no further. With 7 simple ingredients and 10 minutes of your time, you can make this no-knead dough. Let it rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight rise or in a warm place to bake the same day. Either way, you'll be rewarded with delectably delicious rolls.
This delicious Apple Sausage Stuffing is perfect for the holidays. Italian sausage, crunchy apples, and tart cranberries take this classic savory side dish to the next level.
This Roasted Acorn Squash is a beautiful and delicious side dish. Sliced acorn squash is oven roasted in a sweet and spicy buttery sauce, then topped with toasted pumpkin seeds, pomegranate arils, and orange zest for a holiday table showstopper!
Caramelized Brussel sprouts with brown sugar are a wonderful simple side dish. To make Brussel sprouts even more wonderful add bacon and blue cheese for a sweet, salty, creamy, and nutty delight.
This delicious Sourdough Stuffing is a must for your next dinner party. This sourdough stuffing will make your mouth water as it is tossed with garlic herb butter before being toasted then combined with sausage, mushroom, and sage. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, this easy sourdough bread stuffing is going to be your new favorite.
This Boursin Mashed Potatoes Recipe is really creamy and so delicious. It's an easy recipe that has only five simple ingredients and can be ready in less than 30 minutes! It's the perfect make-aheadside dish for a lovely family dinner.
Did you find a side dish that screamed perfect for your Christmas dinner? Honestly, reading these recipes made me hungry! I’m going to be cooking up a storm this Christmas trying out a bunch of these and I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction to them. Please leave a comment below to let us know what side dishes you ended up selecting and how they turned out this Christmas season. Happy Holidays!
