4 Traditional Christmas Side Dishes to Try This Holiday Season

Looking for inspiration on what to make for Christmas dinner? Look no further, we’ve gathered some of the best Christmas side dishes to accompany your turkey (or ham) this season! 

One of the best parts of the holiday season? The food! And there’s bound to be plenty of good, and some not so good, dishes at your yearly holiday office party or friend’s dinner party. Luckily, we’ve gathered some delectable holiday side dishes that’ll make us wish it was Christmas all year long. The recipes below are brought to you by Ahead of Thyme. Choose your favorite or try all four to accompany your main dish! 

Green Beans Almondine 

 Ingredients: 

• 1 pound green beans 
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds 
• 1 small onion, diced 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 

Instructions: 

1. In a large pot, boil water. Then, add green beans and cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Drain under cold running water and set aside. 
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat until bubbling, about 2 minutes. Add almonds and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. 
3. Add onion and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. 
4. Stir in green beans and cook until warm, about 1-2 minutes. 
5. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper and toss well. Serve immediately. 

Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin 

 Ingredients: 

• 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes 
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 medium onion, diced 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• 1 and 1/2 cups whole milk 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 
• 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded 
• 1/4 cup Grana Padano cheese, shredded 
• fresh green onions, optional 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 9 inch baking dish. Peel and thinly slice potatoes, then layer in baking dish. 
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, then cook until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Whisk in flour and continue to whisk until browned, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, then add salt and pepper. Continuously whisk until mixture has thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Turn heat down to low and add cheeses, stirring continuously until melted, about 30 seconds. 
3. Pour cheese sauce on top of potatoes and cover with aluminum foil. Place into oven and bake for one hour. Then, uncover and bake for 20-30 minutes more or until potatoes are tender and slightly brown. 
4. Garnish with fresh ground black pepper and green onions. Serve immediately. 

Maple Roasted Carrots with Yogurt Sauce 

 Ingredients: 

• 2 bunches carrots, peeled (about 12 carrots) 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 
• 1/4 cup maple syrup 
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• zest from 1 lemon 
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed 
• 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, finely chopped 
• 1 tablespoon water 
• 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted and crushed 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place carrots on parchment-lined half sheet baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil and set aside. 
2. In small mixing bowl, combine salt, cinnamon, and pepper. Sprinkle evenly over carrots on all sides. Roast carrots for 20 minutes, rotating once halfway through. 
3. Remove carrots from oven and drizzle maple syrup on top. Toss to coat, then return to oven and cook for another 5-6 minutes. 
4. While carrots are cooking, make yogurt sauce. In small mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped tarragon. Add water to thin it out so it’s pourable. Whisk to combine, then set aside.  
5. Once carrots are cooked, drizzle yogurt sauce on top, along with fresh tarragon and toasted walnuts. Serve immediately. 

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits 

 Ingredients: 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder 
• 1/2 cup butter, diced and very cold 
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated 
• 1 cup milk, very cold 
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted 
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line large half sheet baking pan with parchment paper. 
2. In large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Cut butter into small half-inch squares. Stir in cheddar cheese. 
3. Slowly pour in cold milk and mix until combined. Once batter forms into a soft dough, use hands to fold in dry pieces that haven’t been incorporated. Don’t overmix. Dough will be slightly sticky.  
4. Turn dough on floured surface until just covered and pat into a 3/4-inch-thick disk. With a round glass, cut out rounds of dough. Place biscuits onto baking sheet. 
5. In small mixing bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Use silicone brush to cover biscuits with half the butter mixture. 
6. Bake biscuits for 13 to 16 minutes, or until tops are just golden brown. 
7. Brush biscuits with remaining butter mixture. Let cool in pan for five minutes, then transfer to wire cooling rack to cool slightly and serve. 

Enjoying the Holidays 

Traditional Christmas side dishes don’t have to be boring, that’s why we love that the recipes above have a modern twist. Now that you have your Christmas side dishes set, want to learn about Christmas traditions from around the world? We’ve gathered some of the most interesting Christmas traditions for you to talk about at your next holiday party! 

Trying out one of the recipes above? Tag us on Instagram @naturalbalancebrand! me