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12 Must-Try Side Dishes to Complete Your Holiday Feast

Holiday meals aren’t complete without a selection of mouthwatering side dishes. These 12 side dish recipes will add flavor and flair to your festive spread. From simple vegetables to creamy mac and cheese, these sides will impress your guests and make your meal unforgettable!

Creamy Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes topped with melted butter and herbs in a serving bowl.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

These creamy ranch mashed potatoes with real butter and fresh herbs are just what you’ve been looking for. With minimal ingredients and prep time, this side dish comes together quickly and leaves you reaching for more.   

Get the Recipe: Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Ambrosia Salad

A serving bowl of ambrosia salad with a spoon.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

This Ambrosia salad is bursting with fruit, marshmallows and fluffy cream.  It is a marshmallow fruit salad that comes together in minutes and can be served as a side or dessert.

Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Salad

Cranberry Orange Sauce

Cranberry sauce in a small serving bowl.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Cranberry sauce is a must on the Thanksgiving table. This homemade cranberry-orange sauce is made with simple ingredients and takes about 10 minutes. Adding orange juice helps balance the flavour for the perfect amount of tartness. It is sure to please a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Sauce

Cheddar Chive Biscuits

Cheddar chive biscuits on a table.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Flaky, buttery biscuits loaded with sharp cheddar cheese and fresh chives. Cheddar chive biscuits come together quickly and are the perfect addition to the dinner table.

Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chive Biscuits

Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes

Stuffed potatoes with sour cream and onion.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Crispy potato skins stuffed with fluffy mashed potato, bacon, and cheese. These air fryer twice-baked potatoes are a delicious take on a traditional baked potato. They can be prepared ahead of time and frozen to make a quick and easy side dish.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes

Bacon Mac & Cheese

Bacon Mac & Cheese in a bowl.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

This delicious dish combines creamy, cheesy noodles, bacon, and ranch seasoning. Cooked in the Instant Pot, this is an easy side dish or meal on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Mac & Cheese

Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto

Asparagus risotto in a bowl.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

With fresh asparagus, parmesan cheese and herbs this risotto is extra creamy and delicious. Made in the instant pot, it is ready quickly and easily.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto

Elote Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with corn and feta cheese.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

The flavors of Mexican street corn in a delicious pasta salad. This elote pasta salad has all the components of traditional Mexican street corn mixed with tender pasta for the perfect side dish. Made with simple ingredients and homemade creamy dressing, this easy recipe comes together quickly and makes a large batch.  

Get the Recipe: Elote Pasta Salad

Garlic Knots

Fresh garlic bread knots
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Soft on the inside, lightly crisp outside, and coated in a savoury garlic herb butter. These homemade garlic knots complement any meal.

Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Baked potato with sour cream, onions, and bacon.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. These perfectly baked potatoes are ready in just 40 minutes using the air fryer.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Air Fried Asparagus

Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Air-fried asparagus is a quick side dish that pairs well with any meal. Lightly seasoned and ready in just 5 minutes, this asparagus stays crunchy. Delicious served with lemon garlic dip.

Get the Recipe: Air Fried Asparagus

Blackstone Griddle Garlic Bread

Slices of garlic bread on a cutting board.
Image Credit: Tastes of Homemade

Blackstone griddle garlic bread is the perfect side dish for your next outdoor cookout.  Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and full of flavour from the fresh garlic and parmesan cheese, this bread is quick, easy and delicious.  Whip up a side of this delicious bread the next time you need a quick side dish.

Get the Recipe: Blackstone Griddle Garlic Bread

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