I have a confession to make. For me, Christmas has always been about the supporting cast, not the main star. The turkey or the ham is fine, a necessary centerpiece, but let us be honest, it is often a bit dry. The real magic, the dishes we all actually dream about for weeks in advance, are the sides. They are the flavorful, hearty, and often decadent creations that jostle for space on your plate. I find myself planning my entire holiday plate strategy around them, much like I plan my pizza order around the perfect topping. Discover easy, show stopping recipes for holiday sides everyone will remember. Speaking of which, is there anything better than a perfectly balanced pizza? That got me thinking about balance, about how one incredible element can elevate everything it touches. A fantastic side dish does exactly that for your Christmas dinner. It is the caramelized onion and goat cheese to your pizza’s plain crust. It transforms the entire experience.

I remember one Christmas  at my aunt’s house. She is a wonderful cook, but the turkey was, well, let us just say it had seen better days. We were all politely chewing through our slices when my cousin brought out this steaming dish from the kitchen. It was a brussels sprout and pancetta situation, roasted until the edges were almost blackened and crispy, then tossed with a generous glug of maple syrup and a handful of toasted pecans. The conversation just stopped. Forks clinked as everyone reached for a taste. That humble vegetable, so often maligned, completely saved the meal. It was the star. It was that one perfect pizza topping   you can not stop talking about. That is the power of a show stopping side.

So how do we create more of these moments? How do we build a lineup of Christmas side dishes that guests will remember long after the last ornament is packed away? It starts with breaking a few rules. Why should green bean casserole come from a can? Fresh green beans, blistered in a hot pan with garlic and almond slivers, can be a revelation. Think about textures and contrasts. Creamy, soft mashed potatoes are a must, but they become unforgettable when you crown them with a rich, savory mushroom gravy or a pool of melted garlic herb butter. You want that bite that makes everyone at the table go, “Wow, what is in this?”

And let us talk about sweetness. A holiday meal needs a touch of it to cut through all the richness. But instead of the usual jarred cranberry sauce, consider making your own. Simmer fresh cranberries with orange zest, a splash of port, and a hint of cinnamon until they burst into a tart, complex relish. It is the sweet and tangy counterpoint your plate craves, much like a few surprise pineapple chunks on a pepperoni pizza can be a divisive but brilliant move.

Do not forget the carbs beyond the potato. A wild rice pilaf studded with dried cherries and walnuts feels special and elegant. Or a decadent bread pudding loaded with cheese and herbs that sits somewhere between a stuffing and a soufflé. These are the dishes that fill the room with an incredible aroma, the ones that make people hover by the oven door.

The ultimate goal is to create a symphony on the plate. Each Christmas side dish should bring its own unique note creamy, crunchy, sweet, savory, herby that harmonizes with the others. You are not just making food; you are crafting an experience. You are building memories around the table. This year, I challenge you to let one of these sides be the headline act. Let a gratin of sweet potatoes with a crunchy pecan streusel top steal the show. Let the roasted honey balsamic carrots with thyme become the thing your family requests every single year. Because the best holiday meals, like the best pizzas, are not about one single thing. They are about the beautiful, delicious, and sometimes imperfect combination of all the best parts. And that is a tradition worth celebrating.

Reference

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 7). Fruits and vegetables. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/fruits_vegetables.html

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. (2019). FoodData Central. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, & U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024, March). Advice about eating fish. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish