Holiday Sides
This is the stuff my aunties fight about, hands down. Everyone has their “best ever” mashed potatoes or some secret green bean deal. My go-tos are things I can prep ahead. For example, a sweet potato casserole with melty marshmallows on top (don’t judge, everyone loves it). Or roasted carrots with honey and a tiny pinch of chili flakes for zip. Sometimes I’ll do a herby stuffing, but nothing too dry—moist, packed with sage and just enough crunch.
Honestly, nobody leaves hungry when sides are done right. My grandma always said, “if your side dishes are boring, put your shoes on and go home.” Maybe a little strong, but also, she wasn’t wrong. Creamy mac and cheese? Check. Roasted Brussels sprouts that actually taste good? Yep, those exist when you use some maple syrup and toasted pecans. It’s not rocket science, but these small details get people coming back for seconds.
“I tried the roasted carrots with honey last year and my picky nephew actually asked for thirds. That’s a holiday miracle in my book!” – Jessie L., North Carolina
holiday recipes
Cookie and Baking Recipes
Baking is personal around here. You might say competitive, too. Holiday recipes for cookies bring back big nostalgia vibes. My mom and I always do sugar cookies with a million sprinkles—some look cute, some… well, they taste good. Those spice cookies? If you’re into the crunchy-on-the-outside, soft-in-the-middle thing, you’ll be in heaven. I even go for peanut butter blossoms, because honestly, who can resist the chocolate kiss in the center?
Here’s what I love about holiday baking: nobody cares if the cookies are perfect circles. Sometimes they’re all weird shapes. That’s proof real people made them. Plus your kitchen smells glorious, and you can totally eat cookie dough (just don’t tell my dentist). Sometimes, if I’m feeling brave, I’ll try decorated gingerbread men, but they usually end up more abstract. The point is to make something sweet and share it.
holiday recipes
Holiday Dinner Recipes
The main event. Turkey? Sometimes. I’ve also made pot roast with root veggies or even a smoked ham. Whatever you pick, the trick is seasoning. Don’t skimp! Rubs or glazes make a world of difference and I’m not shy with salt and pepper.
Once I made a mincemeat pie (I know, wild), and basically surprised myself—it was delicious. If you want to try your hand at a traditional one, there’s a great mincemeat pie recipe I used last year that had the table fighting over the last bite. And for plant-based friends, roasted butternut squash stuffed with quinoa, cranberries, and nuts has never disappointed.
The best holiday dinners are less about perfect presentation and more about togetherness. Weirdly shaped turkey? Still tasty. Lumpy gravy? It’s fine, laughter melts lumps anyway. Pour a glass for the cook, relax, and let the good smells fill your house.
holiday recipes
Appetizer and Snack Recipes
Okay, y’all know how holiday parties work. You walk into a living room, you want something to munch. No one wants to stand awkwardly hungry. I lean toward easy things like deviled eggs (they’re always gone fast), or a cheese and cracker board with a few store-bought touches. If you’ve got extra time, spinach dip in a bread bowl is a showstopper, even if you buy the bread. My friend Claire brought jalapeño poppers last New Year’s Eve, and suddenly everyone was hovering around the kitchen counter.
If you’re short on oven space, cold appetizers like veggie trays with zesty ranch or prosciutto-wrapped melon come together in a wink. Honestly, holiday recipes for snacks don’t need to be fussy—just flavorful. Sometimes, if I’m feeling spicy, I’ll toss together seasoned nuts or little homemade meatballs tossed in BBQ sauce. People snack with their eyes, so make it look colorful and—just being real—don’t sweat the details. Most of the snacks will be gone before you know it.
holiday recipes
Holiday Brunch Recipes
Brunch is my sneaky holiday tradition, and if you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out. Imagine everyone rolling out of bed at different times, with coffee brewing and cinnamon rolls on the table. Forget fancy; I’ll do a baked French toast the night before, so I just pop it in the oven.
The best brunches feel casual but taste special. You need an egg bake, something a little sweet, plus fruit (so you can pretend it’s healthy). I make a batch of cheesy breakfast potatoes, and maybe—if I’m brave—a simple breakfast sausage. And if you have a crowd, a pancake bar lets people go wild with toppings. Just keep the mimosas flowing, and your guests will declare your house the five-star restaurant of the block.
Serving Suggestions:
- Mix and match sweet and savory for balance
- Prep ahead where possible; reheat as folks wake up
- Don’t forget strong coffee (it’s non-negotiable)
- Fresh fruit on the side forgives jelly-level sugary treats
holiday recipes
Common Questions
What’s a good make-ahead holiday side?
Stuffing! It’s even better the next day. You can warm it up in the oven, cover with foil so it doesn’t dry out.
How do you keep cookies fresh for longer?
Toss a slice of bread into the container. Sounds weird, but it keeps them soft. Swap the bread out every couple of days.
Can I skip nuts in baking recipes?
Absolutely. Just leave them out or use pumpkin seeds or dried fruit if you want some texture.
What if my main dish gets done too early?
Keep it covered with foil, set your oven low, and yell at anyone who tries to sneak a piece. Works every time.
Do you have any quick appetizer ideas?
Try rolling deli ham and cheese together with a fancy toothpick. Fast, easy, crowd pleaser, and no oven required.
holiday recipes
Let’s Make Holidays More Delicious Together
There it is—a long list of tried and true holiday recipes to bring on that festive feeling, whether you love sweets, hearty mains, or just snacks to munch as you laugh. Honestly, you don’t need to be a chef to make food that feels special. Borrow nuggets of wisdom from loved ones or grab inspiration from 88 Holiday Recipes Passed Down for Generations | Taste of Home if you want even more.
If you need last-minute tips, check out this ultimate collection of holiday recipes for instant help. Just remember—holiday recipes are about who you share them with, not picture-perfect results. Happy eating, and here’s to making your table the new family favorite!
holiday recipes
Print
Holiday Recipe Collection
- Total Time: 150 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A collection of simple, tasty holiday recipes perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes
- Marshmallows
- Carrots
- Honey
- Chili flakes
- Sage
- Macaroni
- Cheese
- Brussels sprouts
- Maple syrup
- Pecans
- Sugar
- Sprinkles
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate kisses
- Turkey
- Pot roast
- Root vegetables
- Ham
- Quinoa
- Cranberries
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Cinnamon rolls
- Breakfast sausage
- Fresh fruit
Instructions
- Prepare sides like sweet potato casserole and roasted carrots ahead of time.
- Bake cookies and enjoy the process with family.
- Cook the main event, such as turkey or pot roast, with ample seasoning.
- Make appetizers such as deviled eggs or a cheese and cracker board.
- Set up a brunch with baked French toast and cheesy breakfast potatoes.
Notes
Mix and match sweet and savory dishes for balance. Prep ahead where possible.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Holiday
- Method: Baking, Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg