There is nothing like old-fashioned holiday cooking to make the holidays feel extra special! These vintage side dishes have brought everyone back for seconds (or thirds) for generations. Whether you are hosting your first Christmas dinner or adding a few classics to your longtime menu, these nostalgic sides are simple, dependable, and guaranteed to make your holiday table feel complete!
Green Beans Almondine
Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling / Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
There’s only four ingredients in this holiday dish, but don’t let that deceive you—this veggie dish packs flavor in every bite.
“So easy and so yummy,” said one Allrecipes member. “I made it for first night of Hanukkah and again a few days later for Christmas dinner.”
Holiday-Only Mashed Potatoes
Photographer: Jen Causey / Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower
Indulgent? Maybe. But it’s the holidays!
“I made these yesterday for Christmas and yes they are rich but soooo good,” raved one Allrecipes member. Another added that this recipe is “to die for,” and “the best.”
Broccoli Souffle
“I make this every year on Christmas Eve with our Rib Roast,” raved one Allrecipes member. “My wife loves it, I’m not normally a huge asparagus fan ,and I like it. My grandchildren hate asparagus but enjoy this. I serve hot out of the oven with the meal. Never a complaint.”
Duchess Potatoes
Chef John
If you’re looking for a dish to impress, take it back to the 18th century with this darling potato dish. You can prepare them in advance and then bake them when you need them.
“One of the best potato dishes that I have ever had,” raved one reviewer.
Oyster Dressing
Natasha Titanov
This oyster dressing, also known as oyster stuffing, is rich and savory. Even people who don’t usually like oysters tend to love this classic holiday side dish.
“Exactly the same recipe that my 1880’s German Grandmother always made us, then my mom and then me,” shared one Allrecipes member. “It was always a part of our Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Try it, it might become your new favorite holiday dish.”
Christmas Cranberry Salad
This creamy Christmas cranberry salad can be served frozen or chilled. Gorgeous and eye-popping, this sweet dish is sure to steal the show at your Christmas feast.
“This is the second year I made this for Christmas, everyone raves about it,” said one reviewer. “Making it again for tomorrow’s New Years Day gathering with the family. Great recipe!”
Danish Christmas Red Cabbage
“This is my mother’s recipe,” says Allrecipes member Lilleli. “It is so easy to make and will be a great side dish to any roast duck, turkey, or goose. When reheating, I like to add a tablespoon of black currant jam to enhance the flavor.”
“This is the closest recipe I could find to what my mother and grandmother always made,” said one reviwer. “I love being able to carry on this Danish tradition for our family. Thanks for the great recipe.”
Classic Candied Sweet Potatoes
Allrecipes / Qi Ai
These candied sweet potatoes are an iconic Christmas side dish. “This is my grandmother’s recipe,” said Michellerene, the Allrecipes member who shared this recipe. “It’s very simple, yet each time I make it, people rave about it. Simple and quite delicious!
“This recipe is perfect, it tastes like home,” added one Allrecipes member. “We had it for Thanksgiving, and will have for Christmas too.”
Bourbon-Glazed Carrots
Convert even the most staunch veggie-hater with this sweet, savory, and buttery carrot dish.
“I made these on Christmas to go with our country ham, they were a perfect accompaniment with the ham,” said one reviewer. “They are easy and helps they are made on the stove. We had to cook them longer until they softened.”
Quick and Easy Yorkshire Pudding
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
“My husband and kids loved them and it was a super easy new treat to try with our Christmas Day roast,” said one Allrecipes member. Another added “I love this recipe. It’s perfect the way it is. I added some salt and spices to be a little more savory. Just delicious.”
Cream Corn Like No Other
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Creamed veggies are old-school, in the best possible way. And this creamed corn “like no other” is the only recipe you’ll need for this iconic dish—over 2,000 five-star reviewers agree!
“This is the BEST cream corn I have ever had in my 71 years of life,” raved one reviewer. “I used corn I purchased from roadside stands last summer and froze. I made this exactly per the recipe, but I think the next time I make it I’ll use a little less cheese but that’s just me. Even my wife loves it and she hates cream corn that she always got from a can.”
Grama’s Peppery Parsnips
Root vegetables will always have a place on the holiday table. This vintage recipe highlights the under-utilized parsnip—a versatile veg that does not get enough love these days. Feel free to add fresh garlic to add even more oomph.
“This is just like my Grandma’s recipe from 50 years ago,” said one reviewer. Another added, “I love parsnips! This is a quick and delicious way to prepare them.”
Jamie’s Cranberry Spinach Salad
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Add some freshness to your Christmas spread with a classic spinach salad. This version features crunchy toasted almonds and sweet dried cranberries with a tangy sesame-poppy seed dressing. Plus, nearly 4,000 home cooks gave it a five-star rating—so you know it’s good!
“I made this for Thanksgiving, following the recipe as written,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “My family liked it so much, they served it for Christmas!”
Mom’s Traditional Creamed Onions
This creamed onions recipe makes a delicious holiday side dish to serve with ham, turkey, or any roast.
“Absolutely fantastic,” raved one reviewer. “It was a big hit a the family Christmas dinner. The only change I made was to add onion powder to taste.”
Amazing Spinach Artichoke Casserole
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
This spinach artichoke casserole with roasted garlic, fresh mushrooms, and cheese makes a mouthwatering side dish that is creamy and delicious. Lots of texture too, thanks to the water chestnuts and fried onions.
“I made this casserole exactly as written for Christmas Day and it was an instant hit,” shared an Allrecipes member. “Definitely will be a regular addition to the menu.”