The holidays are a time of indulgence but if you’d like to balance out all the excess partying consider adding these healthy Christmas side dishes to your lineup. These veggie-centric dishes are packed with flavor, fiber and nutrients so you don't have to think twice about filling up your plate.
All of these recipes would pair well with our perfectly roasted turkey or a succulent honey-glazed ham. If you are looking for other main course ideas you can check out these 10 alternatives to turkey.
It's time to get cooking. Happy Holidays!
10 Healthy and Flavorful Christmas Side Dishes
Festive Roasted Butternut Squash
Roasted butternut squash gets the royal treatment courtesy of homemade pesto, pomegranate seeds and a sprinkle of feta cheese.
Discover how to cook butternut squash
Eggplant and Quinoa Salad
If you are looking for a vegan-friendly side dish this is a great choice: oven roasted eggplant topped with a zesty quinoa salad.
Learn how to make roasted eggplant with quinoa.
Pumpkin Salad with Goat Cheese
Roasted pumpkin, kale and goat cheese are a powerful trio that makes a delicious and healthy side dish to your Christmas toast.
Italian Christmas Salad
This hearty salad features broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower, anchovies and hard boiled eggs. It’s filling and a nice balance of protein, carbs and veggies.
Spicy Roasted Cauliflower
This dazzling combination of turmeric-roasted cauliflower with grape tomatoes, cannellini beans and shallots will look stunning on your holiday table.
Roasted Acorn Squash
A handful of ingredients are all you need to make this easy and healthy Christmas side dish that is always a crowd pleaser.
Sautéed Okra
Here is a flavorful and healthy Christmas side dish that is extremely easy to make. The combination of okra and onion is superb.
Sicilian Orange Salad
Oranges are always in season come the winter months. Take advantage of their abundance and prepare this light and flavorful salad with a Sicilian twist.
Baked Stuffed Mushrooms
Parmesan cheese, garlic and spices add a lovely flavor to these stuffed mushrooms. An easy side dish perfect for a Christmas celebration.
Brussels sprouts and Chestnuts
A low-carb dish featuring Brussels sprouts and chestnuts in a tasty white balsamic vinegar dressing.