35 Make-Ahead Holiday Side Dishes

Craving Thanksgiving potato mash? Try our new and improved side dish. Pumpkin seeds give these creamy potatoes a fresh fall feel, while a splash of Worcestershire sauce adds bold flavor. To make ahead, prepare the crunchy granola mixture up to one week before your guests arrive.

Our relish contains a sweet berry flavor that pairs wonderfully when blended with citrus-orange marmalade. You can freeze this delish relish for up to six months in advance of your holiday meal! Add mint leaves for extra freshness.

Everyone loves classic chicken noodle soup. Prepare it up to a day in advance before your guests arrive, then reheat in a saucepan just 20 minutes before serving the big meal.

Try our delicious mustard dressing on small, earthy potatoes for your next holiday side dish. Prepare seasoned sausage and savory dressing the morning of the meal, then mix in with potatoes right before serving!

We've added a refreshing kick of mint and ginger to an arugula salad and topped it with chopped fresh cranberries.

Watch how to make easy work of sectioning any citrus fruit.

Veggie-packed and topped with bacon, this soup will be a new favorite for the whole family. Plus, this creamy corn soup is slow-cooked, making preparation for the big holiday meal a breeze.

The surprise ingredients in these soft, warm rolls? Dry white wine and chicken broth. Drizzle the delicious duo over each garlic-and-cheese-filled roll to make one flavorful holiday favorite. Your guests will be begging for more!

These bite-size bakes with egg, cheese, onion, and corn are ready in about an hour and make the perfect side dish for a holiday brunch.

Fresh herbs, bacon, onion, long grain rice, carrots, almonds, and a handful of spices come together to make this tasty side dish. Lemon zest brightens the flavor.

Watch this clever technique to cook brown rice in advance to add to any recipe calling for cooked rice.

The prep work for this colorful fruit salad takes just 20 minutes; start it in the morning and store it in the fridge for up to six hours for a great make-ahead dish.

Whip up a batch of these fluffy garlic mashed potatoes for a dozen guests in no time flat -- they cook for 8 hours in a slow cooker after just 25 minutes of prep work.

This tasty holiday salad only takes 20 minutes to make from start to finish; prep the dressing a few hours in advance and store in the fridge for an almost-instant side dish.

Make this potluck-perfect salad (it serves up to 20) the night before; it goes in the fridge for up to 24 hours before party time.

This seasonal soup will warm any dinner party; a diced beet and fresh chives add a festive garnish.

Make-Ahead Tip: Roast, peel, and dice beet, then cover and chill for up to 24 hours. This shaves an hour from the cooking time and makes it easier to pull the whole soup together faster.

This cheesy potato bake is great as a side dish or main meal. Slice the potatoes and leeks in advance for a quick-to-come-together offering.

Toasted pecans and sticky-sweet marshmallows top creamy whipped sweet potatoes.

A fun twist on traditional stuffing, these muffins are easy to transport, making them an ideal potluck recipe.

This six-ingredient side dish features cranberry relish, dried cranberries, and walnuts, and will be a hit with your holiday guests.

This tasty side dish, filled with butternut squash, spinach, cheese, and rich creme fraiche, is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Scott Peacock's gelatin mold salad is vibrantly fresh and crunchy good -- a celebration of all things deliciously sweet and sour.

These melt-in-your-mouth rolls are sure to wow the crowd. For even more tender rolls, make the dough the night before and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight.

Cayenne pepper, pickling salt, fresh dill, and garlic add delicious flavor to this simple green bean side dish.

It's hard to go wrong with this hearty potato side dish. Serve it traditional-style or try our suggestions for dressing it up (noted in the recipe) -- one with seafood and goat cheese, the other with mushrooms and blue cheese.

Your guests will love this rich potato-bacon soup. Toasted bread in the shape of a star with onion-grape marmalade and snipped chives makes a festive topper.

These beans are an update of the tried-and-true green bean casserole. Sauteed garlic, lots of shallots, and lemon peel pack a 1-2-3 flavor punch in only 20 minutes.

Moist and delicious, this nutmeg-spiced pudding makes a delightful alternative to sweet potato pie.

Make this simple applesauce ahead of time or in your slow cooker. Fresh thyme sprigs add a touch of sophistication.

Created by Scott Peacock, this recipe makes potatoes feathery light, rich, and creamy. We also show you how to make them ahead and reheat in your slow cooker.

Two teaspoons of garlic, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper make these green beans a hit. Chop the garlic with a good pinch of salt -- it will soak up the garlic flavor and transfer it to the beans.

This versatile recipe is sure to be popular. For company, try serving it alongside crackers and a wedge or two of cheese. For family, try it as a topping for roasted turkey sandwiches.

This fancy bread only looks tricky. The recipe starts with an easy dough you stretch into shape by hand and then dress with colorful toppers -- briny olives, olive-packed tomatoes, zesty citrus, and roasted pumpkin seeds.

These mashed potatoes are so rich you can skip the gravy.

Even kids won't be able to resist this flavorful Brussels sprouts side dish.

You can put this irresistible side dish together in 30 minutes, then chill it overnight.

Easy to make and marvelous to eat, this moist corn bread makes a stellar side for any holiday meal. Plus, it includes ingredients you'll likely have in your pantry.