35 Make-Ahead Holiday Side Dishes

With these fuss-free and delicious side dishes, you'll get an early start on your holiday cooking so you can spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.


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How to Section Citrus
Healthy Make-Ahead: Brown Rice
Mashed Potatoes with Savory Thyme Granola

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.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 20 mins 300°F
Cranberry-Fig Relish

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.

Yield: 2 cups
Prep: 10 mins
Chill: 2 hrs
Chicken-Noodle Soup

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.

Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Potato Salad with Sausage & Grainy Mustard Dressing

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!

Makes: 8 servings
Yield: 6 cups
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Stand: 2 mins
Fresh Citrus & Cranberry Salad

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

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Chill: 1 hr
How to Section Citrus

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

Creamed Chicken & Corn Soup

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.

Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 5 hrs to 6 hrs (low) or 2-1/2 to 3 hours (high)
Cheesy Garlic Rolls

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!

Yield: 6 rolls
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 8 mins 325°F
Cook: 25 mins
Swiss Corn Bake Cups

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.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 30 mins 375°F
Stand: 10 mins
Lemon-Nut Rice Stuffing

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.

Makes: 10 servings
Prep: 40 mins
Chill: 4 hrs to 24 hrs
Bake: 45 mins
Healthy Make-Ahead: Brown Rice

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

Gingered Fruit Compote

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.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 15 mins
Chill: Up to 1 hr to 6 hrs
Cook: 5 mins
Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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.

Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 6 hrs to 8 hrs (low), 3 to 4 hours (high)
Butterhead Salad with Smoky Ranch

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.

Makes: 8 servings
Start to Finish: 20 mins
Sweet Potato Salad

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.

Makes: 16 servings
Prep: 35 mins
Chill: 8 hrs to 24 hrs
Winter White Vegetable Soup

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.

Makes: 10 servings
Prep: 45 mins
Roast: 1 hr 400°F
Cook: 40 mins to 50 mins
Potato & Goat Cheese Gratin

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.

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Bake: 1 hr 25 mins 400°F
Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Pecans

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

Yield: 8 (1/2-cup) servings plus leftovers
Prep: 45 mins
Roast: 30 mins to 40 mins 350°F
Chill: 24 hrs
Make-Ahead Apple, Bacon & Onion Stuffing Muffins

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

Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 45 mins
Bake: 20 mins 375°F
Cool: 10 mins
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

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

Makes: 10 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Bake: 1 hr 15 mins 325°F
Chill: Up to 24 hrs
Make-Ahead Butternut Squash Gratin

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

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 40 mins
Chill: Up to 8 hrs
Bake: 15 mins 425/475 degree F
Scott's Holiday Salad

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

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 40 mins
Chill: 4 hrs
Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls

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.

Makes: 32 servings
Yield: about 32 rolls
Prep: 30 mins
Chill: 8 hrs to 24 hrs
Rise: 30 mins
Pickled Dilled Green Beans

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

Makes: 40 servings
Prep: 40 mins
Marinate: 4 hrs
Cool: 1 hr 30 mins
Basic Potatoes Au Gratin

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.

Makes: 8 servings
Yield: 8 side-dish servings
Prep: 40 mins
Chill: overnight
Bake: 1 hr 30 mins 350°F
Christmas Potato Soup

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.

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Chill: up to 3 days
Cook: 40 mins
Lemony Green Beans

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.

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 15 mins
Chill: 4 hrs
Cook: 7 mins
Sweet Potato Pudding

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

Makes: 9 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Chill: Up to 24 hours
Cool: 30 mins
Chunky Applesauce

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

Makes: 12 servings
Yield: 6 cups
Prep: 15 mins
Chill: Up to 3 weeks
Cool: 1 hr
Honestly Good Mashed Potatoes

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.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Chill: Maximum 24 hrs
Cook: 30 mins
Parsleyed Green Beans

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.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Chill: Up to 24 hrs
Cook: 10 mins
Cherry-Pomegranate Chutney

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.

Yield: 1-3/4 cups
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 35 mins to 36 mins
No-Knead Focaccia Tiles

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.

Makes: 12 servings
Yield: 6 tiles, 12 servings
Prep:
Stand: 12 hrs
Rise: 1 hr
Make-Ahead Herb-Buttered Mashed Potatoes

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

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Chill: 3 hrs
Brussels Sprouts with Frizzled Prosciutto

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

Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Cauliflower Crowns with Pesto and Prosciutto

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

Makes: 12 servings
Yield: 12 side-dish servings
Prep: 30 mins
Chill: Up to 24 hrs
Corn Bread

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.

Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 10 mins
Bake: 15 mins 400°F
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