10 Seasonal & Holiday Sides: The Ultimate Cooking Guide

Hi, I’m Chef Emma! If there is one thing I’ve learned from hosting countless dinners, it’s that planning your Seasonal and Holiday Sides is the key to a stress-free feast. When you are juggling a turkey, appetizers, and dessert, you need recipes that are reliable, straightforward, and easy to manage.

I’ve rounded up my top 10 favorite Seasonal and Holiday Sides—from cozy casseroles to elegant roasted vegetables—and broken them down by time and technique. Whether you are looking for a quick stovetop chili or a slow-roasted root vegetable platter, this guide gives you the step-by-step instructions you need. Let’s get cooking with these delicious Seasonal and Holiday Sides!

Top 10 Seasonal and Holiday Sides for Every Table

1. Cozy Winter Potato and Beef Chili with Sweet Potatoes

A hearty addition to your menu of Seasonal and Holiday Sides.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Brown the Beef: In a large Dutch oven, sauté 1 lb ground beef and 1 diced onion in olive oil until browned (about 5-7 mins). Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Season: Stir in chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Toast the spices for 30 seconds.
3. Simmer: Add cubed sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth. Bring to a boil.
4. Finish: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender. Serve with sour cream and chives.

2. Roasted Root Vegetable Casserole with Herb Topping

One of the most rustic and comforting Seasonal and Holiday Sides.

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Season Veggies: Toss chopped carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and red onion with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Steam-Roast: Spread in a 9×13 inch dish. Cover with foil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes.
3. Make Topping: Mix panko breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, rosemary, garlic, and melted butter.
4. Crisp: Remove foil, sprinkle topping over veggies, and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes until golden.

3. Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

A sweet favorite among Seasonal and Holiday Sides.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Boil & Mash: Boil sweet potato chunks until tender. Mash with butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla.
2. Layer: Spread mashed potatoes in a baking dish. Top with a layer of thinly sliced Granny Smith apples.
3. Make Crumble: Whisk flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until crumbly.
4. Bake: Sprinkle crumble over apples. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-40 minutes until apples are tender.

4. Truffle Loaded Potato Casserole

Elevate your Seasonal and Holiday Sides with this elegant dish.

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cook Potatoes: Boil russet potatoes until tender. Drain and mash with butter, warm cream, sour cream, and truffle oil.
2. Mix: Fold in grated Gruyère cheese and crumbled bacon.
3. Assemble: Spread mixture into a casserole dish. Top with extra cheese and bacon.
4. Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until bubbly. Garnish with fresh chives.

5. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Sweet Potato Casserole

A complete meal that fits perfectly with other Seasonal and Holiday Sides.

• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep Grains: Simmer wild rice in chicken broth for 40-45 minutes until tender.
2. Roast: Meanwhile, roast cubed sweet potatoes at 400°F for 20 minutes.
3. Make Sauce: Sauté chicken pieces with onions and herbs. Stir in heavy cream and simmer until thickened.
4. Combine & Bake: Mix rice, potatoes, and creamy chicken in a casserole dish. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes.

6. Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Casserole (Fall Harvest)

A vibrant addition to your list of Seasonal and Holiday Sides.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Roast: Roast cubed butternut squash and sweet potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes.
2. Mash: Mash the roasted veggies with maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread in a baking dish.
3. Make Topping: Combine chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, and cold butter to make a crumble.
4. Bake: Sprinkle over mash and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.

7. Holiday Roasted Root Vegetables with Herb Butter

Simple, colorful Seasonal and Holiday Sides like this steal the show.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Roast: Toss carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and beets with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 30-40 minutes.
2. Make Butter: Melt butter in a saucepan with minced garlic, fresh rosemary, and thyme.
3. Finish: Transfer roasted veggies to a platter. Pour warm herb butter over the top and toss gently to coat.

8. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Casserole (Southwest Holiday)

Spice up your Seasonal and Holiday Sides with this zesty recipe.

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Roast Potatoes: Roast sweet potato cubes at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.
2. Make Filling: Sauté onions and peppers. Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes (with chilies), cumin, and chili powder. Simmer 5 mins.
3. Assemble: Stir roasted potatoes into the bean mixture. Transfer to a baking dish.
4. Bake: Top with cheddar cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.

9. Holiday Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Turkey and Cranberry Sauce

Turn leftovers into one of the best Seasonal and Holiday Sides.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Bake Potatoes: Rub whole sweet potatoes with oil and salt. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 45-60 minutes until tender.
2. Prep Filling: Warm shredded turkey in a skillet with a splash of broth.
3. Stuff: Slice potatoes open and fluff the insides. Fill generously with turkey and top with cranberry sauce.
4. Garnish: Sprinkle with pecans and parsley before serving.

10. Baked Potato Casserole with Sour Cream and Chives

The ultimate comfort food among Seasonal and Holiday Sides.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Boil: Cook cubed russet potatoes in boiling water for 12-15 minutes. Drain well.
2. Make Sauce: Whisk sour cream, melted butter, milk, spices, and half the chives.
3. Combine: Toss potatoes with the sauce and 1.5 cups shredded cheddar. Spread in a baking dish.
4. Bake: Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes. Garnish with fresh chives.

Chef Emma’s Final Tips for Seasonal and Holiday Sides

• Oven Management: Many of these Seasonal and Holiday Sides bake at 375°F (190°C), meaning you can easily cook two at once! (e.g., the Truffle Potato Casserole and Sweet Potato Apple Casserole).
• Prep Ahead: You can chop all your root vegetables up to 2 days in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge covered with a damp paper towel to keep your Seasonal and Holiday Sides fresh.

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