21 Best Winter Side Dishes

When the nights draw in and the weather turns chilly, these cozy, tasty winter side dishes will warm you up from the inside out.

From sweet potato casserole to pumpkin gratin, this is delicious comfort food at its finest.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or need a quick and easy mid-week snack, the perfect winter side awaits on this list of mouthwatering recipes.

There are the classics – green bean casserole, potato wedges, and roasted winter veggies.

And there are a few surprises – butternut squash rice pilaf, stuffed mushrooms, and apple and pepita salad.

Hearty and heavenly, these treats will put a little sunshine on your plate during the chilly season.

1. Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

This easy dinner side would be great for Thanksgiving. 

Full of fall flavors, it’s a chewy and chunky blend of wild rice, squash, almonds, cranberries. 

An unfussy balsamic vinaigrette adds just the right amount of tangy bite. Oh, and it looks amazing, too!

This colorful rice dish will rival your turkey as the centerpiece of the holiday table.

2. Whipped Sweet Potato

Creamy, dreamy, and slightly sweet, this yummy recipe is pure comfort food.

These aren’t your usual whipped sweet potatoes. They’re made with extra butter and cream for a silky, rich mash. 

3. Winter Beet Butternut Squash Salad

This winter-themed salad bowl makes the most of seasonal produce – piling together squash, cranberries, red onion, and pumpkin seeds.

Loaded onto leafy greens, this is a beautifully colorful dish that would also make a great appetizer or light lunch.

4. Sweet Potato Casserole

The secret to a good Thanksgiving party is happy guests. And the secret to happy guests is this incredible sweet potato casserole.

Tender sweet potatoes are topped with crunchy pecans, brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

This sweet and savory side will be an irresistible addition to your turkey dinner.

5. Spinach Gratin

Gratin is a staple of many holiday tables, but it can be too rich for some.

This low-carb recipe is a lighter version of the classic side.

Made with heaps of fresh spinach and a hint of nutmeg, it’s topped with parmesan and baked until bubbly and brown.

This is a gorgeously gooey and guilt-free gratin!

6. Potato Wedges

Forget fries, these baked wedges give you all that crispy, salty flavor without the grease.

Lightly seasoned with garlic and parmesan, chunky potato wedges are roasted in the oven until browned.

Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these are unbelievably addictive!

7. Green Bean Casserole

Level up your Thanksgiving feast with this classic side, modeled on Paula Deen’s recipe.

Creamy and crunchy, it’s a dish to die for. It’s incredibly versatile, too!

Add extra cheese to make it really decadent and use canned green beans as a timesaving shortcut. This is a no-fail crowd-pleaser.

8. Hasselback Butternut Squash with Sage Butter and Prosciutto Breadcrumbs

Looking for an easy but elegant side for a fancy festive dinner? Look no further!

This gorgeous recipe turns boring squash into a crispy, sweet, salty delight. 

Baked until browned and drizzled with flavorful herbed butter, butternut squash is long overdue for this amazing makeover. 

9. Mashed Potatoes

Also known as colcannon, mashed potatoes are an Irish classic.

But don’t wait for St Patrick’s Day to celebrate the humble spud.

Make this creamy side and enjoy perfectly fluffy potatoes that are as good as anything you’ll find on the emerald isle.

10. Roasted Winter Vegetables

Getting dinner on the table isn’t always easy, so give yourself a break with this hassle-free side.

Simply seasoned your vegetables and shove them in the oven. That’s all you’ll need for a satisfying, unfussy, and healthy side.

11. Scalloped Potatoes

These scalloped potatoes are a game-changer.

They’re cheesy, creamy, and they’ll be gone in seconds. 

12. Mashed Parsnip

Tired of mashed potatoes? Bored by sweet potato casserole?

Get creative by trying a different root vegetable. Mildly sweet with their own distinct taste, parsnips are a great stand-in for potato-based dishes.

Here, they’re pureed with roasted garlic until fluffy, airy, and delicious.

13. Glazed Carrots

Based on the classic Cracker Barrel side, this recipe is a beautifully sweet and tangy dish.

Crunchy carrots are coated in a thick brown sugar and butter glaze.

Feed this one to the kids, and you’ll convert them to carrot lovers for life.

14. Pumpkin Gruyère Gratin with Thyme

Pumpkins are nutritional powerhouses. The fall vegetable is packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C.

They’re also very tasty when baked with mild, melty cheese and fresh herbs. 

This luxurious gratin is simply gorgeous. Tender pumpkin, creamy sauce, a crunchy breadcrumb topping – what’s not to love?!

15. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts will soon become your new favorite vegetable with this dish.

Crispy, caramelized, and cooked to tender perfection, they’re an insanely tasty treat.

Add cheese, sprinkle over some chopped bacon, or drizzle with a tangy glaze. There are lots of options here to dress up your veggies.

16. Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Farro, Butternut Squash, and Kale

Healthy and vegetarian, stuffed mushrooms are a great option if you’re cooking a diet-friendly holiday meal.

Portobello mushrooms are stuffed with a filling mix of grains, squash, and leafy green kale.

This is a nourishing side that’ll wow even the carnivores at the table.

17. Butternut Squash Soup

Cold winter nights call for a warm, nourishing soup.

And there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of creamy butternut squash soup.

The squash is roasted first to unleash all its naturally sweet flavor, then blended with even more vegetables.

This hearty and healthy side is also amazing as an appetizer or a simple dinner.

18. Green Salad with Apples, Cranberries and Pepitas

Winter is typically the season of soups, stews, and casseroles. But sometimes, you’ll just want something light and nutritious.

Keep winter bugs at bay with this superfood salad.

It’s made with all the fall favorites – tart apple, sweet dried cranberries, and goat cheese, tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette.

19. Corn Pudding

A quick and easy side, this corn pudding adds a yummy home-style sweetness to any meal.

Fluffy, creamy, and very addictive, this will be slurped up in seconds. 

You can cut the sweetness by skipping the sugar or turn it really savory with a Tex-Mex twist.

I love how easy and adaptable this dessert-like dish can be!

20. Warm Mushroom Salad With Miso Dressing

This is a delicious vegan side that’s perfect if you’re looking to eat more plants.

It’s filled with nutritious ingredients – sautéed mushrooms, lacinato kale, whole grain farro, pumpkin seeds, and avocado.

It’s all tossed in a tangy miso dressing.

If you’re gluten-free simply replace the farro with a gluten-free grain such as quinoa or wild rice.

21. Pumpkin Soup

Thick, creamy, smooth – this pumpkin soup is a cozy bowl of warming goodness.

It’s made with just nine ingredients, but don’t be fooled by this recipe’s simplicity.

There’s plenty of flavor and nutrition in this hearty and healthy soup. 

Throw some seasoned croutons on top or just slurp it up straight from the pot.

This winter staple is the gift that’ll keep on giving until summer rolls around again.