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    Home » Trending

    Don’t Skip the Sides This Christmas With These 21 Upgrades

    Published: Dec 23, 2024 by Kristen Wood · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Sides make every meal special, especially during Christmas. Adding small upgrades can turn simple dishes into something amazing. A little extra effort brings big smiles to everyone at the table.

    Creamy Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes

    Creamy Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Dive into the vibrant world of Creamy Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes. Not only do they make for a visually stunning side, but their rich, velvety texture and unique flavor also make them a memorable part of any meal.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes

    Easy Air Fryer Squash

    Easy Air Fryer Squash. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Get on board with healthier snacking with the Easy Air Fryer Squash. This recipe turns squash into irresistibly crispy bites, perfect for dipping or snacking on while binge-watching your favorite show.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Squash

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    Pineapple Rice

    Pineapple Rice. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Brighten up your dinner table with Pineapple Rice. This dish combines sweet pineapple chunks with fluffy rice, creating a light and refreshing side that pairs beautifully with spicy and savory mains.
    Get the Recipe: Pineapple Rice

    Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

    Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans are a real timesaver, taking you from freezer to feast in minutes. They come out perfectly crispy every time, making them a great last-minute addition to any meal when you're short on time.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

    Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes

    Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes come together with minimal fuss, making it perfect for a lazy evening. It's a comforting dish that feels like a hug in a bowl, with tender potatoes stewed to perfection in a rich sauce.
    Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes

    Air Fryer Eggplant

    Air Fryer Eggplant. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Enjoy the mild, versatile flavor of Air Fryer Eggplant, perfect for adding a meaty texture to vegetarian dishes. This recipe ensures it comes out perfectly cooked every time, without the oiliness often associated with eggplant.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Eggplant

    How to Make Easy Pickled Cabbage

    How to Make Easy Pickled Cabbage. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    How to Make Easy Pickled Cabbage demystifies the pickling process, offering a straightforward way to add a punch of tangy flavor to your meals. It's perfect for livening up sandwiches, salads, or tacos with minimal effort.
    Get the Recipe: How to Make Easy Pickled Cabbage

    Air Fryer Zucchini

    Air Fryer Zucchini. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Make Air Fryer Zucchini your go-to for a quick, healthy side. It transforms zucchini into a snack that's both nutritious and addictive, perfect for those who are always on the lookout for smarter snacking options.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini

    Scrumptious Blistered Tomatoes

    Scrumptious Blistered Tomatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Scrumptious Blistered Tomatoes are burstingly full of flavor, and using an air fryer gets them there faster. This dish is a fresh and juicy topping for salads, bruschetta, or as an accent to grilled dishes.
    Get the Recipe: Scrumptious Blistered Tomatoes

    Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

    Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Discover the joys of Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash, a game changer for healthy eating. It comes out perfectly stringy and tender, ready to be topped with your favorite sauce or enjoyed as a low-carb alternative to pasta.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

    Creamy Miso Mayo Mashed Potatoes

    Creamy Miso Mayo Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Creamy Miso Mayo Mashed Potatoes will change the way you think about mashed potatoes. The miso mayo brings a depth of flavor that's unexpectedly but pleasantly complex, going beyond the traditional buttery taste.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Miso Mayo Mashed Potatoes

    Air Fryer Parsnips

    Air Fryer Parsnips. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    With Air Fryer Parsnips, you'll turn this often-overlooked vegetable into a crispy, golden treat. It's a simple way to add some variety to your sides, especially if you're looking to explore beyond the usual potato options.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Parsnips

    10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe

    10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    In just 10 minutes, you can whip up the 10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe. Ideal for a last-minute veggie side, it brings a fresh and light touch to any meal, balancing out richer dishes with its crisp texture.
    Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe

    Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

    Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Transform your humble spuds into something special with the Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes. Let your slow cooker do all the work; you'll end up with potatoes that are perfectly tender on the inside and crispy on the outside every time.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

    Buttered Sautéed Leeks

    Buttered Sautéed Leeks. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Making Buttered Sautéed Leeks isn't just easy, it's a game changer for your dinner plate. Gently cooked until soft and flavorful, they pair wonderfully with any main dish, adding a subtle, sweet depth that you didn't know your meal was missing.
    Get the Recipe: Buttered Sautéed Leeks

    Quick Cabbage Apple Slaw

    Quick Cabbage Apple Slaw. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Crunchy, sweet, and tangy, the Quick Cabbage Apple Slaw offers a refreshing twist on traditional slaw. It's the perfect addition to a barbecue spread, lightening up heavier dishes and adding a burst of freshness.
    Get the Recipe: Quick Cabbage Apple Slaw

    Best Sautéed Mushrooms

    Best Sautéed Mushrooms. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    For a side that's sure to impress, try the Best Sautéed Mushrooms. These mushrooms become irresistibly juicy and loaded with flavor, ideal for topping off steaks or simply enjoying on their own.
    Get the Recipe: Best Sautéed Mushrooms

    Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe

    Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    The Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe transforms the humble okra into a crispy, savory snack or side. Roasting brings out its natural sweetness, making it a surefire hit with those skeptical of its texture.
    Get the Recipe: Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe

    Garlic Fried Rice

    Garlic Fried Rice. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Give your rice a makeover with Garlic Fried Rice. It's the perfect way to use up leftover rice, transforming it into a flavorful side dish that can stand alone or complement any main course beautifully.
    Get the Recipe: Garlic Fried Rice

    Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices

    Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Simple yet never mundane, Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices offer a healthier alternative to fries. With a slight crisp on the edges and tender in the middle, they make a great snack or side that's as nutritious as it is satisfying.
    Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices

    Korean BBQ Baked Beans

    Korean BBQ Baked Beans. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Take a detour to Korea with Korean BBQ Baked Beans. This side dish mixes sweet and savory in a way that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, bringing a bit of Korean flair to your backyard barbecues.
    Get the Recipe: Korean BBQ Baked Beans

    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen Wood is a writer, photographer, world traveler and cookbook author. Her work has been featured in various publications both online and in print, including Elle, Forbes, NBC, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, Food Drink Life, Arizona Highways Magazine, New York Daily News, and more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

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