Celebrate the Season with Flavor: Healthy and Delicious Holiday Side Dishes

No holiday meal is complete without its side dishes. Whether it’s a salad, a soup, a casserole, or a family favorite take on potatoes, side dishes spruce up every celebration. These dishes help fill out and complement the main courses, making every feast one to remember. If you want to serve a memorable spread this year, look no further than these healthy holiday side dish recipes. These delicious dishes feature fresh ingredients and creative flavors, making them perfect for serving your guests.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Roasted brussels sprouts are a delicious and nutritious side dish that can complement any main course. These little green gems contain an impressive array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them an excellent choice for your spread. Beyond their nutritional value, roasted brussels sprouts also pack a ton of flavor, especially with the rich zing of balsamic vinegar in the glaze. 

To make your batch of crispy, roasted brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze, toss your prepped sprouts with some olive oil and bake them at 400°F/200°C until golden brown and deliciously crisp on the outside. Finally, brush your finished sprouts with some tangy balsamic glaze for an extra burst of flavor.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes 

Sweet potatoes are a nutrient-rich addition to any meal. Not only do they contain high levels of dietary fiber and antioxidants, but they are also rich in vitamin A and potassium. This makes them an ideal side dish for any host looking to have a balanced and tasteful spread of options. 

Begin by peeling and chopping your sweet potatoes into even pieces, then boiling them until fully cooked. After draining the water, mash your sweet potatoes with some butter (non-dairy butter for a plant-based option), sea salt, and pepper to taste. To make this simple side dish even easier to prepare, check out this instant pot recipe here.

With any variation of this recipe, you can create a delicious dish that is sure to upgrade your holiday meals from traditional mashed potatoes.

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a must-have on any holiday table. It's packed with antioxidant-rich fruits like cranberries and oranges and healthy spices like ginger and cinnamon. And the best part, it's quick and easy to make. This year, instead of picking up a can of cranberry sauce from the store, try out this homemade recipe. All it requires is tossing the ingredients into a pot on the stovetop, and you've got a fresh and tasty condiment to accompany your holiday meal.

Green Beans with Almonds

When it comes to side dishes, nothing beats a classic green bean dish. Green beans can be roasted, sauteed, steamed, baked into a casserole or even cooked in the air fryer. During the holidays, you can flare up your green bean side dish with some almonds! This hearty and healthy dish is packed with nutrients, thanks to the combination of fresh green beans and crunchy, protein-rich almonds. Its flavor is also second to none, with a rich blend of savory, nutty, and sweet notes. Best of all, it's simple to prepare, making it the perfect accompaniment for any holiday feast. Whether serving family or friends or hosting a large gathering, you can't go wrong with this delicious green bean dish.

Roasted Root Vegetables 

Root veggies are nutrient-rich and pack a powerful punch, delivering a host of vitamins and minerals to keep your immune system strong. The key to successful roasting is choosing vegetables with similar cooking times so that you can cook them all together in the oven. Some popular varieties include carrots, parsnips, beets, sweet potatoes, and turnips. Any medley of roasted root vegetables can serve as a colorful and nutritious addition to any holiday meal.

If you want to add a little bit of sweetness to your roasted vegetables during this season, you can even drizzle them with some maple syrup. Check out this simple recipe for maple roasted beets and carrots here: 

Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed cauliflower can serve as a lower-carb, lighter alternative to the traditional mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes present at a holiday feast. Cauliflower is high in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K, making it a great source of essential nutrients. Cauliflower also provides a significant amount of antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation and prevent chronic diseases. In order to prepare mashed cauliflower, start by steaming or boiling the cauliflower until it's tender. Then, mash or blend it until it reaches a mashed potato-like consistency. Season with a bit of sour cream, garlic, chives, salt, and pepper, and enjoy! Mashed cauliflower is a great way to keep the holiday spirit alive while offering a healthier variation of a traditional side dish. For more guidance on how to prepare mashed cauliflower, check out this recipe here: 

Quinoa Salad with Cranberries and Pecans

Quinoa salad can be enjoyed all year long in a variety of ways fit for any season. During the holidays, adding some cranberries and pecans to your quinoa and dressing it with a homemade vinaigrette will make a wonderful and light side dish. First, prepare quinoa according to package instructions and let it cool. In the meantime, prepare your other ingredients including dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and finely chopped red onions. Then, mix these parts together and drizzle with a light vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, and a bit of honey. This colorful dish is not only delicious but also a great source of protein and fiber.

There's no need to sacrifice flavor when making healthy choices this holiday season. These side dishes are all delicious AND good for you. This year, you can arrive at all of the holiday parties with side dishes that satisfy everybody’s taste buds and introduce them to a new nutrient-dense recipe to add to their repertoire. Spread the joy of a healthy lifestyle by gifting your loved ones with dishes that will benefit their mind, body and soul this holiday season and enjoy!

All of the recipes linked in this blog come from a food blog that I have personally been following for almost a year now. She has a section specifically dedicated to healthy recipes, low-calorie recipes, and low-carb recipes for side dishes, main dishes, and even desserts on her page. Check it out here. 

Swapping out your side dishes for healthier alternatives is a great start to maintaining your health goals even during the holiday season. To explore other ways of incorporating healthy habits into your diet during this time of year, check out my recent blog on seasonal superfoods here. 

If you are interested in these suggestions and you need help planning them into your days, then working with a coach might be the perfect solution for you.  During a strategy session, we will discuss your goals and come up with a plan that is tailored specifically for you. If you are ready to take action and create balance in your busy life, click here now to schedule your free call.