thanksgiving

93 Thanksgiving Sides to Serve with Your Holiday Dinner

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer (and The Kitchn's Dinner Therapist), with more than 10 years professional experience. Since graduating from The French Culinary Institute, I've authored 3 cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.
Jan Valdez
Jan ValdezAssociate Recipe Producer
I cover recipe content on The Kitchn, write and update recipes and recipe roundups, and test recipes for the team. I have 10 years of experience working in R&D test kitchens, testing products and recipes, and at publishers including Serious Eats and EatingWell.
updated Nov 20, 2024
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Cheesy French onion potato bake in a cast iron skillet, some removed from pan
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter

The stakes have a way of getting a little higher when you’re cooking a holiday dinner — especially when it comes to sides. No matter what else you’re serving, the sides are inevitably the star of the table.

When narrowing down the options, you want dishes that pair well with the main course and are a little more special than what you’d make for a weeknight meal, without being so complicated they dominate your day. Luckily that’s what we’re good at.

From potato dishes and cozy casseroles to crunchy salads and warm rolls, we rounded up 93 of our favorite holiday side dishes that are easy, impressive, and partner well with a variety of dinner mains. Whether you’re serving prime rib, glazed baked ham, or even a classic lasagna, these sides will be right at home.

Potato and Sweet Potato Side Dishes

Potatoes and sweet potatoes have a magical way of pairing perfectly with whatever you serve, whether they’re mashed, scalloped, or in a casserole.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Perfect Mashed Potatoes

So rich and creamy, these mashed potatoes are the only ones we ever make on the holidays.

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Credit: Photo: Chris Simpson; Food Styling: Jessie YuChen
Cheesy Skillet Domino Potatoes

Thin slices of Yukon gold potatoes are doused in a cheese-bolstered cream mixture and baked in a skillet until it becomes a crispy and tender gratin-like dish that everyone will love.

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5 / 20
Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Scalloped Potatoes

This classic version uses just six ingredients and pairs it with an incredibly easy cooking method. The cozy casserole bakes up with a golden-brown top and super-tender sliced russet potatoes that are suspended in a creamy, thyme-flecked sauce.

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6 / 20
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Shepherd’s Mashed Potatoes

This can be assembled up to a day ahead before baking, which makes this the perfect make-ahead holiday side.

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7 / 20
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Barrett Washburne
Best-Ever Melting Potatoes

When sliced into thick rounds, blasted with high heat in the oven, and bathed in butter and broth, humble potatoes become their most luxurious, tender selves — with very little effort from you.

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8 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

You know and love sweet potato casserole. Here's how to make it even easier. It can be made up to three days in advance - just leave off the marshmallows until right before baking.

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9 / 20
Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Cacio e Pepe Potato Gratin

Thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes get tossed with a flavorful cream sauce, layered with plenty of Pecorino Romano, and baked until browned and bubbly.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Cheesy French Onion Scalloped Potatoes

Imagine all the savory flavor of French onion soupcaramelized onions, rich beef broth, and melted Gruyère — layered between slices of tender golden potatoes.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Sour Cream Smashed Potatoes with Fried Shallots

Inspired by potato stuffed pierogi, these sour cream and onion mashed potatoes deserve a spot at your holiday table.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Cheesy Potatoes

An easy homemade version of the classic comforting side dish, in which tender boiled russet potatoes are tossed in a creamy cheese sauce and baked until warm and bubbling.

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15 / 20
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
French Onion Mashed Potatoes

Stir onion soup mix and sour cream into mashed potatoes for an easy side dish that will outshine the main course.

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16 / 20
Credit: Kelli Foster
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping

With a fluffy, just-sweet-enough filling and crackly streusel topping that'll remind you of candied nuts, this sweet potato casserole will become an instant classic on your holiday table.

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17 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
Smashed Potato Casserole

A make ahead-friendly recipe for creamy mashed potatoes baked in a casserole and topped with lots of Parmesan cheese.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling; Cyd McDowell
Tartiflette (French Potato, Bacon, and Cheese Casserole)

A step-by-step recipe for tartiflette, a cozy casserole made with potatoes, Reblochon cheese, bacon, and onions originating out of Savoy in the Alps.

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19 / 20
Credit: Kelli Foster
Loaded Mashed Potatoes

If you’re looking for a way to give your basic mashed potatoes a seriously impressive upgrade, there’s no better way to do it than by taking inspiration from a loaded baked potato with all the fixings.

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20 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes are the ideal make-ahead side dish. While classic stovetop mashed potatoes are best made right before serving to keep them from drying out, you can make this casserole a full day in advance without having to worry they’ll see the same fate.

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Green Bean and Broccoli Side Dishes

If you’re looking for green vegetable sides, you can never go wrong with green beans or broccoli, no matter if you sauté or roast them.

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Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Green Bean Casserole

Learn how to make the classic holiday side with fresh or canned green beans, a homemade mushroom cream sauce, and store-bought crispy onions.

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2 / 11
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Janette Zepeda
Roasted Green Beans

With a little love (thanks to lemon zest and juice, Parmesan cheese, and toasted almonds), these easy roasted green beans will be your new favorite side dish. The best part: They only take about 10 minutes to cook.

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Credit: Tara Holland
Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans

Bundles of roasted green beans wrapped in candied bacon are a fun alternative to your standard green bean sides and a leveled-up version of green beans with bacon. It is also an excellent substitute for green bean casserole during the holidays, as you can prepare most of this dish on a baking sheet a day in advance.

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6 / 11
Credit: Photo: Kristin Teig | Food Stylist: Catrine Kelty
Broccoli au Gratin

A comforting bake of tender broccoli in a creamy sauce, topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.

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7 / 11
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Olushola Wadley
Green Beans Almondine

Snappy blanched green beans are served with sautéed shallots and buttery sliced almonds for an easy, delicious holiday side.

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8 / 11
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Perfect Buttery Green Beans

Make these ridiculously delicious (and easy) sautéed green beans your go-to side for the holidays.

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9 / 11
Credit: Tara Holland
Green Beans with Bacon

In our opinion, everything tastes better with bacon. There is something quite magical about the marriage of crisp green beans and nuggets of crispy bacon, tossed in bacon fat and a little butter.

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10 / 11
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Tender green beans in a creamy sauce and crispy fried onions served straight from the slow cooker.

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11 / 11
Credit: Meleyna Nomura
Garlic Green Beans

This quick and simple way to cook green beans will become an instant favorite.

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Carrot Side Dishes

If you think carrots are boring, you haven’t tried roasting them in a bath of honey-garlic brown butter, miso butter, or brown sugar and bourbon.

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Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
Honey Glazed Carrots

There are many ways to cook carrots, but roasting them is hands-down our favorite method. It’s one of the best vegetable side dishes that pairs well with anything for your holiday dinner.

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2 / 10
Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe ; Food Stylist: Ben Weiner
Parmesan Crusted Carrots

Roasting carrots is one of the best ways to coax out the naturally sweet flavors of the vegetable. After a stint in a hot oven, the results are jammy, slightly caramelized, and delicious. What makes them even better? Roasting them on a bed of salty Parmesan cheese.

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3 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park
Glazed Carrots

Glazed carrots are a classic side dish that will never go out of style. This simple recipe comes together in 20 minutes or less and delivers a sweet and savory vegetable that pairs well with your holiday honey baked ham.

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4 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe: Food Styling: Spencer Richards
Parmesan Smashed Carrots

If you’re always looking for the roasted carrot pieces that have the brownest edges and the crispiest bites, it’s time for you to try these Parmesan smashed carrots. Tender, steamed carrots are smashed (crash hot potato-style), sprinkled with salty Parmesan cheese, and roasted until browned and caramelized.

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Credit: Lauren Volo
Bourbon-Glazed Carrots

Buttery, brown sugar- and bourbon-glazed carrots are what you pair with your holiday dinner when you’re going for something easy, yet delicious.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park
Miso Butter Glazed Carrots

Miso paste is a fantastic ingredient that makes simple roasted carrots into something magical.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
Harissa-Honey Glazed Carrots

It's just the right balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy, thanks to harissa paste and honey.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Honey-Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

The combination of nutty brown butter, fragrant garlic, and sweet honey is basically the dream team for roasted carrots.

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Credit: Tara Holland
Candied Carrots

A delicious syrupy glaze helps to enhance the natural sweetness of carrots in this stunning, glossy, bejeweled vegetable side dish.

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Roasted Carrots with Orange

A generous sprinkle of smoky chili powder and sweet-bitter orange slices really jazz up basic carrots.

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Brussels Sprouts Side Dishes

Brussels sprouts are a holiday dinner classic, from roasted with bacon and maple syrup or brown sugar, to thinly sliced in a hearty salad.

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Credit: Kelli Foster
Lemony Shaved Brussels Sprouts

It's a 10-minute side dish that easy to serve alongside absolutely anything on the holidays.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples, Hazelnuts & Brown Butter Dressing

This salad takes a little more time to make than the usual shaved sprouts salad, but the extra work is worth the flavor and texture combination of brown butter vinaigrette, Brussels sprouts, apple, and hazelnuts.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Micah Morton
Brown Sugar and Bacon Brussels Sprouts

If you’re not already a believer, this brown sugar Brussels sprouts recipe with bacon will make you one. The balance of smoky flavor from thick-cut bacon and sweetness provided by brown sugar turn this often-maligned brassica into a veggie anyone will want to eat.

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7 / 10
Credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Pearl Jones
Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts

In the heat of a hot oven, Brussels sprouts caramelize and crisp beautifully. Roasting them with honey means they get even more caramelized. But to keep everything from being too cloying, these Brussels sprouts are also roasted with a shake of red pepper flakes — think of it as an easy homemade alternative to using a bottle of hot honey.

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10 / 10
Credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Pearl Jones
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan

Halfway through roasting Brussels sprouts how you normally would — high heat and on a preheated baking sheet for optimal caramelization — you’ll shower the pan with a whole cup of Parmesan cheese.

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More Vegetable Side Dishes

Veggies like mushrooms, cabbage, and butternut squash are always a welcome addition to the holiday table.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park
Creamed Spinach

Tender baby spinach, mixed in a flavorful cream sauce, makes one of the best and easiest side dishes for holiday dinners.

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2 / 11
Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Jason Schreiber
Rainbow Vegetable Gratin

The most well-known gratin is one made with layers of potatoes, cream, and cheese; it’s a classic dish that’s also known as pommes dauphinoise. This rainbow vegetable gratin takes the same spirit but celebrates the full spectrum of seasonal produce.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Honey Butter Glazed Butternut Squash

This three-ingredient butternut squash side goes well with almost everything on the holiday table.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park
Cheesy Baked Asparagus

Tender asparagus baked under creamy Alfredo sauce until bubbly and browned is the ultimate holiday side.

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5 / 11
Credit: Laura Rege
Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions

Combine sautéed cremini mushrooms and onions with the slight acidity of lemon juice and white wine for a dish that bursts with umami.

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6 / 11
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park
Creamed Corn

Sweet corn kernels simmered in butter and cream is better than anything from a can.

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8 / 11
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Melting Cauliflower

The key to the very best cauliflower is to roast until golden before soaking it in a flavorful broth.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell
Fried Cabbage

Green cabbage, bacon, and a couple of spices join forces for a quick and easy, smoky-sweet side dish that will forever change the way you think about cabbage.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
15-Minute Parmesan-Thyme Mushrooms

Just 15 minutes and a handful of ingredients are all you need to bring these hearty Parmesan cremini mushrooms to the table.

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11 / 11
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Cacio e Pepe Sautéed Cabbage

This cacio e pepe sautéed cabbage may sound simple enough, but each bite of silky, slightly sweet green cabbage is coated in melty cheese and bursts of black pepper.

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Holiday Casseroles

Casseroles are a major holiday win because they can be assembled ahead of time and can feed a crowd.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: Jesse Szewczyk/Kitchn
Jiffy Corn Casserole

Thanks to a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix, this corn casserole comes together quickly and is a perfect side dish for your holiday dinner.

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3 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Ben Weiner
Broccoli Cheese Casserole

This classic broccoli casserole, made with canned cream of mushroom soup and Ritz crackers, is bound to be a family favorite.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Corn Pudding Casserole

It goes with everything (we're looking at you, glazed baked ham!) on the Thanksgiving plate.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Spinach Gratin

A blend of spinach, white sauce, and cheese baked together into a hearty, comforting casserole.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Janette Zepeda
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese comes in many forms, each with its own charm — from quick stovetop and one-bowl microwave versions to the beloved boxed variety with powdered cheese. But there’s something undeniably satisfying about a classic baked mac and cheese, with its rich, creamy sauce nestled under a golden layer of buttery breadcrumbs.

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Credit: Photo: Eric Kleinberg; Food Stylist: Kristina Vanni
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Every bite of this twice-baked potato casserole is warm and comforting while overflowing with melty cheese and crisp bacon.

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8 / 10
Credit: Rosie Mayes
Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

This mac and cheese casserole is the creamiest, cheesiest, best-ever recipe. It calls for only two different cheeses that are easy to find: sharp cheddar for the flavor and mozzarella for the gooeyness.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Baked Corn Pudding Casserole

It's soft and tender on the inside with just a touch of texture from sweet corn and cornmeal, and blanketed with a delicate golden crust.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Make-Ahead Creamy Mac & Cheese Casserole

This classic mac and cheese has pasta floating in an easy white sauce loaded with sharp cheddar for flavor and Monterey Jack for creaminess, and it’s crowned with buttery cracker crumbs as a final touch.

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Bread, Rolls, and Biscuits

Bringing warm, homemade dinner rolls to the table is not as fussy as you might think. These easy recipes prove it.

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Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Parker House Rolls

These buttery, tender Parker House rolls are perfect for your holiday bread basket. To make these tender pull-apart rolls extra fluffy, we use instant potato flakes, a common pantry ingredient that helps yield the most perfect crumb.

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Credit: Brittany Conerly
Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

These tender rolls get their pale orange hue and delicate sweetness from mashed sweet potatoes.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Southern-Style Buttermilk Biscuits

Freezing the butter and then grating it into the dough is the secret to these perfectly tender biscuits.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Buttery Cheddar Herb Rolls

These tender, rich, pillowy dinner rolls are flecked with herbs and crowned with a toasty cheddar cheese crust.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Butter Biscuits

These from-scratch biscuits come together in just one bowl, don’t require any fancy techniques, and come out perfectly pillowy every single time. In short, they’re the quickest, easiest way to make biscuits at home.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Irish Cheddar Potato Rolls

These Irish cheddar potato rolls are baked to cheesy, buttery perfection.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Pull-Apart Challah Rolls

Individual knots of challah bread, rich with eggs and ready for a slathering of butter.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Buttery Crescent Rolls

These flaky, buttery homemade crescent rolls ready in less than an hour.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Cowboy Butter-Swim Biscuits

We swapped plain butter for cowboy butter infused with zippy lemon, grainy mustard, fresh chives, and smoky spices, making these cowboy butter-swim biscuits even more delicious than the original.

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Holiday Salads

The best winter salads are ones that are studded with good stuff like nuts and cheese and tossed with a rich dressing. These recipes check off all the boxes.

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Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Make-Ahead Holiday Salad

Layer crunchy greens and Tuscan kale, sweet date-pickled onions, and crisp fried shallots up to a full day in advance for the ultimate holiday salad.

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Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Autumn Sheet Pan Salad

Roast butternut squash, chickpeas, and croutons, then build a delicious, filling fall salad — directly on top!

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3 / 10
Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Roasted Cauliflower Salad

We don’t know who needs to hear this, but salads are not just an assortment of raw vegetables! One of the most common misconceptions with salads is that you have to eat a little pile of leaves. This roasted cauliflower salad says otherwise. Roasting vegetables — cauliflower, shallots, and a lemon here — make the whole thing immediately feel more substantial while adding a lot of textural variety.

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4 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Kale Salad with Crispy Roasted Potatoes

With crispy roasted potatoes and a flavorful dressing made with shallots, whole grain mustard, maple syrup, golden raisins, and a little soy sauce, this hearty kale salad is perfect for the holidays.

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5 / 10
Credit: Shelly Westerhausen
Radicchio Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato, Manchego, and Crunchy Seeds

This topping-heavy salad is designed so that it's all good parts: roasted sweet potato keeps the radicchio's bitterness in check and toasted sunflower seeds add crunch.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Chopped Broccoli Salad with Warm Honey Vinaigrette

Chopped broccoli, chewy sweet dates, nutty toasted walnuts, aged cheddar, and crunchy shallots tossed in warm lemon-honey vinaigrette. It's the perfect make-ahead salad for the holidays.

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7 / 10
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk; Prop Styling: Andie McMahon
Harvest Roasted Apple Kale Salad

Made with a base of fresh kale, sliced onions, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds, this holiday salad is topped with an easy, creamy lemon-garlic dressing.

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Credit: Jesse Szewczyk
Crispy Sheet Pan Potato Salad

Crispy smashed potatoes tossed with arugula, crispy bacon, red onions, and a whole grain mustard vinaigrette.

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Credit: Kelli Foster
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Maple Vinaigrette

Roasted beets mixed with argula, pumpkin seeds, and crumbled feta makes for the perfect holiday side salad.

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