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Here are our best Christmas side dishes with Persian and Mediterranean twists that you can enjoy this season. From roasted vegetables to comforting sides and festive salads, we’ve got you covered. These sides go with just about any Christmas main dish you might have in mind.
Whether you’re planning to make braised lamb shanks, spiced roasted turkey or glazed cornish hen, these sides will complete your Christmas (or Christmas Eve) dinner table.
Table of Contents
Christmas side dishes
Middle Eastern Eggplant Recipe
This is a great Middle Eastern eggplant recipe to always keep on hand. Perfectly roasted eggplant is served with a stunning tahini yogurt sauce and pomegranate arils. It's perfect as a side dish or an impressive appetizer!
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Roasted Butternut Squash with Honey and Lemon
Best Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe with Honey and Lemon
Roasted butternut squash makes an elegant side dish for any occasion. Butternut squash cubes are tossed with olive oil and warm spices and roasted until caramelized, then topped with honey, lemon and cilantro.
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Briam (Greek Roasted Vegetables)
Briam Greek Roasted Vegetables
Briam is a Greek roasted vegetables dish cooked in olive oil. This easy and delicious recipe is made with just a few ingredients and is vegan, low carb and gluten free.
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Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary and Pomegranate
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary and Pomegranate
Roasted sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish. They're made with spices and olive oil, then roasted to perfection until caramelized.
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Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Roasted cauliflower salad with Mediterranean spices is so flavorful and easy to make. The cauliflower is seasoned with warm spices and roasted to perfection, then topped with a zesty yogurt dressing, making every bite extra delicious.
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Eggplant Caponata Recipe
Eggplant caponata is an easy recipe that’s full of flavor. This vegetarian eggplant recipe is made with fresh vegetables and is very simple to make.
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Garlic Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Roasted Brussel Sprouts Recipe with Garlic and Lemon
This roasted brussel sprouts recipe is easy and ready in 20 minutes. They're crispy and seasoned with lemon and garlic, making a delicious side dish that everyone loves.
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Fasolakia (Greek Green Beans)
Fasolakia is a Greek green bean recipe that proves that green beans need not be bland. Tender green beans braised in olive oil and tomato make this a mouthwatering vegetarian and gluten free main or side dish.
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Turkish Zucchini Stew Recipe
This Turkish zucchini stew is hearty, healthy and so easy to make. It's made in one pot and is ready in just 30 minutes.
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Easy Ratatouille Recipe
Ratatouille is a hearty and healthy French dish that's packed with flavor. This recipe is made with hearty summer vegetables that you may already have on hand.
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Fried Eggplant Recipe with Tomatoes
Fried eggplant with tomatoes are the easiest side dish. Fresh eggplant and tomatoes fried to perfection and are topped with crispy garlic.
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Salad Shirazi (Persian Cucumber Tomato Salad)
Shirazi Salad (Persian Cucumber Tomato Salad)
Shirazi salad is a Persian cucumber tomato salad that's easy to prepare and packed with flavors. This classic Persian salad can be served with any main dish.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Burrata and Grapes
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Burrata and Grapes
Roasted butternut squash salad is a great fall salad recipe. With burrata, grapes, and a balsamic based vinaigrette, this salad will excite your taste buds!
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Greek Potatoes Recipe
These Greek potatoes are probably going to be the best roasted potatoes you've ever had. Give roasted potatoes a Mediterranean twist by making them Greek style with garlic, herbs and lots of lemon!
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Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes
Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes will be your next go-to side dish. This easy and simple recipe is buttery, creamy and bursting with roasted garlic flavor!
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Batata Harra (Lebanese Spicy Potatoes)
Batata Harra (Lebanese Spicy Potatoes)
Batata harra is a spicy Middle Eastern potato side dish. It calls for just a few ingredients and is easy to make. Crispy and tender potatoes are tossed in a spicy garlic and cilantro sauce and finished with a squeeze of lemon.
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The Best Homemade Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
The Best Homemade Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
This cheesy scalloped potatoes recipe is a keeper. It's rich and creamy, with so much flavor and makes any meal so much better!
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Mediterranean Potato Salad
Mediterranean potato salad is so easy and simple. It’s made with only a few ingredients and is packed with flavor thanks to a homemade zaatar dressing.
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Turkish Rice Pilaf with Orzo Recipe
Turkish Rice Pilaf with Orzo Recipe
Turkish rice pilaf with orzo is a simple side dish you can serve with almost anything. It calls for only 4 ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes.
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Turkish Bulgur Pilaf Recipe
Turkish style bulgur pilaf is a classic hearty and healthy side dish dish that is very easy to make. It’s a great alternative to rice and can be served with many dishes.
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Spanakorizo Greek Spinach Rice Recipe
Spanakorizo Recipe (Greek Spinach Rice)
Spanakorizo is a classic Greek spinach rice that's easy and comforting. You only need a few ingredients to make this delicious vegetarian recipe.
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Persian One Pot Tomato Rice – Dami Gojeh Farangi
Persian One Pot Tomato Rice – Dami Gojeh Farangi
Persian tomato rice is an easy vegetarian dish full of amazing flavors. This one pot rice recipe uses very few ingredients and can be prepared in no time!
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Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe
Instant pot brown rice is easy and absolutely no-fail. It includes less than 5 minutes of preparation and you will end up with delicious and fluffy brown rice every time.
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Greek Lemon Rice Recipe
This Greek lemon rice is ready in 30 minutes. The lemon and garlic add a lot of flavor to this Greek-inspired dish, which can be served on the side or as the main meal!
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Instant Pot White Rice Recipe
Instant pot white rice comes out perfectly every time. Learn how to make white rice in instant pot, the cooking time is only 5 minutes.
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Persian Steamed White Rice – Chelow
Persian Steamed White Rice – Chelow
Persian rice is the key element of Persian cuisine. This post will help you master the essential Persian rice with a crispy golden crust, known as tahdig.
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Easy Lebanese Rice and Vermicelli
Easy Lebanese Rice and Vermicelli
Lebanese rice with vermicelli is a classic Middle Eastern side dish made with only three ingredients. This is a simple and easy recipe that goes well with many dishes!
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Persian Dill Rice with Peas
Dill rice with peas is a vegan Persian recipe that is made in one pot with only 5 ingredients. This simple, aromatic side dish is ready in 30 minutes and is perfect for any occasion and you can serve it with chicken, beef or seafood.
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Sabzi Polo (Persian Herb Rice)
How To Make Saffron Rice
Learn how to make the best fragrant saffron rice recipe in 30 minutes. It's fluffy with golden vibrant color, making it a unique addition to your table. This Persian deliciousness is simple and made with a handful of ingredients.
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Persian Savory Saffron Cake – Tahchin
Persian Savory Saffron Cake – Tahchin
Tahchin is a classic Persian dish made with saffron rice and chicken layered and baked to perfection. Follow my recipe to learn how to make this classic savory saffron rice cake that'll be a showstopper at any gathering.
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Fried Potatoes and Onions Persian Style (Do Piazeh Aloo)
Fried Potatoes and Onions Persian Style (Do Piazeh Aloo)
An easy recipe for fried potatoes and onions with a Persian twist. Do piazeh aloo is an Iranian vegan dish that you can make in no time with just a few ingredients. It's packed with so much flavor thanks to turmeric and spices.
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Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip)
Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip)
Kashke bademjan is a simple Persian eggplant dip that is made with a handful of ingredients. This tasty vegetarian dip is full of amazing flavors and makes for a perfect appetizer!
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Easy Patatas Bravas Recipe
Patatas bravas is a classic Spanish tapas dish. Crispy potatoes topped with spicy tomato sauce and garlic aioli makes a simple but tasty recipe!
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Skordalia (Greek Potato and Garlic Dip)
Skordalia Greek Potato and Garlic Dip
Skordalia is a popular Greek potato and garlic dip that's creamy and full of flavor. Watch the video to learn how to make this traditional dip with just a few simple ingredients.
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Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes Recipe
This oven roasted potatoes recipe is easy and makes the perfect side dish. Flavored with garlic and roasted to perfection, these potatoes are irresistible. These potatoes are crispy on the inside and tender on the inside, and are the perfect addition to your dinner table.
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows and Pecans
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows and Pecans
This classic Sweet Potato Casserole is a must-have for Thanksgiving. It’s easy, fluffy and perfectly sweet. And, pecans add just the right amount of crunch!
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Maple Pecan Sweet Potatoes
Maple pecan sweet potatoes are simple to make and bring sweet and warm flavor to your fall dinner table. With a little bit of crunch, this comforting dish is hard to resist!
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Frequently asked questions
Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
Depending on the recipe, you can either prepare parts of a dish or all of it in advance. Check out each recipe for complete instructions.
How many side dishes do I make for Christmas dinner?
I usually make 2 to 4 side dishes for Christmas dinner and try to have a combination of light and hearty side dishes for a balanced meal.
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Best Christmas Side Dishes
Here are our best Christmas side dishes with Persian and Mediterranean twists that you can enjoy this season. From roasted vegetables to comforting sides and festive salads, we've got you covered. These sides go with any Christmas main dishes you have in mind and everyone enjoys them.
Ingredients
- Check out each recipe for the complete list of ingredients
Instructions
- Refer to each recipe for the complete instructions.
- Make ahead: Depending on the Christmas side dish recipe, you can either prepare parts or all of it ahead of time.
- Store and reheat: Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 250 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcal
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
These all look delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipes!
So many great recipes to try here! The roasted butternut squash and the brussel sprouts are definitely on my list of ones to try! thank you!
There are so many incredible sides here! I can’t wait to test a few out.
It’s all so pretty, colorful and healthy! I can’t decide which one I want to try first!
Wow! Saving this! I can’t wait to try a few of these beautiful recipes.
Wow, this is an amazing collection of recipes!! I am so glad so many of them are vegetarian and healthy! I can’t wait to make a few of these.
So many good ideas in this roundup. The butternut squash with honey and lemon is going on our menu this year! Thanks