Tired of mashed potatoes? 30 sides to try this year

Holiday tables can get repetitive, and plenty of us hit that point where we’re just tired of mashed potatoes and ready for sides that bring something new. Sometimes you want a little more color, a little more personality, and dishes that feel fresh without turning the day into extra work. These recipes are great when you want simple swaps that still fit right in with the rest of the meal and make the whole spread feel a bit more interesting. It’s all about keeping things relaxed while giving everyone something worth talking about.

An overhead image of roasted vegetable salad on a serving dish. with the dressing on the side.

Roasted Vegetable Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Pineapple Stuffing

This pineapple stuffing brings a sweet, retro vibe that breaks up the usual spread in a fun way. It works well for anyone ready to switch things up from the usual mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Stuffing

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Oven-roasted root vegetables caramelize into soft, rich bites that feel right at home on a holiday table. They’re a strong pick when you're looking to move past the same potato routine.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad

A glass bowl filled with quinoa, dried cranberries, and pecans. — Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

A quinoa salad with cranberries and pecans brings texture and color that cut through heavier plates. It’s a great option when you want something different from the standard potato side.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad

Coconut Red Lentil Curry

Coconut red lentil curry cooks fast and delivers a creamy, spiced bowl that still fits into a busy night. Its quick timing and bold style make it a smart move when mashed potatoes feel overdone.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Red Lentil Curry

Easy Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Brussels sprouts casserole mixes crispy edges with a smooth sauce that brings a fresh change to the table. It’s an easy way to offer something new when you’re tired of the classic potato dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Greek Vegetarian Moussaka

Side view of slice of moussaka. — Greek Vegetarian Moussaka. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Moussaka with eggplant and zucchini builds strong layers that lean hearty without copying the usual sides. Its depth makes it a fitting option when you want a break from mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Greek Vegetarian Moussaka

Crispy Vegan Roasted Potatoes

Close-up image of cripsy vegan roasted potatoes. — Crispy Vegan Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Roasted potatoes with lemon-thyme dressing add a bright finish that wakes up the rest of the meal. They’re great for anyone craving something different from the typical mashed style.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Vegan Roasted Potatoes

Brie Cranberry Bites Appetizer

Brie cranberry bites bring a creamy-tart pop that works as a quick side or starter. They fit well when you're steering the menu away from the same old potato routine.
Get the Recipe: Brie Cranberry Bites Appetizer

Spinach Casserole

This spinach casserole is cheesy, quick, and packed with greens. It’s perfect for anyone looking to put something fresh on the table instead of another potato dish.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Casserole

Garlic Rolls

Garlic rolls bake up soft and fragrant with a simple, from-scratch dough. Their pull-apart style makes them a fun switch when mashed potatoes feel repetitive.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Rolls

Kale Salad With Cranberries

Kale salad with cranberries and nuts adds crunch and pops of brightness in minutes. It’s a sharp contrast that works well when you want something beyond potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad With Cranberries

Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans

An image of cranberry salad with pecans served in a white salad bowl with a fork on the side. — Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cranberry pecan salad comes together fast and cuts through heavier dishes with a fresh finish. Its light feel makes it a smart choice when classic mashed sides sound too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans

Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta

Roasted tomatoes atop toasted bread rounds with feta cheese. — Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Tomato crostini with whipped feta brings herbs and crisp toast for a quick, bright side. It’s great for anyone wanting a lighter pick than another potato dish.
Get the Recipe: Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta

Roasted Vegetable Salad

A roasted vegetable salad delivers layered textures with a clean vinaigrette that works hot or cold. Its flexibility makes it handy when you want something different from mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Salad

Crispy Roasted White Sweet Potatoes

White sweet potatoes roast into crisp edges with mild herb notes that stay easy to pair. Their quick prep makes them a solid choice when you want a break from the usual potato mash.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted White Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan

Kohlrabi roasts into mellow, earthy slices that feel fresh instead of heavy. That simplicity makes it a strong pick for anyone ready to try something other than mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan

Maple Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Maple-roasted rainbow carrots bring color and gentle heat that stand out on a full table. They’re a natural choice when you want sides that aren’t built around potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Maple Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Honey-glazed roasted carrots cook quickly and hit a tender texture with light herbal notes. They’re easy to turn to when mashed potatoes just don’t sound right this year.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Fingerling potatoes roast into crisp bites that pair with almost any main. Their texture keeps things interesting when you want something other than mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

The Best Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Overhead image of best broccoli salad with creamy dressin on a bowl. — The Best Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Broccoli salad with bacon and cranberries brings crunch and balance that cut through rich meals. It’s a handy side when you want a break from potato-heavy plates.
Get the Recipe: The Best Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries

Close up of cranberry sauce made with dried cranberries. — Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cranberry sauce made from dried cranberries cooks quickly and brings a bold, bright finish. It’s a nice shift when you want something different from potato-centered sides.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries

Sweet and Creamy Goat Cheese Salad with Fruit and Cranberry

Overhead image of sweet and creamy goat cheese salad. — Sweet and Creamy Goat Cheese Salad with Fruit and Cranberry. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Goat cheese salad with arugula, cucumbers, and cranberries brings a crisp mix that cuts through heavier dishes. Its brightness makes it a welcome change from the usual mash.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Creamy Goat Cheese Salad with Fruit and Cranberry

Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Cranberry goat cheese bruschetta adds punch and texture that stand up well next to richer mains. It’s a fun alternative when potatoes feel too predictable.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus

Roasted Brussels sprouts and asparagus bring crisp and tender bites that go with almost anything. Their balance makes them great when you're done with mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

A close up photo of fresh cranberry sauce placed in a white bowl with spoon, oranges and fresh cranberries in the background. — Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Simple cranberry sauce adds sharp, fresh flavor that lightens the plate. That contrast helps when the usual potato side feels too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Crispy Roasted Turnips with Chive Butter Sauce

Roasted turnips soften into gentle sweetness under a light chive topping. They’re a clever pick when you want to reach beyond mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Turnips with Chive Butter Sauce

Best Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Chicken salad with cranberries and pecans brings a tangy crunch that suits lunches or bigger spreads. Its balance makes it an easy alternative to potato-focused dishes.
Get the Recipe: Best Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Best Roasted Potato Salad

Roasted potato salad with herbs and pistachios brings freshness and crunch in every spoonful. It’s a fun switch when the standard mashed version feels tired.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potato Salad

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks build a hearty bite with simple caramelized edges. They work well when you want a vegetable side that replaces potatoes completely.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Baked Sweet Potatoes With Apples & Cranberries

A spoonful of sweet potato slices with apples and cranberries in a white dish. — Baked Sweet Potatoes With Apples & Cranberries. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Baked sweet potato slices with apples and cranberries bring soft texture and gentle sweetness. They’re great when you’re ready to step away from mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potatoes With Apples & Cranberries