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Delicious Holiday Side Dishes for Festive Feasts

12.19.23

Welcome to our festive table, where holiday side dishes steal the show! Get ready to give your feast a festive flair with sides that’ll make everyone want seconds. Dive into our treasure trove of tasty recipes that are as fun to make as they are to eat!

Mashed root vegetables

Before we can dive into this recipe, let’s talk about what root vegetables are. Sweet potatoes, yams, carrots, and fennel are a few of the most popular! Their rich flavor profile and adaptability to diverse cooking methods make them a favorite side dish option.

Preparing root vegetables is easy. Simply boil chopped yams and parsnips until tender. Warm soup separately. Mash cooked vegetables with Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Butternut Squash Soup, coconut oil, cinnamon, maple syrup and salt. For best results, try drying the vegetables after draining. If you need to adjust the texture, try adding in butter, cream or milk. 

See the full recipe: Mashed Root Vegetables

Classic Swedish meatballs

Bathed in a flavorful, creamy gravy, these meatballs are a cherished side dish during holiday feasts. Their savory taste and delicate texture complement festive main courses, adding warmth and tradition to the spread.

The magic in these Swedish meatballs comes from seasonings like allspice and nutmeg, as well as our own Organic Beef Broth. Add Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard for a standout flavor. Pair them with buttered noodles or rice, a Caesar salad, fruit salad and rolls to round out the meal.

See the full recipe: Classic Swedish Meatballs

Lentil shepherd’s pie

A hearty twist on a classic recipe, this dish is packed with lentils and topped with a creamy mashed potato crust. As a side dish for holiday meals, it’s a satisfying vegetarian alternative to traditional meat-heavy options thanks to Pacific Foods Organic Low Sodium Vegetable Broth.

But how do you keep shepherd’s pie from crumbling? First, use the right-sized casserole dish. Next, check the mashed potato consistency. It should be firm so the dish doesn’t fall apart when you serve it. Last, use a gentle touch when adding the topping. 

See the full recipe: Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

Braised mushrooms with polenta

Polenta is a staple food in northern Italy made from finely ground yellow or white corn. When freshly prepared, its creamy consistency mirrors that of porridge. It’s an excellent base for sauces and a suitable gluten-free alternative to pasta in many dishes.

Braised mushrooms are a popular topping for polenta. You can top polenta with your favorite pasta sauce. Add sautéed greens and your preferred meats, cheese, lentils or legumes. For a morning holiday meal, mix in nuts, seeds, dried or fresh fruits and your favorite milk. Consider a polenta casserole, which is great for any meal of the day.

See the full recipe: Braised Mushrooms with Polenta

French onion zoodle bake

The French onion zoodle bake combines the flavors of caramelized onions with fresh, spiralized zucchini noodles (zoodles). If you’re a fan of French onion soup, this recipe adds ingredients and gives you a warm, comforting dish.

The most important step in the recipe is caramelizing the onions. It brings out the sweet taste of the ingredients and adds to the overall flavor. Cooking yellow onions slowly in butter or oil does the trick and will give you the desired effect.

See the full recipe: French Onion Zoodle Bake

French dip sliders au jus

French dip sliders are mini sandwiches filled with tender, thinly sliced roast beef and melted cheese, served on soft rolls. They’re accompanied by an au jus sauce for dipping, enhancing the meaty flavors with every bite. While you can serve them as a side dish, why not treat your guests to a flavorful appetizer? French dip sliders au jus are ideal as a holiday side dish. They offer an easy-to-handle gourmet spin on a popular food.

For an au jus sauce that stands out, simmer the beef drippings with red wine, beef broth and fresh herbs. Strain the liquid after simmering to achieve a clear, flavorful dip that is perfect for your sliders.

See the full recipe: French Dip Sliders with Au Jus Sauce

Veggie stuffed butternut squash (aka ButternutZucchiniPlant)

Veggie stuffed butternut squash is a vibrant side dish featuring roasted squash halves filled with vegetables, grains, our Organic Vegetable Broth and aromatic herbs. It features a hearty and visually appealing accompaniment that captures the essence of autumnal flavors.

For a delectable veggie-stuffed butternut squash, roast until it’s tender before stuffing. This way, the dish cooks more evenly. Mix your favorite sautéed veggies and spices for the filling, and finish baking until the top is golden and crispy.

See the full recipe: Veggie Stuffed Butternut Squash (aka ButternutZucchiniPlant)

Baked pumpkin goat cheese risotto

Marrying the classic Italian technique with the festive taste of seasonal squash risotto is ideal for a cozy holiday meal. Baked pumpkin goat cheese risotto combines the warm, earthy flavors of pumpkin with the tangy richness of goat cheese. This mixture is baked with arborio rice until tender and delicious. 


For an extra creamy risotto, sauté onions and garlic before adding arborio rice and stirring in warm stock with pumpkin puree. Finish by folding in crumbled goat cheese and baking until the risotto is perfectly al dente.

See the full recipe: Baked Pumpkin Goat Cheese Risotto

Bourbon-glazed Brussels sprouts

Bourbon-glazed Brussels sprouts are a delightful side dish that features small, green vegetables roasted until crisp. They’re then coated in a sweet, smoky bourbon-infused glaze created with Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Stock, which caramelizes on the sprouts. The glaze adds a layer of flavor.


Did you know you can get a head start on the Brussels sprouts? Save time in advance by trimming and halving the sprouts up to three days in advance. Here’s another tip: Parboiling helps soften the Brussels sprouts enough to smash them. However, be sure not to overcook them during this step because they will continue to roast in the oven.

See the full recipe: Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Garlic roasted potatoes with bone broth

Roasted potatoes are a hearty side dish that complements any holiday meal. Potatoes are tossed with aromatic garlic and roasted until golden and crisp. Finish with Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Bone Broth, which infuses the potatoes with a full-bodied flavor and makes them tender.

Roasting the potatoes in broth enhances the creamy, buttery nature of the potatoes. The remaining roasting time, uncovered at a higher temperature, adds a browned crunch. If you like extra crispy potatoes, soak them in salt water for four to six hours and then pat them dry. Removing excess starch helps them get crispy when they’re roasted.

See the full recipe: Garlic Roasted Potatoes with Bone Broth

Spinach artichoke dip stuffed mushrooms

Kickstart your holiday event with spinach artichoke dip stuffed mushrooms. These festive hors d’oeuvres feature tender mushroom caps generously filled with spinach, artichokes and seasonings. They’re easy to prepare. Simply mix the dip using our Organic Cream of Mushroom Condensed Soup as a base and stuff into the mushrooms. Then, bake until the topping is golden and bubbly, creating a deliciously indulgent bite-sized treat. 

Are you worried about a watery dip? To prevent your spinach artichoke dip from turning watery, dry the ingredients in advance. Also, wring the spinach and pat the chopped artichokes to remove any excess moisture. Spinach dip reheats well. You can prepare it, put it in an air-tight dish, and refrigerate it until ready to reheat and serve.

See the full recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip Stuffed Mushrooms

Focaccia stuffing with mushrooms and leeks

Focaccia stuffing takes classic stuffing to the next level with flavorful focaccia bread, earthy mushrooms and sweet, tender leeks. It’s a modern twist on traditional stuffing, perfect for adding a gourmet touch to any holiday meal.

Again, you want to avoid a watery dish. Stuffing should be moist, not soggy. If you see broth pooling in the bowl, that’s too much — put in extra bread to absorb it. If it’s too dry and falling apart, mix in a bit more of Pacific Foods Free Range Chicken Broth until it sticks together when tossed.

See the full recipe: Focaccia Stuffing with Mushrooms and Leeks

Transform your holiday table with Pacific Foods broth and stock

Elevate your festive feasts with the distinctive flavors of Pacific Foods broth and stock — your secret ingredient for unforgettable meals. Add depth to your holiday side dishes and warmth to your gatherings with our organic, flavorful foundations. Shop online or visit your local store to turn your holiday table into a celebration of taste!