25 Best Side Dishes for Prime Rib to Round Out Your Holiday Feast
From mushrooms to mashed potatoes, these all make great additions to the table!
'Tis the season for big holiday roasts, and there's nothing that tops a festive dinner like a prime rib. The star of the holiday table also deserves wow-worthy side dishes to accompany it. Whether you're partial to the classic mashed potatoes or want to keep it light with some healthy and hearty Christmas salad recipes, we're sharing the best side dishes for prime rib that pair perfectly — and will definitely have the whole family coming 'round for seconds.
Plus, we’re sharing a few fun twists on traditional sides (like a hasselback potato recipe topped with oniony scallion butter) in case you want to mix things up this year when it comes to your prime rib dinner menu ideas. Wondering what vegetables go well with prime rib? The produce aisle is your oyster! Hearty mushrooms, sweet butternut squash, tender roasted carrots and more are a delicious addition to dinner. Even the pickiest of eaters will devour their vegetables, from spinach and green bean recipes, to Brussels sprouts (made with heaps of bacon). Each of these delicious and festive sides is a worthy partner to your favorite prime rib roast recipe. So go ahead, take a look and finalize your Christmas dinner menu (AKA the perfect prime rib dinner!), so you can switch gears and finally start thinking about all the festive Christmas treats you'll be baking up!
Herbed Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are obviously a must-have when it comes to Christmas sides — especially when they're this creamy and buttery.
Get the Herbed Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Polenta with Mushrooms
Hearty mushrooms top ultra-creamy polenta for a rich side that makes prime rib dinner extra decadent.
Get the Polenta with Mushrooms recipe.
RELATED: 40 Best Mushroom Recipes That Are Packed With Natural Flavor
Wedge Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing
Craving a steakhouse supper? Pair your prime rib with this fresh and bright salad topped with chives and plenty of fresh cracked pepper.
Colcannon
A rich mix of leeks, cabbage and mashed potatoes practically presents a 3-in-1 side dish to your guests.
Get the Colcannon recipe.
Mushroom and Chile-Garlic Green Beans
For the perfect veggie side to complement your prime rib, combine roasted mushrooms with blanched green beans — then toss them in mouthwatering chile-garlic butter.
Hasselback Potatoes
Cutting a potato into very thin slices without cutting all the way through creates a perfect baked spud with extra crispy edges.
Get the Hasselback Potatoes recipe.
Roasted Carrots and Chickpeas with Marinated Feta
Toss creamy feta cheese with shallots, chile, vinegar, and fresh herbs to infuse it with even more flavor. Paired with roasted carrots and chickpeas, you won't need to whip up any extra sides!
Get the Roasted Carrots and Chickpeas with Marinated Feta recipe.
Thyme and Shallot Roasted Butternut Squash
Add a drizzle of maple syrup onto your favorite seasonal veggie for the ultimate holiday side dish.
Get the Thyme and Shallot Roasted Butternut Squash recipe.
RELATED: 37 Best Butternut Squash Recipes That Are Easy to Make for Fall
Bacon-Roasted Potatoes
As if we're not already sold on the roasted potatoes, this dish even has crispy bacon (and a hint of thyme!) in the mix.
Get the Bacon-Roasted Potatoes recipe.
RELATED: 46 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That Are Fast and Super Delicious
Vanilla Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Just think of how well this sweet, vanilla-y side will pair with the savoriness of your prime rib. Yum!
Buttery Rosemary Rolls
Soft, herby and oh-so-buttery. What more could you want for Christmas?
Get the Buttery Rosemary Rolls recipe.
Sorghum-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
A sprinkle of candied or spiced pecans adds the perfect amount of crunch to these rich, syrupy sweet potatoes.
Get the Sorghum-Glazed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
RELATED: 56 Best Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Perfect for Any Fall Occasion
Creamy One-Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
If you're looking for even more delicious mashed potato recipes (of course you are), this one is ultra-creamy and only requires one pot.
Brussels Sprouts with Heaps of Bacon
Here's an idea to get everyone to eat their greens: pair with a salty slab bacon!
Get the Brussels Sprouts with Heaps of Bacon recipe.
Creamed Kale and Gruyere Gratin
Instead of going the traditional creamed spinach route, switch things up by folding some kale and shredded gruyere into the mix.
Get the Creamed Kale and Gruyere Gratin recipe.
RELATED: 45 Different Ways to Eat Kale When You Can't Get Enough Leafy Greens
Roasted Sweet Potato, Pear and Onion
Our mantra: The more veggies on the table, the better. After all, there are only so many cookies one can consume during the holidays. This medley of root vegetables and roasted pears brings both color and fun into the spread.
Brussels Sprouts with Pepitas and Figs
This veg can be pretty polarizing, we know. Toss crispy roasted sprouts with toasted pepitas and sweet figs before serving them up to guests to make 'em more approachable.
Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad
Or, thinly slice sprouts to use as the base of your side salad. No need to cook them, first! Just marinate sprouts in a lemony vinaigrette for 10 minutes and they will soften.
Get the Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.
RELATED: 37 Delicious Healthy Salads That Are Fresh and Filling
Scalloped Hasselback Potatoes with Cheddar
Thinly sliced spuds and melted cheese are seriously a match made in heaven. Pro tip: Invest in a mandoline to make slicing a pound of potatoes a breeze.
Spice-Roasted Carrots
Sometimes simple and straightforward is best. Here, we toss whole carrots (read: no chopping required!) with olive oil and a few spices, then roast until golden brown and tender. Finish it off with a splash of red wine vinegar and melted butter, plus a sprinkle of chopped pistachios.
Get the Spice-Roasted Carrots recipe.
Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.
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