If the main dish is the headline, the side dishes are the heartbeat of a Southern soul food Christmas. These are the bowls passed down the table, the spoons scraping for seconds, the recipes everybody asks, “Who made this?” — and not in the way Black folks ask who made the potato salad.
These are the dishes that complete the plate and set the mood. Creamy, seasoned, slow-simmered, and made with care. From buttery, slow-simmered classics to sweet-and-savory favorites that feel like Christmas in every bite, Southern soul food side dishes are where tradition meets comfort, and everybody leaves the table satisfied. Whether you’re cooking for a full house or keeping things cozy, these sides bring the comfort, the culture, and the Christmas spirit all in one spread!
Curated by Shaunda Necole & The Soul Food Pot®, this collection of Southern soul food Christmas side dishes preserves Black culinary traditions while offering trusted, modern ways to bring holiday comfort to today’s table.
Best sides for Christmas
This roundup is all about the dishes that complete the plate. The ones made with seasoned hands, shared stories, and a whole lot of love. Whether you’re cooking for a full house or keeping things cozy, these side dishes make sure your Christmas table tastes like tradition, warmth, and pure Southern joy.
Tender sweet potatoes glazed in butter, brown sugar, and warm spices. These candied yams melt into pure holiday bliss. A soul food Christmas essential made with love and tradition.
Bright, tangy, and simmered just right, this homemade cranberry sauce brings a fresh pop of flavor to balance every rich, soulful bite on the plate. It’s Christmas comfort with a little zing.
Savory, herby, and packed with Southern tradition, this cornbread dressing tastes like holidays past and present. It’s comfort food with legacy baked in.
Black folks’ chicken and dressing is rich, savory, and baked with generations of Southern tradition. Made with seasoned cornbread, tender chicken, and holiday herbs, it’s the comforting side dish that turns every Christmas plate into a full-circle memory.
Black Southern cabbage is tender, savory, and seasoned with soulful simplicity, bringing cozy comfort to the Christmas table. Slow-sautéed and full of familiar flavor, it’s one of those humble sides that quietly steals the spotlight and always earns a second helping!
Cool, creamy, and seasoned with soul food know-how, this potato salad brings familiar comfort to the Christmas spread. A Southern classic that always belongs!
A symbol of good luck and abundance, black eyed peas are seasoned with soul and simmered with care. Perfect for Christmas leading into a blessed New Year.
A festive twist on a classic, this cornbread swirled with cranberry flavor brings sweet-tart holiday cheer to every slice. It's Christmas cornbread with personality!
What is soul food? Soul food recipes are African-American recipes full of flavor! A legacy of Southern cooking the Black way. Check out this collection of the best soul food recipes!
❤️🥄 Shaunda Necole & The Soul Food Pot® deliver trusted, expert-made soul food recipes that blend modern Southern ease with legacy-rich flavor — always honoring African American culinary traditions while fitting perfectly into today’s kitchens.
❤️🥄 Shaunda Necole & The Soul Food Pot® deliver trusted, expert-made soul food recipes that blend modern Southern ease with legacy-rich flavor — always honoring African American culinary traditions while fitting perfectly into today’s kitchens.