🌿 10 Real-Food Holiday Sides Kids Actually Eat

Holiday meals are beautiful…
But they often turn into battles with picky eaters, overstimulated little ones, and mountains of sugary foods.

The good news?

Kids LOVE real-food sides — when they’re simple, familiar, and not overly seasoned.
These 10 sides work for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or any family gathering.

They’re nutrient-dense, easy to make, and genuinely kid-approved.

Let’s make your holiday table both joyful and healthy.

1. Honey-Roasted Carrots

Soft, naturally sweet, and colorful.
Pair with a little butter or ghee and a drizzle of honey.

Kids love:

• The sweetness

• The soft texture

• The bright color

2. Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes

A real-food upgrade from sugary casseroles.

Ingredients:

• Sweet potatoes

• Butter or coconut oil

• Sea salt

• Garlic powder

Smooth, creamy, and comforting.

3. Simple Roasted Potatoes

A kid favorite every time.

Just toss:

• Diced potatoes

• Olive oil

• Salt

• Optional rosemary

Roast until crispy.

4. Green Beans With Butter + Sea Salt

No casseroles.
No mush.
Just real food.

Lightly steamed green beans with:

• Butter

• Salt

• Squeeze of lemon (optional)

Kids love simple flavors.

5. Buttery Peas

Frozen peas are perfectly fine — they’re picked at peak nutrition.

Warm in butter with:

• A pinch of salt

• Optional garlic powder

They feel like comfort food.

6. Homemade Applesauce

Serve warm or chilled.

Ingredients:

• Apples

• Cinnamon

• Water

That’s it.

Zero added sugar needed.

7. Roasted Broccoli Bites

Toss with olive oil and salt.
Roast until crispy on the edges.

The “crunchy bits” are what kids go crazy for.

8. Fruit Salad With Citrus Drizzle

Mix:

• Apples

• Berries

• Mandarin oranges

• Grapes

Drizzle with fresh orange or lemon juice to prevent browning.

Refreshing and hydrating.

9. Grain-Free Dinner Rolls

If you’re paleo or gluten-free, these are a win.

Made with:

• Almond flour

• Eggs

• Baking soda

• Olive oil

Light, fluffy, perfect for little hands.

10. Cauliflower “Mac & Cheese”

A hidden-veggie hero.

Steam cauliflower + mix with:

• Butter

• Shredded cheese

• Garlic

• Salt

Kids genuinely like it because it’s creamy and mild.

✨ Final Thought

Holiday meals don’t have to mean:

❌ food battles
❌ sugar overload
❌ kids refusing everything
❌ stress around the table

Stick to simple, whole-food sides with familiar flavors.

Kids stay full…
Parents stay sane…
And the holiday becomes about connection — not chaos.

For more family-friendly, real-food recipes every week, join us inside Thrive Family Kitchen.