Look at the average holiday dinner table, and you’ll usually be able to guess which page the calendar is on. See boiled eggs? It’s Easter. See a turkey? Thanksgiving (even though the early years had no association with turkey). See ribs and potato salad? Fourth of July. Red velvet cake? Juneteenth. But Christmas is one of those holidays in which there hasn’t been a consensus about what the main course will be.

There are plenty of Christmas brunch options, Christmas cocktails, Christmas appetizers and snack ideas for a Christmas potluck. But outside of gingerbread houses, there’s no official menu. Depending on what part of the world you live in, Christmas main dishes could be fish, pork, turkey or Chester chickens. But what about side dishes? For vegans and vegetarians who want a plant-based Christmas dinner side dish or omnivores who are looking to complete their holiday meals, these eight ideas are universally enjoyed no matter what the main course is.

Mashed Potatoes (or French Fries)

Whether you want to serve the potatoes smooth and buttery (vegan butter works just as well as dairy butter) or chunky with a roasted garlic bulb, this only takes about 25–30 minutes to prepare. Most of that preparation will be letting the potatoes boil until soft, and then mashing them with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle a bit of pepper, and you’re done. If you’re in a French fry mood, skip the Crisco and use an air fryer or olive oil instead for a healthier, less greasy side.

Corn On the Cob

Corn is a vitamin-rich whole grain (A, B, C, E and K), but the canned version is often loaded with sodium. Although it is not classified as a vegetable, whole grains assist in feeling fuller longer, along with being heart healthy and lowering blood pressure. If you decide to make corn on the cob, skip the buckets of butter. Eat it freshly steamed or grilled, and shake a bit of pepper all over.

Dolmas (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Common in Turkey, these are a hit in the U.S. too. Choose California Grape Vine Leaves in all natural brine with no artificial preservatives. Wash the leaves individually with cold water. Then, remove the middle, thick stems to avoid a stringy texture. On a cutting board, add a generous teaspoon of uncooked rice, parsley, onions and tomatoes. Then, roll the leaf snugly but leave enough room for the rice to expand. Arrange the grape leaves in a large pot, and drizzle each layer with olive oil and preferred seasoning (ex. salt, red and black pepper). Pour five or six cups of boiling water on top of the grape leaves, with a small plate to keep the rolls from floating upward. On medium heat, cook for 30 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.

Roasted Broccoli

With only one-half gram of fat, broccoli is filled with vitamin C, calcium and iron. Boil bite-sized pieces of broccoli, then add a drizzle of olive oil, a generous squirt from half a lemon (or lemon juice), a sprinkle of garlic and nutritional yeast (or nondairy cheese).

Candied Carrots

If you’re not into eating carrots raw or boiling those cooked squares sold in freezer bags, candied carrots may be a suitable alternative. Cut a bag of carrots into 2-inch pieces. Once boiled, add one-fourth cup of brown sugar, two tablespoons of melted butter, and season with salt and pepper. While candied carrots are not as sweet as candied sweet potatoes, they’re a mildly sweeter treat than yams.

Fruit and Nut Salad

The perk of this Thanksgiving salad is it works all year-round. With a mix of pomegranates, strawberries, green apples and candied pecans, this salad can easily work with other in-season fruits, including mangos, apricots, cherries or raspberries. Dried fruit, including dried apricots, are also a nice touch to this healthy, fresh mix.

Lentils

Incredibly easy to prepare, just rinse and drain the beans to make sure there are no pebbles. Then, boil one cup in a medium pot of water.  Cover, reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally and then cook until tender. Lentils can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 50 minutes to cook. (Brown, green and black lentils take longer to cook than split lentils and red lentils.) Either way, this is the kind of hands-off side dish that’s ideal for busy schedules. Add red and black pepper, parsley flakes, minced onion and minced garlic to taste, along with one-fourth cup of vegetable or vegan broth.

Vegan Tuna

Who knew chickpeas could be such a tasty substitute for tuna salad? After boiling them until they’re soft enough to mash with a fork (or pour one cup into a food processor), and mix or mash until they’re in tiny chunks. Mix with mayo and the seasonings of your choice, and this takes on the texture of the seafood dish. Along with the main dish for Christmas dinner, add crackers or warm rolls too.

These are just eight of many potential Christmas side dishes, both hot and cold, that would be a delicious added touch to your Christmas placements. Don’t be surprised if your holiday guests ask for seconds either. Eat well, and be merry.