Our absolute favourite side dishes for your Christmas meal
We don’t know about you, but we think the best things about Christmas dinner is all the side dishes to choose from.
We love to pile our plate high with sides like tangy braised red cabbage, crispy duck fat roast potatoes, crispy Parmesan sprouts, and the all-important pigs in blankets. If you fancy something extra luxurious and rich, then our hasselback celeriac gratin is not to be missed.
Then there’s the sauces; cranberry, gravy, and a classic bread sauce are a must-have for any festive feast. With that in mind, we’ve compiled 80+ of our all-time favourite Christmas side dish recipes. There’s something for everyone here, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, too.
Fancy a twist on tradition this Christmas? Why not try rustle up these za’atar roasted carrots and this rainbow potato gratin to add a pop of colour to the table.
Inspired to start your Christmas menu planning? Head here for our ultimate turkey recipes.
Vegetarian Stuffing Muffins
A tasty, vegetarian alternative that will be loved by all.
Recipe: Vegetarian Stuffing Muffins
Pork and Apricot Stuffing with Bacon Roll-Ups
The rolled-up bacon on top is simultaneously decorative and delicious, as the fat melts into the stuffing for extra succulence.
Recipe: Pork and Apricot Stuffing with Bacon Roll-Ups
Stir-Fried Broccoli with Garlic & Chilli
This simple but fragrant side dish of stir-fried broccoli comes together in only minutes!
Recipe: Stir-Fried Broccoli with Garlic & Chilli
Caramelised Brown Butter Carrots
These sweet and tender carrots are the perfect addition to any roast. Look for long and thin baby carrots.
Recipe: Caramelised Brown Butter Carrots
Creamy Hasselback Celeriac Bake
Nutty celeriac makes for a luxurious side when smothered in cheese sauce.
Recipe: Creamy Hasselback Celeriac Bake
Whipped Feta Dip with Marinated Olives
Creamy whipped feta topped with marinated olives makes for a stunning side dish with meat or roasted vegetables.
Recipe: Whipped Feta Dip with Marinated Olives
Crispy Parmesan Sprouts
Even sprout haters will be converted with these crispy, golden morsels.
Recipe: Crispy Parmesan Sprouts
Warm Red Cabbage Pickle
Somewhere between braised cabbage and a crunchy pickle, this colourful sweet and sour version is equally delicious served warm with a roast, or cold with a festive ham or in sandwiches.
Recipe: Warm Red Cabbage Pickle
No Stress Triple-Cooked Roasties
You can of course enjoy the potatoes after their first roasting, but re-roasting them (the triple cook) from chilled or frozen will add even more crunch (and save you preparation stress on the day).
Recipe: No Stress Triple-Cooked Roasties
Winter Salad Wreath
Adapt this recipe to include your favourite salad leaves, fruit, cheese and nuts.
Recipe: Winter Salad Wreath
Buttery Potato Stacks
These crispy potato stacks stand up to any roast potato and require no basting, so you can leave them to do their thing once in the oven.
Recipe: Buttery Potato Stacks
Boozy Fruit and Pork Stuffing Parcels
We used premixed dried fruit, but you can use up odds and ends of sultanas, currants, prunes, cranberries, apricots, cherries etc, if you like. Just be sure to finely chop any larger fruit before soaking.
Recipe: Boozy Fruit and Pork Stuffing Parcels
Brussels Sprout and Cranberry Gratin
Jazz up your sprouts by cooking them in a cheesy cranberry sauce with a crunchy topping.
Recipe: Brussels Sprout and Cranberry Gratin
Parmesan Roast Cabbage Wedges
Roasting with a sprinkle of cheese brings a crispy texture to the cabbage that makes you question why you eat it any other way!
Recipe: Parmesan Roast Cabbage Wedges
Hedgehog Sage Roasties
A little twist on the classic roasties. These potatoes are crispy on the outside, buttery-soft on the inside and incredibly moreish!
Recipe: Hedgehog Sage Roasties
Roasted Roots with Winter Pesto
The earthy kale pesto really makes the root vegetables dance.
Recipe: Roasted Roots with Winter Pesto
Mandarin, pomegranate and goat's cheese salad
This vibrant and tangy salad is filled with walnuts, goat's cheese and zingy mandarin and pomegranate. Plus, a zesty mustard dressing. Perfect served with a glass of fizz on Christmas day.
Recipe: Mandarin, pomegranate and goat's cheese salad
Stir-fried savoy cabbage
This simple yet flavourful side requires very little effort. Use dried chilli flakes to taste instead of fresh, if you prefer.
Recipe: Stir-Fried Savoy Cabbage
Toast and brown butter sauce
Our twist on a standard bread sauce. Toasting the bread adds a whack of flavour, as does browning the butter. You can use either brown or white sliced bread.
Recipe: Toast and Brown Butter Sauce
Pigs in blankets Yorkshire puddings
Toad in the hole goes festive! You can make your own pigs in blankets by wrapping 12 raw cocktail sausages in short strips of bacon, if you prefer.
Recipe: Pigs in Blankets Yorkshire Puddings
Mini mushroom crackers
Cute, delicious, and surprisingly simple to make! For speed, use a food processor to chop the mushrooms.
Recipe: Mini Mushroom Crackers
Miso butter roast potatoes
The miso adds umami depth and seasoning to these roasties. If you can’t get hold of it, or for a cheaper alternative, use 2tbsp Marmite instead.
Recipe: Miso Butter Roast Potatoes
Chicory and clementine salad
A room temperature side helps take the pressure off. This zesty salad with a hint of bitterness is a lovely palate cleanser served with a roast. You could add some crumbled Stilton to make this into an easy starter.
Recipe: Chicory and Clementine Salad
Roasted sprouts and Chantenay carrots
As easy side that incorporates 2 Christmas feast classics. Swap the chorizo for bacon lardons, if you prefer.
Recipe: Roasted Sprouts and Chantenay Carrots
Caramelised onion and apple stuffing
A simple bread stuffing, that’s rather moreish and loosely bound. If you prefer a firmer stuffing, mix a medium egg into the uncooked stuffing mixture. If cooking for vegans, simple leave out the Cheddar, or replace with a dairy-free alternative.
Recipe: Caramelised Onion and Apple Stuffing
Pork, cranberry and rosemary stuffing balls
A hint of warming spice adds seasonal character to these juicy balls.
Recipe: Pork, Cranberry and Rosemary Stuffing Balls
Carrot salad with cumin and radish
Sweet and sticky carrots contrast with the crisp crunch of fresh radishes for a fresher Christmas dinner side.
Recipe: Carrot salad with cumin and radish
Za’atar roasted carrots
This Christmas side recipe would also work well with parsnips and sweet potato.
Recipe: Za’atar Roasted Carrots
Pomegranate braised red cabbage
Much of the work here is done by the hob, with only the occasional stir needed. A great side for Boxing Day banquets with cooked ham, too.
Recipe: Pomegranate Braised Red Cabbage
Camembert and root veg gratin
This creamy and warming gratin is the perfect accompaniment to Christmas dinner. Sliced beetroot would make a colourful addition here, too.
Recipe: Camembert and Root Veg Gratin
Lemon, honey and thyme roasted onions
This simple and delicious side lets the main event shine. Use red onions for a splash of colour.
Recipe: Lemon, Honey and Thyme Roasted Onions
Duck fat roast potatoes
We’ve kept our roasties more natural this year with just a hint of garlic and thyme running through them. Use olive oil if you're hosting vegetarian guests this year.
Recipe: Duck Fat Roast Potatoes
Shredded brown butter and Parmesan sprouts
To save time, shred your Christmas sprouts in a food processor with the slicing attachment. Pecorino would also work well here.
Recipe: Shredded Brown Butter and Parmesan Sprouts
Garlic bread sauce
We all know how moreish shop-bought garlic bread is, so we’ve turned it into the most flavourful bread sauce. You’ll never look back!
Recipe: Garlic Bread Sauce
Jewelled sprouts and chestnuts
It’s not Christmas without sprouts. The sweetness of apple juice and maple syrup here helps balance their brassica bitterness.
Recipe: Jewelled Sprouts and Chestnuts
Creamy sweet potato and celeriac bake
Earthy root veg in a herby cream makes a deliciously comforting accompaniment to just about any roast dinner.
Recipe: Creamy Sweet Potato and Celeriac Bake
Croissant bread sauce
Indulgent, fun to make, too good to miss out on. This works best with day-old, stale croissants.
Recipe: Croissant Bread Sauce
Pork, apricot and hazelnut stuffing log
A new way with stuffing, and best presented and carved at the table. Unless you’re using it to stuff the turkey, keep the nuts nice and chunky.
Recipe: Pork, Apricot and Hazelnut Stuffing Log
Lentil and nut stuffing balls
If you like a fruity twist, add some finely chopped dried cranberries to the lentil mixture. Hazelnuts also work well instead of walnuts.
Recipe: Lentil and Nut Stuffing Balls
Cider-roasted roots
Make sure you use a quality cider for a fresh, fruity taste. For an alcohol-free version, swap the cider for cloudy apple juice.
Recipe: Cider-Roasted Roots
Braised beetroot and cranberry cabbage
Beetroot adds a lovely sweetness to this classic side. Once the initial softening is done, this dish is pretty hands-off, leaving you time to do other things.
Recipe: Braised Beetroot and Cranberry Cabbage
Polenta and Parmesan roasties
A couple of cunning additions add a gloriously cheesy crunch to everyone’s favourite side.
Recipe: Polenta and Parmesan Roasties
Brown bread sauce
No Christmas dinner would be complete without a serving of bread sauce, and this one’s a winner.
Recipe: Brown Bread Sauce
Roasted cabbage with blue cheese dressing
Roasting this cabbage really brings out its earthy sweetness.
Recipe: Roasted Cabbage with Blue Cheese Dressing
Dressed green beans
The perfect side for any roasted meat or fish. Great served warm or at room temperature.
Recipe: Dressed Green Beans
Honey mustard Chantenay carrots
The classic combination of honey and mustard is the perfect partner for juicy sweet carrots. No need to peel these carrots, a wash is fine! For an extra splash of colour, look for rainbow chantenays, available in selected supermarkets and grocers.
Recipe: Honey Mustard Chantenay Carrots
Crispy topped sprouts
A golden lemony breadcrumb topping gives these sprouts a lovely toasty crunch.
Recipe: Crispy Topped Sprouts
Buttered Brussels sprouts
A get-ahead flavoured butter is such a simple and delicious addition to many veg.
Recipe: Buttered Brussels
Stacked potato dauphinoise
This gratin, thanks to its vertically stacked potatoes, is both creamy and crispy, so you get the best of both worlds.
Recipe: Stacked Potato Dauphinoise
Garlic and sage roast potatoes
Make sure to use a mild olive oil as extra virgin oil will add a bitterness. Ideally you want to roast the potatoes in an even layer – the oven tray is ideal for this.
Recipe: Garlic and Sage Roast Potatoes
Rice stuffing cakes with hazelnut and cranberry
These are both vegetarian and gluten-free, packed with flavour and buttery goodness.
Recipe: Rice Stuffing Cakes with Hazelnut and Cranberry
Pork, parsnip and apple stuffing
A savoury and fruity stuffing. Replace the parsley with a small handful of fresh sage leaves, if you like.
Recipe: Pork, Parsnip and Apple Stuffing
Duck fat roast potatoes with sage salt
We’ve paired our simple but sublime roasties with an aromatic homemade sage salt to sprinkle over. Swap duck fat for rapeseed oil if you have any vegetarian guests.
Recipe: Duck Fat Roast Potatoes with Sage Salt
Toasted sourdough and brown Butter bread sauce
Bread sauce is most definitely one of the highlights when it comes to side dishes on Christmas Day! This rich and creamy version is sure to delight.
Recipe: Toasted Sourdough and Brown Butter Bread Sauce
Prosecco and honey roasted roots
Prosecco and honey add a touch of sweetness to the vegetables, plus it makes for a super speedy glaze.
Recipe: Prosecco and Honey Roasted Roots
Pancetta, pistachio and apricot stuffing cups
Try our stuffing cups either as a side dish, or to stuff your turkey with this Christmas Day!
Recipe: Pancetta, Pistachio and Apricot Stuffing Cups
Braised red cabbage
This braised red cabbage recipe complements roast dinners as it contains no oil or butter, cutting through the richness of the meat.It contains apples, red onions, muscovado sugar, cinnamon and cloves and is the perfect accompaniment to a festive lunch. You can prepare in advance and reheat on the day as per the instructions.
Recipe: Braised red cabbage
Roast parsnips with sea salt
Roasted parsnips are a delicious addition to any meal, but especially as a side to your Sunday roast. This recipe calls for goose fat, but you could also use the equivalent amount of vegetable, sunflower or rapeseed oil to make them veggie.
Recipe: Roast parsnips with sea salt
Maple and bacon brussels sprouts
These gloriously glossy sprouts have a sweet and salty kick. Add pecans, if you like, instead of lardons if cooking for vegetarians, or add for extra crunch.
Recipe: Maple and bacon brussels sprouts
Maple glazed parsnips and carrots
Maple syrup helps bring out the natural sweetness of these roots, and makes them stickily moreish. Pairs perfectly with our Hedgehog Roasties.
Recipe: Maple Glazed Parsnips and Carrots
Fennel gratin
This deliciously creamy fennel gratin is topped with a crunchy gruyere crumb and is the perfect accompaniment to any Christmas meal.
Recipe: Fennel gratin
Christmas wreath salad
This Christmas salad wreath makes a beautiful centrepiece for Christmas dinner. Toasting nuts helps to bring out their flavour and add depth.
Recipe: Christmas wreath salad
Roast new potatoes with thyme and garlic
An easy potato side dish for Christmas, with no need for parboiling.
Recipe: Roast new potatoes with thyme and garlic
Parcel-baked sprouts and carrots
The egg white acts like glue and ensures that no steam escapes while the vegetables are baking in their parcel, resulting in vibrant carrots and sprouts.
Recipe: Parcel-baked sprouts and carrots
Cross-hatch potatoes
No peeling or parboiling! These roast and baked potato hybrids are fluffy in the centre and crisp on top.
Recipe: Cross-hatch potatoes
Easy creamed spinach
Using frozen chopped spinach avoids all the fuss of fresh in this creamy Christmas side.
Recipe: Easy creamed spinach
Sticky pigs in blankets
Jazz up this perennial favourite with marmalade or apricot jam.
Recipe: Sticky pigs in blankets
Squash and kale gratin
This comforting make-ahead side works with any roast, but particularly roast turkey.
Recipe: Squash and kale gratin
Roasted clementine roots
A vibrant Christmas side that’s full of seasonal goodness.
Recipe: Roasted clementine roots
Jewelled sprouts
Dolcelatte is suitable for vegetarians, and the burst of pomegranate freshness is a delight (as well as being pretty!).
Recipe: Jewelled sprouts
Baba ghanoush stuffed aubergines
If you have vegetarians at your feast this will go down a treat, but it also works well as an extra side dish.
Recipe: Baba ghanoush stuffed aubergines
Celeriac and chestnut champ
This festive take on mash also works as a vegetarian stuffing.
Recipe: Celeriac and mushroom champ
Mulled sausage and sage stuffing balls
Spices add seasonal character to these juicy stuffing balls. Delicious with our Cider Roast Turkey, or Rolled Turkey Breast.
Recipe: Mulled Sausage and Sage Stuffing Balls
Roasted vegetarian quinoa stuffing
Quinoa is loaded with protein, fibre and magnesium and adds wonderful nuttiness to this Thanksgiving-style stuffing.
Recipe: Roasted vegetarian quinoa stuffing
Chestnut, shallot and orange stuffing
Avoid shop bought packages and make your own stuffing, it's so simple!
Recipe: Chestnut, shallot and orange stuffing
Easy veggie stuffing
Full of fresh flavours, this recipe couldn’t be simpler. It would also make a lovely filling for a stuffed squash or pepper.
Recipe: Easy Veggie Stuffing
Roasted squash and kale salad
The dressing for this lighter dish is meant to enhance, not drench. Serve with our Hedgehog Roasties for the perfect dinner party accompaniment.
Recipe: Roasted Squash and Kale Salad
Rainbow potato gratin
If cooking for vegetarians, use Jarlsberg instead of Gruyère. Serve alongside our Stuffed Turkey Roll
Recipe: Rainbow Potato Gratin
Truffled roast potatoes
These potatoes have a savoury truffle note. If you prefer a stronger flavour, drizzle with extra truffle oil when they’re hot out of the oven (or replace the truffle oil with olive oil if you’re not a fan).
Recipe: Truffled roast potatoes
Clementine ginger cabbage
Ginger and orange work wonderfully with red cabbage – an ideal accompaniment to ham or roast goose.
Recipe: Clementine ginger cabbage
Crumbed roots
Cinnamon and pecans work wonderfully with the natural sweetness in carrots and parsnips – offset with bite from the mustard.
Recipe: Crumbed roots
Nutty butter beans
This flavoured butter will keep for up to 2 weeks in your fridge – delightful on greens, or with fish and chicken.
Recipe: Nutty butter beans
Maple pecan stuffing cake
This quantity makes one 20.5cm (8in) ‘cake’ of stuffing. The same quantity of stuffing can also be used to stuff your bird, so if you want both a cake and stuffed turkey, you’ll need to make double.
Recipe: Maple pecan stuffing cake
Forked roast potatoes
A different take on roast potatoes, scoring them with a fork encourages more crispiness!
Recipe: Forked roast potatoes
Brioche bread sauce
Brioche lends a decadent richness to this ultimate bread sauce recipe.
Recipe: Brioche bread sauce
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