20 best ever Christmas sides

The 20 best ever Christmas sides

1. Crumbled Yorkshire puddings with thyme

Give the humble Yorkshire pud a Christmas-worthy makeover with a sprinkling of panko breadcrumbs and fresh thyme. You can make the batter up to 24 hours ahead.

For more scrumptious Yorkshire puds, see our Yorkshire pudding recipes, gluten-free Yorkies and ways to flavour Yorkshire pudding batter.

2. Truffle & parmesan roast potatoes

Elevate Christmas roasties with finely grated parmesan and a drizzling of umami truffle oil. Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes are best for fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside roasted perfection.

For more classic spuds, see our Christmas roast potato recipes.

3. Sweet chilli-glazed pigs in blankets

A Christmas spread is not complete without the classic pigs in blankets. This version coats streaky bacon-wrapped chipolatas with a sticky chilli jam glaze and also makes a great canapé as well as a side to your turkey.

See more Christmas bites in our pigs in blankets collection.

4. Honey-roasted carrots & parsnips

A honey-roast traybake of carrots & parsnips is always a pleasing side to complement your festive feast. This easy, all-in-one recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare. Honey (or maple syrup for a vegan version), Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar and sprigs of rosemary give it a sweet and herby flavour profile.

See our carrot recipes and Christmas parsnips recipes for more ideas.

5. Carrot & swede mash with brown butter & thyme

Browning your butter gives it a nutty richness to mash into tender carrots and swede. It's an extra-special side to enjoy at Christmas - or any time of the year that warrants a treat.

For more inspiration, try our sweet potato mash recipes and if you've got some to spare, our leftover mash recipes.

6. Cheesy sprout gratin

Win over any sprout haters with this indulgent cheesy sprout gratin. This cheesy bake is full of melty cheddar, rich double cream and seasoned with thyme and shallots. Top it all off with crunchy panko breadcrumbs and chopped hazelnuts.

Also try our taleggio & tarragon cauliflower cheese recipe - perfect as a Christmas feast side dish.

For more ways to spice up your sprouts, why not try our honey soy sprouts and then see our full Christmas sprouts collection.

7. Crispy traybake stuffing

Stuffing has never been easier with our crispy traybake stuffing. Combine Bramley apple, Cumberland sausages, chopped chestnuts and breadcrumbs. Assemble and keep in the fridge for up to two days. Serve with a scattering of sage leaves on top.

Next try our sweet potato stuffing as well as our Christmas stuffing recipes for both sausagemeat recipes and vegetarian alternatives.

8. Wild mushroom & madeira gravy

Cover your plate in this wild mushroom & madeira gravy. This vegetarian sauce gets its savoury flavours from wild mushrooms, brown miso and balsamic vinegar. If you're catering for vegetarians and meat eaters, divide your gravy into two jugs – keep one veggie and whisk your carving juices from whatever meat you're roasting into the other.

For more ideas, see our Christmas gravy recipes and our guide to making the ultimate gravy.

9. Dauphinoise potatoes

Treat yourself to these dauphinoise potatoes on Christmas Day. Cook thin slices of King Edward or Maris Piper potatoes with gooey gruyère cheese and thick double cream. Bake for 30 mins until the potatoes are soft and browned with a crispy top.

Discover our top tips for making this stunning potato side dish and more creamy bakes in our dauphinoise potatoes recipes.

10. Creamy brioche bread sauce

Dollop a generous portion of this creamy brioche bread sauce on your Christmas dinner plate. This festive favourite isn't your average bread sauce. Blitz brioche bread in a food processor and simmer with butter and double cream for a super creamy result. Full of cloves, bay leaves, black peppercorns and nutmeg, this sauce is loaded with flavour.

Next try our sizzled sage & onion bread sauce then see our bread sauce recipes for more inspiration.

11. Cider-braised cabbage wedges

Add some colour to your festive spread with these cider-braised cabbage wedges. The flavours of caramelised onion and red cabbage pair beautifully with cinnamon sticks, balsamic vinegar and dry cider. Simmer your ingredients for 40-50 mins until the cabbage is tender with a slight bite and you have a glossy sauce.

For more serving ideas, try our easy red cabbage and more of our red cabbage recipes.

12. Sloe gin cranberry sauce

This boozy sloe gin cranberry sauce is a great addition to any Christmas spread. If using frozen cranberries, simply cook the mixture for 5-8 mins more, or until the berries are soft and the mixture is syrupy. Make this festive staple up to four days in advance if chilled, or two months ahead if frozen.

Next try our cranberry & stem ginger sauce then our cranberry sauce collection.

13. Pigs-in-blankets Christmas stuffing balls

Mash-up two Christmas favourites with these pigs-in-blankets Christmas stuffing balls. Combine a sage & onion stuffing mix with sausagemeat and wrap in a rasher of streaky bacon or pancetta. Chopped chestnuts and dried cranberries add extra festive flavour to these moreish treats.

Now try our clementine, bay & pink peppercorn stuffing balls and then our 10 twists on pigs in blankets.

14. Shredded carbonara sprouts

Even the staunchest brussels sprouts naysayers will have a hard time saying no to this dish. Made with smoky pancetta, parmesan and cream or crème fraîche, they're packed with flavour and texture.

15. Honeyed hasselback carrots

Even carrots can't escape the hasselback magic. Not only do they look more appealing on your Christmas dinner table, cutting them like this allows the sticky honey glaze and garlicky flavour to permeate further into the veggies.

16. Fruit & nut stuffing

A packet of dried fruit-and-nut mix added to shop-bought stuffing makes a quick and easy yet flavoursome side to serve with your roast.

For a twist, try our sweet potato stuffing or our clementine, bay & pink peppercorn stuffing balls.

17. Croissant bread sauce

Make the most of leftover Christmas morning croissants by transforming them into this indulgent bread sauce.

Discover more leftover croissant recipes and then try our sizzled sage & onion bread sauce.

18. Easy cheesy leeks

Add some extra indulgence to your Christmas dinner with this luxurious leek dish. It can be made up to two days in advance and kept in the fridge, or frozen up to a month ahead, so you can take the pressure off the big day.

Discover more classic Christmas recipes you can make ahead.

19. Sweet & sour slow-cooker red cabbage

Give yourself one less dish to worry about with this braised red cabbage made in the slow cooker. It only needs five ingredients, and you'll be rewarded with a sticky, tangy and tender side to complete the festivities.

Try more slow cooker Christmas ideas.

20. Mini maple & mustard pigs in blankets

Everyone loves a cocktail sausage, especially at Christmas, and these are made even more special with a maple syrup and wholegrain mustard glaze. They can also be made up to two days in advance.

Enjoyed these Christmas trimmings? Complete your dinner with these recipes:

Christmas dinner recipes
Vegetarian Christmas recipes
Christmas buffet recipes
Vegan Christmas recipes
Christmas cake recipes

What's your favourite Christmas side? Let us know in the comments...