If you’re planning your Christmas meal and wondering what to serve with Christmas dinner to make it feel special, you’re not alone. A festive meal is made unforgettable by the sides — those extra flavours, seasonal vegetables, golden potatoes and classic Christmas trimmings that bring the whole plate together.
Whether you’re cooking turkey, beef, gammon, a veggie centrepiece or a simple Christmas buffet, this huge list of 40+ Christmas side dishes has a mix of quick options, classics, creative twists and easy make-ahead dishes that help take the stress out of the big day.
Simple Christmas Side Dishes
These quick, fuss-free ideas pair beautifully with any Christmas dinner.
- Honey Roasted Carrots
- Garlic Green Beans
- Buttered Peas
- Simple Roasted Parsnips
- Minted New Potatoes
- Yorkshire Puddings – yes, on Christmas dinner!
- Crispy Oven Chips (great for gammon or a buffet)
Quick Recipe: Honey Roasted Carrots
- 500g carrots, sliced
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt + pepper
Roast at 200°C for 25–30 mins, turning halfway.
If you, like me, struggle for oven space, I recommend trying my air fryer parsnips, carrots and sprouts. They are quick, easy and tasty. Last year my mum brought her air fryer around and we had 3 drawers on the go!
Classic Christmas Side Dishes
These Christmas classics always go down well with the whole family. Roast potatoes are my absolute favourite side dish, I make tons so I’ve got plenty leftover. I simply par boil and roast in olive oil and a little salt and pepper. Get fancy with your goose fat though if you prefer!
- Roast Potatoes
- Pigs in Blankets
- Sage & Onion Stuffing
- Red Cabbage with Apple
- Cauliflower Cheese
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- Bread Sauce
Quick Recipe: Red Cabbage
- ½ red cabbage, shredded
- 1 grated apple
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
Simmer 45 minutes until soft and glossy.
Creative Christmas Side Dishes
If you want something a little different on your Christmas table, these ideas add colour, flavour and a bit of festive fun.
- Maple & Chilli Carrots
- Gruyère Sprouts Gratin
- Garlic & Herb Hasselback Potatoes
- Cranberry Glazed Carrots
- Orange & Honey Roasted Parsnips
- Buttered Leeks with Nutmeg
- Chestnut & Thyme Stuffing Balls
Quick Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes
- Small potatoes
- Slice thin cuts almost the whole way down
- Brush with melted butter + garlic
Roast 45–50 mins at 200°C until golden.
Christmas Potato Side Dishes
No Christmas dinner is complete without potatoes. Here are some of the best ways to serve them. I know some people only like one potato option, but I like at least 2. Roasties and creamy mash are my favourites. For mash I simply boil and then mash with a good scoop of butter, a splash of milk and a little salt and pepper. I might push the boat out and swap milk for cream if we’ve got some open.
- Crispy Goose-Fat Roasties
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Dauphinoise Potatoes
- Rosemary Roast New Potatoes
- Herby Smashed Potatoes
- Buttery Mustard Mash
- Parmesan Crusted Roast Potatoes
Quick Recipe: Rosemary Roast New Potatoes
- 750g new potatoes
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
Roast at 200°C for 35–40 mins until crisp.
Christmas Vegetable Side Dishes
Seasonal vegetables bring colour, balance and freshness to your table.
- Maple Roasted Carrots & Parsnips
- Lemon & Garlic Broccoli
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Braised Leeks
- Honey Mustard Parsnips
- Root Vegetable Medley
- Tenderstem Broccoli with Almonds
Make-Ahead Christmas Side Dishes
Make Christmas Day easier with sides you can prepare ahead of time. We tend to chop, peel and leave veggies in water over night, but I’m not a bit pre-cooker. I like a stressful Christmas!
- Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Pre-Roasted Potatoes (re-crisp on the day)
- Braised Red Cabbage
- Stuffing Balls
- Cauliflower Cheese (assemble ahead)
- Carrot and Swede Mash
- Make-Ahead Gravy
Make-Ahead Storage Tips
- Vegetable sides keep 2–3 days in the fridge
- Parboil potatoes the day before or freeze them earlier
- Red cabbage improves overnight
- Stuffing can be stored uncooked for 24 hours
Comforting, Carby Christmas Sides
Perfect for Boxing Day lunch, a gammon dinner or feeding big families.
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Creamy Mac and Cheese
- Potato Gratin
- Herby Rice Pilaf
- Polenta Chips
- Buttery Couscous
- Savoury Bread Pudding
Quick Recipe: Polenta Chips
- Make instant polenta
- Spread to cool, slice into chips
- Bake at 220°C for 25 mins until crisp
Fresh & Zesty Christmas Sides
Great for cutting through the richness of your main dishes.
- Green Salad with Cranberries
- Orange & Fennel Salad
- Rocket, Parmesan & Pear Salad
- Lemon Butter Carrots
- Pomegranate Sprouts Salad
Christmas Sauces & Trimmings
No Christmas table is complete without classic sauces.
- Cranberry Sauce
- Bread Sauce
- Turkey Gravy
- Apple Sauce
- Horseradish Sauce
- Mint Sauce
Even More Christmas Side Dish Ideas
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- Garlic Mushrooms
- Glazed Carrots & Parsnips
- Spinach Gratin
- Sage Butter Carrots
- Caramelised Onions
- Baked Stuffed Mushrooms
- Roasted Beetroot
- Parmesan Green Beans
- Caramelised Leeks
- Roasted Swede
- Celeriac Bake
- Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts
- Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Cauliflower Mash
- Truffle Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Broccoli Bake
- Winter Slaw
- Honey Chantenay Carrots
- Cranberry & Orange Couscous
- Festive Rice
- Herby Roasted Baby Potatoes
Final Thoughts
Whether you want classic Christmas side dishes like roast potatoes and pigs in blankets, or something more creative like cranberry glazed carrots or sprout gratin, there are plenty of simple and delicious ideas here to make your Christmas dinner unforgettable.
