26 Fab Festive Sides That Won’t Go To Waste This Christmas

Words: Robyn Samuels

Gammon, leg of lamb, turkey – when it comes to festive feasts, roasts are usually the star, but side dishes often end up going to waste. Complement your mains with our best Christmas side dish recipes that will have guests begging for more.

best Christmas side dishes

The Perfect Roast Potatoes

What’s Christmas lunch without a helping of potatoes? Whether served hasselback-style or roasted and drizzled with dressing, the whole family will swoon over these tasty ‘taters.

ROASTED BABY POTATOES WITH MISO BROWN BUTTER DRIZZLE

A traditional festive side dish with an umami twist – these roasted babies are drizzled with miso brown butter, making them hard to resist.

GET THE RECIPE

SMOKED BABY POTATOES

Add hickory flavour to your ‘tatoes by using a bit of liquid smoke for extra flavour.

GET THE RECIPE

CRISPY POTJIE POTATOES WITH HERBY HORSERADISH CREAM

Take a chance on these tasty ‘taters. Cook them in the potjie until crispy and serve with horseradish cream infused with dill and chives.

GET THE RECIPE

HASSELBACK POTATOES WITH LEMON AND THYME

Pack extra flavour into your potatoes by serving them hasselback-style. The lemon and thyme combination is absolutely delicious.

GET THE RECIPE

SOUTH WESTERN POTATO SALAD WITH HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

Show guests some southern hospitality with a generous serving of this honey and mustard-dressed potato salad, that’s filled with texture and deliciousness.

GET THE RECIPE

MUSTARD CREAM VERTICAL POTATO BAKE

Who can resist a potato bake? This comforting casserole dish is stacked vertically for maximum flavour, ensuring you end up with tasty and fluffy potatoes.

GET THE RECIPE

best Christmas side dishes

DUCK FAT ROAST POTATOES

Crispy and flavourful, these duck fat potatoes are the ideal partner for any festive roast.

GET THE RECIPE

15-HOUR POTATOES

These heavenly potatoes might take some time to make (mostly prep work), but we promise they are worth every beautiful bite.

GET THE RECIPE


SATISFYING SALADS & SIDES

Elevate mains with these sensational salads and sides – even staunch carnivores will make extra room on their plate for these greens, beans and everything-in-betweens.

CUCUMBER RIBBON SALAD WITH CARAMELISED FETA

Luscious locks of cucumber and caramelised feta drizzled with a herby dill and rocket-infused yoghurt dressing – ideal for pairing with a Greek-style leg of lamb.

GET THE RECIPE

MINT, LEMON & OLIVE OIL MARINATED ZUCCHINI SALAD

A refreshing and light summer salad – just the side for a heavier main dish.

GET THE RECIPE

BRUSSELS SPROUTS, CLEMENGOLD AND BLACK RICE SALAD

A salad good enough to convert haters into Brussels sprouts devouts.

GET THE RECIPE

BEETROOT QUINOA SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT, FETA & ROCKET

The ultimate South African salad – who can resist a beet, butternut and feta combo? No one.

GET THE RECIPE

best Christmas side dishes

VEGAN ASPARAGUS, BROCCOLI AND FINE BEAN SALAD

A lighter take on a green bean casserole, but equally comforting.

GET THE RECIPE

BURNT BUTTERNUT MASH

Add depth of flavour to your butternut with this creamy, caramelised and cinnamony mash – the maple syrup and warm spice notes make this one of the best Christmas side dishes.

GET THE RECIPE

best Christmas side dishes
best Christmas side dishes

CHARGRILLED ASPARAGUS IN LEMON CAPER AND PISTACHIO BUTTER

The crispy and charred bits are where the flavour’s at. Top asparagus spears with a zesty caper and pistachio butter, and you’ve got one sensational festive side dish.

GET THE RECIPE

FESTIVE BRUSSELS SPROUT SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES & WALNUTS

No time to roast veggies? Blanch some Brussels sprout leaves and top with dried cranberries, pan-toasted walnuts, honey-mustard dressing, and a grating of fresh nutmeg.

GET THE RECIPE

ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES & POMEGRANATE SALAD

All your favourite root veggies in one flavour-packed and texture-filled salad.

GET THE RECIPE

BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH NUTMEG & BROWN SUGAR

Another fantastic Brussels sprouts side dish; this one is loaded with festive spices and sweetened with brown sugar.

GET THE RECIPE


SHOWSTOPPING SAVOURY TARTS

Tarts are a fantastic way to serve veggies, and will please any hungry crowd. These showstopping savoury tarts are super easy to make, plus the oven does most of the work.

best Christmas side dishes

MERRY AND BRIGHT BEETROOT TART

A tart that’s delicious and pretty. Enjoy this epic festive side dish with succulent beef roast.

GET THE RECIPE

ONION, OLIVE AND GOAT’S CHEESE TART

Serve this beautiful tart with a peppery rocket salad for the best bite.

GET THE RECIPE

SAVOURY TOMATO AND FETA CROSTATA

A rustic savoury tart with loads of herby flavour – ideal for serving with roast chicken.

GET THE RECIPE

ROSA TOMATO, CARAMELISED ONION & BASIL TARTE TATIN

Sweet caramelised onions and roasted Rosa tomatoes – all your favourite Mediterranean flavours in one tasty tarte. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and enjoy with crème fraîche.

GET THE RECIPE


ROAST VEGGIES WITH A TWIST

Take your roast vegetables to the next level with these fantastic Christmas side dishes. From roasted carrots to yummy root veggies, they’re filled with sweet and spicy flavour.

best Christmas side dishes

SPRING ONION, PEA & ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH JALAPEÑO VINAIGRETTE

This plate of charred veggies packs a spicy punch. It’s also a great way to serve all your favourite greens in one go.

GET THE RECIPE

HONEY AND CHILLI ROASTED CARROTS WITH BACON AND CASHEWS

Spruce up your regular roasted carrots with a honey, chilli and nutty cashew combo. Sprinkle with crispy bacon for a satisfying salty note.

GET THE RECIPE

best Christmas side dishes

VEGAN MAPLE-ROASTED HASSELBACK SWEET POTATOES AND BUTTERNUT

A sophisticated and decidedly delicious Christmas side dish – the maple syrup and pistachio nuts take it to the next level.

GET THE RECIPE

HASSELBACK BUTTERNUT

Wow guests with the best festive side dish – hasselback butternut drizzled with a zingy tahini dressing. Top with crunchy spiced chickpeas, pomegranate pearls and salad leaves.

GET THE RECIPE

Complete your festive feast with these Christmas roast recipes and end celebrations on a sweet note with these tempting desserts.

Follow us on Instagram for more holiday food tips and trends.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

*