Everyone has their own idea of what makes the Best Christmas Side Dishes for the big day but sometimes its fun to mix them up. With everything from gravy to roast parsnips, stuffing, pigs in blankets and cranberry sauce, I’ve featured the best traditional recipes as well as some fun variations!

We all know about the main event whether that is a glorious roast turkey, a traditional roast goose or even a feature nut roast. But I think we all know that its the side dishes that really maketh the Christmas dinner or lunch.
I mean can you even being to comprehend a traditional Christmas roast dinner without gravy and cranberry sauce. I certainly don’t want to!
I’ve scoured the recipes from both Feast Glorious Feast and a selection of other top food bloggers. I’ve included really basic recipes. Simple and easy to make with no extra faff. And then many many options where you can mix it up for something a little different.
As for how to use up leftovers, don’t miss my Leftover Roast Dinner Pizza which is the perfect way to use up all manner of leftovers from any Sunday roast or Christmas dinner.
And it’s not quite a side but don’t forget to stock up on Puff Pastry Mince Pies.
Here we go…
The Best Christmas Side Dishes
Sausages & Stuffing | Potatoes | Sprouts & Greens | Red Cabbage | Carrots & Swede | Roast Parsnips & Veg | Sauces & Gravy | Yorkshire Puddings

Christmas Sausages & Stuffings
Simple Pigs in Blankets
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Pigs in Blankets. My recipe keeps this simple and it’s an easy get ahead recipe too.
Pigs in Blankets (UK Bacon Wrapped Sausages)
Simple Stuffing
Of course truly simply stuffing would be to just whip up a packet mix and leave it at that. My simple recipe takes it only one step further by adding in sausage meat. Well, it is Christmas after all!
Sage & Onion Sausagemeat Stuffing
Homemade Paxo Stuffing (Sage & Onion)
Mix it Up!
This selection of recipes includes other “pimp the packet” options with added extras, vegetarian stuffings, traditional stuffings from scratch, a sourdough stuffing from across the pond and a gluten free version of one of my absolute favourites – gingerbread stuffing.
Chestnut, Pecan & Cranberry Stuffing – Taste Botanical
Pork, Sage & Apple Stuffing – Curly’s Cooking
Chestnut & Sausagemeat Stuffing – Recipes Made Easy
Sourdough Stuffing Recipe – The Feathered Nester
Gluten Free Gingerbread Stuffing – Gluten Free Alchemist
Christmas Potatoes
To roast, to mash or both?
Simple Roast Potatoes
Personally roast potatoes are a given on the Christmas table. Even if there are no other options, there must be crispy roasties!
How to Roast Potatoes
Next Level Roast Potatoes
If you don’t want to stay traditional this year, try one of these alternative options packed with flavour.
Hasselback Potatoes – Gluten Free Alchemist
OXO Roast Potatoes – Tastefully Vikkie
Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Potato Cubes with Rosemary
Simple Mashed Potatoes
If my Dad is to be believed, the world would stop without mash. So for him mash is an absolute given on Christmas day. And any other day ending in a “y”. We like to keep it classic with lots of butter, cream and salt.
The Best Mashed Potatoes – Apply To Face Blog
Totally different Potatoes
Maybe you want to go really out there in which case one of these layered potato options might be for you. Don’t forget that this can always be an “and” situation not an “or”!
Potato Pave – Lost in Food
Christmas Sprouts & Greens
If you think you don’t like sprouts think again. Chances are you’ve just not tried them in the right combination with bacon and/or garlic and cream. If you aren’t a sprout family then chances are you’ll have a cabbage based dish instead so I’ve included some other options in this section too.
Simple Brussels Sprouts
Quickly boiled with a little added bacon. Perfect. Unless you’re veggie in which case maybe don’t include the bacon!
Bacon Brussels Sprouts – Sew White
Something different with sprouts
Cream them, roast them, add cheese or go bonkers and cook them in a cheese sauce gratin. Loads of options here!
Roasted Brussels with Parmesan & Garlic – Jo’s Kitchen Larder
Creamed Brussel Sprouts – Lost in Food
3 Cheese Sprout Gratin – Kitchen Sanctuary
Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts – Cook Veggielicious
No sprouts? Try cabbage instead!
Cabbage with Bacon, Apple & Cider – Lost in Food
Buttered Cabbage & Leeks with Mustard Seeds – Foodle Club
Christmas Red Cabbage
Red cabbage actually isn’t something I’ve ever had with my Christmas dinner. Its not really a favourite of mine and I can easily live without it. But I know that for many people it is a non negotiable so I’ve included a variety of recipes for you!
Keep it Simple
Actually all of these recipes are pretty simple. Braised cabbage with slight variations on the Christmassy spices!
Braised Red Cabbage – No Apple or Spices
Red Cabbage with Ginger Preserve – Farmersgirl Kitchen
Braised Red Cabbage – Jo’s Kitchen Larder
Christmas Red Cabbage Recipe – Sneaky Veg Blog
Christmas Carrot & Swede
Mashed carrot and swede with a bit of butter and pepper was the standard for me at Christmas growing up. And of course I made it for years too.
Classic Carrot & Swede Mash
Roasted Carrot & Swede Mash – Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen
Just Christmas Carrots
But then after many years I realised that I don’t actually like swede. Isn’t it funny how sometimes we don’t question the traditions?! So now I just make my favourite glazed carrot recipe and wow and I am much happier.
Vichy Carrots with Thyme
Fresh Ginger & Orange Carrots – Family Friends Food
Maple Butter Steeped Carrots – Culinary Travels
Just Swede For Christmas
If you’re the other way from me and just prefer the swede (or turnip or neeps or rutabaga depending where in the world you are) then these recipes are for you. Although of course there is nothing stopping you from making both a carrot and swede dish. More the merrier right?!
Mashed Swede with Nutmeg – Cook Veggielicious
Easy Roasted Swede – Fuss Free Flavours
Christmas Roast Parsnips & Veg
Perfect Every Time Roast Parsnips
Roast parsnips are probably my favourite vegetable of all time. They’re juicy and sweet. My easy recipe for a classic unglazed parsnip is always my go-to.
The Best Roast Parsnips
More than Just Roast Parsnips
Whether you’re looking for fancier parsnips, an all in one vegetable dish, something totally different like onion pudding or a cauliflower cheese, there is no need to choose, just make them all! Or maybe choose a couple.
Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips – Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen
Onion Pudding – A Mummy Too
Whole Roast Cauliflower Cheese – Lavender and Lovage
Easy Cauliflower Cheese – Kitchen Sanctuary
Easy Christmas Vegetable Gratin – Easy Peasy Foodie
Christmas Gravy & Sauces
I don’t think of the sauces on a Christmas dinner as optional extras or just a garnish. A really good gravy (turkey gravy for me) is especially essential.
Simple Christmas Gravy
My make ahead gravy recipe is suitable for almost any roast. It uses a chicken base which can be finished off with the juices from any roast.
Get Ahead Gravy From Scratch
Alternative Christmas Gravy
Of course not everyone will want a gravy packed with meat flavour and juices. So this vegan alternative is a great alternative gravy option.
The Best Vegan Gravy – Cook Veggielicious
Basic Cranberry Sauce
This simple and classic version will hit the spot if you want to upgrade from a pre made option.
Homemade Whole Cranberry Sauce
Homemade Smooth Cranberry Sauce
Next Level Cranberry Sauces
Or like with all the other options, you can take it to the next level with these varying methods and flavour additions.
Easy Cranberry & Red Wine Sauce – Farmersgirl Kitchen
Cranberry Compote with Rosemary – Jo’s Kitchen Larder
Traditional Bread Sauce
I am obsessed with bread sauce at Christmas and you should be too. If you haven’t tried it before, please give it a go, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Homemade Bread Sauce with Panko
Christmas Yorkshire Puddings
Any roast dinner without Yorkshires is a sad roast dinner in my opinion. And lets be honest, Christmas dinner is really just the king of roasts.
Perfect Simple Yorkshire Pudding
No faff, no fuss, no fail Yorkshires. No variations needed.
Proper Yorkshire Puddings
So now head to the comments and tell me what your Best Christmas Side Dishes and recipes are!
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Karen Burns-Booth says
This only just popped up in my dashboard – so I am sorry if I am replying late!
Thanks so much for adding my recipe 🙂
Happy New Year too,
Karen xxx
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
I LOVE this post Chloe… So much inspiration for Christmas and so easy to navigate to what you want too…
Pinning and sharing xxxx
Oh… and thank you for including a couple of my links too 😚
Jo Allison says
Perfect one stop shop for all your Christmas side dish needs! Thanks so much for sharing some of mine! 🙂
Janice says
Awesome round up! My mouth is watering.
Chloe says
Thanks!
Michelle Rolfe says
Wow now thats a line up of great food! So much choice! Thanks for including our dishes too! Cheers, Michelle x
Chloe says
I was soooo hungry writing it!