Make-ahead Christmas sides

Don’t spend Christmas Day in the kitchen, use these recipes for make-ahead sides and keep festive stress to a minimum.

We’ve got red cabbage with pomegranate, buttery potatoes and a simple garlicky kale dish to tempt you.


A gold glitter roundel, with the words GLOW UP! in the centre

Looking to lessen the Christmas dinner stress? Our Glow Up hacks are simple ways to add some WOW to your standard sides. The mini recipes – including rosemary candied nuts for crunch and a sage and nutmeg garlic butter to stir through veg – can all be made ahead too.

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Creamy baked leeks

Leek recipes

Creamy baked leeks

In this festive side dish recipe, leeks are cooked slowly in cream and cheese until soft and golden. Recipe taken...

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Christmas Jansson’s temptation

Christmas recipes from around the world

Christmas Jansson’s temptation

Brontë Aurell shares her recipe for Jansson’s temptation (Jansson’s frestelse), a classic Swedish potato dish traditionally made with cream and...

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Savoy cabbage and pork stuffing

Stuffing recipes

Savoy cabbage and pork stuffing

This pork stuffing is one of Matt Tebbutt’s go-to Christmas recipes. The deeply savoury notes of the pork and porcini...

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Christmas cabbage with hazelnuts, olives and raisins

Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces

Christmas cabbage with hazelnuts, olives and raisins

Jazz up your Christmas cabbage by treating it like a salad, combining shredded savoy leaves with a smattering of nuts,...

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Prune and potato stuffing

Stuffing recipes

Prune and potato stuffing

Try something different this Christmas, with Debora Robertson’s French style prune and potato stuffing. “While this is a traditional stuffing...

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Jerk-spiced pork stuffing

Pork recipes from around the world

Jerk-spiced pork stuffing

James Cochran’s pork stuffing gets a lift from scotch bonnets and the smoky, toasty flavours of jerk seasoning. Try it...

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Sourdough stuffing balls

Vegetarian Christmas dinner recipes

Sourdough stuffing balls

This stuffing recipe by Ben Tish makes a vibrant, zingy alternative to the heavy, traditional versions. Great with turkey, chicken...

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Caramelised onion, pear and chestnut stuffing

Make-ahead Christmas recipes

Caramelised onion, pear and chestnut stuffing

Get ready for Christmas with this freeze-ahead chestnut stuffing recipe from Chantelle Nicholson. Silky, caramelised onions combined with chestnuts, pears...

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Garlic roast potatoes with bay leaves

Roast potato recipes

Garlic roast potatoes with bay leaves

Looking for a roast potatoes recipe that won’t let you down? Our garlic and bay roast potatoes are crisp and...

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Tahini coleslaw

Christmas buffet recipes

Tahini coleslaw

Coleslaw with a yogurt and tahini dressing adds a refreshing crunch to a buffet or lunch spread. This easy slaw...

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Vodka-infused cranberry sauce

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Vodka-infused cranberry sauce

Give classic cranberry sauce a boozy kick. Our vodka-infused cranberry sauce takes 10 mins to make and will keep for...

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Cranberry and sausagemeat stuffing balls

Stuffing recipes

Cranberry and sausagemeat stuffing balls

Looking for a freeze-ahead stuffing recipe for Christmas? Our fruity cranberry and sausagemeat stuffing balls can be made 3 months...

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Roast potatoes with polenta, balsamic and thyme

Roast potato recipes

Roast potatoes with polenta, balsamic and thyme

You can make these crispy roast potatoes ahead so that, when the meat has cooked, you can pop the potatoes...

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Roast hasselback potatoes with bay and brandy butter

Potato recipes

Roast hasselback potatoes with bay and brandy butter

These bay-garnished roast hasselback potatoes will look pretty as a picture on your Christmas dinner table. A glug of brandy...

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Boulangère potatoes wrapped in streaky bacon

Potato recipes

Boulangère potatoes wrapped in streaky bacon

The name of this dish is derived from the French tradition of slow-cooking dishes in the residual heat of the...

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Red cabbage slaw

Red cabbage recipes

Red cabbage slaw

You can’t beat a side of cabbage slaw to brighten up the dinner table. This quick-to-make recipe is full of...

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