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.

36 recipes

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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...

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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...

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Garlicky buttered kale

Kale recipes

Garlicky buttered kale

A simple but seriously good side dish of garlicky, buttery kale. We’ve used chilli and...

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Bay-scented smashed roast potatoes

Potato recipes

Bay-scented smashed roast potatoes

These bay-scented roast potatoes are smashed for an even crispier texture and make a wonderful...

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Hasselback potatoes with ‘cheese’ sauce

Potato recipes

Hasselback potatoes with ‘cheese’ sauce

What’s better than crispy hasselback potatoes? Spuds smothered in a silky cheese sauce, that’s what....

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Carrot, parsnip and mascarpone gratin

Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces

Carrot, parsnip and mascarpone gratin

A great make-ahead side dish to serve with your roast dinner. This creamy carrot and...

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Roast radicchio with lemon and parsley dressing

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Roast radicchio with lemon and parsley dressing

A vegetarian make-ahead side dish of roasted radicchio, served with sultanas and pine nuts, that...

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Brunkål (Swedish-style cabbage)

Cabbage recipes

Brunkål (Swedish-style cabbage)

It’s not necessarily the showiest dishes that hold the deepest meaning. For restaurateur, Great British...

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Roast potatoes with polenta, balsamic and thyme

Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces

Roast potatoes with polenta, balsamic and thyme

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

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Potato gratin with bay leaves

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Potato gratin with bay leaves

This potato gratin recipe is an essential side dish for any Christmas table (or any...

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Cranberry sauce with orange

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Cranberry sauce with orange

This classic cranberry sauce recipe is so easy you’ll wonder why you ever used shop-bought....

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Freezable bread sauce

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Freezable bread sauce

You can make this freezable bread sauce up to a month in advance of your...

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Extra-crunchy parmesan roasties

Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces

Extra-crunchy parmesan roasties

Scattered with parmesan and thyme, these extra crunchy potatoes are the perfect side dish. And...

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Sherry-braised leeks

Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces

Sherry-braised leeks

This gorgeously silky braised leek dish, made with sherry and double cream, makes a tasty...

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Salted caramel roasted parsnips and cauliflower

Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces

Salted caramel roasted parsnips and cauliflower

The natural sweetness of the caramelised winter veg pairs perfectly with a drizzle of slightly...

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Crispy pan potatoes

Recipes that will make you excited for autumn

Crispy pan potatoes

Who can resist a pan filled with crispy, golden potatoes? Serve this easy, impressive side...

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Stuffed pigs in blankets

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Stuffed pigs in blankets

What’s even better than classic pigs in blankets? Herby sausage stuffing wrapped in crispy pancetta....

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Roast sprouts, apples and pancetta

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Roast sprouts, apples and pancetta

You’ve probably had brussels sprouts and bacon with your Christmas lunch, but have you tried...

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Red cabbage in pomegranate juice

Red cabbage recipes

Red cabbage in pomegranate juice

Take red cabbage from a simple Christmas side dish to something much more special by...

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Spiced parsnip purée with golden crumbs

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Spiced parsnip purée with golden crumbs

Velvet-smooth parsnip purée topped with crunchy breadcrumbs, is the ultimate Christmas side dish – once...

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Freeze-ahead roast potatoes

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Freeze-ahead roast potatoes

Get ahead and save time when planning a big roast dinner by prepping and freezing...

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Buttery potato bake

Potato recipes

Buttery potato bake

Michele Cranston’s buttery potato bake is an easy side dish recipe that you can make...

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Giant potato rösti

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Giant potato rösti

A make-ahead side dish recipe made with onions, garlic and thyme. You can freeze the...

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Beef dripping roast vegetables

Make-ahead Christmas sides

Beef dripping roast vegetables

Cook your carrots, parsnips and potatoes all together with this easy all-in-one roast vegetable recipe.

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