Side dishes are a great way to add more flavours and textures to a meal - add some spice, some crunch, and of course, some of your five-a-day with our creative and tasty side dish recipes.
This simple peanut butter dhal is made entirely out of ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard. Add in a dash of coconut milk for extra creaminess and top with a fenugreek tarka (infused oil). Perfect for those chilli winter evenings when you don't know what to cook!
This make-ahead gravy is perfect for taking the stress out of Christmas Day or any other occasion
Traditional stuffing gets a makeover with the help of flavourful Parmesan, smoky nduja and sourdough breadcrumbs, it's a stuffing unlike anything you've tried before
Sweet carrots and parsnips with apple, bacon, honey and thyme: what's not to love about this colourful Christmas side dish?
Here's a great Christmas or Sunday lunch side that won't take up oven space. Simply boil the carrots until tender, then fry in smoky bacon, brown butter, sage and lemon. This is seriously delicious yet so simple and speedy.
Try cooking your sprouts in the air-fryer this year to get them super crispy. Cook with lardons, nutmeg and rosemary for festive flavours, then serve alongside all the trimmings.
Dips make great party food especially at Christmas time and this musabaha, which is a deconstructed version of houmous, is something special! Topped with caramelised lemons and pine nuts for crunch, it's totally delicious with toasted pitta bread.
Chef, author and TV presenter, Kwoklyn Wan shares his simple, yet totally delicious twist on sesame prawn toast. Kwoklyn says: "Christmas is a time for sharing, and a plate stacked high with glistening, golden sesame chicken toasts is the perfect festive finger food for a gathering."
Crispy and golden on the outside and fluffy within, these zesty smashed potatoes are a delicious side to add to your Christmas lunch table. You can even get ahead and prep them the day before!
Take your sprouts to the next level by roasting them in honey, chillies and walnuts for a sweet, spicy and earthy crunch. A crumble of tangy blue cheese on top and you've got an epic side dish for Christmas lunch.
This colourful, flavour-packed side is a star supporting act for Christmas lunch or any Sunday roast. Carrots and beetroot are coated in balsamic vinegar and roasted until golden and sticky – simple yet impressive!
These vibrant red cabbage 'steaks' are roasted until tender and crispy and are topped with chestnuts for extra festive flavours. They'll make a deliciously different side for your Christmas dinner!
Homemade gravy is a great way to use up a whole roast chicken. This recipe simmers celery, carrots, and thyme low and slow for over an hour, creating a deep, aromatic flavour. Serve it with your next Sunday roast, or try it as a stock or silky chicken pie sauce.
Pumpkin is a great ingredient for autumn cooking. Once roasted, it has a lovely sweet and earthy flavour that pairs beautifully with this tangy gochujang marinade. If you don't have any culinary pumpkins to hand, butternut squash is a delicious substitute.
Here's a chutney with a difference! It's actually a rich fruit compote made with frozen berries and infused with sloe gin. The sour-sweet flavours balance wonderfully with a variety of cheeses and it's so easy to make. Prep in 20 minutes then allow to cool before your guests arrive – they'll be intrigued and impressed!
Whip up this luxurious truffle mash without having to buy a bottle of truffle oil. Maris Piper potatoes give the best result here – light and fluffy with a floury texture that absorbs the butter and milk easily. Serve with bangers, roasts or a hearty pie.
Tabbouleh is a wonderfully flavoursome and fragrant sharing dish for summer feasts, but is delicious enjoyed all year round. This autumnal twist features sweet Cox apples and earthy kale. Keep it in the fridge for a wholesome lunch or serve it as part of a get-together meal.
A fresh, colourful slaw is the perfect side to spicy curry, and this Indian-inspired version is a great twist on a classic coleslaw.
These roasted carrots are sure to be the star of the show at your Sunday roast. Gently spiced with cumin and topped with pomegranate seeds, this vibrant dish is a must-try all year round.
Earthy and sweet purple sprouting broccoli are teamed with garlic and lemon cashew nut crumbs to create a superb side dish. Serve this plant-based recipe at your next Sunday roast for something deliciously different and impressive!
Upgrade your roast lunch sides with this citrus-sweet recipe using vibrant rainbow carrots, finished with a herby, zingy gremolata. Pretty to look at and packed with flavour, this is a real star side that you'll be making for every Sunday lunch!
Transform green beans with this vegan and gluten-free side dish this Christmas. Beans are topped with toasted pumpkin seeds and coated in a sticky maple and mustard glaze. You won't be able to get enough of this.
Who says cauliflower cheese is just a side? This veggie gratin with lentils and crispy sage and onion stuffing transforms this Christmas favourite into a hearty vegan main!
Move over pulled pork! This epic chipotle pulled chicken platter makes a stunning centrepiece for your Christmas buffet. Serve with tortilla chips and soured cream for a Mexican-inspired feast.
Quick pickled vegetables are so easy to make, and this red cabbage is no exception. It's a great side to serve with cold cuts at Christmas and makes a fab and festive edible gift.
If you fancy something a little different to enjoy over the festive period, then you have to give this smashed potato salad a go. It's topped with streaky bacon, shredded sprouts and lots of fresh herbs for big festive flavours. Serve as a fun side dish, as part of a party spread or as a way to use up Christmas leftovers.
These creamy mustard leeks are topped with crumbled sausages and cheese for an indulgent side dish or why not serve as a hearty main over the Christmas holidays?
Coat sweet carrots in a punchy whisky glaze and scatter with bittersweet tarragon for the ultimate vegan side dish that will definitely take your guests by surprise.
A festive side that makes the brings plenty of flavour to the table
An easy vegan gravy that's full of flavour. Roast the veg with herbs and a bit of tomato purée, before adding vegan white wine, veg stock and the secret ingredient – marmite! Perfect for enjoying alongside a vegan Sunday roast or vegan Christmas dinner.
A colourful salad packed with veg, apples and hot smoked salmon is just the ticket for a Boxing Day buffet
Fresh peaches, juicy tomatoes and creamy burrata make a summery trio in this 15-minute salad
Packed with flavour, this high-fibre veggie curry takes its cue from a beloved Indian classic and transforms it into a speedy midweek winner. Seasoned with aromatic spices and served with homemade flatbreads for scooping up every last bite, it's a healthy, fuss-free recipe you'll come back to time and time again.