The Best Sides To Pair With Your Sunday Roasts
Cooking a Sunday roast for the whole family is usually a joyful occasion, allowing you to showcase your culinary skills and spend quality time with your loved ones at the same time. Whether it's your first time attempting this gastronomic feat or you are a seasoned expert, preparing side dishes that will keep everyone happy can be a challenge. With the focus on cooking the meat perfectly, sometimes side dishes can take a back seat, and soggy veggies with overcooked potatoes can be the result.
To help you bring variety and flavor to your Sunday dinners, we have rounded up our favorite side dishes that will go perfectly alongside the main event. From comforting classics like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese to fresher options such as collard greens and goat's cheese salad.
We don't want you spending your whole Sunday in the kitchen, so these side dishes are all straightforward to make and can be cooked alongside your meat. So, let's take a look at the best side dishes for your Sunday roast, allowing you to relax and enjoy a fulfilling meal with family and friends.
1. Maple Roasted Carrots And Parsnips
Root vegetables are a great option alongside roast meat, their sweet and earthy flavor balancing perfectly with the richness of the protein. This recipe brings out the sweetness of the carrots and parsnips even further by drizzling maple syrup over the top for a delicious, caramelized flavor.
Roasting root vegetables makes them beautifully soft and creamy and is an easy way to get the whole family to eat extra veggies without complaint. A touch of salt will cut through the sweetness to create the perfect accompaniment to roast chicken or meat.
2. Peppercorn-Riesling Gravy
As much as we all love a splash of regular gravy, why not mix it up a bit with this peppercorn and riesling twist? The addition of the dry wine will give your usual turkey an unexpected lift, and the peppercorns add just the right amount of heat.
Made with a smooth roux and with the added depth of flavor from the turkey drippings, this is the gravy your roast meat is screaming out for. No matter who you're making Sunday dinner for, they will be impressed by your innovative take on this traditional accompaniment.
Recipe: Peppercorn-Riesling Gravy
3. Easiest Mashed Potatoes
If the thought of disappointing mashed potatoes with your Sunday roast gives you fear, it's time to give this recipe a try. The fluffiest, most delicious mash is less than 20 minutes away and will take virtually no effort at all.
Russet potatoes are the ideal spud to make the perfect mash, as their high-starch content allows them to drink up all the decadent cream and butter to give you the best possible texture. Fluffing up with a fork after mashing is the final touch that will give you a rustic potato dish to sit proudly alongside your meat.
Recipe: Easiest Mashed Potatoes
4. Collard Greens
If the suggestion of greens as a side dish is usually met with cries of outrage from your family, this collard greens recipe is sure to convert them. The combination of creamy coconut milk and tangy mustard creates a side dish with layers of flavor that will complement any roast meat.
Crispy bacon is always a hit, so adding it to a healthy greens side dish is a genius move to keep the whole family's tastebuds happy. Alongside the Sunday feast, you will feel good eating a side dish that's packed with both flavor and nutrition.
Recipe: Collard Greens
5. Simple Grilled Radicchio Salad
If you love a salad with your Sunday roast, it's time to ditch the limp lettuce leaves and try this crunchy radicchio salad, instead. Though radicchio can be eaten raw, grilling it creates a smoky char that will pair perfectly with the roast meat.
Topped with a fresh dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic, this salad has the perfect balance of flavor and texture. If you thought grilled salad was a crazy idea, this unique side dish will blow your mind!
Recipe: Simple Grilled Radicchio Salad
6. Herbed Pumpkin Potato Gratin
If you love a creamy, comforting side to go alongside your roast dinner, this pumpkin and potato gratin recipe has to be on your must-try list. Combining potatoes and veggies into one sumptuous dish, this gratin is the ultimate in autumnal indulgence.
Alternating layers of potato and pumpkin with the decadent garlic-rich cream sauce poured over the top, this side dish will win your heart from the first cheesy bite. Whether you're having a cozy family meal or throwing an extravagant Thanksgiving dinner party, this classic fall dish will be the star of the show.
Recipe: Herbed Pumpkin Potato Gratin
7. Classic Au Jus
If you're cooking roast beef, it is worth taking the time to make a classic jus with the drippings from the meat. While a store-bought gravy is fine if you are pressed for time, a classic jus will elevate your Sunday roast and do the meat justice.
This recipe is simple to make, too, once you have roasted your beef. Simply add red wine, beef stock, and thyme to the drippings, and you will have a rich, complex sauce in no time at all. Once you see how easy it is, you may never use shop-bought gravy again.
Recipe: Classic Au Jus
8. Sweet Golden Maduros With Mint Mojo
Time to up your side dish game with this recipe for golden maduros with mint mojo. Though designed as an appetizer, this plantain dish will go perfectly with your Sunday roast. These bite-sized treats are an explosion of flavor, contrasting the sweet plantain with the zesty mint sauce.
Thankfully, these complex flavors don't take much time to pull together, and you can whip up the mojo sauce as the plantains are frying to golden perfection. This is a great dish to put in the middle of the table as your Sunday roast, but be sure to make plenty of them, as they will disappear fast.
9. Butternut Squash And Sage Risotto
Mix up your usual Sunday roast side dishes by pairing your meat with this luscious butternut squash risotto. Sweet squash cooked with creamy rice will be the ideal accompaniment to beef or lamb, especially in the colder months.
Risotto is not the fastest dish to cook, but it will be worth the effort for the great depth of flavor, and you can make it while your meat is roasting. The Parmesan cheese and brown butter topping will provide the perfect umami hit that will complement the rest of your meal beautifully.
10. Wild Rice Pilaf
Add a sweet and savory note to your roast dinner this week by giving this wild rice pilaf recipe a go. The nutty wild rice combined with the juicy grapes and crunchy almonds creates a wonderful combination of textures that will match your roast meat perfectly.
This dish looks as good as it tastes too, with a pop of color from the grapes and the vibrant green from the fresh herbs. Rice is always a popular side dish, and this unusual take on it will leave your dinner guests impressed and satisfied.
Recipe: Wild Rice Pilaf
11. Baked Candied Yams
If you are getting bored of the same old side dishes to go with your Sunday roast, try these candied yams for your next big family dinner. The balance of sweetness and spice is a treat for the taste buds and will complement the roast meat perfectly.
Choosing yams as a side dish is a great way to get the comforting satisfaction of potatoes with the added health benefits that yams bring. This dish is a great way to feed your family healthy food that is totally delicious at the same time.
Recipe: Baked Candied Yams
12. Creamy Polenta With White Beans And Spinach
If you've never tried polenta before, this recipe that combines it with white beans and spinach is a great place to start. The polenta acts a bit like a mashed potato, soaking up the flavors of the legumes and the greens.
Though this recipe can be a plant-based meal in itself, it makes a beautiful, creamy side dish to accompany roast beef or lamb. It's full of fresh vegetables that complement the richness of the polenta and create a well-balanced side dish.
13. Potato-Parsnip Mash
Instead of having two side dishes of parsnips and mashed potatoes, why not incorporate them into one creamy delight with this recipe for potato and parsnip mash? Adding parsnips to the mash adds a natural sweetness without detracting from the gorgeous soft texture we all love.
When it comes to cutting down on the hassle of cooking, it doesn't get much easier than this — the potatoes, parsnips, and garlic can all be cooked in the same pot, meaning less washing up, too. With a serving of fresh gravy over the top, this upgraded mashed potato will have you wondering why you didn't think of this sooner.
Recipe: Potato-Parsnip Mash
14. Easy Roasted Potatoes with Garlic
If you're looking for a new side dish for your Sunday roast that's still familiar enough, try these garlic-roasted potatoes. Made with red potatoes for a nutty flavor that is still comforting, the garlicky flavor will match your roast meat beautifully.
Cutting the potatoes into cubes means they cook faster than your usual roast potatoes, and a dash of cayenne pepper will give them a fiery twist. If you have any leftovers — which is unlikely — they make a great breakfast dish, too.
15. Best Basic Mashed Potatoes
Sometimes, only a classic side dish will do for Sunday dinner, and if you are in the mood for mash, this recipe will keep you right. The secret to perfect mash is using the right tools, and a potato ricer is vital for a beautifully smooth texture.
Add in the right amount of butter and cream plus a twist of salt, and you have a ridiculously simple recipe that will result in a comforting side dish for your roast meat. You can always add in fresh herbs and spices as you choose, but this recipe will give you a great starting point to craft your own signature mash that everyone will love.
Recipe: Best Basic Mashed Potatoes
16. Bacon-Cheddar Drop Biscuit
If you thought that making homemade savory biscuits was too much effort, this recipe will make you think again. The great benefit of drop biscuits is that they do not need rolling or cutting, saving you time and making the whole process even simpler.
This super-savory version made with bacon and cheese will make a brilliant side dish for your roast dinner. With garlic notes running through them, too, the only issue will be resisting eating them all before you serve the meal.
Recipe: Bacon-Cheddar Drop Biscuit
17. The Best Mac And Cheese
While light, refreshing side dishes have their place, sometimes you just need an indulgent, creamy accompaniment for Sunday dinner. This mac and cheese recipe is guaranteed to hit the spot in terms of both flavor and texture.
With double cheesiness in the form of cheddar and gruyere and a crunchy breadcrumb topping, this satisfying side dish will be worth the effort of making a roux and then turning it into a luxurious sauce.
Recipe: The Best Mac And Cheese
18. Green Bean And Fried Onion Salad
Making this green bean and fried onion salad will freshen up your Sunday dinner with a side dish that delivers on both taste and texture. Vibrant green beans cooked al dente alongside crispy fried onions and jalapenos create a delicious contrast of flavors with plenty of crunch.
Finished with a dressing made from soy sauce and olive oil that will cut through the richness of your roast meat, this salad will add a burst of color and bring a touch of elegance to your traditional Sunday meal.
Recipe: Green Bean And Fried Onion Salad
19. Asparagus And Pecorino
For a seasonal springtime side dish to accompany your roast dinner, give this asparagus and pecorino recipe a try. Perfectly cooked asparagus has a wonderful texture that will match your tender roast meat beautifully.
The pecorino cheese adds umami flavor, while a squeeze of lemon brightens up the vegetables and complements the main course. Asparagus cooks in less than five minutes, making this the ideal side dish if you are short of time and looking for an impressive dish that won't stress you out.
Recipe: Asparagus And Pecorino
20. Classic Parker House Rolls Recipe
Try a side dish with a difference for your Sunday lunch this week with this recipe for the American classic Parker House rolls. Named after a hotel in Boston, these rolls are famous for their soft, buttery texture and slightly sweet flavor.
These rolls are made from pantry staples, meaning an expensive shopping trip is not required. The key to perfecting them is to let them rise twice — once as soon as the dough is made, then again after they have been folded into their signature shape. Be sure to serve them alongside your meat while they are still warm.
21. Fried Goat Cheese Salad
For a unique side dish to enhance your Sunday roast dinner, try this warm goat cheese salad. This perfectly balanced salad has tangy goat cheese alongside fresh snap peas and crunchy radishes.
Drizzled with a homemade vinaigrette consisting of vinegar, mustard, garlic, and fennel, the complex layers of flavor in this side dish will pair brilliantly with the tender roast meat. This dish tastes as good as it looks and its colorful appearance will impress your guests and family.
Recipe: Fried Goat Cheese Salad