Features

Vegan and vegetarian Christmas side recipes

by Jessica Lockyer-Palmer

published on 8 December 2021, last updated on 14 November 2025

A good Christmas feast lives or dies by its sides. From roast potatoes to the all-important gravy, plus plenty of rainbow-hued veg in between, discover our collection of vegan and vegetarian Christmas sides.

Vegan

Rosemary Roast Potatoes

Made with plenty of garlic, olive oil, salt and rosemary, these roast potatoes manage that elusive almost glass-like outer crunch and perfectly fluffy middle.

Jamie Oliver’s Vegan Christmas Gravy

Porcini mushrooms, plenty of aromatic herbs and a secret weapon in the form of Marmite lend Jamie ‘s vegan gravy a rich and rounded flavour.

Vegan Spiced Roasted Carrots with Garlic White Bean Mash

Rachel Ama’s carrots are coated in maple syrup, olive oil and warming harissa and served with a creamy butter bean dip.

Cauliflower Cashew Cheese with Purple Sprouting Broccoli

For many, a roast is never complete without cauliflower cheese and this clever vegan version uses cashews to create a silky white sauce.

Drew Barrymore’s Squash Gratin with Cashew Cream

Another cashew cream-based winner, this festive gratin features tender slices of squash.

Roasted Beets and Butternut Squash with Tahini

Earthy jewel-toned beetroot and squash meet nutty tahini sauce and a scattering of pomegranate.

Roasted Squash, Cauliflower, and Sage

This simple one-tin roast features cauliflower and squash finished with aromatic sage.

Yotam Ottolenghi’s Sweet and Sour Sprouts with Chestnuts and Grapes

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the sprouts and Ottolenghi ‘s sweet and sour take with chestnuts and grapes elevates these divisive veg to new heights.

Vegetarian

Melissa Hemsley’s Hasselback Squash with Roasted Grapes and a Sprout and Blue Cheese Slaw

These beautiful hasselback squash, served with roasted grapes and a blue cheese slaw, work just as well as a centrepiece or a show-stealing side.

Beetroot and Sweet Potato Gratin

This creamy root veg gratin is flavoured with nutmeg, thyme and plenty of butter.

Honeyed Parsnip Quinoa with Chilli, Cardamom and Orange

With seasonal citrus and sweet honey, these tender roasted parsnips are one of our favourite sides for any roast.

Nadiya Hussain’s Roast Trio of Cheeses

With feta, burrata and halloumi all melted over a bed of roasted vegetables, Nadiya ‘s roast trio of cheeses makes for a wonderful sharing side for a vegetarian feast. Just ensure you select rennet-free cheeses.

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