What Goes With Roast Beef for Christmas Dinner: 25 Delicious Side Dishes

Roast beef is a holiday classic, but what should you serve alongside it? With so many delicious options, it can be tricky to narrow down side dishes for your Christmas dinner. In this article, I’ll share 25 can’t-miss sides that perfectly complement roast beef. From potatoes and vegetables to gravies and breads, you’ll find plenty of festive recipe ideas here!

Best Potato Sides for Roast Beef

Potatoes are a natural fit with roast beef. Here are some tasty potato side dish ideas:

• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes Creamy mashed potatoes infused with mellow roasted garlic flavor An easy upgrade to classic mashed potatoes

• Hasselback Potatoes Sliced potatoes fanned out and roasted with olive oil and seasoning for crisp edges and a tender interior Fun presentation!

• Scalloped Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy cheese sauce until tender and bubbly. Comforting and indulgent.

• Potato Gratin: Thin potato slices baked in a rich cream sauce and topped with cheese. Crispy top layer over a smooth interior.

• Roasted Baby Potatoes: Tender little potatoes roasted whole with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Simple and delicious.

Vegetable Sides for Roast Beef

Don’t forget the veggies! Here are some tasty options:

• Honey Glazed Carrots: Carrots roasted with a sweet and sticky honey glaze. A classic pairing with roast beef.

• Green Bean Casserole: Fresh green beans and crispy fried onions combined in a creamy mushroom sauce and baked. A holiday staple.

• Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Halved Brussels sprouts sautéed with crispy bacon pieces. The perfect balance of sweet and salty.

• Roasted Root Vegetables: A medley of carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and other veggies, tossed in olive oil and herbs then roasted. Seasonal and hearty.

• Creamed Spinach or Kale: Leafy greens cooked down in a creamy sauce. Elegant and luxurious.

Gravies and Sauces for Roast Beef

A good gravy or sauce adds moistness and flavor. Options include:

• Classic Beef Gravy: Made from the flavorful pan drippings of the roast beef along with broth and seasonings. Rich and meaty.

• Horseradish Cream Sauce: Horseradish folded into whipped cream or sour cream for a peppery, tangy sauce.

• Red Wine Jus: Beef broth and red wine reduced down for an intense, wine-infused sauce.

• Mushroom Gravy: Earthy sliced mushrooms sautéed and simmered into a gravy. Adds an extra layer of savory flavor.

Breads & Rolls for Roast Beef

Bread is great for sopping up gravy and juices. Bake a batch of:

• Dinner Rolls: Soft, pillowy yeast rolls like Parker House or cloverleaf rolls. Great for pulling apart and dipping.

• Irish Soda Bread: Dense, crusty quick bread with a signature crumb. Rustic and hearty.

• Cornbread Muffins: Sweet cornbread baked into muffins provides individual servings. Moist and tender crumb.

• Popovers: Hollow, eggy rolls that puff up dramatically around the roast beef. Perfect for filling with gravy.

Holiday Desserts to Finish Your Meal

End your feast on a sweet note with:

• Yule Log Cake: A festive chocolate sponge cake rolled up with chocolate buttercream to resemble a log. Simple but elegant.

• Peppermint Bark: Dark chocolate layered with crushed candy canes. Easy to make ahead and perfectly festive.

• Gingerbread Cookies: Spiced, molasses-sweetened cookies, decorated with royal icing. A nostalgic holiday favorite.

• Pumpkin Pie: Rich custard in a flaky pie crust, spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg. Quintessential after a heavy meal.