The Christmas spread in Australia is always brimming with fresh and vibrant seasonal produce, so is it any wonder when Christmas sides outshine the main meal?
From luxurious sea treasures to elevated twists on traditional classics, the options are limitless. Think coupes of avocado cream crowned with blue swimmer crab; Spanish-inspired cheesy polenta chips with Manchego and bravas sauce; or a simple and colourful plate of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and salty anchovies.
Seconds are a given with Woodcut’s recipe for zucchini flowers, brown rice, tomato, vine leaves and yoghurt, while our ultra-luxe crisp potato bake with barrel-aged feta continues to steal the show. For those whose taste leans more traditional, classic roast potatoes never go astray.
Whatever your poison these holidays, these are the best Christmas entrées and side dish recipes to add extra flair to your festive table.
The best Christmas side dishes in 2025
Victor Liong’s Pacific oysters with sea treasures
“An opulent, easy starter that showcases the bounty of local seafood.”
Baked brie with fennel pollen and burnt honey nuts
Sink a slice of crusty bread into this gooey baked brie recipe.
Grilled eggplant salad with freekeh, artichoke, tomato and labne
This Mediterranean-inspired eggplant salad is as nourishing as it is delicious.
Spanish chicken and potato skewers with mojo verde
Spiced chicken and potato skewers are brightened with a zingy mojo sauce.
Kimchi fritters
Fermented and spiced, kimchi is a classic Korean ingredient. And trust us when we say, it’s perfection in fritter form.
Blue swimmer crab cocktail with avocado cream
This riff on the classic prawn cocktail is dressed to impress.
Classic egg and potato salad
Forget those gluggy versions of decades past. Our crème fraîche-based dressing lightens the load without losing that creaminess and tang.
Spanish devilled eggs with crisp jamón
Devilled eggs are a retro cocktail party classic, and this Spanish twist amps up the flavour.
Cheesy polenta chips with Manchego and bravas sauce
Our Spanish take on polenta fritti is all cheesy goodness.
Crunchy chilli and lemon potatoes topped with goat’s cheese
Goat’s cheese adds a creamy finish to dreamy, roasted lemon potatoes.
Swordfish and chorizo skewers with macadamia romesco
Grilled fish with romesco is a classic tapas.
Potato and thyme tortilla with crème fraîche, salmon roe and bottarga
The classic Spanish tortilla gets a party glow-up for a dreamy summer’s party scene.
Fig leaf-baked brie with pickled figs and fennel seed fougasse
There’s nothing much better than oozey, gooey brie, fresh-baked fougasse and a pickled fig or two.
Fig, fennel and grain salad with citrus dressing
This bright salad makes for a hearty solo dinner or a crowd-pleasing side at a long lunch.
Heirloom carrot and mandarin salad
This light and bright salad is best served with free-flowing wine and some good friends.
Crisp potato bake recipe with barrel-aged feta
Ditch roast potatoes and make this stunning crisp potato bake recipe with feta and salmon roe instead.
The Agrarian Kitchen’s roast carrots with hemp seeds
Hemp seeds add a touch of sesame to this autumnal side.
Woodcut’s crusted giant green olives with ’nduja
This starter is set to wow a crowd.
Braised beef cheek arancini
How do you make the arancini even better? Fill them with tender braised beef cheeks.
Grain salad with dukkah and pickled pomegranate
A festive favourite that’s quick and easy.
Asparagus with caper and shallot butter
Australian Gourmet Traveller fast recipe for asparagus with caper and shallot butter.
Woodcut’s white peaches and cherries with walnut tarator
Seasonal white peaches make the perfect addition to this summer salad.
Woodcut’s cos lettuce with kimchi and sesame dressing
This colourful dish adds a variety of flavour and texture to the holiday table.
Poached chicken asparagus salad with blue cheese
This is an ultra-elevated take on a chicken salad — with bite.
The Agrarian Kitchen’s broad beans and peas with spiced walnuts
Walnuts add a spice hit to this breezy spring side.
Woodcut’s whole-roasted cauliflower with caramelised pine nuts and raisins
Roasted cauliflower is a traditional vegetarian showstopper.
Beach Byron Bay’s charred and shucked corn, mint and pecorino
Beach Byron Bay chef David Lovett shares his recipe for an addictive summer salad. The simple combination of barbecued corn with shaved pecorino and mint continually surprises diners as an unassuming standout.
Baharat cauliflower and walnut-bread sauce
A Middle Eastern spin on roast cauliflower that makes for a quick and easy vegetarian crowd-pleaser.
Woodcut’s potato and mushroom gratin with fried sage and black garlic butter
An elevated take on a crowd pleasing dish.
Eggplant tabbouleh salad with grilled peaches and pomegranate
This inventive dish reimagines the traditional tabbouleh salad, pairing the savoury aromat of za’atar with the sweetness of grilled peaches and fresh pomegranate.
Goose-fat roast potatoes with dukkah
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Woodcut’s zucchini flowers, brown rice, tomato, vine leaves and yoghurt
This vegetable-forward side dish is guaranteed to steal the show.
Duck-fat hasselback potatoes with rosemary salt
Hassle free potatoes.
Brown butter roasted carrot salad with chickpeas
This roasted carrot salad works perfectly as a festive side dish, too.
Beetroot and ham salad with sour cherry dressing
This is the ideal Boxing Day salad when you need to use up any leftover ham.
Charred broccolini with kingfish, miso and sesame
Recipe for charred broccolini with kingfish, miso and sesame.
Insalata of tomato, mozzarella and basil with anchovies
Where summer simplicity and elegance combine.
Oregano eggplant with freekeh, feta and dill
A winner for picnics and bring-a-plate events.
Grilled apricot salad with jamón and Manchego
Scorched apricots, torn jamón, shaved Manchego and peppery rocket leaves make for a light and tasty salad.
Peaches with burrata, prosciutto crudo and rocket
Our recipe for peaches with burrata, prosciutto crudo and rocket.
Lemon-scented labneh with fig and beetroot
Packed with fresh figs and earthy beetroot, this colourful salad is simple and refreshing. Begin this recipe a day ahead.
Malaysian rice salad (nasi ulam)
This zingy rice salad dials up the freshness. Enjoy it on its own or as a side dish with fried fish or chicken.
Baked cauliflower with Bûche D’Affinois cheese custard
Baked cauliflower gets a silky upgrade thanks to the Bûche D’Affinois custard.
Salt and vinegar smashed potatoes with pickled radish and lemon crème fraîche
These smashed potatoes are our answer to a childhood classic: salt and vinegar chips.
Potato focaccia with black garlic butter
This potato focaccia recipe is light, fluffy and comes with an incredibly moreish garlic butter.
Salt and vinegar 15 hour potato bites
These trendy taters are best started a day in advance, but the crispy deliciousness as a result is well worth the wait.
Confit garlic and heirloom tomatoes
This moreish must-try confit garlic and heirloom tomato recipe is sure to become a staple.
Roast pumpkin, labneh and hazelnuts
Lightly roasted pumpkin paired with creamy labneh and hazelnuts is a match made in heaven.
The ultimate potato salad recipe with egg, apple and watercress
This potato salad is creamy, dreamy and easy.
Woodcut’s roast sweet potato with chickpea miso and seaweed salt
This vegetarian side makes for a showstopping centrepiece.
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