The best side dishes for Christmas dinner

Choosing side dishes for Christmas dinner is key, as these are the dishes that tie the (main roast) together and create that real festive feeling.

In Slovenia, we like to stick to the classics, but there is always room for small improvements.

Here is a selection of the best side dishes, sorted by type:

Potatoes in a thousand and one ways

Potatoes are the king of the holiday table. Instead of the usual boiled potatoes, try:

• Crispy baked potatoes with goose fat or butter: The secret is to partially cook the potatoes first, drain them well and “shake” them so that the surface becomes rough, then bake them in hot fat.

• Creamy gratin (potato gratin): Thinly sliced ​​potatoes baked in cream with a little garlic and nutmeg.

• Homemade cottage cheese štruklji: A timeless classic that goes perfectly with game or turkey with gravy.

Vegetables with a festive touch

Keep your vegetables colorful and a little sweeter to balance out the savory meat:

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts and Bacon: Even those who don’t like them will love this crunchy version with a hint of maple syrup.

• Honey-Thyme Glazed Carrots: Simple yet elegant.

• Red Cabbage with Apples and Red Wine: A must-have if you’re serving duck, goose, or pork.

Bread and Stuffing Sides

• Bread Dumplings with Smoked Meat or Herbs: Perfect for soaking up all those wonderful roast sauces.

• Stuffing, Baked Separately: Even if you’re not stuffing the bird, you can bake a stuffing of stale bread, chestnuts, onions, and herbs in a baking dish.

Fruity additions for freshness

• Cranberry sauce or jam: A must with turkey or game.

• Baked apples or pears: You can stuff them with cranberries and serve as a side dish with meat.

How to choose the right combination?

Main course Recommended side dishes

Christmas turkey Mlinci, bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, roasted carrots.

Pork roast Roast potatoes, stewed red cabbage, horseradish.

Beef (Wellington or roast beef) Potato gratin, roasted Brussels sprouts, red wine sauce.

Fish (Trout or carp) Swiss chard with potatoes, roasted vegetables with Mediterranean herbs.

My advice: Don’t prepare too many different things. Choose one starchy side dish (potatoes or štruklji) and two vegetable ones that complement each other in color.