The ultimate side dishes for a roast dinner

Let’s get real for a minute… Roast beef or lamb might be the star of the show, but it’s the veggies that steal the spotlight on your plate. Forget limp peas and sad carrots; we’re talking vibrant, flavour-packed sides that make your roast sing. Whether it’s crispy roast cauliflower salad or zingy Asian slaw, these veggie dishes bring colour, crunch, and twists that’ll have everyone fighting for seconds. Perfectly paired with tender, juicy meat, these sides prove that vegetables aren’t just the supporting act, they’re the life of the roast dinner party.

So, if you fancy jazzing up your Sunday roast with some seriously tasty greens and roots, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get those veggies working hard and making your roast dinner downright unforgettable!

a plate of food with chickpeas , cauliflower , and onions on a table .

Roast cauliflower salad

The humble cauliflower gets a bad rap but here it’s the hearty component of a big bowl of salad that’s given an extra protein boost from the chickpeas.

a plate of food with broccoli , potatoes , asparagus and dill on a table with a fork .

Asparagus, roast potato and broccoli salad

This is the ultimate spring barbecue side dish. Lightly grilled, tossed in a yoghurt dressing, it’ll be put on the table and disappear as fast as the lamb chops.

a bowl of bean sprouts salad with tomatoes and other vegetables on a table .

Mung bean salad with Vietnamese dressing

If you’ve gone an Asian flavour profile route, this mung bean salad is an affordable and delicious salad. Simple and yet so tasty, it’ll brighten up any table.

a plate of broccoli salad with almonds , cranberries and onions on a table .

Broccoli and cranberry salad

Make this when broccoli is cheap and you’ve got a total winner! The dressing is easy to whip up as well and keeps in a jar in the fridge for about a week.