Welcome to The Storied Recipe, a podcast about food, culture, and love.

Below are links to 67 sides for your Christmas Brisket dinner, organized by course.

As you prepare your menu, I invite you to listen to A Passover Episode from Challah Champ Marissa Wojcik and try her Jewish Brisket Recipe, crowdsourced from 7 Jewish grandmothers.

collage of 4 sides for jewish holiday brisket - potato soup, roated brussel sprouts, sephardic jeweled rice, and colorful spring carrots

As the Christmas season approaches, it's time to embrace the spirit of celebration and indulgence. While many traditional holiday dishes often take center stage, there's one culinary delight that shouldn't be overlooked: the Christmas brisket.

Long famous among Ashkenazi Jews for Jewish holidays and Shabbat dinners, Brisket is the perfect dish for your Christmas Dinner. Not only is it delicious, tender, and flavorful, but it is easier to make ahead making it especially great for the busy Holiday Season.

But what truly elevates a Christmas brisket feast is the careful selection of delectable side dishes that complement and enhance its rich flavors while celebrating seasonal ingredients.

From comforting classics to inventive twists, these sides will not only delight your taste buds but also elevate your Christmas dinner to a whole new level.

From traditional accompaniments that pay homage to the flavors of the season to unexpected combinations that add a touch of creativity, we've curated a selection of side dishes that will perfectly complement your Christmas brisket.

Whether you're an experienced cook or a novice in the kitchen, you'll find recipes that you can prepare in advance without stress.

How To Use This List

To make this list more readable, I separated it into courses: Appetizers, Soups, Proteins, Grains & Legumes, Potatoes, Fruits & Fruit Salads, Vegetable Dishes, Salads, Breads, and Desserts
Smoked brisket vs. Slow Cooked
Best side dishes for brisket with a Christmas twist - options for red and green, seasonal flavors
Easy side dish with simple ingredients all the way up to show stoppers
Or just take inspiration and make your own
Each recipe is formatted as the title of the recipe, followed by a "|" symbol and then the blog or person who it is from.

What's the best Christmas Brisket Recipe?

You can prepare a Christmas Brisket like any other brisket - by smoking or braising it in the oven or crockpot for a long time.
If you're braising your Christmas brisket, I recommend adding some holiday flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberries, figs, and pomegranate juice/molasses, which has a fruity sour flavor.
I love this Braised Holiday Brisket with Dried Fruit from How We Live
This Cranberry Holiday Brisket with Fresh Herbs from Xoxo Bella is another great recipe for any special occasion

Appetizers/Starters

When it comes you Christmas feasts, the centerpiece will be that succulent brisket filling the air with irresistible aromas. While your brisket will take the spotlight, complement it with a selection of delectable appetizers that will prepare your taste buds for all those delicious Christmas flavors.

How to Build the Perfect Fall Charcuterie Board | The Storied Recipe

This Fall Charcuterie Board is inspired by the charcuterie and cheese board my podcast guest gathered around with family from all around the world on long, golden autumn afternoons.

Baked Brie with Balsamic Roasted Grapes and Rosemary | The Storied Recipe

A show-stopping riff on baked brie with jam/marmalade recipes - a baked brie covered in caramelized grapes, a rosemary balsamic reduction, and honey.

Deviled Eggs | Tastes Better From Scratch

The best Deviled Eggs recipe is a total classic, made with simple ingredients including pickle relish, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.

Sweet Stuffed Dates | Baltimore Jewish Living

Crispy Potato Skins | Baltimore Jewish Living

These crispy oven-baked potato skins are crispy, cheesy, & full of bacon. They are easy to prepare and are always a crowd favorite!

Keftes de Espinaca - Spinach Keftes | Tori Avey

How to make Middle Eastern keftes de espinaca - spinach potato patties. Easy, delicious fried vegetarian patties with spinach and mashed potatoes.

Stuffed Mushrooms |Two Peas & Their Pod

These delicious bite-sized Stuffed Mushrooms are the perfect appetizer for any party! This classic recipe is easy to make and always a hit.

Smoked Sausage Appetizer in BBQ Sauce | Celebrations at Home

This smoked sausage appetizer in easy bbq sauce can be made in a slow cooker or on the stove top. Serve these party bites for game day or casual parties.

Air Fryer Onion Rings | All Ways Delicious

These Air Fryer Onion Rings are crispy, crunchy, golden brown, and packed with the flavor you crave—without the fat and mess of deep frying.

Soups

Soup is the ultimate comfort food and the best way to make your holiday dinner cozy and warm. It's also a great idea to fill your guests with a hearty soup, so you can stretch that expensive brisket 😉

5 Ingredient Hungarian Dairy-Free Potato Soup | The Storied Recipe

Chunky, creamy super easy 5 ingredient potato soup without milk. Pair with Poppy Seed Bread Pudding for a traditional Hungarian No Meat Friday Meal.

Christmas Soup

This heirloom, vegetarian recipe for creamy tomato basil Christmas Soup is a family tradition. Make this slow cooker soup for your Christmas Eve dinner.

Christmas Tortellini & Spinach Soup

I made this soup for the first time in the summer, but when I saw its bright red and green colors, my first thought was what a perfect Christmas Eve dinner idea! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas

Egyptian Golden Potato Soup | The Nosher

Egyptian Jews comprise one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. There have been waves of Jewish immigration to ...

Potatoes

For me, potatoes are a mainstay of a brisket meal. Potato salad is the classic side dish to summer brisket, in my mind. Here I've added warm, make-ahead potato dishes. Simple roasted red potatoes with crispy skin are my favorite, but for Christmas, we all like to bring it to the next level with cheese and bacon bits.

Vegan Shuba: Layered Nori, Beet, Potato, Carrot Salad | The Storied Recipe

Vegan Shuba recipe is a gorgeous, elegant, delicate layered winter salad featuring flavors of seafood and cooked, shredded vegetables.

Garlic Potato Christmas Trees | With a Blast

Garlic Potato Christmas Trees are Festive looking and very Garlicky with a hint of Rosemary ~ perfect side dish for Christmas

Mashed Potatoes Without Milk | Yay Kosher

This kosher recipe for the Best Mashed Potatoes Without Milk is the perfect side dish for any main course.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole | She Wears Many Hats

This easy Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole combines shredded potatoes with cheddar cheese and a few other basic ingredients for one tasty side dish.

Hasselback Potatoes | Dinner at the Zoo

These hasselback potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes that are roasted to perfection, then topped with cheese, bacon, sour cream & onions.

Sweet Potato Casserole | Yellow Bliss Road

Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallows is a classic Thanksgiving side dish made with real sweet potatoes, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Stovetop Tzimmes | Tori Avey

Traditional Jewish tzimmes with yams, sweet potatoes and more. Perfect for Rosh Hashanah, Passover, or any festive occasion. Kosher, Meat or Parve.

Potato Latkes with Roasted Spiced Applesauce | Boulder Locavore

Latkes, fried potato and onion cakes, are a highlight of the winter season especially topped with homemade chunky roasted Applesauce and Sour Cream.

Grains & Legumes

While the star of the Christmas feast is often a perfectly cooked brisket, it's the accompanying side dishes that truly complete the meal. From rich and flavorful grains to hearty legumes, these festive sides made from grains and legumes bring a global touch to your Christmas table. These side dishes made from grains and legumes not only add depth and variety to your Christmas brisket feast but also celebrate the culinary traditions from around the world.

Sephardic Jeweled Rosh Hashanah Rice | May I Have That Recipe

Perfect Rosh Hashanah side dish - The rice is infused with fragrant spices, sweetened with dried apricots, figs and cherries with a nice crunch from pomegranates and pistachios

Pearl Couscous Chickpea Salad Recipe | Little Spice Jar

A pearl couscous chickpea salad loaded with herbs and feta cheese. Warm couscous and chickpeas tossed in vinaigrette topped with tomatoes.

Arroz Rojo: How to Make Authentic Mexican Red Rice | The Storied Recipe

Every grain of rice is encased in flavor and spice.

Brazilian Christmas Rice | Brazilian Kitchen Abroad

This Brazilian Christmas rice recipe is a festive side dish to have at your holiday table and pairs well with anything from turkey to meat roasts.

Puerto Rican Rice and Beans | Ambitious Kitchen

Mom's authentic Puerto Rican Rice and Beans with savory homemade sofrito and sazon! You'll love this flavorful, comforting homemade meal.

Fruits and Fruit Salads

But no festive feast is complete without a refreshing fruit salad to balance out the flavors and add a burst of vibrant colors to the table. From simple and straightforward to delightfully nostalgic, these fruit salad recipes are the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas brisket. These fruit salad recipes bring a delightful freshness to your Christmas feast, offering a delightful contrast to the richness of the brisket and ensuring a memorable and well-balanced holiday meal.

Ambrosia Fruit Salad | The Jewish Kitchen

A retro-dessert that’s just divine! Marshmallows, fruit, coconut and cherries combine in creamy dessert that’s truly addicting. The Backstory: For as long as I can remember, I grew up thinking that Ambrosia Fruit Salad was a Jewish food […]

Cinnamon Applesauce | The Jewish Kitchen

Take 20 minutes–that’s all it takes–to whip up a jar of homemade cinnamon applesauce or blueberry applesauce. Pour it into a decorative jar, tie a ribbon on and attach the recipe

Christmas Fruit Salad Recipe

This easy Christmas fruit salad recipe is loaded with red and green fruit making it the perfect light addition to your holiday table!

Creamy Frozen Cranberry Salad Bites with Pineapple | The Storied Recipe

Sweet, creamy, refreshing, frozen alternative to traditional cranberry sauce with pineapple for your holiday table.

Ensalada Navideña (Christmas Fruit Salad) | Muy Delish

The best Ensalada Navideña and it's so easy peasy! This Mexican fruit salad is not overly sweet & it’s traditionally made with 3 milks.

Israeli Fruit Salad | Kosher.com

Vegetables

As the brisket takes center stage, these accompanying vegetable recipes elevate the meal to new heights, adding vibrant colors, enticing textures, and unique flavors to the table. With these vegetable recipes, the Christmas brisket feast becomes a complete and wholesome culinary experience that celebrates the vibrant and diverse world of vegetables.

The Easiest (and Creamiest) Corn Pudding | Insanely Good Recipes

This creamy corn pudding is classic comfort food just like grandma used to make.

Roasted Rainbow Carrots | Spend with Pennies

These Roasted Rainbow Carrots are the perfect side dish. Carrots are tossed in brown sugar & olive oil, then baked until tender!

Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts | Healthy Recipes Blog

These roasted Brussels sprouts are coated in butter and honey and then baked in the oven until beautifully caramelized.

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower | A Virtual Vegan

Super delicious Spicy Roasted Cauliflower! It's soft, sweet, smoky, juicy and caramelized and charred in all the right places. Make it the star of the show or serve as a side or appetizer.

Creamed Spinach | Once Upon a Chef

Creamed spinach is a classic steakhouse side dish of bright green spinach in a rich, cheesy cream sauce.

Fennel & Apple Slaw | Lost In Food

Fennel and apple slaw marries the aniseed flavour of fennel with the sharpness of green apple, bound together in a lemony dressing.

Broccoli Casserole | Tastes Better From Scratch

This easy Broccoli Casserole recipe uses fresh broccoli florets (or frozen) tossed in a creamy sauce, with cheese crackers baked on top.

Grilled Green Onions | Cooking on the Weekends

Grilled Green Onions brighten a plate as the perfect side dish. It's so easy to add a handful to the grill while the main course is cooking.

Braised Fennel with Crispy Charred Leeks | The Maker Makes

Silky smooth braised fennel and an irresistibly crispy-crunchy roasted leeks, onions and garlic chip topping, drizzled with a chile-fennel oil

Salads

No Christmas feast is complete without a vibrant and refreshing salad to accompany the savory indulgence of brisket. These salad recipes not only add a burst of color to the table but also provide a delightful balance to the richness of the main dish. These salad recipes not only add vibrancy and freshness to your Christmas table but also provide a healthy and palate-cleansing element to the hearty brisket feast, ensuring a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience.

Pomegranate Squash Kale Salad with Kombucha Dressing and Apple Croutons | Kosher Everyday

Pomegranate Squash Kale Salad with Kombucha Dressing and Apple Croutons screams Rosh Hashanah, is visually stunning & a healthy salad for filling Holiday meals. 🥗🍎🍏

Christmas Salad | Smalltown Woman

This delectable Christmas Salad brings spring greens together with sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges and pomegranate arils all drizzled with a tangy Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette.

Christmas Salad | Simply Stacie

Christmas Salad is a fresh, bright salad is made with broccoli, cauliflower, red onion and cherry tomatoes mixed with a creamy dressing.

Picnic Coleslaw | Wyse Guide

Whether attending a picnic or barbecue, this vinegar-based coleslaw side dish is a must-make! The dressing is a summer staple and when paired with coleslaw, it makes for the perfect crunch!

Three Bean Salad | Well Plated

Three bean salad with a fresh Tex-Mex spin! Wild rice, jalapeno, and a zippy honey-lime dressing give it bright flavor. Perfect for a crowd!

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad | Love and Lemons

A deliciously easy brussels sprout salad. This winter salad is great to make ahead for holiday gatherings or easy weekday lunches. Vegetarian. Gluten Free.

Pomegranate Salad & Holiday Salad Marathon Recipe Tin Eats

Festive Pomegranate Salad with fresh pomegranates and a pomegranate dressing! Spinach, kale, honey wanuts & blue cheese. Great Christmas salad!

Brazilian Vinaigrette Salsa | I Heart Brazil

Make a large bowl of this Brazilian vinaigrette salsa and enjoy it with grilled meats or on toasted garlic bread. Your authentic Brazilian salsa recipe!

Breads

No holiday feast is complete without a warm and comforting selection of bread and rolls to accompany the centerpiece Christmas brisket. These bread and roll recipes will add a delightful touch to your festive table, filling the air with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods. With these bread and roll recipes, your Christmas feast will be complete, offering a delightful range of options to satisfy every palate and create a memorable dining experience.

Bakery-Style Challah Bread | One Sarcastic Baker

Traditional bakery style Challah bread.Soft, sweet fluffy and crumbly. Perfect for French toast, Sandwiches are just as is.

Giant Popovers | The Jewish Kitchen

Giant popovers deliver a true wow factor to a holiday table. They're huge golden rolls that are flaky, light and with a perfect touch of chewiness.

Mini Bread Rolls (Soft, Adorable Dinner Rolls) | The Storied Recipe

Soft mini bread rolls are enriched with potatoes for a hearty flavor, creamy texture, and subtle sweetness. The most adorable mini dinner rolls!!

Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction

You only need 7 ingredients to make this basic dinner roll recipe! Flaky, soft, and buttery, these fresh dinner rolls outshine any main dish.

Crusty Chewy Czech Chleba Bread | The Storied Recipe

Crusty, chewy, sturdy, and studded with caraway seeds, this Czech Chleba bread is absolutely perfect for charcuterie boards.

Buttermilk Cornbread | Cafe Delites

Easy Buttermilk Cornbread with a hint of honey is the perfect side to chilli's, soups or stews! Crunchy edges with a soft and fluffy centre!

Rosemary Parmesan Biscuits | The Cafe Sucre Farines

These Ridiculously Easy Rosemary Parmesan Biscuits are fabulous for breakfast, lunch, dinner anytime! They're also ridiculously delicious!

Desserts

After savoring the succulent flavors of Christmas brisket, it's time to indulge in the sweet finale of the festive feast with these delightful dessert recipes. These treats will satisfy your cravings and add a touch of sweetness and global sophistication to your holiday celebration. With these dessert recipes, your Christmas brisket feast will culminate in a delectable symphony of classic Christmas flavors, leaving your guests with a lasting impression and a satisfied sweet tooth.

Best Hamantaschen: How to Make Perfect Purim Cookies | The Storied Recipe

A classic, perfect dairy-free Hamantaschen dough. Traditional Prune and Apricot fillings are elevated with fresh ingredients.

Christmas Truffles: Chocolate Mint Balls from Norway | The Storied Recipe

Norwegian recipe for minty truffles covered in chocolate and snowy coconut. The perfect bite of yummy goodness for your Christmas boxes.

Chocolate Brownie Cake (Without Cocoa Powder) | The Storied Recipe

A luxurious chocolate brownie cake made with rich melted butter and chocolate rather than traditional cocoa powder.

The Best No Chill & No Spread Cut Out Sugar Cookies | The Storied Recipe

Delicious, easy no spread sugar cookies keep their shape every time. Perfect to decorate with sanding sugar, sprinkles, or chocolate for any holiday!

South African Peppermint Crisp Tart (with Substitution Ideas) | The Storied Recipe

Peppermint Crisp Tart (or pudding) is a dessert made from South African pantry ingredients. [...] It is made from layers of tennis biscuits (sweet coconut cookies), lightly whipped cream, caramelized condensed milk, and chopped up peppermint crisp chocolate

Old Fashioned Butter Toffee (AKA English Toffee) | The Storied Recipe

This melt-in-your-mouth classic English Butter Toffee recipe is rich, smooth, buttery, and snappy. This post contains ALL the tips for novice (and experienced) toffee-makers!

Classic British Golden Syrup Steamed Sponge Pudding | The Storied Recipe

As this classic British pudding slowly steams, the light sponge absorbs the sweet, rich unmistakeable flavor of Lyle's golden syrup.

Christmas Cranberry Pudding with Butter Sauce | A Couple Cooks

This cranberry pudding is a moist molasses cake covered in a rich butter sauce. It's everything a traditional Christmas pudding should be!

Gingerbread Cake | Tastes Better From Scratch

This moist Gingerbread Cake recipe is topped with homemade vanilla cream sauce, bananas, and whipped cream. It's the best holiday cake!

Carrot Cake | Mom on Timeout

The BEST Carrot Cake you'll ever try! My Nana's easy recipe receives rave reviews for it's unbelievable moistness and flavor! A family favorite!

(Crowdsourced by 7 Grandmothers!)

If you're intrigued by traditions surrounding Jewish brisket, tune into this episode of The Storied Recipe Podcast.

Or, dive deeper into the world of authentic Jewish brisket with this detailed Jewish brisket recipe. Recipe + ALL the tips!

When Marissa Wojcik and her Jewish Sorority sisters compared their grandmothers’ “secret recipes” they learned how similar they all were! – and how easy it is to make a brisket. Just leave plenty of time!

Classic Jewish Brisket Recipe

Bonus: Leftover Brisket Recipes from Around the World

When the joyous festivities of Christmas have come to an end, and the lingering aroma of the cooked brisket still fills the kitchen, it's time to embark on another culinary adventure—transforming those delightful leftover brisket slices into an array of mouthwatering dishes. Don't let a single ounce of that flavorful meat go to waste! Whether you're craving a comforting breakfast, a cheesy delight, or a zesty Mexican-inspired creation, the possibilities are endless. Let your creativity flow and embark on a culinary journey that brings new life to your cherished Christmas brisket leftovers.

Delight in the Latin American flavors of brisket-stuffed empanadas or savor the succulence of brisket sandwiches. Dive into the rich Venezuelan dish of Pabellón Criollo, where tender brisket is paired with black beans, and rice, alongside plantains. Or, turn your leftover brisket into a tantalizing topping for a Golden Brown Venezuelan Arepa
If you're craving a Russian-inspired delicacy, transform your leftover brisket into a savory Russian Beef Stroganoff.
Wake up to a hearty breakfast hash packed with savory brisket, potatoes, and eggs, or savor the fusion of flavors in brisket quesadillas.
At lunchtime, elevate the classic grilled cheese with slices of tender brisket nestled between melted cheese and toasted bread.
For a cozy dinner, reimagine Cottage Pie with a scrumptious layer of brisket instead of traditional minced meat, or craft mouthwatering tacos, chili, and nachos bursting with tender brisket. Otherwise, warm your soul with a comforting brisket-infused soup or indulge in the decadence of brisket enchiladas.

Christmas Traditions Around the World Series

This is a Christmas podcast series that is told by my guests on The Storied Recipe podcast. Listen to their lighthearted, nostalgic interviews about their warmest Christmas memories make sure you try their favorite Christmas Desserts Around the World!

Christmas Traditions Around the World (Podcast Interviews)