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.
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
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.
Deviled Eggs
Cooks in 25 minutesThis ClassicDeviled Eggs recipe is always a winner, made with simple ingredients including pickle relish, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins
Cooks in 75 minutesPotato skins are brushed with garlic butter, filled with cheese and bacon, and baked until perfectly golden.
Keftes de Espinaca - Spinach Keftes
Cooks in 30 minutesHow to make Middle Eastern keftes de espinaca - spinach keftes. Delicious vegetarian fried patties with spinach, mashed potatoes, egg, and breadcrumbs.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Cooks in 40 minutesThese delicious bite-sized Stuffed Mushrooms are the perfect appetizer for any party! This classic recipe is easy to make and always a crowd pleaser.
How to Build the Perfect Fall Charcuterie Board
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 Roasted Grapes
Cooks in 55 minutesA soft, warm brie is complemented by the sweet and earthy flavors of roasted grapes, and a balsamic vinegar reduction with rosemary. A showstopper appetizer!
BBQ Smoked Sausage Appetizer Recipe
Make these smoked sausage medallions in barbecue sauce for game day parties and casual entertaining. They're easy, they're saucy, and they're delicious!
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Cooks in 30 minutesThese air fryer onion rings are golden brown, crunchy, crispy, and perfectly seasoned. They're the perfect snack for game day or side for burger night.
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 😉
Christmas Tortellini & Spinach Soup
Cooks in 25 minutesI 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
Easy 5 Ingredient Hungarian Dairy-Free Potato Soup
Cooks in 45 minutesChunky, creamy super easy 5 ingredient potato soup without milk. Pair with Poppy Seed Bread Pudding for a traditional Hungarian No Meat Friday Meal.
Egyptian Golden Potato Soup
Cooks in 1 hourA comforting Shabbat soup from the Egyptian Jewish community.
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.
Garlic Potato Christmas Trees
Cooks in 50 minutesGarlic Potato Christmas Trees are Festive looking and very Garlicky with a hint of Rosemary ~ perfect side dish for Christmas
Vegan Shuba: Layered Nori, Beet, Potato, Carrot Salad
Cooks in 210 minutesVegan Shuba recipe is a gorgeous, elegant, delicate layered winter salad featuring flavors of seafood and cooked, shredded vegetables.
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
Cooks in 55 minutesMade with shredded potatoes and cheese this easy casserole is a delicious savory side dish for any meal.
Hasselback Potatoes
Cooks in 75 minutesThese hasselback potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes that are roasted to golden brown perfection, then topped with cheese, bacon, sour cream and green onions. An easy yet impressive side dish that pairs perfectly with chicken and beef!
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Cooks in 55 minutesMy Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallows recipe is a classic Thanksgiving side dish with fresh sweet potatoes, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Stovetop Tzimmes
Cooks in 70 minutesMake traditional Jewish tzimmes for Rosh Hashanah, Passover, or any festive occasion. Yams, sweet potatoes, prunes and dried cranberries. Kosher, Meat or Parve.
Potato Latkes with Roasted Spiced Applesauce and Sour Cream
Cooks in 35 minutesPotato Latkes are fabulous any time of the year. Freshly grates potato lightly fried and topped with homemade spiced applesauce and sour cream are a mouthwatering dish.
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.
Arroz Rojo: Authentic Mexican Rice Recipe
Cooks in 50 minutesPerfect, authentic, traditional Mexican rice where every grain of rice is encased in flavor and spice.
Brazilian Christmas Rice - Champagne Rice with Raisins and Cashews
Cooks in 25 minutesThisBrazilian Christmas ricerecipe is such a festive side dish to have at your holiday table, or an elegant meal. It's made with champagne, onions, cashews and raisins. This christmas rice is super easy to make, and pairs well with just about anything from turkey to meat roasts.
Mom's Authentic Puerto Rican Rice and Beans
Cooks in 480 minutesMom's authentic Puerto Rican rice and beans with savory homemade sofrito and sazon! You'll love this incredibly flavorful, comforting homemade meal that will fill your home with unbelievably delicious smells. The perfect recipe to serve a crowd or just savor leftovers for a few days!
Sephardic Rosh Hashanah Jeweled Rice
Cooks in 50 minutesPerfect Rosh Hashanah Jeweled rice 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 with Feta and Fresh Herbs
A delicious Israeli couscous chickpea salad loaded with fresh herbs and feta cheese. It’s the perfect salad to serve along with grilled chicken, seared salmon, or even shrimp. And it’s loaded with so much goodness, you could even serve it on its own!
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.
Christmas Fruit Salad
Cooks in 10 minutesThis easy Christmas fruit salad recipe is loaded with red and green fruit making it theperfect light and healthy addition to your holiday table! With a super simple dressing, it comes together quickly and is sure to be a hit!
Creamy Frozen Cranberry Salad Bites
Sweet, creamy, refreshing, frozen alternative to traditional cranberry sauce with pineapple.
Cinnamon Applesauce
Cooks in 20 minutesThe sweet and crisp flavors mixed apples and the spicy tang of cinnamon combine to make a simple, delicious and foolproof applesauce. Perfect for latkes, on its own and as gift.
Ambrosia Fruit Salad
Cooks in 11 minutesTart pineapple and mandarin oranges combine with sweet bananas, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut and whipped topping to form a light and creamy salad that's perfect for feeding a crowd.
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.
Creamy Corn Pudding Recipe
Cooks in 1 hour 10 minutesDitch that box of Jiffy corn muffin mix and make your very own creamy corn pudding recipe! With 10 minutes of prep and 3 simple steps, this delectable homemade corn pudding is as easy as can be.
Roasted Rainbow Carrots
Cooks in 30 minutesBright & colorful roasted Rainbow Carrots are a delicious addition to any dinner plate!
Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Cooks in 40 minutesThese roasted Brussels sprouts are baked in a hot oven into caramelized perfection.
Spicy Roasted Cauliflower
Cooks in 55 minutesSuper 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
Made with frozen spinach and heavy cream, this classic creamed spinach can be made ahead and reheated in the microwave.
Super Simple Fennel, Leek, and Apple Slaw Recipe
Cooks in 20 minutesThis light, fresh, and crunchy salad makes the perfect side dish for heavy BBQ dishes or fancy dinners.
Broccoli Casserole
Cooks in 50 minutesThis delicious and easy Broccoli Casserole recipe uses fresh broccoli florets (or frozen) tossed in a creamy sauce, with cheese crackers baked on top.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash
Cooks in 40 minutesEasy Maple Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash. Cubes of butternut squash tossed with maple syrup, cinnamon, and rosemary, roasted to caramelized perfection.
Grilled Green Onions Recipe
Cooks in 9 minutesGrilled Green Onions, also called Scallions, are incredibly delicious and the perfect side dish. It's so easy to throw a handful of green onions on the grill, next to the main course. They only take a couple of minutes to cook, and they'll brighten up any plate.
Braised Fennel with Crispy Charred Leeks and Chile-Fennel Oil
Cooks in 45 minutesSilky smooth braised fennel and an irresistibly crispy-crunchy roasted leeks, onions and garlic chip topping, drizzled with a chile-fennel oil and served over a creamy hummus.
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.
The Perfect Picnic Coleslaw
Cooks in 20 minutesWhether 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
Cooks in 20 minutesThree bean salad with a fresh Tex-Mex spin! Wild rice, jalapeo, and a zippy honey-lime dressing give it bright flavor. Perfect for a crowd!
Christmas Salad
Cooks in 70 minutesContains all the colors of Christmas! This fresh, bright salad is made with broccoli, cauliflower, red onion and cherry tomatoes mixed with a creamy dressing.
Christmas Salad Recipe
A super easy Christmas Salad that is as fun and festive as it is delicious. Drizzle with a delectable Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Cooks in 15 minutesAn easy and delicious shaved Brussels sprout salad made with just 7 ingredients! The perfect salad to make ahead for holiday gatherings or pack for lunch.
Pomegranate Salad - with Spinach, Kale, Honey Walnuts & Pomegranate Dressing
Recipe video above. Fabulously festive to look at, and scrumptious to eat! Crunchy Honey Walnuts add texture, while creamy blue cheese brings tangy umami to this party. And as for raw kale haters? Don't despair! This kale is MARINATED to tenderise and temper the kale flavour.As for the pomegranates - use pre-seeded if you must, but there's something so satisfying about smacking them out yourself! .... Oh, and it's juicier and fresher too! ;)BONUS: Keeps pretty well even once dressed. SERVES: 3 as a filling lunch, 8-10 as a side salad.
Rosh Hashanah Apple & Pomegranate Salad
Cooks in 35 minutesThis salad is a great starter to any Rosh Hashanah celebration - or a great filling fall salad for your lunch or dinner. Packed with apples, farro, and kale and topped with walnuts and a pomegranate dressing, this recipe is quick to prepare and delicious.
Brazilian Vinaigrette Salsa Recipe
Cooks in 10 minutesMake a large bowl of this Brazilian vinaigrette salsa and enjoy it with grilled meats or on toasted garlic bread. You’ll thank me later!
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.
Mini Bread Rolls (With Yeast and Potatoes)
Cooks in 190 minutesSoft 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
Cooks in 3 hours 45 minutesYou only need 7 ingredients to make these dinner rolls. Flaky, soft, and buttery, these fresh dinner rolls outshine any main dish. See recipe notes for freezing and overnight instructions. You can also reference my Baking with Yeast Guide for answers to common yeast FAQs.
Crusty, Chewy Czech Chleba Bread
Cooks in 180 minutesA traditional Czech bread seasoned with caraway seeds and potatoes. The brilliance of this bread its its crunchy, crispy crust and chewy interior which is perfect for the meats, cheeses, jams, and spreads on any charcuterie board.
Easy Buttermilk Cornbread
Cooks in 30 minutesEasy Buttermilk Cornbreadwith ahint of honeyis theperfect side to chilis, soups or stews! Crunchy buttery edges with a soft and fluffy centre!
Ridiculously Easy Rosemary Parmesan Biscuits
Cooks in 25 minutesThese Ridiculously Easy Rosemary Parmesan Biscuits can be thrown together with minimal effort and can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner! They're also ridiculously delicious!
Bakery Style Challah
Sweet light and fluffy traditional Challah Bread.
Giant Popovers
Cooks in 80 minutesEnormous, golden, light and flaky, and I could go on...these can't even be put in the same category as dinner rolls. Think of popovers as giant baked gifts perfect for scooping up gravy, mashed potatoes, soup, or a perfect pat of butter. They're easy to make and are an absolute show-stopper when served in a heaping basket.
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 Recipe: Dairy-free Dough and Traditional Fillings
Cooks in 195 minutesA classic dairy-free Hamantaschen dough. Traditional Prune and Apricot fillings are elevated with fresh ingredients for the best Purim cookies ever!!
Easy Christmas Truffles: Chocolate Mint Balls from Norway
Cooks in 100 minutesSmall peppermint chocolate truffles from Norway with a solid chocolate exterior and creamy, minty interior. Tastes just like an Andes mint. Super EASY to make, perfect Christmas project for kids!!!
Chocolate Brownie Cake (without Cocoa Powder)
Cooks in 50 minutesA rich and luxurious chocolate brownie cake made with melted butter and chocolate rather thantraditional cocoa powder.
Peppermint Crisp Tart
Cooks in 740 minutesPeppermint Crisp Tart (or pudding) is a dessert made from South African pantry ingredients. It can be made in advance and frozen, then defrosted into creamy deliciousness. This recipe includes US or UK substitutions for tennis biscuits, Orley whip, caramel treat, and peppermint crisp tart.
Best Old Fashioned Butter Toffee Recipe (AKA English Toffee)
Cooks in 105 minutesThis melt-in-your-mouth classic English Butter Toffee is rich, smooth, buttery, and snappy. This post contains ALL the tips for novice (and experienced) toffee-makers!
Christmas Cranberry Pudding with Butter Sauce
Cooks in 3 hoursThis cranberry pudding is a moist molasses cake covered in a rich butter sauce. It's everything a traditional Christmas pudding should be!
Gingerbread Cake
Cooks in 55 minutesEveryone loves this Gingerbread Cake recipe topped with vanilla cream sauce, bananas, and whipped cream, and it's just perfect for the holidays.
Classic British Golden Syrup Steamed Sponge Pudding Recipe
Cooks in 105 minutesAs this classic pudding slowly steams, the light sponge absorbs the sweet, rich unmistakeable flavor of Lyle's golden syrup.
To Die For Carrot Cake
Cooks in 35 minutesThis To Die For Carrot Cake receives rave reviews for it's unbelievable moistness and flavor! Truly the BEST CARROT CAKE you'll ever try! So easy to make and as an added bonus, there's no oil or butter! I know this cake will quickly become a family favorite!
Best Beef Brisket Recipe for the Slow Cooker or Oven
(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!
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!
More Christmas Around The World Recipes
- Indonesian Butter Cookies with Pandan, Cheese, and Coconut
- Traditional Mincemeat Tarts 3 Ways (British Christmas Pies)
- How to Make Povitica Bread with Walnut Cinnamon Swirl
- Best Vegan Frosted Cookies (Vegan Christmas Cookies)
- Zabaglione (Zabaione): Easy Italian Custard With Eggs
- Best Old Fashioned Butter Toffee (AKA English Toffee)
- South African Peppermint Crisp Tart (with Substitution Ideas)
- Easy Christmas Truffles: Chocolate Mint Balls from Norway
Would love to hear from you!