Make-ahead Easter sides
Planning an Easter lunch with family and friends? Take the stress out of spring entertaining with our make-ahead Easter sides.
When you’ve got a three-course feast to juggle, it makes sense to prep some dishes in advance and store them in the fridge or freezer until you need to reheat, finish and serve. These versatile side dish recipes work well with lamb, beef, pork, chicken, fish or veggie mains.
There’s all the timeless Sunday lunch sides you’d expect, like golden Yorkshire puddings, creamy gratins, prep-ahead gravy and roast potatoes. Plus, make-ahead Easter sides that celebrate early spring produce. Think a creamy chicory gratin, new-season purple-sprouting broccoli dishes and tender sherry-braised fennel.
Showing 1-16 of 29 recipes
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Gratin recipes
Baked chicory with ham
Chicory wrapped in ham and baked under a cosy blanket of cream, gruyère and parmesan makes a great side for roasts or a veg-led dinner.
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Leek recipes
Creamy baked leeks
In this cosy side dish recipe, leeks are cooked slowly in cream and cheese until soft and golden. A delicious accompaniment to any roast.
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Healthy salad recipes
Orange, fennel and pea shoot salad with walnuts
This zesty orange, fennel and pea shoot salad makes a great spring side dish. Add grilled prawns or halloumi to transform it into a main.
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Make-ahead Easter recipes
Mashed potatoes with greens and bacon
For mash with a difference, try our silky mashed potatoes with bacon and greens. Serve alongside beef, lamb or chicken for Easter lunch.
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Carrot recipes
Roast carrots with sesame seeds, feta and yogurt
For an easy side recipe with big impact, try roast carrots with sesame, feta and yogurt. This colourful dish can be made up to 2 days ahead.
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Roast potato recipes
Garlic roast potatoes with bay leaves
Looking for a roast potatoes recipe that won't let you down? Our garlic and bay roast potatoes are crisp and golden with soft fluffy insides.
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Gratin recipes
Celeriac and tahini potato gratin
Marcus Wareing's delicious twist on dauphinois includes celeriac and tahini. Serve the creamy gratin with a crisp salad, or with roast beef.
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Savoury bread recipes
Jamie Oliver’s garlic bread
Jamie Oliver's scrumptious garlic bread recipe is just made to tear-and-share with friends and family. Bake one tray, freeze the other.
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Wild garlic recipes
Wild garlic butter
Now you've foraged for it, are you wondering what to do with your wild garlic? Here's a handy, freezable recipe for wild garlic butter.
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Roast potato recipes
Roast potatoes with polenta, balsamic and thyme
You can make these crispy roast potatoes ahead so that, when the meat has cooked, you can pop the potatoes in the oven while the meat rests.
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Vegan Christmas recipes
Roast carrots and parsnips with hazelnut dukkah
These Middle Eastern inspired roasted root vegetables combine dukkah, hazelnuts and maple syrup for crunch, sweetness and depth of flavour.
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Asparagus recipes
Asparagus and quinoa salad with peas and broad beans
Spring produce such as asparagus, peas, broad beans and lovage are the star players in this crunchy and sweet vegan salad recipe.
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Gravy recipes
Parsnip and porcini gravy
Searching for a vegan gravy? Chef Maria Elia's parsnip and porcini gravy pairs perfectly with vegan wellington, but works with any roast.
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Gratin recipes
Fennel, taleggio, potato, parmesan and thyme gratin
You're never going to stray far wrong with a fennel gratin. This one's made with punchy taleggio, parmesan and thyme so it's a real treat.
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Sweet potato recipes
Roast sweet potato, beetroot and red onion salad with miso dressing
We've used miso dressing in this roast sweet potato, beetroot and red onion salad for an umami kick. It makes a great vegetarian lunch.
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Vegetarian starter recipes
Roast purple sprouting broccoli with smashed white beans
Gill Meller's roast purple sprouting broccoli recipe makes a wonderful sharing starter. Alternatively, serve it as a side with the Sunday roast.
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