Whether you’re vegetarian or you’re just trying to cut down on your meat intake a little, a nut roast can make a tasty and satisfying alternative to the popular British roast dinner.
Typically made with a selection of nuts, grains, veggies, cheese, and fresh or dried herbs, it’s usually formed into a loaf and baked in the oven before being cut into slices.
To make it into a meal though, you really need to select a handful of side dishes and accompaniments to complement the flavours and ensure that everyone leaves the table with a full tummy.
Some of the best side dishes for nut roast include Marmite roast potatoes, mixed vegetables, vegan peppercorn sauce, butternut squash pilaf, garlic and chive mashed potatoes, and sage and onion Yorkshire puddings.
I’m going to walk you through some more ideas, and suggest the best recipes for you to try at home…
You surely can’t have a roast dinner without a generous serving of roast potatoes!
Marmite roasties are deeply savoury, fluffy and crispy, and they’re also suitable for vegans, making them a good choice if you’re catering for friends or family who like to avoid animal products of all kinds.
Of course, Marmite is famously something that you’ll either love or you’ll hate. If you’re uncertain about whether you’ll enjoy the taste, you can use just a tiny bit of the yeast extract. This way you’ll get the delicious golden colour and the hints of umami, but you won’t find it too overwhelming.
Mixed veggies are an obvious choice for what to serve with nut roast, as they’ll help you to create that traditional Sunday roast that so many of us know and love.
Roasting your vegetables will help to keep them crunchy, and it’s also a stress free and easy option. Just add your favourites to a roasting pan, toss with oil, season, and bake in the oven.
My favourite approach is to use whatever’s in season, whatever I already have in my pantry, or whatever happens to be on offer when I visit the greengrocer.
Carrots, beetroot, parsnips, and turnip all work well.
Remember too that you can add any flavours or seasoning that you like. Think lemon wedges, honey, garlic cloves, and fresh or dried herbs.
Mixed vegetables don’t have to be boring, and with a little imagination, you can have a tempting side dish for nut roast without any fuss.
Nut roast has a reputation for being a little bit dry, and though that isn’t necessarily true, it’s certainly most delicious when it’s enjoyed with a creamy sauce.
Traditional gravies might be off the menu if you’re cooking for vegetarians, but this vegan peppercorn sauce makes a great alternative. It’s made with coconut cream, brandy, and lots of ground black pepper for a really decadent sauce.
It’s really versatile too, so you’re sure to want to make it again. It’s a delight with tofu steaks, mushroom steaks, and Quorn escalopes, to name just a few suggestions for enjoying this sauce.
These cider-braised cabbage wedges just scream Christmas, though they’re ideal for what to serve with nut roast at any time of the year.
The combination of apple cider and a bouquet of herbs and spices including cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs makes this side dish beautifully fragrant.
They can be made up to three days ahead and then heated up in a pan or the microwave, so they’re a sensible choice if you want to get ahead with your preparation and have a stress free dinner with your loved ones.
Love a dish that you can just shove in the oven? If so, you need to try this slow roasted spiced cauliflower with romesco sauce.
It’s full of bold and punchy flavours, and even dedicated meat eaters will agree that it’s a tough side dish to beat.
Choose this as a side dish for nut roast when it’s a special occasion, or you really want to impress.
Spruce up your nut roast with butternut squash pilaf. It’s made with tagine spices, fruits, nuts, and crispy onions for a quick dish that packs a hefty punch.
It’s easy to prepare, and it’s great for those evenings when you want to create something a little out of the ordinary and you don’t fancy a traditional British dinner kind of meal with your nut roast.
Have you ever tried adding broccoli to your cauliflower cheese? It adds an extra portion of veggie goodness, brings such vibrant colour to your plate, and most importantly. it tastes heavenly.
This cauliflower and broccoli cheese recipe comes highly recommended, and roasting the veggies instead of boiling gives them the most wonderful texture. It also ensures that the addition of cheese doesn’t turn your side into a bowl of soggy mess!
The mixture of cheddar and gruyere is an inspired choice, and it results in a slightly nutty finish. Divine!
Mashed potatoes are my ultimate favourite potato side dish, and they get a modern makeover in this garlic and chive mash recipe.
Soured cream and garlic come together to create an extra depth, and it’s super simple to prepare. You’ll be pleased to hear that it’s another one that can be prepared in advance, if that works best for you.
Tons of sauces require cream or animal stocks, making them unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans alike.
This vegan red wine gravy is the exception, and it’s delicious too.
You’ll take just a handful of ingredients including vegan wine, mustard, onions, and cornflour, and you’ll have a gorgeous gravy for your nut roast in about 20 minutes.
Yeast extract is an optional ingredient, but I’d highly recommend that you include it if you can. I use Marmite, and it gives a delightful richness and depth of flavour.
These sprouts with cranberries and kale are gluten free, dairy free, and vegan friendly. It’s a side dish that’s a wonderful celebration of winter flavours, and it’ll take you just 15 minutes of hands-on time.
The fruitiness of the berries really lifts the dish and adds a bright element of taste, as well as little splashes of gorgeous colour.
Who says that Yorkshire puddings are only for roast beef?
These sage and onion Yorkies add red onion and fresh sage to a typical pudding mix, and they’re a delicious side dish for nut roast, particularly at Christmas or for a special occasion when you want to impress.
They’re also a great choice for when you’re also serving meat eaters, and you don’t want to have to prepare too many different accompaniments.
I absolutely adore a winter slaw! It’s a tasty way to add lots of fresh veggies to a meal and it can be a refreshing change from hot side dishes.
I like to make this winter cabbage and fennel slaw with pomegranate for casual buffets, and it’s always a big hit on boxing day.
It’s also dairy free, egg free, and vegan friendly, making it perfect for what to serve with nut roast.
A wholesome nut roast deserves some delicious side dishes! Here are some of the best for you to try:
Which will you be making for your next veggie dinner?
