Christmas is all about coming together with loved ones, celebrating the joys of the season, and savouring delicious food.
One of the highlights of Christmas is the incredible array of mouthwatering meats, from succulent turkey to flavourful ham.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the art of pairing the perfect sides with your favourite meats, elevating your Christmas feast to a new level.
The perfect sidekicks for your Christmas meat
Roast turkey: the festive star
Think Christmas, and most of us will picture a beautifully roasted turkey as the centrepiece of our festive table.
Crispy golden-brown skin, the aroma of herbs and spices, and the promise of tender, juicy meat make it a classic choice no matter where you’re celebrating.
To enhance this classic dish, consider pairing your roast turkey with a rich cranberry sauce. The sweet-tartness of cranberries complements the savoury notes of the turkey, creating a gorgeous combination of flavours.
In addition to cranberry sauce, don’t forget the sides!
Roast pumpkin, sprinkled with thyme and roasted to caramelised perfection, adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savoury turkey.
Leg of ham: the festive showstopper
The leg of ham is another Christmas meat favourite, often found in many households during the festive season.
The salty-sweet profile of ham makes it a versatile choice for pairing. A traditional glaze to elevate your Christmas ham is a delectable combination of brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and a hint of cloves.
This sweet and slightly spicy glaze caramelises beautifully as it bakes, giving your ham a gorgeous, glossy finish and a perfect balance of flavours.
Alongside your Christmas ham, serve a fresh garden salad. Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a zesty dressing provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the ham.
Add some crispy roast potatoes to the mix, seasoned with rosemary and garlic, and you’ve got a beautiful combination of textures and flavours.
Lamb roast: a true tradition
A succulent lamb roast is a Christmas classic with a distinctly Australian twist!
To enhance the flavour of the lamb, consider serving it with a dollop of mint jelly. The cool, refreshing mint complements the rich, savoury taste of the lamb, creating a dynamic experience.
On the side, roasted root vegetables are a fantastic choice. The earthy flavours of roasted carrots, red onions, and parsnips blend seamlessly with the lamb.
Buttered peas add a burst of vibrant green and a touch of sweetness to balance the richness of the roast.
Seafood platter: a quintessential Aussie delight
For many, Christmas means seafood, and a seafood platter is an Aussie tradition. To elevate your platter, consider serving it with a zesty cocktail sauce.
This sauce, with its tangy tomato base and a hint of horseradish, is the perfect complement to the delicate flavours of seafood including prawns and oysters.
Beef tenderloin: an elegant, indulgent Christmas choice
A succulent beef tenderloin roast is an elegant choice for Christmas dinner. To enhance its flavour, serve it with a creamy peppercorn sauce. The creaminess of the sauce, combined with the bold, spicy notes of peppercorns, elevates the beef to new heights.
On the side, consider serving garlic mashed potatoes. Creamy and rich, they are the perfect accompaniment to the tenderloin. Roasted asparagus, lightly seasoned with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, adds a touch of freshness and a vibrant green colour to your plate.
With these sides, your beef tenderloin becomes a beautiful part of your gourmet Christmas celebration.
Wishing you a delicious and joyous Christmas celebration
This Christmas, as you plan your celebrations with family and friends, remember that the perfect side dishes can take your festive meat dishes to a whole new level.
No matter what meats you choose, there’s a delightful side waiting to complement each of them.
We hope this blog has inspired you to create a memorable Christmas feast filled with love, laughter, and, of course, good quality food. If you’re after more inspiration, find out how you can reinvent your leftover Christmas meats to keep the celebrations going!
For all your meats this festive season, we welcome you to visit Australian Butchers Store. With four stores across Melbourne, you’re sure to find a location near you.
Alternatively, you can shop meat online and enjoy delivery across Metro Melbourne. Cheers to a delicious holiday season!
