✔ Updated · 18 sides, a vegetarian gravy and an easy menu plan
Nut roast is my favorite centerpiece when I'm feeding vegetarian friends on a Sunday, and the right sides make it feel like a proper feast.
Serve nut roast like a classic roast dinner: crispy roast potatoes or creamy dauphinoise, a vegetarian mushroom or onion gravy, roasted carrots and parsnips, a green vegetable such as Brussels sprouts or green beans, and something sweet-tart like cranberry sauce or braised red cabbage. A moist sauce matters most, because nut roast is fairly dry and dense.
- Must-have: a vegetarian gravy or sauce
- Starch: roast, mashed or dauphinoise potatoes
- Veg: roasted roots plus one green
- Bright note: cranberry sauce or red cabbage
Here are the 18 sides I love with it, from crispy potatoes to a rich mushroom gravy.
Sauces and Gravy
Nut roast is dense and a little dry on its own, so a good sauce is the one side I never skip.
Mushroom Gravy
Onions, garlic and mushrooms browned until nutty, simmered with stock, a splash of red wine and soy sauce. Rich, savory and fully vegetarian.
Onion Gravy
Slowly caramelized onions cooked with flour, vegetable stock, thyme and a dash of balsamic. Sweet, glossy and easy to make vegan.
Cranberry Sauce
Fresh cranberries simmered with orange zest and sugar until they burst. The tart pop cuts through the richness of the nuts.
Spicy Tomato Sauce
Garlic, chili and canned tomatoes simmered down with basil. A lighter, brighter option for a weeknight nut roast.
Potatoes
Crispy Roast Potatoes
Parboiled, shaken to rough up the edges, then roasted in hot oil until shatteringly crisp. The classic Sunday partner.
Dauphinoise Potatoes
Thin potato slices baked in garlicky cream until tender and golden on top. Creamy enough to stand in for gravy.
Hasselback Potatoes
Thinly sliced, fanned potatoes roasted with butter and herbs, crispy edges and soft centers.
Get the recipe →Roasted and Braised Vegetables
Salt and Pepper Parsnips
Parboiled parsnip batons tossed in polenta, mustard powder, salt and pepper, then roasted until crunchy outside and fluffy inside.
Middle Eastern Spiced Carrots
Carrots roasted with garlic, ginger, cumin and coriander, finished with a spoonful of yogurt. Warm, earthy and colorful.
Roasted Butternut Squash
Chunks of squash roasted with honey and cinnamon, topped with toasted walnuts. Sweet, soft and bright orange on the plate.
Red Cabbage with Braised Apple
Shredded red cabbage slowly braised with apple, vinegar and a little sugar. Sweet, tangy and a gorgeous crimson.
Glazed Baby Carrots
Tender baby carrots in a buttery brown sugar glaze, inspired by the Cracker Barrel side.
Get the recipe →Greens
Shredded Brussels Sprouts
Thinly sliced sprouts pan-fried with garlic until crisp-edged and sweet, with a squeeze of lemon.
Asparagus with Toasted Almonds
Quickly roasted asparagus with lemon and crunchy toasted almonds. Bright, fresh and ready in 10 minutes.
Collard Greens with Pine Nuts and Chili
Greens wilted with garlic, chili and toasted pine nuts for a colorful, slightly spicy side.
Green Beans
Tender green beans with onion and a little butter, Southern-style and comforting.
Get the recipe →
An Easy Nut Roast Dinner Menu
When I host, I pick one from each group and it always feels generous without being stressful.
| Course | My pick | Make ahead? |
|---|---|---|
| Sauce | Mushroom gravy | Yes, up to 3 days; reheat until steaming |
| Potato | Crispy roast potatoes | Parboil the day before |
| Roots | Salt and pepper parsnips | Coat and chill the morning of |
| Green | Shredded Brussels sprouts | Slice the day before |
| Bright note | Cranberry sauce | Yes, up to 1 week |
Tips for a Great Nut Roast Dinner
- Make the gravy first. My mum's trick still holds: once the mushrooms smell nutty and toasty, they're browned enough to build the sauce. Rush that step and it tastes flat.
- Balance the textures. Nut roast is dense, so pair it with something creamy and something crisp.
- Check your guests' diets. Use vegetable stock and skip butter and cream for vegan friends; many nut roasts are already vegan.
- Share the oven. Nut roast, potatoes and roots all like about 400°F, so plan the trays together.
More Side Dish Ideas
Need more ideas? Browse my potato side dishes and mushroom recipes, or try stuffed portobello mushrooms as a second vegetarian main.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sauce goes with nut roast?
A vegetarian mushroom gravy is the classic choice, followed by onion gravy and cranberry sauce. A spicy tomato sauce or a creamy mushroom sauce also works. Use vegetable stock to keep it vegetarian, and a plant-based butter for a vegan version.
What vegetables go well with nut roast?
Roasted root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and butternut squash, plus a green like Brussels sprouts, green beans, asparagus or kale. Braised red cabbage with apple adds color and a sweet-tart balance.
What do you serve with nut roast at Christmas?
Treat it like a turkey dinner: roast potatoes, vegetarian gravy and stuffing, sprouts, honey-roasted parsnips and carrots, red cabbage and cranberry sauce.
Can you freeze a nut roast?
Yes. Freeze it baked or unbaked, well wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake or reheat until it's hot all the way through, 165°F in the center.
Is nut roast vegan?
It can be. Many nut roasts use nuts, lentils, vegetables, breadcrumbs and herbs, with flax or a little flour to bind. Some recipes use eggs or cheese, so check the recipe and choose a vegan gravy to match.
