Make-ahead Christmas recipes (2024)

Showing 1 to 24 of 139 results

  • A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Prep this sausage, kale and bread stuffing up to two days in advance, then bake on the day. If your favourite part of stuffing is the crispy bits, you’ll love this recipe

    • 1 hr 10 mins
    • Easy
  • A star rating of 5 out of 5.3 ratings

    Indulge in a cake with a lovely crunchy topping that gives way to a soft, gooey middle. With its flourless sponge, it's ideal for guests who can’t eat gluten

    • 1 hr 30 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten-free
  • Pheasant casserole

    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Make this festive pheasant stew in a sweet-and-sour cider and clementine sauce up to a day ahead, then simply reheat until piping hot when you want to serve

    • 1 hr 30 mins
    • More effort
  • Roast garlic make-ahead gravy

    A star rating of 3.4 out of 5.3 ratings

    Make this subtly flavoured gravy base ahead and freeze to make life a bit easier when entertaining – just stir in the roasting juices before serving

    • 1 hr 20 mins
    • Easy
  • A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    Marinate chicken wings in cranberry and soy sauce, then cook in an air-fryer to make this tasty side. They're perfect for a buffet or movie night snack

    • 45 mins
    • Easy
  • Croissant bread sauce

    Don’t waste stale croissants from Christmas morning – use them to make a rich bread sauce. For total indulgence, finish with a knob of butter to melt over the top

    • 40 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • App onlyQuick pickled red cabbage. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.

    A star rating of 3.7 out of 5.3 ratings

    Make this speedy pickled red cabbage as a side or condiment – it's the perfect foil to Christmas leftovers in our Boxing Day sandwich

    • 15 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten-free
  • Mincemeat half-baked cookies

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Indulge in these soft and squidgy Christmas cookies with moreish mincemeat flavours. Make ahead and freeze, then simply pop in the oven when guests arrive

    • 45 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Quick to make on Christmas Day, you can swap fresh cranberries here for frozen – just keep an eye on them during cooking, as they won’t take as long to break down

    • 20 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegan
    • Gluten-free
  • A star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Enjoy these skewers as canapés at your next party. Flavoured with festive clementines, they're ideal at Christmas served with your choice of dips

    • 28 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten-free
  • A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    Make this frozen dessert up to two days ahead of serving so you can spend more time with your guests. It’s sure to impress at a Christmas gathering

    • 32 mins
    • More effort
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten-free
  • A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Make this easy twist on mincemeat – it's infused with the festive flavours of orange and brandy, and is easy to make by simply mixing everything together

    • 15 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • A star rating of 3.7 out of 5.3 ratings

    Create a little make-your-own crostini station where guests are invited to spread baked ricotta onto warm toast and top with grapes and prosciutto

    • 35 mins
    • Easy
  • A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    Season roasties with smoked paprika and thyme for a punch of smoky heat and herby flavour. Drizzle with oil when turning for golden crunchy roasties

    • 1 hr 40 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten-free
  • Mini hot toddy pavlovas

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    Take inspiration from a classic winter co*cktail to create these mini pavlovas flavoured with whisky, pear and spices

    • 2 hrs 15 mins
    • More effort
    • Vegetarian
  • App onlyMincemeat flapjacks. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.

    A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.5 ratings

    Make some Christmassy flapjacks using mincemeat. They make the perfect travel companion, and are great if you’re craving some festive flavours

    • 55 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • Mini gingerbread house mug toppers

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Perch these delightful little gingerbread houses on the edge of your mug for a festive treat. Try them with hot chocolate or mulled wine for adults

    • 32 mins
    • More effort
    • Vegetarian
  • Apple crumble trifle

    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Bring the comforting flavours and textures of apple crumble to a Christmas trifle. Prep ahead so all you need to do is assemble it on the day

    • 1 hr 30 mins
    • A challenge
    • Vegetarian
  • Gingerbread tres leches cake

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Give this Mexican-inspired cake a festive twist using ginger and cinnamon. The cake is soaked in a trio of sweetened milks, then topped with whipped cream

    • 1 hr 10 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • App onlyAir-fryer sesame prawn toast. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.

    A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.3 ratings

    Make these prawns toasts as canapés at your next party. Arrange on a platter and scatter over extra spring onions and chopped chives to garnish

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
  • A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    Make pigs in blankets even more special using maple syrup and a little mustard. If you can’t find co*cktail sausages, use chipolatas, each cut into three pieces

    • 45 mins
    • Easy
  • App onlyElote muffins. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    Get inspired by the Mexican street-food snack, elote. These savoury muffins make an excellent breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up when you’re on the go

    • 30 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    Make this domed puff-pastry pie as a Christmas centrepiece. With a crumbly pastry exterior and packed filling oozing with gooey comté, it's a wow dish

    • 1 hr 20 mins
    • More effort
Make-ahead Christmas recipes (2024)

FAQs

What food can be prepared the day before Christmas? ›

Make-ahead Christmas recipes
  • Tuscan sausage, kale & ciabatta stuffing. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  • Sunken chocolate, olive oil & hazelnut cake. ...
  • Pheasant casserole. ...
  • Roast garlic make-ahead gravy. ...
  • Air-fryer soy & cranberry chicken wings. ...
  • Croissant bread sauce. ...
  • App onlyQuick pickled red cabbage. ...
  • Mincemeat half-baked cookies.

What vegetables can I prepare in advance for Christmas dinner? ›

Peel potatoes, carrots, parsnips and any other veg you're having and leave them in pans of cold water overnight. This will save you a lot of faff and additional mess on Christmas morning.

What part of Christmas dinner can be made in advance? ›

Meat stuffing

Make this delicious stuffing the day before, pack it into its baking dish, then cover with tin foil and pop in the fridge, ready to cook tomorrow while the turkey rests. The principle's the same if you cook up this gorgeous veggie version or this gluten-free parsnip, pork & apple stuffing, too.

What prep can I do on Christmas Eve? ›

Sides
  • Crispy Traybake Stuffing: Prepare two days before and chill.
  • Honey-Roasted Parsnips: Peel and boil parsnips on Christmas Eve.
  • Buttered Baby Carrots: Wash and prep on Christmas Day morning.

Which vegetables are traditionally served during the Christmas dinner? ›

From traditional Christmas side dishes like sweet potato casserole and green beans to soon-to-be traditions like Swiss chard with portobellos or spinach gratin, here are our best Christmas vegetable side dishes.

What vegetables can I cook the day before? ›

Vegetables prepared to your liking, we recommend steaming or boiling them. Carrots, asparagus, green beans, haricots verts, fresh garden peas, snap or snow peas would all work beautifully. It also works with new potatoes or mashed potatoes.

When should I start preparing for Christmas dinner? ›

Two weeks to go before Christmas Day

Prepare your menu, shopping list and schedule as soon as you can¸ preferably at the start of December but at least with two weeks in hand. If you know what you're cooking, you'll know what you need to buy.

What is a traditional Italian Christmas dinner menu? ›

In Northern Italy, Lasagne Bolognese and filled pasta like manicotti and ravioli are traditional Christmas fare. Next comes the main event, the meat. Roasted veal, baked chicken, sausages or braised beef are common Natale entrées worth celebrating.

Can you cook Christmas dinner the night before? ›

A: We'd cook the ham the night before, or you can rest the turkey for an hour under foil and a towel, it will keep warm for ages. Make sure your gravy is piping hot and that will add a little more heat to the plate.

What is the most eaten meat on Christmas? ›

Top 5 Traditional Meats For Christmas Dinner
  1. Turkey. Let's admit it, a whole turkey is the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. ...
  2. Beef. Beef often comes to mind when choosing Christmas meats and for good reason. ...
  3. Ham and Gammon. What's Christmas without a joint of ham? ...
  4. Pork. ...
  5. Lamb.

What are the top 10 Christmas dinner foods? ›

Top 10 most popular Christmas recipes
  • Nut roast.
  • Ultimate roast potatoes. ...
  • Mary's Berry Christmas chutney. ...
  • Sausage, sage & onion stuffing. ...
  • Cola ham with maple & mustard glaze. ...
  • Sticky spiced red cabbage. ...
  • Christmas pudding with citrus and spice. ...
  • Yule log. ...

Can you make party food the day before? ›

You might make the sauce for your signature dish ahead of time and cook the rest of the meal just before the party. If you're making a rice dish, cook the rice the day before, so you can quickly assemble it the next day. You might cook the meat that will go into a pasta sauce or a casserole, so it's ready to go.

Can I cook my Christmas meat the day before? ›

A: We'd cook the ham the night before, or you can rest the turkey for an hour under foil and a towel, it will keep warm for ages. Make sure your gravy is piping hot and that will add a little more heat to the plate.

What is the must have food for Christmas Day? ›

Our Top 22 Traditional Christmas Dishes
  • 01 of 23. Chef John's Honey-Glazed Ham. ...
  • 02 of 23. Mom's Scalloped Potatoes. ...
  • 03 of 23. Best Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • 04 of 23. Chef John's Roast Turkey and Gravy. ...
  • 05 of 23. Holiday Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • 06 of 23. Christmas Prime Rib. ...
  • 07 of 23. Quick and Easy Yorkshire Pudding. ...
  • 08 of 23. Beef Wellington.
Dec 18, 2023

What items can you prep the day before Thanksgiving? ›

Mashed Potatoes
  • Classic Make-Ahead Macaroni And Cheese.
  • Easy Cauliflower Casserole.
  • Double-Crust Pie Pastry.
  • Savory Sweet Potato Casserole.
  • Homemade Cranberry Sauce.
  • Lacey's Cornbread Dressing.
  • Thanksgiving Recipes You Can Make Now And Freeze For Later.
  • This Is How Much Turkey To Make Per Person For Thanksgiving.
Mar 10, 2023

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