Quick Christmas dinner recipe (2024)

  • Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7.

  • For the turkey and stuffing, put the turkey crown on a lightly oiled baking tray and pat dry with kitchen paper. Season with lots of coarsely ground black pepper. Cover the breast with bacon rashers, then cover the turkey with lightly oiled foil and roast for 1 hour.

  • While the turkey is roasting, prepare the stuffing. Melt the butter in a large non-stick frying pan. Thinly slice the leeks. Add to the pan and cook over a low heat for 3–4 minutes, or until softened, stirring regularly.

  • Tip the leeks into a large, shallow ovenproof dish – a lasagne dish would work well. Tear the bread into small cubes and don’t worry about the crusts, just add those too. Tip the nuts and fruit onto a board and cut any large nuts in half or quarters, then add to the bread and leeks. Add roughly three-quarters of the thyme to the stuffing mixture and sprinkle the lemon zest on top. Add the sausagemeat and season with a little salt and lots of black pepper. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly with your hands, leaving it fairly chunky. Spread loosely over the dish and set aside.

  • When the turkey has been cooking for 1 hour, take out of the oven and reduce the temperature to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 7. Take the turkey crown carefully off the tray and place directly on top of the stuffing. Place in the oven and roast the turkey and stuffing for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for a further 15 minutes, or until the turkey is fully cooked and the juices run clear when the thickest part is pierced with a skewer.

  • Meanwhile, for the roast potatoes, put the potatoes in a large saucepan or flameproof casserole and cover with cold water. Place over a high heat and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer for 3 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a large colander and return to the saucepan. Shake vigorously to knock the potatoes about and scuff up the surface – this will make them much crisper when they roast.

  • Pour the oil over and toss together well. Scatter in a single layer onto a baking tray and roast for an hour, or until the potatoes are golden, crisp and tender in the centre.

  • Meanwhile, for the pigs in blankets, tuck a small sprig of rosemary under the bacon on each sausage. Place on a lightly oiled baking tray with the potatoes and drizzle with the honey. Roast for 15–20 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through.

  • Remove the turkey from the oven, cover loosely with kitchen foil and a couple of dry tea towels and leave to rest for 15 minutes.

  • For the bread sauce (if making), put the bread sauce mix in a non-stick saucepan and stir in roughly a quarter of the milk. Mix until well combined, then add the remaining milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring regularly, until thick and smooth, then add the cream and butter and cook for 1–2 minutes more. Pour into a warmed dish, sprinkle with a little nutmeg, and keep warm until ready to serve.

  • For the carrots, put the carrots in a microwave-proof serving dish and pour over the orange juice, dot with butter, sprinkle with parsley, add sugar and season with a little salt and lots of black pepper. Cover with cling film or a plate and cook on HIGH for 8 minutes, or until just tender, stirring halfway through cooking.

  • For the sprouts, put the butter, bacon, sprouts and chestnuts in a large non-stick saucepan or sauté pan and season well with black pepper. Add 200ml/7fl oz cold water and bring to the boil. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly until the sprouts are tender and the liquid has evaporated.

  • Meanwhile, for the gravy, put the gravy, bacon, port, cranberry sauce and dried sage, if using, in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with black pepper and a little salt, if needed. Keep warm until ready to serve.

  • To serve, warm your serving plates. Strain the gravy into warmed gravy boats and put on the table along with the roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, carrots and bread sauce (if making). Sprinkle the turkey with the remaining thyme and serve in the roasting dish along with the stuffing. Carve at the table.

  • Quick Christmas dinner recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the top 10 Christmas dinner foods? ›

    10 Most Popular Christmas Dishes
    • Roasted turkey. No Christmas dinner is complete without roast turkey. ...
    • Ham. Be it baked, smoked, or glazed, ham is another popular dish for Christmas dinner. ...
    • Roast beef. ...
    • Stuffing. ...
    • Poultry. ...
    • Sweet potato casserole. ...
    • Cranberry sauce. ...
    • Plum pudding.
    Dec 11, 2023

    How to make cooking Christmas dinner easy? ›

    Top 10 tips for hosting your first Christmas
    1. Practical planning. Before you plan your menu, consider the size of your oven and the size and amount of tins, pans and hob space you need. ...
    2. Don't roast everything. ...
    3. Write a time plan. ...
    4. Pre-cook and get ahead. ...
    5. Stress-free sauce. ...
    6. Try an all-in-one. ...
    7. Cook the food you like. ...
    8. Delegate.
    Jan 8, 2016

    What are 3 food items that are popular for Christmas dinner? ›

    They cover the savory side of Christmas dinner, from prime rib, baked ham, and roast turkey to scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.

    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 is a traditional Christmas dinner menu? ›

    Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.

    What makes the best Christmas dinner? ›

    Christmas dinner ideas
    • Easy Christmas roast duck with crispy potatoes and port gravy.
    • Gorgeous dinner of porchetta stuffed with wild mushrooms, celeriac mash and gravy.
    • Marinated & grilled salmon.
    • Wood-fired shellfish.
    • Pot roast pork.
    • Fabulous fish stew.
    • Sea bass in puff pastry.

    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 ingredients do you need for a Christmas dinner? ›

    • 1Spice roasted turkey and gravy. ...
    • 2Gingerbread men. ...
    • 3Roasted root vegetables with fennel, garlic & thyme. ...
    • 4Mulled wine. ...
    • 5Baked ham with barbecue glaze. ...
    • 6Christmas pudding. ...
    • 7Easy muffin-pan Yorkshire puddings recipe. ...
    • 8Roast beef with sweet roasted garlic.

    How can I make Christmas with little money? ›

    Here's what you can do this year if you don't have money for your usual Christmas extravaganza.
    1. Ask friends and family to help. ...
    2. Ask someone else to host. ...
    3. Keep the celebrations small. ...
    4. Apply to Toy Appeals. ...
    5. Don't be afraid to say no. ...
    6. Don't be tempted by payday loans. ...
    7. Trim the kids' expectations.
    Nov 26, 2023

    What is the cheapest thing to make for dinner? ›

    68 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
    • Black Bean Burgers. ...
    • Creamy Tomato Shells. ...
    • Zucchini Corn Quesadillas. ...
    • Super-Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad. ...
    • Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing. ...
    • Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp. ...
    • Orzo With Spinach and Roasted Red Peppers.
    May 3, 2024

    What to cook for Christmas dinner instead of turkey? ›

    Unique holiday dinner ideas
    • Beef Wellington: The Showstopper.
    • Christmas Roast Duck: The Twist on a Classic.
    • Vegetarian Enchiladas: The Surprise Favorite.
    • Roast Lamb: The Savory Star.
    • Stuffed Acorn Squash: The Festive & Flavorful.
    • Prime Rib Roast: The Hearty Hero.
    Dec 12, 2022

    What is a Mexican Christmas dinner? ›

    Mexican Christmas food spans enchiladas, pozole, tamales, and plenty of desserts. These are our favorite recipes for flavorful versions of those dishes from Mexican chefs, along with a few festive drinks. Start a tamale making tradition, warm up with pozole this winter, and enjoy enchiladas everyone will love.

    What do Italians eat at Christmas? ›

    In Southern and Central Italy, baked pasta is a must. 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.

    What do most people eat for Christmas dinner? ›

    What Foods Are Traditionally Served on Christmas?
    • Turkey.
    • Prime Rib.
    • Baked Ham.
    • Mashed Potatoes & Gravy.
    • Stuffing.
    • Green Bean Casserole.
    • Candied Sweet Potatoes.
    • Roasted Vegetables.
    Dec 19, 2022

    What is the most popular Christmas dinner item? ›

    Roast potatoes and gravy are the most ubiquitous items on the Christmas dinner, with only around half opting for turkey.

    What is the most common Christmas dinner? ›

    And just like every other American, I have my favorites. According to a 2020 survey, turkey's the main event for 73% of Americans, with prime rib (69%), roast beef (66%), steak (65%), chicken (64%), roast pork (64%) and ham (62%) also coming in as popular contenders.

    What is the 12 course Christmas dinner? ›

    A twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper is traditionally prepared to commemorate Jesus' twelve disciples in Central, Northern and Eastern European cultures, especially those that were formerly part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and neighbouring countries.

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