30 best ever Christmas recipes

Starters

1) Baked camembert with bacon-wrapped breadsticks

Get your Christmas dinner started with this baked camembert with bacon-wrapped breadsticks. This stunning tear-and-share dish has a melted camembert middle for dipping, and each breadstick is individually wrapped in bacon. Decorate with fresh thyme sprigs and serve warm. also check out our taleggio & tarragon cauliflower cheese recipe!

See our tear-and-share collection for more ideas.

2) Caramelised onion & thyme sausage rolls

These flavourful caramelised onion & thyme sausage rolls are the perfect canapé to kick off a festive party. Loaded with pork sausagemeat, caramelised onion chutney, wholegrain mustard and fresh thyme and encased in shop-bought puff pastry, they're a flavourful bite. Sprinkle over some poppy seeds for a gorgeous finish.

For more bite-sized snacks, see our sausage roll collection.

3) Truffled mushroom pâté

Our decadent truffled mushroom pâté is a vegetarian take on the classic Christmas spread. Using a combination of dried and fresh mushrooms plus a drizzle of truffle oil, it's a special way to start your meal. Melt butter with more truffle oil, thyme and peppercorns for the topping, then serve spread over mini crispbreads and topped with cornichons, if you like.

See our Christmas canapé recipes for more party nibbles.

4) Apple & cranberry chutney

This apple & cranberry chutney is a top-rated festive classic, and has hints of spice from fresh ginger and peppercorns. Make to give as an edible gift, or serve as part of your Boxing Day lunch – it pairs well with cold meats and cheeses.

For more chutneys and edible gift ideas, see our Christmas chutney recipes.

5) Celeriac, hazelnut & truffle soup

This luxurious celeriac, hazelnut & truffle soup is a healthy vegan starter for Christmas Day. Simmer celeriac, onions and potatoes with vegetarian stock, then stir in soya cream and blitz until completely smooth. Top with hazelnuts and a drizzle of truffle oil.

Try more decadent starters with our Christmas soup recipes.

Mains

6) Brown sugar & spice-glazed turkey with candied carrots

For an impressive centrepiece, make our brown sugar & spice-glazed turkey. Full of festive flavours, this turkey is seasoned with star anise, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and black pepper, then basted in a mixture of muscovado sugar, maple syrup, butter and cider vinegar. Season as far ahead as possible to make sure the spices sink deep into the meat, and don't just flavour the surface.

For more classic roasts, see our turkey collection.

7) Cola ham with maple & mustard glaze

Our five-star cola ham with maple & mustard glaze is an easy Christmas main that uses storecupboard ingredients. Cook a boneless gammon joint in stock spiced with cinnamon, peppercorns and bay leaves, then glaze with a sticky maple syrup mixture. Make the ham on the day or up to two days ahead so you can prepare in advance.

See our Christmas ham recipes for more inspiration.

8) Beetroot & red onion tarte tatin

Cater to vegan diets with this showstopping beetroot & red onion tarte tatin. Fill shop-bought puff pastry with festive flavours for an easy, elegant main. Don't stress if the tart sticks to the pan and won't turn out – just leave the pastry on the plate, use a spoon to scrape out the filling and arrange on top.

See our vegan Christmas collection for more recipes.

9) Wild mushroom, port & thyme turkey wellington

This lavish wild mushroom, port & thyme turkey wellington makes for a dramatic centrepiece but is not too difficult to put together. Keep Christmas Day stress-free by assembling a day or two in advance, then simply brush with egg and bake on the day. Serve in thick slices with turkey gravy.

For more glorious ways with pastry, see our wellington recipes.

10) Roast turkey breast

Whip up this roast turkey breast if you're entertaining a smaller crowd. Cooking a large single turkey breast is easier than roasting a whole turkey, and this version uses just four ingredients. Use up the excess veg and juices from carving in this make-ahead gravy.

For more easy mains, see our turkey breast collection.

11) Squash & chestnut crackers

Vegetarians will love these these squash & chestnut crackers. Filled with butternut squash, mushrooms, chestnuts and melty cheddar, they're a fun, festive way to serve up a delicious main course. To make them vegan, omit the butter and cheese, use dairy-free pastry and brush with a dairy-free milk alternative.

See our vegetarian Christmas recipes for more veggie mains.

12) Clementine & vodka-baked salmon with beetroot crème fraîche sauce

Make this elegant clementine & vodka-baked salmon for a festive dinner party main. Divide a whole salmon into fillets and cover with a sweet honey glaze, then top with candied clementine slices and bake. Serve with a vibrant beetroot crème fraîche sauce.

See our Christmas salmon recipes for more festive fish inspiration.

13) Turkey crown kiev

Try this buttery turkey crown kiev, a twist on a classic dish, for Christmas. Prepare the filling in advance to get ahead, then pipe under the skin on the day to keep the meat moist and flavourful. Whizz some ciabatta, baguette or sourdough in a food processor and roast to create a crunchy breadcrumb topping.

For more fuss-free dinners, see our turkey crown recipes.

14) Vegan pie

This wintry vegan pie is the ultimate centrepiece for a veggie-friendly dinner party. The rainbow layers are made up of vibrant beetroot, celeriac, sweet potato and Swiss chard, which are then encased in homemade vegan pastry. This pie will keep for up to three days in the fridge, making it great for Boxing Day leftovers.

For more plant-based dishes, see our vegan dinner recipes.

Sides

15) Classic pigs in blankets

It wouldn't be Christmas without these classic pigs in blankets, and they couldn't be easier to make. Just wrap smoked streaky bacon around chipolatas and bake until golden. Add a sage leaf and brush with honey before baking for extra flavour, or substitute the sausages with pitted black pudding-filled dates for a twist on the classic.

See our pigs in blankets recipes for more ideas.

16) Sage & onion Yorkshire puddings

Take your yorkies to the next level with these sage & onion Yorkshire puddings. They've got extra savoury flavour, and can be made up to a day ahead to lighten your workload on Christmas Day.

Try our Yorkshire pudding collection for more recipes.

17) Apricot & pistachio stuffing

Try something a little different with this apricot & pistachio stuffing. Add onions, pistachios and apricots to a crusty sourdough base and bake until golden and crunchy. Drizzle with melted butter and top with fried sage leaves for added flavour.

See our Christmas stuffing recipes for more scrumptious sides.

18) Crisp honey mustard parsnips

Our highly rated crisp honey mustard parsnips are a classic side. Add English mustard powder and honey for the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. The parsnips can be boiled and coated in flour and mustard up to a day in advance, so you can get ahead.

Try our Christmas parsnip recipes for more inspiration.

19) Lemon, garlic & bay roast potatoes

These lemon, garlic & bay roast potatoes are a Christmas dinner essential. Roast the potatoes in hot oil, then zest lemon directly over the top for a bright twist. These crowd-pleasing potatoes are also vegan and gluten-free.

For more festive roasties, see our Christmas roast potato recipes.

20) Wild mushroom & madeira gravy

This wild mushroom & madeira gravy is an easy, make-ahead sauce. The savoury flavour comes from vegetable stock, brown miso, balsamic vinegar and dried wild mushrooms. It can be frozen for up to three months or chilled for up to three days, so it only needs to be reheated on the big day.

See our Christmas gravy recipes for more rich sauces.

21) Sloe gin cranberry sauce

What could be more festive than this sloe gin cranberry sauce? This twist on a classic sauce is made with just four ingredients and ready in 10 minutes.

Top off your dinner with our festive cranberry sauce recipes.

22) Creamy brioche bread sauce

Give your traditional bread sauce a luxurious makeover with this creamy brioche bread sauce. Blitz the bread in a food processor, then combine with infused milk and butter. Simmer until thick and creamy, then stir in extra-thick double cream and nutmeg.

See our bread sauce collection for more ideas.

23) Sizzled sprouts with pistachios & pomegranate

These sizzled sprouts with pistachios & pomegranate are a deliciously different side dish. Brussels sprouts are fried until blistered, then tossed with toasted pistachios, juicy pomegranate seeds and pomegranate molasses to taste. They're also gluten-free and vegan, making them great for crowds with dietary restrictions.

Add some more green to your table with these Christmas sprouts recipes.

Sweets

24) Cinnamon swirl mince pies

These cinnamon swirl mince pies are a glorious mash-up of Christmas flavours. Sprinkle cinnamon and golden caster sugar on puff pastry, then roll and slice into thin rounds to use as a pastry case. Fill with mincemeat, then top with another cinnamon swirl and bake until golden.

For more festive treats, see our mince pies collection.

25) Make & mature Christmas cake

Our five-star make & mature Christmas cake is a true festive classic. Bake in advance and feed regularly with rum, brandy or whisky. Use a mix of raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries, cranberries, prunes or figs. Just remember to stop feeding the cake for the final week before Christmas to give the surface a chance to dry before icing.

See our Christmas cake recipes for more yuletide bakes.

26) Next level yule log

This next level yule log is a decadent dessert. The sponge is flourless, so if you use a natural cocoa powder without additives, it's also gluten-free. Filled with brandy butter and covered in a chocolate truffle coating, it's full of Christmas flavours.

See our yule log recipes for more chocolatety showstoppers.

27) Winter spice cake with chocolate trees

This striking winter spice cake with chocolate trees is filled with red-and-gold layers of vanilla and spice sponges. Assemble the cake with a cream cheese icing and cover with gold shimmer spray, then decorate with a white chocolate drip and chocolate trees.

Find more stunning dessert inspiration with our Christmas baking recipes.

28) Mince pie brownies

These mash-up mince pie brownies will go down a storm at a Christmas party or festive event. Combine whole mince pies with brownie batter and bake. These treats will keep in an airtight container for a week and in the freezer for up to a month.

Find more squidgy bakes in our Christmas chocolate collection.

29) Gingerbread pancakes

Make these American-style gingerbread pancakes on Christmas morning for a special breakfast the whole family will love. The fluffy pancakes are spiced with warming cinnamon and ginger, then topped with dates, a drizzle of maple syrup and a dollop of crème fraîche.

Start the day with our Christmas breakfast recipes.

30) Gingerbread cake with caramel biscuit icing

Bake this stunning gingerbread cake with caramel biscuit icing for an impressive finish to your Christmas feast. The sponge is full of sweet black treacle and spices such as cinnamon, ginger and cloves, and if that isn't enough, the icing is laced with caramelised biscuit spread too. Decorate with edible glitter, gingerbread shapes and desiccated coconut to create a snowy village effect.

Spice up your Christmas bakes with our gingerbread recipes.

Enjoyed these Christmas treats? See more festive recipes

Complete Christmas menu: classic
Christmas buffet recipes
Vegan Christmas menu
Christmas leftovers recipes
Easy Christmas desserts

What are your favourite Christmas recipes? Leave a comment below...