Christmas without the hassle – 15 recipes you can freeze ahead before the big day

Christmas should be a time to be merry and enjoy the company of loved ones, not to be chained to the kitchen in a last-minute panic. We've got you covered. By preparing and freezing a few festive staples in advance, you can take (most of) the stress out of Christmas Day. Our easy, freezable recipes shared below span starters, mains, sides and desserts, meaning you’ll have all the Christmas favourites ready to go — leaving you with more time for presents, games and that all-important glass of fizz.

Hosting for the first time? Our tried-and-tested recipes will ensure all your Christmas feasting needs are covered, from Christmas snacks, starters, centrepieces and desserts. We also have a selection of freezable Christmas baking recipes, perfect for last-minute Christmas guests needing a sweet treat.

1. Unbelievably easy mince pies

No Christmas is complete without a batch of mince pies. Simply fill melt-in-the-mouth shortcrust pastry with our zesty homemade mincemeat and pop in the freezer up to a month ahead, then bake straight from frozen for a freshly baked treat whenever guests arrive.

See our ultimate collection of freezable mince pie recipes for more ways to bake this festive favourite.

2. Golden roast potatoes

Did you know you can par-boil and freeze your roasties ahead of time? Instead of spending time peeling potatoes on Christmas morning, simply roast from frozen for crisp, fluffy potatoes without the faff.

We have plenty more crispy and fluffy Christmas roast potato recipes to try.

3. Super-simple cranberry sauce

Cranberry sauce lovers, you're in luck: homemade sauce can be made well in advance and frozen in portions (plus, this recipe calls for just three ingredients). Simply defrost then serve with your turkey for a sharp, fruity contrast.

Find more varieties for this festive trimming in our collection of cranberry sauce recipes.

4. Best ever Yorkshire puddings

These Yorkshire puddings taste light and fluffy even after freezing. And using only four ingredients, this recipe couldn't be easier. Just bake a batch ahead and freeze for up to a month. Reheat from frozen at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 6-8 mins – just make sure they are hot through to serve.

Discover more Yorkshire pudding recipes.

5. Vegan butternut & pecan spiral pies

Use shop-bought filo pastry to make this festive meat-free centrepiece. The squash filling is packed with umami notes thanks to miso paste and soy sauce, plus a touch of maple sweetness. Assemble and freeze the pie ahead of time before baking, so all that’s left to do on the day is cook it straight from frozen for a stress-free vegetarian Christmas meal.

Take a look at our vegetarian dinner recipes for more inspired veggie dishes.

6. Sausage & Bramley stuffing

Combining classic sage and onion with Bramley apples, this stuffing loaf is packed with festive flavours. You can freeze this stuffing for up to two months – just make sure to defrost in the fridge overnight before cooking.

See our collection of stuffing recipes and vegetarian stuffing recipes for more ideas.

7. Triple pigs in blankets

Assemble your pigs in blankets, cover your tray tightly with kitchen foil or put in a freezable container and freeze for up to two weeks. When you're ready to defrost, bake from frozen in a hot oven for 20-30 minutes for a sizzling, festive favourite.

See our pigs in blankets recipes for more twists on this Christmas favourite.

8. Make-ahead gravy

Nothing beats a rich, homemade gravy, and the good news is you can make and freeze our recipe weeks in advance. On Christmas Day, simply reheat and add the roasting juices from your turkey for extra flavour.

See our collection of gravy recipes for more inspiration, including our vegetarian alternative.

9. Red cabbage with balsamic vinegar & cranberries

Red cabbage with balsamic vinegar makes a colourful, sweet side that also happens to freeze beautifully. Simply make ahead and reheat for a vibrant vegan addition to your table. This tastes really festive and includes fresh cranberries, so you won’t need to make a separate cranberry sauce.

Find more ideas in our cranberry sauce collection, including this easy cranberry & orange relish.

10. Cheesy sprout gratin

Convert even the most dedicated sprout sceptics with this deliciously creamy, cheesy gratin. Prepare, freeze and bake from frozen until golden and bubbling. For the best results, freeze before adding the nutty breadcrumbs and before baking (you can freeze the nutty breadcrumbs in a separate container or bag). Defrost both in the fridge overnight, sprinkle over the nutty breadcrumbs and baker as per the recipe.

Try more revamped sprouts dishes, such as our brussels sprout slaw.

11. Nut roast

A vegetarian classic, our nut roast can be made, sliced and frozen. Simply reheat slices in the oven for an easy vegetarian main or side. Boasting over 300 star ratings it's also one of our most popular Christmas recipes on the site.

Try more of our nut roast recipes, including this easy vegan nut roast and nut roast rolls.

12. Mince pie brownies

Combine whole mince pies with brownie batter and what do you get? This epic festive mash-up. These gooey morsels will keep in an airtight container for a week and in the freezer for up to a month, so you can whip out a chocolate treat at a moment's notice.

Discover more squidgy bakes in our Christmas chocolate collection.

13. Bread sauce

A roast dinner is not complete without the accompaniment of bread sauce. Our easy recipe is sure to be a Christmas favourite – prepare your sauce, cool and freeze in a plastic bag. You may need to add a splash of cream when you defrost.

We have plenty more bread sauce recipes for you to try, such as this silky and thick brown butter bread & onion sauce.

14. Quick Christmas pudding

Left it too late to make and feed a classic Christmas fruitcake? Opt for this speedy microwave Christmas pudding, which uses shop-bought mincemeat and takes just 35 minutes to make. Simply microwave the pudding, then cool and freeze. When you want to serve, defrost at room temperature then reheat in the microwave for a few minutes, until piping hot.

Search our Christmas pudding and Christmas cake recipe collections for more tried-and-tested recipes.

15. Red velvet brownies

Brownie lovers, rejoice! These rich, festive brownies can be baked and frozen in advance, perfect for any last-minute Christmas guests. They're beautifully swirled with a tangy cheesecake filling and festively red to brighten your Christmas gatherings – you could even crush candy canes and sprinkle over the brownie batter before baking for an extra festive twist.

Discover more delicious festive bakes in our collection of Christmas baking recipes, including our next-level yule log.