Christmas starter recipes

Christmas is the perfect excuse to cook venison. Serve with sprout and apple slaw as a dinner party starter or festive light lunch to treat your guests

These vegetarian tartlets make great finger food for a festive drinks party

Rustle up this healthy vegan celeriac and hazelnut soup as a starter on Christmas Day. Truffle oil adds a bit of luxury, or leave it out for a simple supper on a winter's night

This decadent bake from Paul Hollywood combines slightly sweet French bread with a creamy ham and cheese filling

Let this hearty celeriac soup warm you up on cold days. Top with our hazelnut crumble for added crunch and serve for lunch or as a starter to a winter menu

Curing your own salmon is well worth it for taste and wow-factor. Serve this beetroot and berries version as a starter or on crackers as a canapé

If you're looking for a Christmas classic with a twist, this French ham hock and pistachio terrine, transformed into a modern make-ahead starter is for you

Make these salmon, buckwheat and spelt chrain blinis ahead and heat them up as a hassle-free party canapé or plated as a starter. They freeze really well, too

Use good-quality chickpeas to give this vegan hummus a really silky feel. Dips make perfect, easy party food to serve with crudités and warm pittas

Try these colourful vegan spring rolls as canapés for a party, vibrant with fresh veg and juicy mango. Serve with a sweet chilli dipping sauce

Spruce up crumpets with a creamy crab, cucumber and dill topping. It's ready in 15 minutes, making it ideal for a Christmas starter or light lunch

Feed your friends this simple freeze-ahead starter, topped with goat's cheese croutons for added crunch

A light salmon starter with a crisp salad and honey and mustard dressing. No cooking required, just gravadlax or smoked salmon plus fresh seasonal produce

A little parfait makes Christmas complete, try making your own with Barney's festive recipe

Cured slow-cooked pork is a great foundation for a coarse pâté style starter and can be made in advance

Enjoy lobster thermidor for a celebratory starter or luxurious main course. We’ve given the dish a makeover while retaining its original charm

Roast your vegetables in honey before blitzing into this velvety smooth, spiced soup - served with garlic and lemon ciabatta slices for dipping

Impress guests with this deceptively simple starter, made with pears, goat's cheese, watercress and hazelnuts. It's ready in just 15 minutes, and perfect at Christmas

This extra-special vegetarian starter is bursting with contrasting flavours and textures, such as spiralized pear, crunchy roasted nuts and creamy cheese

Gather your friends for a relaxed evening – these baked red onions are special but simple to prepare, so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen

This one-platter-serves-all beetroot hummus will be a big hit, and doesn’t require any cooking

Breathe new life into prawn cocktail, a classic Christmas cocktail. With the addition of some Cajun spices, it's a flavour-packed modern twist

This festive seafood starter, finished with a garlicky basil dressing, can be prepared ahead - ideal for a fuss-free dinner for two

Make veg peelings the star of the show with these easy fritters. They're perfect the day after a big family dinner, such as at Christmas time