Make-ahead Christmas recipes

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

Bake this festive fruit cake in advance of Christmas and feed it regularly with rum, brandy or whisky to build the flavour and keep it moist

Make the herby mustard butter a few days ahead, then microwave your carrots on the day for a speedy vegetarian side. It's the perfect dish for Christmas dinner or a Sunday roast

Apply the flavours of a chicken kiev – garlic, parsley and butter – to a succulent turkey crown, and you'll be in for a treat. It's a great Christmas main

You can make this no-cook tiramisu ahead to save on time when hosting a party. Made with Irish cream liqueur, it's a truly grown-up dessert

Add sage and onion to Yorkshire pudding batter for a delicious side dish to go with a Sunday roast or your Christmas dinner

Make your own mincemeat this Christmas – and not just for mince pies. Try it in Chelsea buns or sweet samosas. You could also give jars of it away as gifts

Make these cider-braised cabbage wedges up to three days ahead for a stress-free Christmas dinner. The dish makes an ideal accompaniment to festive turkey

Save time on Christmas Day and make this apricot and pistachio stuffing on Christmas Eve. It makes an excellent accompaniment to festive turkey

Looking for a stress-free main course for Christmas? It has to be this mushroom and port turkey wellington. The assembly can be done a day or two in advance

Wondering how to make winning sprouts for your Christmas menu? Try our cheesy sprout gratin and you'll convert anyone who previously snubbed this festive veg

Add some sparkle to this rich gravy in the form of a dash of Prosecco, to intensify the flavour. Get ahead of the game and make your gravy in advance

Try this tart as a veggie course at Christmas or other celebration. With cheesy pastry and a cheese and spinach filling, it's sure to be a crowdpleaser

Double or triple the quantities of this festive cranberry and lentil bake to serve more people, if you like. You can make it up to two days before serving

Save precious time when planning a group meal by prepping and freezing your potatoes in advance.

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

A twist on the classic Christmas pudding, our cherry version is served with silky dark chocolate, a rich brandy sauce and a dollop of double cream

Flavour red cabbage with port, prunes and orange for an indulgent festive side dish that delivers two of your 5-a-day. It can be made in advance and frozen for up to three months

No festive meal is complete without cranberry sauce. Try this version, which includes sloe gin for a modern twist on the classic Christmas relish

Try this lighter version of a classic Christmas fruitcake, bursting with festive spice and juicy fruit. Decorate with candied fruit and glacé cherries

This custard tart has a tropical twist with sunny Caribbean flavours. Bake it for your next dinner party and we guarantee your guests will go back for a second helping!

Pack in three times the flavour with these triple pigs in blankets. You can prepare them a day or two in advance and keep on a baking tray in the fridge

Make this stunning layered, citrussy dessert ahead of time if you're entertaining. It's a crowd-pleaser that's part key lime pie, part cheesecake, part trifle

Add an extra oomph to your Yorkshire puddings by flavouring the milk with wild mushrooms. These can be made ahead of time and kept in the freezer