Our Step by Step Christmas Lunch Guide

At some point in your life, unless you are incredibly lucky, you will find yourself responsible for cooking Christmas lunch rather than simply sitting down to enjoy it. It might sound daunting, but with a bit of preparation and the right mindset, you can put together a delicious and memorable Christmas roast dinner without stress. This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to cook Christmas lunch with ease - from prepping vegetables to serving dessert.

The Ultimate Christmas Lunch Menu

Starter: Smoked salmon on cream cheese bagels
Main Course: Roast turkey with sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, roasted carrots and parsnips, Brussels sprouts, bread sauce, and rich homemade gravy
Dessert: Traditional Christmas pudding with brandy butter, mince pies, cream, or ice cream

What to Do in Advance

The secret to a smooth Christmas Day is doing as much as you can ahead of time.

Brussels sprouts: Trim and store them in a sealed bag in the fridge.
Carrots and parsnips: Peel and cut into 2-inch pieces. Seal in a bag and refrigerate.
Pigs in blankets: Use streaky bacon and stretch each rasher with the back of a knife. Cut each rasher into thirds and wrap around cocktail sausages. Arrange on a baking tray and refrigerate.
Starter prep: Slice bagels in half and spread with cream cheese. Layer with smoked salmon, a dash of lemon juice, cracked black pepper, and a caper if desired. Keep chilled and serve with champagne or as finger food.

Cooking the Christmas Turkey

Weigh the turkey after stuffing it to calculate the correct cooking time.
Use store-bought sage and onion stuffing if you prefer. Do not overstuff - add half a lemon and fresh thyme and rosemary for extra flavour.
Rub butter, salt, and pepper all over the bird. Add a little water to the roasting tin and cover the turkey loosely with foil.
Roast at 220°C for 20 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180°C. Baste every 30 minutes. Remove foil during the last 30-45 minutes for a golden brown skin.
Check for doneness by piercing the thickest part of the thigh. The juices should run clear.
Once cooked, rest the turkey for at least 45 minutes covered loosely in foil. This frees up the oven for roast potatoes and vegetables.

How to Make Perfect Roast Potatoes

Use Maris Piper or another starchy variety. Peel and cut into large, evenly sized chunks.
Rinse in cold water, bring to a boil, and parboil for exactly two minutes. Drain and shake in a colander to rough up the edges.
Sprinkle over one to two tablespoons of flour.
Heat duck fat or vegetable oil in a roasting tin until sizzling, then add the potatoes carefully. Spoon hot fat over the top.
Roast at 200-220°C, turning every 20 minutes. They take about 45 minutes for crispy perfection.

Roasted Vegetables and Pigs in Blankets

Toss carrots and parsnips with olive oil, salt, pepper, and whole garlic cloves. Spread in a baking tray.
Add pigs in blankets to a separate tray.
Roast both at the same temperature as the potatoes. Turn halfway through. Both take around 30 minutes.

Gravy, Bread Sauce, and Sprouts

Skim the fat from the turkey juices and reheat. Add a little flour and stir for two minutes.
Add gravy granules and hot water, stirring to reach your preferred thickness.
For bread sauce, use a sachet and follow the instructions with milk. Heat slowly and stir regularly to prevent boiling over.
Boil the Brussels sprouts for five minutes just before serving to keep them bright green and slightly crunchy.

Serving and Final Touches

Carve the rested turkey.
Dish out the roast potatoes, roasted vegetables, pigs in blankets, sprouts, stuffing, bread sauce, and gravy.
Serve your delicious starter beforehand, or enjoy it as a light nibble with drinks while finishing off the main.

Dessert and Relaxation

Unless you have made a homemade Christmas pudding weeks in advance, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a good-quality store-bought pudding. Heat it according to the instructions and serve with brandy butter, cream, or ice cream. Add a side of warm mince pies if you like.

Christmas Day Cooking Timeline (Order of Play)

Prep vegetables and pigs in blankets
Peel and soak potatoes in cold water
Make the salmon starter and keep chilled
Preheat oven and prepare turkey
Begin roasting the turkey
Boil and flour potatoes
Heat fat and add potatoes to oven
Add vegetables and pigs in blankets
Prepare gravy and bread sauce
Boil sprouts, carve turkey, and serve
Enjoy lunch
Collapse on the sofa
Serve pudding

Cooking Christmas lunch does not have to be overwhelming. With this organised plan and a few time-saving shortcuts, you can enjoy a festive meal that impresses your guests - without spending the entire day in a panic. Whether it is your first time cooking Christmas lunch or you are simply looking for ways to make it smoother, this guide has everything you need for a relaxed and delicious holiday feast.