Making Christmas dinner for the first time - any tips?

sillyvixen

Do as much prep on Christmas Eve as possible, I first cooked the turkey on Christmas Eve 3 years ago and it's a game changer!! I prep all the veg on Christmas Eve and leave in salted water. I buy ready peeled sprouts (one year hubby talked me into buying sprouts that needed peeling as it was cheaper - it took forever) the extra cost was worth it compared to my time.
I cook loads of veg in a multi layered steamer and serve in dishes - it means I don't have to remember individual preferences and everyone can take what they want. My dad lives alone and loves fresh veg, but usually does a portion of frozen mixed veg at home, he will load his plate with fresh veg and eat half his meal and top his plate with more veg and gravy instead of pudding! I always have left over veg to turn into soup for work lunches - so it's not wasted!

pickledonionspaceraider

My tip would be  cook what you actually like to cook and eat.

If making a fussy meal and actually eating a roast, arent your fave, no need to stick to tradition

I haven't had a roast on xmas day for years

x_raphael_xx

scrummy-mummy said:

We often do our Turkey 'low and slow' and put it in the oven before going to bed late on Christmas Eve. Frees up the oven, self basting and less stress on the day worrying about how it will all fit in the oven.

We put a whole chicken in the slow cooker for a roast dinner the other week. Came out very nice. You obviously don't get the browning on the skin, but all the meat was very juicy

CapricornLass

Three tips for you.

1) Prep all the veg for Christmas Day and Boxing day on Christmas Eve.  Store in plastic bags in the bottom of the fridge.  To stop parsnips and potatoes from going brown, put a tablespoon of oil in the bag, seal, and then shoogle the contents in the bag until they are covered in oil.  Cranberry sauce and stuffing can also be made the day before, and stored in the fridge.

2)  On Christmas Day, set up your slow cooker first thing, and set your Xmas pudding to heat up in that.  It's one thing less on the stove, and will be ready for when you want it. 

3).  Find yourself a copy of Delia Smith's Christmas cook book.  At the back there is a chapter which gives a timetable for the last 48 hours for preparing and cooking a Christmas lunch.  This chapter is worth the cost of the book on its own, but I found the other recipes in the book useful too.

GaleSF63

However you do it, it always seems to take longer than you expect.

MrsCD

I agree with the advice to buy prepared veg if possible, or prepare the day before and store in sealed bags in the fridge. Decide how long the roast potatoes and pigs in blankets take to cook and work times backwards from then for whatever you need to cook in the oven. Double up peas with carrots, and sprouts with cauliflower in pans to maximize hob space. Have Yorkshire puddings ready cooked in the freezer....they take a couple of minutes in the oven at the last minute. Don't stress.....it's a Sunday dinner with a couple of fancy bits extra! Just make sure the meat is cooked even if the veg is a bit undercooked! 

Tink_04

I cook meat the day before, slice and n reheat (saves oven space) prep veg the night before so you are just turning on pans on the day.

Jamie Oliver does great get ahead gravy which freezes well. Make everything else as simple as possible, it’s only a glorified roast dinner at the end of the day.

JIL

A tip I read today. Reheat sliced meat in the microwave under cover with butter. Stops it drying out. 

MSE_Laura_F

It's December 2023, and I'm boosting this useful thread for those who need help making Christmas dinner for the first time.

🍽️ 🍽️ 🍽️

And please do add any new tips as well! Thank you.

Floss

If you're cooking on gas, get everything in the oven / on the hob early as the pressure will probably be lower than normal due to demand.

Make twice as much gravy as you think you will need.