Make-ahead Christmas recipes

Get ready for the festivities with our make-ahead Christmas recipes – and see our menu ideas at the bottom of the page too. We’ve got everything you need for an organised holiday season, including make-ahead starters, side dishes, mains and desserts.

Make your own Christmas cake, pudding or mincemeat with our tried-and-tested recipes. While they’re maturing nicely in the larder, clear some room in the freezer for our freeze-ahead roast potatoes, red cabbage, gravy and stuffing.

Save some room in the fridge for desserts you can whip out for those ‘here’s one I made earlier’ moments. Whether you’re planning a big family feast or an intimate celebration, we’ve got all the make-ahead recipes you need this Christmas.

Showing 1-16 of 103 recipes

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Mulled wine snowdrift meringue pie

Show-stopping Christmas desserts

Mulled wine snowdrift meringue pie

Now here’s how you create some drama at the Christmas table! This mulled wine snowdrift pie is a festive twist on lemon meringue pie.

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Tipsy snowman choux buns

Patisserie

Tipsy snowman choux buns

These adorable bite-size choux snowmen are filled with a Baileys-spiked cream – which may explain why they’re so merry.

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The best homemade turkey gravy

Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces

The best homemade turkey gravy

Homemade turkey gravy makes all the difference to your Christmas dinner. Prepare a flavoursome stock in advance and the rest is easy.

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Ultimate homemade cranberry sauce

Cranberries

Ultimate homemade cranberry sauce

Our ultimate homemade cranberry sauce is ready in 20 mins and can be made ahead. It's the perfect balance between tart and sweet.

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Best-of-the-best beef wellington

Wellingtons

Best-of-the-best beef wellington

Want to show off your cookery skills? Try our best-of-the-best beef wellington recipe for the ultimate take on this culinary classic. 

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Rosemary negroni

Canapés and cocktails

Rosemary negroni

Rosemary brings out the herbaceous notes of vermouth and Campari in this festive negroni. The perfect bottled cocktail to store in fridge.

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Mince-pie old fashioned

Christmas cocktails

Mince-pie old fashioned

This Christmas cocktail recipe makes a fabulous drink, as well as a flavoured butter for baking and an extra-boozy mincemeat for mince pies.

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Redcurrant margarita

Redcurrants

Redcurrant margarita

Ideal when you’re pining for a taste of sunshine in winter, this margarita is flavoured and turned bright red by an intense redcurrant syrup. 

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Santa’s sidecar cocktail

Canapés and cocktails

Santa’s sidecar cocktail

Like an upside-down Santa hat, this tangy, citrus-forward sidecar cocktail is balanced by the warming complexity of cognac.

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Turkey and cranberry sausage rolls

Sausage rolls

Turkey and cranberry sausage rolls

These turkey and cranberry sausage rolls are perfect for preparing ahead and keeping in the freezer for those last-minute festive occasions.

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Hot honey smoked nuts

Christmas gifts

Hot honey smoked nuts

Sweet, spicy and salty – the coating makes these a winner. Put the hot honey nuts in pretty jars as presents for friends.

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Gingercake bites

Christmas cupcakes and small bakes

Gingercake bites

Sticky gingercake gets better with age, so it’s perfect for giving as a Christmas gift. We’ve coated each cube of cake with a lemony icing.

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Bejewelled festive torrone (Italian nougat)

Christmas gifts

Bejewelled festive torrone (Italian nougat)

This version of torrone (Italian nougat) includes pistachios, almonds, dried apricots and candied peel to create a bejewelled festive treat.

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Braised red cabbage

Cabbages

Braised red cabbage

This braised red cabbage offers a sweet-and-sour flavour combo with seasonal spice, cutting through the rich flavours of Christmas dinner.

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Butter-roast parsnips with hazelnuts and sage

Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces

Butter-roast parsnips with hazelnuts and sage

Dish up your best-ever roast parsnips this Christmas. Crisp sage and a scattering of toasted hazelnuts provide flavour and crunch.

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Vegetarian filo Christmas wreath

Filo pastry

Vegetarian filo Christmas wreath

Food writer Elly Curshen’s spectacular filo-wrapped wreath makes a perfect vegetarian Christmas main or Christmas buffet centerpiece.

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