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Make-ahead Christmas starters

Make-ahead Christmas starters

Need a festive head-start? Don’t we all. Browse our round-up of the best make-ahead Christmas starters – from classic salmon blinis to soups and lighter salads. You can make some days in advance or part-make some the night before.

Our new favourites include crab crumpet rarebits and vegetarian-friendly mushroom and tarragon pâté. We’ve got crowdpleasers too, such as devilled eggs, classic prawn cocktail and ham hock terrine.

Round off your meal with a make-ahead Christmas dessert too. Then, put your feet up! Still want more? Browse our dedicated Christmas recipes hub.

Showing 1-16 of 66 recipes

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New Year's Eve recipes

Mini larb buns

Ravinder Bhogal's mini larb buns are stuffed with pork and prawns, plus plenty of aromatics. Serve as a New Year's or dinner party starter.

Make-ahead

Medium

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Pâté

Mushroom and tarragon pâté with roasted grapes and chestnuts

This easy pâté makes a pretty vegetarian starter, Roasted grapes bring bursts of sweetness while earthy chestnuts add festiveness.

Gluten-free Vegetarian Make-ahead

Easy

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Crab

Crab crumpet rarebit with pickled walnut ketchup

Crab raises welsh rarebit to the height of luxury in this impressive Christmas starter recipe. Make the rarebit and crab mixes a day ahead.

Make-ahead

Easy

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Pears

Beef carpaccio with pickled pear and parmesan mayonnaise

This carpaccio is a masterpiece on the plate, with butter-soft beef, pear, umami-rich mayo and crunchy nuts, A perfect make-ahead starter.

Freezable Gluten-free Make-ahead

Medium

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Trout

Lemon and pink peppercorn cured trout terrine

This elegant trout terrine with pink peppercorns is so worth the effort for a special occasion like Christmas or New Year's Eve.

Gluten-free

Easy

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Trout

Brown sugar-cured trout with easy wheaten bread

This festive trout starter sings with aniseed flavours, from the spices in the cure to the glorious tarragon herb butter on the bread.

Make-ahead

Easy

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Crab

Crab pots with parmesan crisps

Effortless but packed with flavour, this easy crab starter with fancy parmesan crisps can be made entirely in advance in just 15 minutes.

Gluten-free Make-ahead

Easy

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Christmas starters

Marinated goat’s cheese salad

Infusing creamy, soft goat’s cheese with aromatic fennel seeds, rosemary and chilli is a simple way to turn an already tasty treat into something even better.

Gluten-free Vegetarian

Easy

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Trout

Spinach and smoked trout roulades

Our savoury spinach and smoked trout roulades are amped up with the fruity flavour of crushed pink peppercorns. A fabulous canapé!

Medium

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Make-ahead Christmas starters

Turnip, cheddar and quince rose

This turnip, cheddar and quince rose makes a beautiful vegetarian starter. It's easy to make and showcases a veg deserving far more attention.

Make-ahead

Easy

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December seasonal

Chicken liver pâté with beetroot, orange and sage

Orange zest and liqueur give this pâté a festive flavour, with beetroot and crispy sage leaves adding colour and interest.

Easy

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Christmas for two

Goat’s cheese salad with cranberry dressing

Our goat's cheese salad with zesty cranberry dressing makes an easy light lunch or starter. Could it become your go-to festive starter?

Vegetarian Make-ahead

Easy

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Prawns

Giant prawn cocktail

Go large this Christmas with a giant prawn cocktail that can serve a crowd. Layer a serving bowl with leaves, langoustines and prawns.

Easy

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Make-ahead Christmas starters

Individual smoked salmon terrines for Christmas

Looking for a salmon starter? Make this easy to prepare smoked salmon terrine recipe as a starter to serve at a dinner party, or Christmas lunch...

Freezable Gluten-free

Easy

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Make-ahead Christmas starters

Speedy mackerel pâté

Serve up this elegant yet speedy starter of mackerel pâté at your next dinner party. It's so tasty that no one will guess it takes just 15 minutes to make!