Best Christmas Recipes

BEST CHRISTMAS RECIPES

Best Christmas Day Recipes

BEST CHRISTMAS RECIPES

Best Christmas Day Recipes
Waitrose & Partners Christmas

BEST Christmas 
Day RECIPES

Fill the festive table with our pick of the best celebratory dishes for the big day. There’s turkey and other mouthwatering mains, classic sides and sauces, irresistible desserts, and party-worthy cocktails. Add ingredients straight to your trolley from our recipe pages. Looking for ready-made dishes? Browse our Christmas food here

Christmas MAINS

Kick off the festivities with one of these dazzling centrepiece recipes, from classic turkeys to hearty meat-free mains.

Perfect roast turkey
The hero of the season is back. Our Cookery school star chef Alex Szrok shows how to cook the perfect roast turkey. Here’s how to make yours special.

Image of Fennel and citrus roast turkey

Fennel and citrus roast turkey

This Italian-inspired recipe is a game-changer – cooking the bird in wine results in juicy, flavoursome meat, while the herbs and fennel seeds add freshness and aroma.

Must-try turkey

Image of Smoked paprika and maple glazed ham

Smoked paprika and maple glazed ham

The paprika-spiked glaze gives this magnificent ham a sweet smokiness. Serve alongside your turkey on Christmas Day or cold on Boxing Day.

Sweet and smoky ham recipe

Image of Mushroom and chestnut Wellington

Mushroom and chestnut Wellington

Rich, hearty flavours like mushrooms, chestnuts and goat’s cheese mean everyone will want a taste of this impressive meat-free Christmas main.

Vegetarian mushroom wellington

Christmas SIDES & SAUCES

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the roast potatoes, honey-drizzled parsnips and porty cranberry sauce – and we’re always on team Brussels sprout.

Perfect roast potatoes
Light and fluffy? Golden and crispy? We’ve got you covered. Our Cookery school star chef Alex Szrok shows how to cook the perfect roast potatoes.

Image of Heston’s ultimate roast potatoes

Perfect roast potatoes

Just two ingredients are needed to make crisp on the outside, fluffy in the middle roasties. Keep it simple with olive or vegetable oil, or try goose or duck fat for extra rich flavour.

Easy roast potatoes

Image of stuffing

Stove-top sage & onion stuffing

Whether you like yours meaty, full of herbs, slightly sweet or a tad crispy, our stuffing recipes are sure to please. Try this traditional flavour combination, cooked on the hob.

See this stuffing recipe

Image of braised red cabbage

Braised red cabbage

No festive table is complete without a gorgeous plummy mound of sweet and sour cabbage. It’s best made the day before and left overnight for the flavours to develop.

Perfect Christmas red cabbage

Image of Stir-fried sprouts with chestnuts and pancetta

Stir-fried sprouts with chestnuts and pancetta

The humble Brussels sprout divides opinion across the country. But we think this recipe, combined with sweet chestnuts and salty pancetta, is pretty irresistible.

Super sprouts recipe

Image of Honey mustard roast carrots & parsnips

Honey mustard roast carrots & parsnips

This recipe results in crisp, caramelised edges and the deliciously sticky glaze is no more demanding than a salad dressing.

Moreish roasted veg

Image of bread sauce

Bread sauce

The secret to a rich bread sauce is to allow plenty of time for the flavours to infuse into the milk – this one has festive notes of bay leaf, nutmeg and clove.

Creamy bread sauce recipe

Image of cranberry sauce

Cranberry sauce

This Christmas favourite works well with an injection of citrus or a few drops of port.

Make-ahead cranberry sauce

Image of pigs in blankets

Sticky pigs in blankets

Succulent sausages tucked tightly in a bacon blanket are one of the best things about Christmas. Follow this simple recipe for perfect pigs every time.

Must-have pigs in blankets

Image of gravy

The best Christmas gravy

Martha Collison helps you rest easy knowing this flavour-packed gravy is ready and waiting ahead of the big day.

Make the ultimate gravy

Christmas DESSERTS

There’s always room for dessert, especially ones as delicious as these mouth-watering homemade masterpieces. 

Image of Classic Christmas pudding

Classic Christmas pudding

If you’ve never tried making your own, give this recipe a go – nothing gets you in the seasonal spirit quite like stirring up a traditional Christmas pud.

Decadent Christmas pudding recipe

Image of Meringue, madeleine and winter berry trifle

Meringue, madeleine and winter berry trifle

With its layers of custard, fruit compote and cream, and scattering of meringue and roasted hazelnuts, this trifle is as pretty as a picture.

The best Christmas trifle

Image of yule log

Chocolate Yule log

The light sponge is a cinch to roll, meaning you can achieve that satisfying swirl of rich buttercream without the stress.

Family-friendly yule log

Christmas COCKTAILS

If there was ever a time to warm up and make merry with a delicious drink, it's Christmas. Snuggle by the fire with one of these festive tipples, or browse our alcohol-free recipes.

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The zesty spritz 

It’s not Christmas without bubbles! Lightly fruity Crémant blends beautifully with zesty, herby notes.

See & shop recipe

Hazelnut rum espresso martini

Hazelnut rum espresso martini

A splash of nutty rum adds an extra-special touch to this after-dinner treat.

See & shop recipe

Clover club gin cocktail

Clover club gin cocktail

This pretty pink drink, fresh with raspberry and lemon, offers a nice alternative to the richness of the season.

See & shop recipe

Seasonal meats

Seasonal meat guide

Fancy trying something different this year? Take a look at our beef, lamb, goose and more.

See the range

Image of more Christmas Recipes

More Christmas recipes

Traditional, on-trend or with a twist, we have hundreds of festive dishes and menu ideas for all diets, plus delicious recipes for edible gifts.

Try the recipes