Jamie at Christmas

If the thought of cooking Christmas dinner for the first time is getting your festive stockings in a twist, we have your back with our fail-safe, easy Christmas dinner recipes for beginners.

From ways to get ahead before Christmas Day and using the right kitchen kit, to step-by-step guides on how to cook and carve a roast turkey, simply follow Jamie’s Christmas tips and tricks below and you’ll pull off the Big Day with expert-level success. Here’s how to throw a feast without having a Nightmare Before Christmas.

Want more festive recipe ideas? Our Christmas hub has everything you need

IT’S ALL IN THE PLANNING

christmas day table layout with nectarines and wine on the table

You know the phrase – ‘if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail’. And actually, the secret to a successful Christmas dinner is all in the organisation. Jamie’s Christmas Masterplan will help you get your turkeys in a row with an hour-by-hour breakdown of your Christmas Day cooking: from taking your bird out the fridge to getting that gravy just right. This guide is a Christmas miracle!

Download Jamie’s Christmas Masterplan

CHRISTMAS EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

kitchen utensils laying in a flat lay on a wooden table

Want to make prepping for the Big Day a breeze? Use our ultimate Christmas equipment checklist to make sure you have all the right tools for the job. Having these bits to hand will make your day that little bit easier – you’ll thank us for it!

GET AHEAD GRAVY

Jamie’s secret Christmas dinner weapon – his famous get-ahead gravy recipe. He swears that good gravy has the power to transform, or even save, a meal, so make this and it can hide a multitude of cooking sins. The best part is that it tastes even better when made well ahead of time, saving you a job on the Big Day. You’re welcome!

CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS

Start off proceedings with a Christmas cocktail to get people in the festive mood. Whatever your poison, we have a drink for you. Plus, after a couple of these, everyone might not notice things aren’t quite on time!

TIPS & TIMINGS FOR THE PERFECT TURKEY

perfect turkey for christmas day with lemon and herbs on top

Follow our checklist on how best to prepare your turkey before roasting and, more importantly, for how long. We’ll make sure you serve up a perfectly golden turkey without a dry slice in sight.

LEARN HOW TO CARVE A TURKEY LIKE A PRO

carving the roast turkey on a plate

You’ve cooked the turkey, now here’s how to carve it like a pro. It might be the first time you’ve ever been faced with a turkey, but with our step-by-step guide on carving a turkey, we know you can nail it!

PIGS IN BLANKETS

Christmas isn’t Christmas without these little porky treats. Follow Jamie’s simple method to ensure you get super-sticky, caramelised pigs in blankets in just five easy steps. You can make these on Christmas Eve if you fancy getting a job out of the way – they’ll still taste great reheated the next day! (Just remember not to reheat them again for your Boxing Day leftovers)

HOW TO MAKE ROAST POTATOES

rost potatoes in a bowl with sage and orange

Almost a rival for the big bird, these crunchy-on-the-outside and fluffy-on-the-inside roast potatoes are the king of Christmas dinners. Check out our step-by-step guide to perfect roasties. Flavoured with sage and orange, these are all you need to succeed.

HOW TO MAKE ROAST PARSNIPS

roasted parsnips on a plate with seasoning

Follow our step-by-step guide to roast parsnips and take them to the next level with honey and thyme. A sweet and nutty side that’s the perfect partner to your perfectly roasted turkey.

HOW TO MAKE BREAD SAUCE

bread sauce with olive oil drizzled and nutmeg on top

Bring everything together with a dollop of soft and creamy bread sauce. Here’s how to make bread sauce in 8 easy steps, for a really special Christmas Day side. Got a gluten-free guest? Our gluten-free bread sauce recipe is guaranteed to hit the spot.

BRAISED CABBAGE

Braised cabbage recipe in a bowl

Christmas dinner isn’t complete without vibrant and comforting braised red cabbage. This festive veggie side can be prepared in advance, too, saving you precious time on the big day. It adds colour to your plate and a welcome tang that takes your Christmas Day roast to new heights!

HOW TO MAKE POACHED PEARS

poached pears in sauce with cream on top

For a ridiculously easy pud, these saffron poached pears are an absolute dream for beginners. Simply poach pears with sugar and spices, boil the liquor into a sweet and sticky glaze, then pour over the poached pears and serve with cream. As far as Christmas desserts go, you can’t go wrong with something as light and tasty as this.

MORE: Christmas Day dessert ideas

JAMIE’S CHRISTMAS CHEESE BOARD 

an assortment of cheese on a board

If a sweet pudding isn’t your thing, a Christmas cheese board is super-easy to put together. And this is Jamie’s best of British selection.

And if things get sticky, don’t forget Jamie’s mantra: as long as you keep laughing, it will be alright. Good luck!

For more festive ideas and inspiration head to our Christmas hub.


Tags:

Christmas, How to