Christmas Feast: Roast Turkey Menu & Recipes

Every family has slightly different traditions at Christmas and what to serve for the main meal is no exception. This is a collection of my family recipes that I serve on Christmas Day plus a few alternatives too.

Let me know in the comments if you include any other dishes in your traditional meal!

The Main Event

I do occasionally veer from tradition and serve something slightly different from a turkey. A very small gathering may get a chicken instead or I may cook a joint of beef or pork. More often than not a glazed ham will make an appearance as an extra. Here is my main go-to turkey recipe and a few alternative options.

How to Roast Turkey (Wet Brined Crown)

If you think that “turkey is a dry meat” then I can confirm that you’re wrong! Only badly cooked turkeys are dry. My How to Roast Turkey guide has easy instructions to perfectly cook a wet brined turkey that’s not only succulent and moist, but blooming delicious too!

Potatoes

I know that some folks wouldn’t dream of not serving roast potatoes with a roast dinner and others that couldn’t conceive Christmas without mash. For me, I must have both regular roasties and roast sweet potatoes!

How to Roast Potatoes

This is the ultimate How to Roast Potatoes guide. It’s a step by step tutorial of how to make roasties which are both perfectly fluffy and perfectly crispy. Trust me, boiling the potatoes is a step worth taking for the ultimate carb side! And it works every single time.

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Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes are one of my favourite side dishes. They go with almost everything from fish to pork chops and even make a great addition to salads, tacos and soups. Talk about versatile! As a bonus my recipe includes my top tip for avoiding that burnt horrible garlic taste.

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Roasted Potato Cubes with Rosemary

These Roasted Potato Cubes with Rosemary and Garlic are a very tasty side dish which is ready in no time at all. You might know them as parmentier potatoes or simply cubed potatoes but whatever you choose to call them, these crispy little spuds are terrific!

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Essential Sides

Pigs in blankets, stuffing and yorkshire puddings are all non-negotiable for me. I now often combine my two stuffing recipes by homemaking the sage and onion stuffing then adding sausage meat. It’s perfect!

Pigs in Blankets (UK Bacon Wrapped Sausages)

Pigs in Blankets are an essential on many Christmas menus. But these tasty bacon wrapped chipolatas are just as great as the centrepiece of an everyday meal, as a cheeky canape or as a side to roast chicken.

Homemade Paxo Stuffing (Sage & Onion)

I've finally figured out the secret to making a delicious Homemade Paxo Stuffing and I'm ready to share it. This classic British sage and onion flavoured roast dinner essential is buttery and full of flavour. Fresh ingredients mean it isn't a direct copycat but even lifelong packet stuffing lovers like me will be converted – it really is better!

Vegetables

All of my roast dinners include incredible amounts of vegetables. But there is something about Christmas where it is inevitable that I’ll make even more than normal I just can’t help myself.

Now I know that there is a glaring omission in this list of Christmas veg sides – the sprouts! I promise I’m working on getting the recipe written up and published!

The Best Roast Parsnips

The Best Roast Parsnips are golden and crispy on the outside and juicy and tender inside. No skinny burnt ends, no stringy middles, just pure unadulterated crispy roast parsnip joy. They’re just as tasty on the Christmas table as with any roast dinner or just as a simple weekday side.

Vichy Carrots with Thyme

Vichy Carrots are cooked according to a classic French method but there is nothing fancy or tricky about this recipe. Earthy carrots are simply cooked down with butter, sugar and fresh thyme to create a sticky glazed and rather decadent side dish. Think carrots are boring? Think again!

Sauces

Whilst on paper cranberry sauce, bread sauce and gravy might sound like too many sauces, I can assure you they are not! The only real decision to make is whether to make smooth or chunky cranberry sauce…

Get Ahead Gravy From Scratch

This Get Ahead Gravy recipe is perfect to make a good quantity of gravy without last minute stress. Any roast meat juices can be added to finish it off so it’s ideal for turkey gravy at Christmas or Thanksgiving, any Sunday lunch or even bangers and mash!

Homemade Bread Sauce with Panko

This Homemade Bread Sauce recipe is traditional in flavour but super creamy and made with handy store cupboard breadcrumbs. Don’t relegate this classic chicken and turkey accompaniment to Christmas, let’s start eating it all year round!

Christmas Pudding

Now despite many people, I don’t actually like Christmas Pudding (I am more than willing to eat brandy butter with a spoon however). But someone always wants a traditional pud and so I almost always make one. If the crowds can be persuaded, warm mince pies and custard is a good festive alternative.

Whether I make a “steamed” pudding or not, there is always at least one other option. I’ve included a few of my favourites here including a couple of spins on a classic trifle.

Cheat’s Microwave Christmas Pudding

By using mincemeat and the literal power of the microwave, you can have this traditional style pud ready to go in just 30 minutes. With no lengthy steaming involved, this Cheat's Microwave Christmas Pudding can be made ahead of time and stored, or made last minute on Christmas Eve!

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