British Christmas Food: Must-Have Dishes for the Festive Season
British Christmas dinner is a delightful fusion of tradition, warmth, and festive indulgence. The holiday season in Britain is especially wonderful, so when you add up timeless recipes passed down through generations, you get a home filled with warm, nostalgic aromas. Besides tasty foods, wintery drinks are a huge part of the perfect Christmas meal – from mulled wine over eggnog to wassail (a hot cider-based drink). Here is a short list of British Christmas food you must try!
Roast Turkey
Roasted bird is often a centerpiece of a British Christmas dinner! A classic turkey is a golden brown with crispy skin and succulent, tender meat, so it pairs perfectly with any side dish. British people love to serve it with stuffing and gravy made from the turkey drippings. Check out this fantastic base recipe!
Roast Goose
The roasted goose was a traditional Christmas bird, but in the Victorian era, it was swapped for its bigger sister – the turkey. A well-roasted goose has way richer flavor than turkey, and because it’s fattier – the meat is particularly succulent. Gordon Ramsay has this flawless recipe with honey, herbs, and citruses; it is a must-try!
Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington is an authentic British cuisine gem! It is a luxurious and impressive dish reserved for special occasions, like Christmas, as the prep process is pretty tricky. Juicy beef fillet coated in duxelles (mushroom pâté) and wrapped in golden and flaky pastry is an experience for all the senses. YUM!
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Pigs in Blankets
British Pigs in Blankets have four ingredients only: cocktail sausages, bacon, honey, and mustard. These delish little treats are a symphony for your palate – smoky, salty bacon contrasts impeccably with the juicy sausage. They go alongside the turkey, and many people actually consider them the best part of the meal (I can see why, though!)
Stuffing
Stuffing is an essential addition to Christmas dinner – you can place it inside the turkey or bake it separately. Sage and onion stuffing is part of a tradition, made with breadcrumbs, herbs, and butter. On the other hand, there is one more popular stuffing option – chestnut stuffing that offers a rich, nutty flavor that complements the roasted bird, so definitely choose between these two.
Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire puddings are a Sunday dinner staple, but don’t miss them for Christmas! They are airy and crispy and pair flawlessly with the gravy! They call for a simple batter made with eggs, flour, and milk, but the trick is they go from the oven straight to the table. I must admit, these are my favorites!
Christmas Pudding
I’ve never known the lore behind Christmas pudding, but it is so much fun! The first thing that surprised me was that you needed to make this dessert about a month in advance to allow all the flavors to fuse and mature. The main ingredient here is brandy, along with spices and dried and candied fruits, so you already know it will be quite festive! Definitely check it out!
Christmas Cake
Christmas cake and Christmas pudding are the same thing in different fonts! Here, too, you will get loads of spices and candied fruits infused with brandy but in a cakey consistency. Of course, you can leave this rich, moist cake as it is, or go a step further and decorate it with marzipan, royal icing, and simple Christmas scenes!
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Trifle
One thing is clear – British people adore incorporating liquor into their desserts, and I’m here for it! This incredible dessert has four layers: cake soaked in Sherry, tangy berry compote, creamy vanilla custard, and homemade whipped cream. I love the fact that you’re assembling it in a large serving bowl, so there is no worry if it will stiffen enough in the fridge to cut.
Roast Potatoes
Potatoes are an inevitable side dish to serve with roast. I love species, but sometimes it is best to season them with salt and pepper only, as in this recipe. The texture is the true star here: super crispy on the outside and almost creamy on the inside. You can get this by one simple, additional step: boiling potatoes before baking them in the oven!
Mince Pies
Even though the name implies these pies are stuffed with minced meat, that is not the case at all. They actually date back to the Middle Ages when they were originally filled with minced meat, suet, fruits, and spices – an interesting combo, right?! But today’s minced pies contain a sweet filling of dried fruits, sugar, and spices – popular as mincemeat.
Chefs, thank you for the wonderful recipes! From main courses over side dishes to liquor-infused desserts – there is something for everyone’s taste buds!
