A full British Christmas feast with trifle and Yorkshire puddings? Okay, this is capital H-O-L-I-D-A-Y on so many levels.
I know, technically, this probably would have been a better fit for a December-only post. But when we’re talking about turkey and savory bread sauce tossed with herbs and coated in a creamy sauce all served up for a steaming hot dinner?
That, my friends, does not need to wait for Christmas Day. In my world, that can happen any day of the week.
1. Traditional English Trifle
Can we even talk about British Christmas food without the traditional English trifle? This dessert is just so light and fresh. Think sponge cake, fruit, pudding, and custard all together.It’s just one yummy layer on top of another!
It’s the dessert that just keeps going. There are a ton of ways to make this classic. This one, for example, uses raspberries and almonds, and soaks pound cake in Grand Marnier. Ugh.
It does have quite a few components, I know. So here’s my advice: just use a store-bought pound cake to make it easy. I won’t judge! I do it all the time, friends.
2. Bread Sauce
I know this next one sounds a little weird, but you need to try it. Believe it or not, bread sauce is a super traditional Christmas food that’s been around since medieval times.
You don’t need to be a history expert to see why it’s still here. It’s made from stale bread, milk, onions, and spices, and it’s just… divine. Serve this up with your turkey, right next to the cranberry sauce and stuffing.
And just like that, your holiday feast is set.
3. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Garlic
Okay, let’s be real: boiled Brussels sprouts for the holidays are not exactly the most delicious thing. But with just a couple of ingredients, you can totally transform that boring veggie into a total winner.
Nothing makes Brussels sprouts better than bacon and garlic. Period. These simple additions are all you need to make these sprouts a favorite, even with the kids.
4. Turkey Christmas Dinner With All the Trimmings
The full British Christmas dinner is here! We’re talking tender turkey, pork and apple stuffing, gravy, pigs in blankets, and roasted veggies. It sounds like a ton of work, right? But surprise! It all comes together in just one hour.
What’s the secret? Just grab your store-bought items and get them on a plate. Seriously, the only real work here is roasting the vegetables and making a super simple gravy. Trust me, it’s way easier than you think.
5. Cranberry Orange Relish Recipe
Since turkey is usually the big star of a British dinner, cranberry relish is always on the table, too. Tart cranberries get sweet by simmering them in sugar.
This recipe also infuses bright, citrusy orange flavor into the relish. Serve this alongside any meat entree you have to give it that refreshing, berry-citrus contrast. So good.
6. British Ploughman’s Lunch
The British ploughman’s lunch is this super festive platter just loaded with British meats, cheeses, crusty bread, chutney, and so much more. It’s basically a grazing board with a mix of sweet, salty, and savory bites.
All the parts can be served cold, which makes sense because the platter was originally for farmers (ploughmen!) to eat in the fields. Over time, it became a total Christmas appetizer staple.
7. Pigs in Blankets
Pigs in blankets are just as huge in the U.K. as they are here. And why not? These appetizers are savory mini-sausages wrapped up in bacon and baked until they are perfectly crispy.
It’s the ultimate meaty combo, and it is just to die for. Calling these bad boys “addictive” is a complete understatement. We’re going to need a whole new word for how good these are.
8. British Brandy Butter
Brandy and butter. Just thinking about that combo makes me happy. And it definitely delivers! Also known as hard sauce, this amazing syrup is a mix of butter, sugar, and brandy, and it’s flavored with orange zest and vanilla.
It’s sweet, buttery, and has a little bit of a kick! Drizzle this over a warm slice of pudding or cake to give your dessert some extra holiday pizzazz.
9. Christmas Chicken (Roast Chicken)
While most British households serve roast turkey, roast chicken is a really common substitute. I mean, you can’t go wrong with tender, succulent chicken with that amazing crispy skin.
Not only is it easier to cook, but it’s also way more ideal for smaller gatherings and intimate celebrations. This recipe will show you how to get that roast chicken SO juicy, from the drumsticks all the way to the breasts.
10. Traditional Yorkshire Puddings
Don’t get confused by the word “pudding” here. This is not a dessert! It’s a savory side dish that is perfect with a Christmas roast. A Yorkshire pudding is this puffy, egg-based bread with a crispy outer shell and a soft center.
It’s traditionally served with roast meats because it soaks up all those juices so beautifully. Plus, it’s really fun to make. Watching the batter puff up in the oven just gives me a different level of satisfaction!
11. Traditional British Christmas Pudding
Just like everywhere else, a holiday feast isn’t complete until dessert shows up. And in the U.K., pudding is basically the definition of Christmas dessert.
Also called plum pudding, it’s a steamed cake infused with brandy and it has this amazing fruit filling in the middle. You get wonderful flavors inside and out.
Fun fact: back in the day, they used to hide a silver coin in the center. Whoever found it was supposed to get good fortune!
12. English Roast Potatoes
Roast potatoes are another must-have at a British Christmas feast, and for very good reason. You just can’t beat that deliciousness of spuds that are crispy on the outside and all fluffy on the inside.
Besides the perfect textures, the flavors are totally on point. It’s easy to make, too. All you really need is a pinch of salt and pepper, and a spoonful of love.
13. Traditional British Rich Fruitcake
I was not the biggest fan of fruitcakes when I was a kid. But now that I’m older and my palate is more developed, I just can’t get enough of it! Unlike sponge cakes, a fruitcake has a really dense and heavy crumb.
It’s soaked in brandy and tea, which gives it a slightly bitter but totally delightful flavor. It’s also studded with dried cherries, almonds, and orange peel. Every single bite is just bursting with mind-blowing tastes and textures. Happy Christmas, for real!
14. Traditional Figgy Pudding Recipe
Here’s *another* pudding recipe that is guaranteed to make your taste buds happy. Don’t confuse this with a traditional Christmas pudding! A figgy pudding is made with suet (which is meat fat, if you’re not familiar) and dried figs.
Don’t let the suet scare you off! Together, those two ingredients, along with the others, create a sweet and savory pudding your palate will not forget.
While it’s still technically a dessert, it’s not as sweet as you might expect. That’s why it’s usually served with custard or a warm syrup for drizzling.
15. Best Roast Parsnips
These roasted parsnips are the absolute best partner for your Christmas turkey! They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and just wonderful in every bite.
Roasting this humble root vegetable brings out its natural sugars and caramelizes it to golden perfection. It becomes so pleasantly sweet, even without any help from honey or maple syrup.
And don’t worry about those stringy middles, either! You won’t get any of those here. There’s a simple trick to get those nasty things out of the way, and this recipe shows you how.
16. Beef Wellington
So maybe turkey or chicken isn’t your thing. How about Beef Wellington? This amazing dish is going to be an extra-fancy holiday centerpiece! Beef Wellington (or Boeuf en croute) is just an insanely tender piece of beef.
It gets wrapped in mushrooms duxelles and a golden puff pastry. I know it’s on all those cooking shows, so people get really intimidated by the recipe. But trust me, if I can do it, you can totally do it.
17. Creamy Leek and Potato Soup
This creamy soup will absolutely get your taste buds ready for the feast. And even though it has potatoes, it’s still a very light appetizer, so don’t worry about it weighing you down.
This is one of the best soups the U.K. has to offer! It’s outrageously smooth and silky, with leeks and toasted hazelnuts on top for a little bit of crunch. It’s British comfort food at its best.
It’s often served at Christmas, but don’t let that stop you from making this any day.
18. Braised Red Cabbage
The thought of red cabbage doesn’t sound super exciting, I know. But don’t knock it ’til you try it! This British Christmas staple is tart and crisp, which is a really refreshing contrast to all the other holiday dishes that are usually super rich and heavy.
It’s not *all* tart, though. It’s infused with apple juice, so the red cabbage slaw also has a little sweetness. Mustard seeds give it a lively zing, too!
19. British Mincemeat Tarts
So, way back in the day these had meat, but modern mincemeat tarts? Totally meat-free. Instead, they are loaded with a bright and fresh mix of chopped fruits and spices.
These pastries are just as yummy as they are beautiful. That star-shaped outer crust and a little dusting of powdered sugar… one look and you are 100% in the holiday spirit.
20. Bubble and Squeak (British Potato Cakes)
I mean, how interesting is this name? Right? It sounds complicated and weird, but bubble and squeak is really just a simple dish. It’s basically potato cakes.
Think of it like a savory pancake that’s filled with leftover veggies, all held together with mashed potatoes. But even though it uses yesterday’s ingredients, this dish is bright, shiny, and just so delicious.