Here's 30 BEST British Christmas Foods To Put Some Jolly Good On The Table! (2024)

Celebrate the holidays like the Brits with these 30 British Christmas foods you can make at home!

I love Christmas—the lights, the music, the gift-giving, and the lighthearted spirit of it all—it’s also a food mood like no other.

Christmas is celebrated on 25th December all over the world and Britain is not left behind in the festivities.

Food is also part of this Christmas-sy cheer as kids leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas to enjoy when he brings them their gifts.

Lunch is the main Christmas meal and it’s normally roast vegetables and roasted turkey (though traditionally roasted beef or goose was served) with all the Christmas trimmings.

The vegetable of choice in the UK is brussel sprouts while cranberry sauce and bread sauce accompanied the meat.

Many English families enjoy Christmas together as one giant feast and have recipes set aside just for this annual celebration.

A lot of chocolate, trifles, mince pies and yuletide pudding are also prominent desserts during the holiday season.

A British Christmas is incomplete without their traditional Christmas cake that is perfect as family and friends watch fireworks displays or Christmas movies.

We are bringing a British Christmas to our kitchen and backyard with these thirty recipes that are fun and easy to prepare.

1. Christmas Morning English Muffins

Complement your morning mimosa with these special Christmas morning English muffins as you prep your big meal of the day.

Toast your muffin till it is golden brown; crunchy yet soft on the inside.

Spread a generous layer of real cream cheese, top it with some warm fig butter, pile on your chopped apricots, and then drizzle your honey on top.

No mess, quick and you keep your appetite for the other Christmas goodies

2. Traditional British Christmas Pudding

It is sometimes called a plum pudding, a fight pudding, or a fruit and brandy-filled, steamed dessert.

“Oh, bring us a figgy pudding…” and “we all like our figgy pudding…” are two lines from the well-known Christmas carol “We wish you a merry Christmas…”

Now I can’t get the song out of my head and it will probably play on repeat all day long.

Steam your pudding, douse it in whisky and then light it up to end your British Christmas celebration spectacularly.

3. Traditional British Christmas Cake

The tradition to serve a traditional British Christmas cake had existed since the Victorian era and it is practiced throughout England during the holiday season.

Patience is key here as the long, slow cooking is what gives this wonderful cake the wonderful flavors everyone enjoys.

If you can’t find sultanas at your local store, substitute them with your favorite raisins and soak them until they are nice and soft.

Use fresh orange juice or some apple juice for an alcohol-free cake.

4. Perfect Roast Turkey

A traditional Christmas dinner has roasted turkey as its centerpiece.

Before the 1500s, the goose was the bird of choice while the chicken was the cheaper option.

A huge roast turkey is a showstopper but infamously problematic to cook.

This recipe is here to ease your load, make things way easier, and still serve up one helluva turkey roast.

There are no fancy techniques and no stuffing because you will prepare the stuffing separately.

Put the recipe to the test and see if you will beat the record 10-minute hands-on time!

5. Christmas Bread Sauce

A British Christmas menu is incomplete without this famous bread sauce.

The ingredients are straightforward as all you need is milk, butter, stale bread, and spices.

There are many substitutes forhomemade breadcrumbsthat work well with other recipes but this one needs you to stick with classic breadcrumbs for the best results.

Pour into a bowl and serve as a side dish.

6. Pigs In A Blanket Wreath

Your Christmas will be more festive with this delicious work of art.

Serve this Christmas staple in a creative and fun way that also makes for an incredible centerpiece.

Serve with some homemade cranberry sauce for an outstanding appetizer.

7. Christmas Yorkshire Pudding

This impressive creation looks like a cloud and is as delicious as it smells and looks.

Rest your batter overnight so the flavors are more pronounced.

It is delicious eaten as is or slathered with some strawberry butter, jam, or salted better.

8. Braised Red Cabbage

This recipe requires very little prep time and comes together in a snap.

This colorful fragrant dish is lightly sweet and sour making it a perfect side dish.

Serve it hot or cold and savor every bite.

9. Traditional English Trifle

A trifle is something of little importance but oh boy, are you in for a treat!

This British Christmas treat is light and delectable with a beautiful presentation that everyone will love.

Serve in a footed trifle bowl just like the British or a large glass bowl.

If you don’t have any of this, individual glasses will do just fine.

10. Homemade Cranberry Sauce

A proper festive Brutish meal especially for Christmas must have some cranberry sauce to go with the meats and as a dip.

The kids will enjoy listening to the cranberries pop and talk.

You can also make it a week in advance leaving you more time to relax and socialize.

Don’t missed out ourCranberry-Pear Saucefeaturing ginger and rosemary!

11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprouts are eaten more by Brits than any other nation in Europe.

What arebrussels sproutsand what do they taste like?

This mini cabbage is maligned and unfairly tarnished but this easy recipe will convert you forever.

This recipe promises and delivers a sweet dish with a little bit of crunch you will want to make even after the festivities.

12. Mince Pies

A British Christmas is incomplete without these yummy mince pies.

These small savory pastries are fruity and boozy and pack a taste that is hard to describe.

Santa loves his boozy meat pies with a shot of vodka and a carrot for his trusty reindeer.

Every kid in Britain knows this.

-hic-

13. British Roast Potatoes

A ‘crispy roastie’ is a must-have in a British Christmas menu.

Roast your potatoes the British way by parboiling them and then frying them to a crisp.

Try this recipe with sweet potatoes and yams and enjoy.

14. Velvety Potato Leek Soup

Leeks cooked in various ways are served with Sunday roast and Christmas dinner in most British homes.

There are manysoups to start up dinneror cozy up to during the holidays this recipe beats them hands down.

MoreChristmas soup recipes here!

15. Roast Parsnips

Just like the potato roasties, the key is to parboil parsnips before roasting them to a golden crisp with a tender inside.

Smaller and thinner parsnips are best because they are more flavorful and tender.

Maintain uniform thickness when chilling them up so they cook evenly.

16. Old English Fruitcake

Unlike a Christmas pudding that is cooked by steaming, an English fruit cake is baked to perfection.

This is a 5-star recipe that has been tried and tested with excellent results.

You will have a dark, moist cake fully loaded with fruits and spices.

17. Cauliflower Cheese

This foolproof recipe is perfect even for beginners and makes a delicious side dish for your main dish.

Choose a cauliflower that has white florets without any blemish and the outer leaves should be crispy green in color.

Indulge yourself!

18. Christmas Tea Shortbread

You only need butter, salt, and flour for this British biscuit that is perfect with tea.

Remember to prick holes in your shaped dough so hot air can escape leaving the cookies flat.

Keep your biscuit tin filled for the season and play around with shapes and decorations.

Why don’t you wrap them with ‘reindeer antlers’ and watch the kids’ faces light up?

Want to share Christmas cookies with neighbors and friends? Make some with these17 recipes!

19. Turkey Gravy

This recipe allows you to use pan drippings from your turkey roast and it’s a British Christmas tradition you will want to keep.

Some seasoning and herbs will give it that festive touch.

20. Yule Log

A Yule Log is such a British Christmas classic you have to try it.

The presentation looks like something straight from a fairy tale.

A log meant for eating not burning.

21. Devils On Horseback

This festive appetizer is great for buffets and parties.

Assemble them ahead of time and pop them in the oven at the last minute.

Some hot cayenne pepper makes them devilishly hot.

22. Chocolate Orange Pots

This silky, smooth master of indulgence is perfect for Christmas and can be made ahead of time.

Pour into shot glasses, chill in the fridge and enjoy.

How about making somesweet candy treats for Christmas?

23. Brandy Sauce

This Brandy Sauce is needed for the classic British pudding.

You will prepare this delicacy long after the holidays, it’s just that good.

24. Creamy Horseradish Sauce

You only need a minute to stir up their condiment which is a perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and peppery.

It works great with most meat and potatoes and features prominently on British dining tables.

25. Christmas Salad

Brighten up your table with this vivid creation that is easy to whip up and can feed a crowd.

Serve it alongside yourroasties or meatsand enjoy the pop of flavors.

26. Cumberland Sauce

Most British families have a variation of this staple that pairs well with meat, especially cold meats.

Serve it cold and make a large batch for future use because it freezes well.

27. Wassail

The smells from this hot holiday drink will get everyone moving especially if you prepare it early Christmas morning.

For an adult version, add some whiskey or rum.

28. Roast Goose

People in England traditionally loved to celebrate with a goose before the arrival of the turkey.

Roast goose drizzled with your Cumberland sauce and paired withroasted potatoescooked in the drippings is something everyone should experience.

29. English Sausage Rolls

These are nothing like pigs in a blanket.

Wrap some savory sausages in pastry and bake to a perfect golden brown.

30. Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is part of British Christmas tradition and this recipe shows you how to make it at home.

Raise the spirits of those around you with this spicy drink.

Here are morefor the upcoming holiday!

The bottom line

The holiday season is magical yet filled with a lot of hustle and bustle.

Shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping gifts, and hosting family and friends are all part of the tradition.

This detailed article is to make it easier for you as you wait for a white Christmas and do it the English way.

Any of these British Christmas recipes will bring warmth and cheer to your kitchen and home.

Stock your pantry and do your Christmas shopping in good time so you can try these recipes with amazing results.

Looking for more Christmas recipes? How about:

• 27 BEST Christmas Soups
• 30 Incredible Holiday Coffee Recipes
• 30 Christmas Candy Ideas
• 11 Japanese Christmas Cakes
• Who Can Resist Christmas Cookies?!

BEST British Christmas Foods

This sample of popular holiday eats at Christmastime in the UK are just what you need to put you in the spirit.

Ingredients

• Christmas Morning English Muffins
• Traditional British Christmas Pudding
• Traditional British Christmas Cake
• Perfect Roast Turkey
• Christmas Bread Sauce
• Pigs In A Blanket Wreath
• Christmas Yorkshire Pudding
• Braised Red Cabbage
• Traditional English Trifle
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Mince Pies
• British Roast Potatoes
• Velvety Potato Leek Soup
• Roast Parsnips
• Old English Fruitcake
• Cauliflower Cheese
• Christmas Tea Shortbread
• Turkey Gravy
• Yule Log
• Devils On Horseback
• Chocolate Orange Pots
• Brandy Sauce
• Creamy Horseradish Sauce
• Christmas Salad
• Cumberland Sauce
• Wassail
• Roast Goose
• English Sausage Rolls
• Mulled Wine

Instructions

1. Skim through our jolly-good British Christmas Foods list.
2. Select the recipe you just gotta make now.
3. Prep the ingredients as instructed.
4. Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

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