How to Cook Christmas Dinner: 10 Kitchen Tips for a Festive Feast to Remember
18th December 2024
Christmas dinner is the ultimate culinary highlight of the festive season—a celebration where food takes centre stage and flavours fill the air with joy. But let’s face it: cooking for a crowd can feel overwhelming, especially with multiple dishes vying for attention. And with this particular dinner so highly anticipated, it adds an extra layer of stress to hosting!
To help you tackle the day with confidence, we’ve compiled 10 detailed kitchen tips to guide you step-by-step. From smart prep to timing perfection, these tips will ensure your meal is a hit. Plus, we’ve linked to some standout recipes from Dublin Cookery School to inspire your menu.
Preparation is Key
1. Plan Your Menu and Create a Cooking Schedule
Start by planning every detail of your meal, from appetisers to dessert. Include a mix of make-ahead dishes and those best served fresh. Once you’ve decided on your menu, write a timeline.
- The day before: Prep soups, sauces, and desserts like our decadent Philippe’s Bûche de Noël.
- Morning of Christmas Day: Roast vegetables and prep sides like the Winter Root Vegetable Medley.
- Closer to dinnertime: Cook your mains and warm appetisers if required.
A clear schedule prevents last-minute panic and keeps everything on track.
2. Mise en Place: Prepare Ingredients in Advance
Channel your inner chef by prepping all your ingredients before you start cooking. Chop vegetables, measure spices, and portion out liquids. For soups like the Roasted Celeriac and Garlic Soup with Truffle, this step ensures a smooth cooking process and minimises kitchen chaos.
The Main Event
3. Master the Main Dish
Your centrepiece deserves attention, so cook it with care. If you’re serving meat, a meat thermometer is your best friend—it ensures your roast is perfectly cooked without the guesswork. For something unique, try our Roast Duck and Duck Fat Potato Cakes.
Hosting vegetarians? Impress with our hearty, flavour-packed Vegetable Wellington, which pairs beautifully with seasonal sides.
4. Roast Vegetables Like a Pro
Roasted vegetables add colour and flavour to your Christmas dinner. Cut vegetables into uniform pieces for even cooking and use a hot oven to achieve that golden caramelisation. Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and don’t overcrowd the tray. Our Winter Root Vegetable Medley recipe is a foolproof guide.
5. Make Gravy in Advance
Save yourself stress by making your gravy a day ahead. Use chicken wings to make the base for the gravy, then you simply need to perfect it on the day! Before serving, skim off any fat and reheat it on the stove. Add your drippings from the main roast and you’ve a homemade gravy ready with no mess or stress! Bonus Tip: A splash of wine or a dollop of cream can elevate the flavours beautifully.
6. Stay Ahead with Make-Ahead Sides
Side dishes like mashed potatoes or casseroles can be made ahead and reheated just before serving. You can also partially cook dishes like stuffing or vegetable gratins, finishing them in the oven while your roast rests. Cranberry sauce is another make-ahead side that does wonders from both a colour and flavour perspective!
7. Multitask Like a Pro with Your Oven and Hob
Timing is crucial when cooking multiple dishes. To keep everything warm, use your oven's low-temperature setting or invest in warming trays. When stovetop space is tight, consider steaming vegetables in the microwave or finishing certain dishes in the oven.
Creating the Perfect Vibe
8. Elevate the Atmosphere with Drinks
Keep the festive vibes flowing with a signature drink like Glühwein. This spiced, warming mulled wine pairs perfectly with the rich flavours of a Christmas meal. Set up a drinks station so guests can help themselves and you’re free to focus on the food.
9. Use Beautiful Presentation to Impress
Presentation is half the appeal of a Christmas dinner. Garnish soups with fresh herbs, arrange roast vegetables artfully, and add sprigs of rosemary to your meat platter. Even simple touches like dusting powdered sugar on desserts elevate the meal.
10. Take the Pressure Off Yourself
You don’t have to do it all. Consider delegating tasks like setting the table or managing drinks to family members. Rent tableware to avoid washing up piles of dishes. Remember, Christmas is about spending time with loved ones, not striving for perfection.