From indulgent showstoppers to fun party pieces, there are plenty of enticing Christmas food options on offer this year, whether you’re looking for classic festive flavours or more unusual Christmas-themed creations (pigs in blanket sushi rolls, anyone?).
To help inspire your festive food planning, we’ve rounded up the standout Christmas specials from the major supermarkets including starters and party food, showstopping desserts, cheese and more.
We also asked supermarkets to nominate their top turkey options (for large and small gatherings), alternative meat or fish options, and vegetarian or vegan mains, to help you track down your ideal Christmas day centrepiece.
Lidl hasn’t released details of its Christmas food range yet, but we’ll add this information when we have it.
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Aldi Christmas Food 2021
Aldi Christmas food order dates: available to order now from Aldi
Aldi is tantalising our taste buds this year with a range of pigs-in-blankets themed festive delights, including posh ‘stags in quilts’ and, if you’re craving festive flavours ahead of time – a pizza topped with maple-glazed turkey, garlic-and-herb infused pork crumbs and cranberry sauce.
If you’re foregoing the traditional turkey this year, Aldi has you covered with unusual upgrades including pheasant and game selections and showy vegan centrepieces.
Starters and sides:
- Specially Selected Exquisite Pâté Ingot, £4.99 (365g) – Chicken and duck liver parfait topped with passionfruit and clementine jelly and a hidden cranberry centre. Available 10 December.
- Specially Selected Baking Camembert with Sprout Pesto, £2.99 (290g) – Molten and creamy baked camembert, perfect for dipping and dunking with a unique sprout pesto. Available 26 November.
- Specially Selected Stags in Quilts, £2.49 (240g) – Wild venison and pork cranberry chipolatas rolled in streaky bacon. Available 9 December.
Mains:
- Ultimate Stuffed Turkey Crown and Bacon wrapped Thigh Fillets, £39.99 (serves 10-12) – Turkey crown stuffed with pork, sage and caramelised onion stuffing, accompanied by two stuffed thigh fillets wrapped in bacon. Available 19 December.
- 4 Free Range Turkey Parcels, £24.99 (serves 4) – Turkey breast fillets stuffed with pork, sage and onion stuffing and wrapped in bacon. Available 19 December.
- Exquisite Game Box, £29.99 (serves 8-12) – Two plucked whole pheasants, two plucked whole partridges, four pheasant breasts and two rolls of pork and cranberry stuffing. Available 19 December.
- Specially Selected Vegan Festive Wreath (vegan), £3.99 (serves 4) – Puff pastry wreath with butternut squash, pumpkin seeds and chestnuts, drizzled in a cranberry glaze. Available 19 December.
- Specially Selected Pigs in Blankets Festive Pizza, £3.49 (535g) – pizza topped with pigs in blankets, maple glazed turkey, garlic and herb infused pork crumb, mozzarella and cranberry sauce. Available 1 December.
Desserts and sweet treats:
- Specially Selected After Dinner Mint Layered Bar, £4.99 (350g) – Chocolate sponge topped with dark chocolate mousse, chocolate chips, a mint chocolate feuillantine with meringue pieces, and mint fondant, topped with rippled dark mint chocolate. Available now from Aldi.
- Specially Selected Raspberry and White Chocolate Christmas Tree, £7.99 (540g). Filled with layers of mousse and sponge, this festive treat also comes in Black Forest flavour. Available 15 November.
- Specially Selected Millionaires Mince Pies, £1.99 (pack of 6) – Mince pies filled with salted caramel, chocolate and hazelnut sauce, and sweet, spiced mincemeat. Available 11 November.
- Specially Selected British Flavoured Truckles, 1.99 (200g) – Range of unique flavoured cheeses including Caramelised Onion & Rioja Mature Cheddar, Rosemary & Truffle Flavour Mature Cheddar, Spiced Honey & Rum Yorkshire Wensleydale, Raspberries & Pink Gin Yorkshire Wensleydale. Available 26 November.
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Asda Christmas Food 2021
Asda Christmas food order dates: some options available to order now from Asda. In-store dates, prices and serving sizes still to be confirmed.
Asda has some fun party pieces on the menu this year, which should please little ones round the dinner table, as well as some treats more suited to grown-up tastes.
More zany options include a candy cane shaped sausage roll with sage and onion, and a rather cute Brussel Sprout cake (in case you’re wondering, Asda didn’t go that far – the cake itself is chocolate).
Starters and sides:
- Extra Special Duck Liver Paté with Clementine and Armagnac Jelly Ingot – Chicken and duck liver pate enriched with cream, topped with a clementine and Armagnac jelly. Date available and price TBC
- Candy Cane Pork, Sage & Onion Sausage Roll – A fun and hearty party food (as long as you have a knife to hand), this giant candy cane shaped sausage roll has sage and onion flavouring and is topped with crunchy sprinkles. Date available and price TBC
- Extra Special Pigs in Blankets Fondue with Red Leicester Cheese & Sweet Chilli Dip – Pigs in blankets with a chilli-cheese fondue for another festive snacking treat. Date available and price TBC
Mains:
- Extra Special Free Range & Corn Fed Stuffed Turkey Crown (serves 6) – Turkey crown filled with pork, bacon, orange blossom honey & thyme stuffing, wrapped in double oak smoked dry cured bacon. Date available and price TBC
- Small Roast in a Bag Turkey Crown (serves 4) – Roast in the bag for a fuss and mess-free turkey dinner. Date available and price TBC
- Extra Special Three Bone Rib Joint with Parmesan & Truffle Crust (serves 12) – Try something different with this 21 day-aged British beef rib joint with Italian black summer truffle and an Italian parmesan & herb crumb. Date available and price TBC
- Extra Special Beefless Wellington (vegan), £5 (serves 4) – Soya-based “beef” filling layered with a topping of mushroom duxelle and wrapped in vegan puff pastry. Date available and price TBC
Desserts and sweet treats:
- Extra Special Chocolate Orange Bauble – Hand-moulded Belgian dark chocolate shell, filled with fresh orange curd, chocolate sponge, blood orange caramel, and chocolate mousse. Date available and price TBC
- Bruce the Brussel Sprout Cake – Chocolate sponge filled with chocolate flavour frosting and covered in soft, green fondant icing. Date available and price TBC
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Co-op Christmas Food 2021
Co-op Christmas food order dates: from December (exact dates TBC).
Co-op is mostly sticking to classic Christmas flavours with its festive range this year, although there are a few unusual options lurking around if you’re feeling brave, including some avante-garde Christmas dinner flavoured spring rolls.
Vegans are well catered for too, with a variety of festive offerings in it’s GRO HO HO range including a spicy fondue made with vegan alternative cheeses, and a soya-based Turk’y joint.
You can check how Co-op’s vegan offerings fared against rivals in our recent vegan burger taste tests and vegan sausage tests.
Starters and sides:
- Irresistible Beetroot Cured Smoked Salmon with Orange Liqueur, £4 (100g) – Delicately smoked and matured over beech and oak. Garnished with beetroot, orange liqueur and orange zest.
- Christmas Dinner Spring Rolls, £3 (148g) – British turkey in a gravy sauce with cabbage and carrot, accompanied by a sweet cranberry dipping sauce.
- GRO HO HO Spicy Fondue (vegan), £3.50 (130g) – A blend of vegan alternative cheeses with jalapeño chilli, spring onion, sweet roasted peppers and smoky paprika.
Mains:
- Co-op Irresistible Organic Pembrokeshire Turkey, £45 (serves 6-10) – Reared in Wales and slowly grown for fuller flavour and tenderness. Available 19 December.
- Co-op Small Turkey Crown, £17.50 (serves 2-4) – Fresh turkey breast crown with prime wings. Available 19 December.
- Co-op Irresistible Beef Picanha Joint with Porcini Butter, £17.50 (serves 5) – 28-day-matured succulent beef Picanha joint seasoned with salt and pepper and served with a porcini butter. Available 15 December.
- Co-op GRO HO HO Turk’y Joint (vegan), £4.95 (serves 3) – Turkey alternative made from soya, finished with a bay leaf and a herb and garlic melt. Available 15 December.
Desserts and sweet treats:
- Irresistible Belgian Chocolate Orange Wreath Cake, £8 (739g) – Chocolate sponge with clementine filling, topped with orange milk chocolate ganache buttercream, and decorated with milk chocolate rice balls, milk chocolate curls and dark chocolate pine needles.
- Irresistible Millionaire’s Roulade, £4.50 (430g) – Slow-baked soft and chewy chocolate meringue filled with toffee sauce, caramel cream and biscuit crumb. Finished with a Belgian milk chocolate drizzle and a dusting of gold shimmer.
- Irresistible Bourbon & Bitter Orange Mince Pies, £2 (pack of 4) – All-butter mince pies, filled with bourbon and bitter orange mincemeat, topped with clementine flavour buttercream.
Iceland Christmas Food 2021
Iceland Christmas food order dates: order now from Iceland. Some in-store availability and prices still TBC
Iceland’s Christmas range features a range of indulgent frozen favourites, including a mac & cheese pie with vintage cheddar, and a chocolate layered dessert with brownie, peanut caramel and chocolate mousse.
It’s also offering a fishy take on pigs in blankets, switching out the sausage for tail-on king prawns.
Starters and sides:
- Iceland Luxury King Prawns in Blankets, £5 (pack of 10) – Raw tail-on king prawns wrapped in smoked streaky bacon. Available 8 November.
- Iceland Luxury Mac & Cheese Pie, £3 (serves 2) – Puff pastry tart filled with cooked macaroni pasta in a creamy vintage cheddar cheese sauce, topped with toasted breadcrumbs and red leicester cheese. Available 8 November.
Mains:
- Iceland Perfect Turkey Crown, £16 (serves 8-10) – Easy carve turkey crown marinated in oil, herbs and spices. Available now from Iceland.
- Luxury Aberdeen Angus Beef Dripping Joint (serves 4-6) – Aberdeen Angus beef seasoned with beef dripping. Date available and price TBC
- Luxury Festive Roast for one (vegan) – A pre-cooked combo of brown rice, red lentils, parsnip, spinach, potato, carrots and mushrooms topped with sunflower seeds and cranberry and onion chutney. Date available and price TBC
Desserts and sweet treats:
- Iceland Luxury Chocolate & Peanut Bar £6 (serves 8) – Brownie base layered with peanut caramel, topped with a milk chocolate mousse and coated in milk chocolate. Available 8 November.
- Iceland Luxury Black Forest & Chocolate Mousse, £5 (serves 8) – Chocolate flavoured sponge layered with cherry fruit, topped with dark chocolate mousse and coated with cherry and kirsch flavoured glaze. Available 8 November.
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M&S Christmas Food 2021
M&S Christmas food order dates: order now from M&S.
M&S has produced a typically luxurious-sounding festive spread. Its range features a variety of tempting options including a salmon platter, vegan wellington, and Brie en croute.
Plus, a festive version of the much-loved Colin Caterpillar to rival Asda’s cheery Brussel Sprout cake.
Starters and sides:
- Collection The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Platter, £18 (serves 4) – One for serious salmon fans. A selection of oak-smoked, whisky-smoked and honey-roast hot-smoked salmon – and smoked salmon pâté. With caper berries and fresh dill to serve. Available from M&S.
- Collection Brie en Croûte, £14 (serves 6) – Creamy Brie wrapped in all-butter puff pastry and studded with rosemary and garlic. Available from M&S.
Mains:
- Collection Turkey & Ham Christmas Pudding Pie, £20 (serves 6) – Fancy something a bit different but with the traditional bases covered? This all-butter shortcrust pastry pie filled with British turkey, pulled ham hock and fruity pork stuffing, fits the bill – it’s finished to look like a Christmas pudding. Available from M&S.
- Collection The Perfect Turkey Joint, £45 (serves 8-10) – Turkey with pork, chestnut, cranberry and sloe gin stuffing, topped with apple wood-smoked streaky bacon and garnished with a bouquet garni and goose-fat butter. Available from M&S.
- British Oakham Turkey Breast Joint, £12 (serves 2-4) – Boneless turkey joint basted with buttermilk and stock. Available 18 December.
- Collection Ultimate Pork Crackling Joint, £10 (serves 8) – Salt-matured and deeply scored, for guaranteed crackling, and basted with pork stock. Comes with an umami flavour bombe to make a jus. Available 18 December.
- Plant Kitchen Vegan Beef Wellington (vegan), £15 (serves 4) – Wheat- and pea-based vegan Wellington topped with mushroom duxelle and wrapped in puff pastry. Available from M&S.
Desserts and sweet treats:
- Collection Golden Blond Chocolate Star Christmas Pudding, £12 (serves 8) – Fruity pudding with blond chocolate and fudge, enriched with brandy and rum, and finished with a blond chocolate and rum sauce. Available from M&S.
- Elf Colin The Caterpillar, £10 (serves 10) – Chocolatey sponge roll with chocolate buttercream, covered in milk chocolate and finished with edible decorations. Available from M&S.
Morrisons Christmas Food 2021
Morrisons Christmas food order dates: order now from Morrisons.
Morrisons is offering a fruity twist on the Christmas classics this year, including a smoked ham pie with orange jelly and cranberries, panna cotta flavoured with raspberry and prosecco, and a baking brie with cranberries, sour cherry and a sloe gin glaze.
Vegans are also well-catered for, with vegan salmon and an enticing veggie wellington in the line-up.
Starters and sides:
- Vegan Smoked Salmon (vegan), £5 (serves 2) – Carrot cured in salt and Nori, then sliced and marinated in apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika and mirin. Available from Morrisons.
- The Best ‘Rock Pool’ Seafood Medley with Garlic Butter, £10 (serves 4) – Celebrate Christmas like they do on the continent with this seafood special. Mussels, king prawns and langoustines with garlic & herb butter. Available 13 December.
- The Best Best Sloe Gin Baking Brie, £6 (serves 12) – Baking Brie from Normandy with dried cranberries and a sour cherry and sloe gin glaze. 590g. Available from Morrisons.
Mains:
- The Best Pork, Smoked Ham & Orange Jelly Wreath Pie, £10 (serves 6-8) – Crisp pastry filled with British pork, beech wood smoked British ham hock and orange jelly, topped with cranberries. Available from Morrisons.
- The Best Free Range Whole Bronze Turkey, £14.98-£48.69 (serves 6-12 depending on size) – Reared slowly for a rich, full flavour. Available from Morrisons.
- The Best Turkey Parcel, £10 (serves 4) – Turkey breast wrapped in smoked streaky bacon with pork, sage and onion stuffing. Available 19 December.
- The Best Lightly Smoked Scottish Salmon Side with Cranberry & Orange, £15 (serves 6) – Lightly smoked salmon garnished with orange zest, cranberries and warming seasonal spices. Available 19 December.
- The Best Vegan Vegetable Wellington (vegan), £5 (serves 3) – Vegetable and butternut squash joint, wrapped in a cranberry, apricot and chestnut duxelle with a wholegrain mustard melt, encased in puff pastry. Available from Morrisons.
Desserts and sweet treats:
- Morrisons The Best Chocolate Orange Melt In The Middle Pudding, £6 (serves 8) – Belgian chocolate and orange sponge with an orange sauce centre, topped with dark chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, dark chocolate decorations and gold sparkle. Available from Morrisons.
- The Best Vanilla, Raspberry And Prosecco Panna Cotta Star, £7 (serves 8-10) – Vanilla panna cotta with raspberry jelly and raspberries, finished with a Prosecco glaze. Available from Morrisons.
Sainsbury’s Christmas Food 2021
Sainsbury’s Christmas food order dates: order now from Sainsbury’s.
Like Aldi, Sainsbury’s has come up with various creative ways to jazz up the traditional version of pigs in blankets, including pigs in blankets sushi rolls and a giant, 1-metre long pig in blanket Christmas tree decorated with cranberry baubles.
It’s offering plenty of tempting vegan options too, with a plant-based gammon alternative, a chocolate and salted caramel dessert and it’s first entirely vegan cheese board.
Starters and sides:
- Bucks Fizz Scottish smoked salmon, £13.50 (serves 6) – Slices of mildly smoked Scottish salmon, soaked in a prosecco and orange glaze with festive gold sparkle. Available from Sainsbury’s.
- Pigs in Snowy Blankets (Dragon Sushi Rolls), £3 – Pigs in blankets with a smooth cranberry sauce and nori seaweed, wrapped in sticky, sushi rice blankets. Topped with cranberry sauce and crispy onions. Available 1 November.
- Pig in blanket Christmas tree, £7.50 (serves 6) – Metre-long pig in blanket Christmas tree wrapped in oak smoked streaky bacon, decorated with cranberry baubles and rosemary tinsel sprigs. Available from Sainsbury’s.
Mains:
- Taste the Difference “Roast in the bag” British Free Range Bronze Turkey with Sage and Onion Stuffing, Price TBC (serves 6-8) – Turkey filled with sage and onion stuffing designed to be cooked in the bag for extra succulence. Available 19 November.
- British Turkey Parcels, £18 (serves 4) – Individual portions of turkey breast with a pork, sage and onion stuffing, wrapped in strips of smoked bacon and topped with butter & cracked black pepper. Available from Sainsbury’s.
- Taste the Difference Stuffed Salmon & Trout Roast, £20 (serves 6) – A lighter alternative to turkey: salmon and trout fillets with white wine and herb stuffing, and a tangy blood orange & cranberry glaze. Available from Sainsbury’s.
- Plant Pioneers No Gammon with Maple Glaze (vegan), £5.50 (serves 4) – An easy-to-carve meat substitute made from wheat and pea protein, coated in a sticky and sweet maple glaze. Available 8 December.
Desserts and sweet treats:
- Yule Dog, £8 (serves 14) – Another Colin Caterpillar competitor. This soft, light chocolate sponge cake is rolled in milk chocolate buttercream and covered in a milk chocolate shell. Decorated with festive sprinkles and edible candy canes. Available from Sainsbury’s.
- Chocolate & salted caramel Star (vegan), £8 (serves 5) – Pannacotta-style dessert made with Belgian dark chocolate and salted caramel sauce. Available from Sainsbury’s.
- Frangipane Mince Pies, £2 (pack of 4) – All butter shortcrust-style mince pies filled with brandy laced vine fruit and a hint of orange, finished with frangipane topping. Available from Sainsbury’s.
- Plant Pioneers Cheese Selection (vegan), £4.50 – An entirely vegan cheese board featuring four dairy-free options: caramelised onion Cheddar-style, traditional Cheddar-style, Wensleydale-inspired with cranberries, and a plant-based blue. Available 1 December.
Colin Caterpillar cakes compared – how do supermarket rivals measure up?
Tesco Christmas Food 2021
Tesco Christmas food order dates: 23 November (Delivery Saver customers can order from 16 November).
If you fancy a change from traditional mince pies and Christmas pudding this year, Tesco has switched things up for something sweeter, with Black Forest Christmas pudding and salted caramel mince pies on the menu.
It’s also got plenty of options on the cheese front, including a baking brie topped with festive fruits, and a vegan fondue.
Starters and sides:
- Wicked Kitchen Mature Cheddar Alternative & White Wine Bake (vegan), £3 (serves 3) – Vegan fondue made with a smoked coconut alternative to cheddar cheese, infused with white wine. Available 15 November.
- Tesco Finest 3D Giant Xmas Tree Stuffing with Crunchy Herb Topping, £5 (serves 6) – Pork, plum, date and brandy stuffing shaped like a Christmas tree and garnished with a herby crumb and cranberry hearts. Available 22 November.
- Tesco Finest Baking Brie with Festive Fruits, Brandy Glaze and Walnuts, £6 (serves 20) – Baked Brie with a brandy glaze, fig and fruit peel, topped with walnut kernels. Available 15 November.
Mains:
- Tesco Finest British Free Range Bronze Stuffed Crown with Tender Cooked Stuffed Thigh, £35 (serves 8-10) – Turkey crown with pork, sage and onion stuffing, topped with smoked bacon and bay leaf, paired with slow cooked turkey thigh with pork, sage and onion stuffing. Available 13 December.
- Tesco St Clement’s Trio, £13 (serves 6) – A selection of smaller cuts. Turkey breast joint basted with turkey stock, turkey boneless rolled thigh with pork, orange and cranberry stuffing, turkey breast rolled around a pork, sage and caramelised apple stuffing topped with smoked streaky bacon. Available 13 December.
- Tesco Finest Maple Wood Smoked Scottish Salmon Side with an Orange Glaze, £18 (serves 4-6) – Scottish salmon smoked using maple wood chips, glazed in honey and orange marinade and finished with caramelised orange slices and zest. Available 17 December.
- Wicked Kitchen No-Turkey Roast Crown (vegan), £5 (serves 4) – Wheat protein faux turkey crown topped with sage and onion stuffing and bay leaves. Available 13 December.
Desserts and sweet treats:
- Finest Black Forest Christmas Pudding, £10 (serves 8) – Christmas pudding with juicy vine fruits, Belgian chocolate chunks, purple glacé cherries and a shot of kirsch, topped with whole natural red glacé cherries and blanched almonds. Available from Tesco.
- Speculoos Profiterole Gateau, £4 (serves 12) – An on-trend treat for fans of the small spiced caramel biscuits. Sponge infused with fragrant spices and topped with creamy profiteroles and crushed Speculoos biscuits. Available 1 November.
- Finest Crumble Topped Mince Pies with Salted Caramel & Festive Spice, £3 (pack of 4) – Fruity mincemeat and indulgent salted caramel sauce encased in pastry, topped with a buttery crumble. Available now from Tesco.
Waitrose Christmas Food 2021
Waitrose Christmas food order dates: order now from Waitrose.
The Waitrose range features contemporary and upmarket twists on Christmas favourites, including a ‘Bloody Margaret’ prawn cocktail with gin-infused jelly, Wensleydale with chocolate coated coffee nibs and coffee liqueur, and a vegan roast with a clove-spiced apricot centre.
Starters and sides:
- Bloody Margaret Prawn Cocktails, £6 (serves 2) – Prawns in cocktail sauce with cucumber, spiced tomato and gin-infused jelly, topped with smoked salmon pieces and finished with lovage. Availability TBC
- Baking Camembert With Garlic Doughball Wreath, £6.50 (675g) – Dipping Camembert with tear and share wreath glazed with olive oil, parsley and garlic. Served with a caramelised red onion and sherry vinegar chutney. Available 8 December.
- Pork & Game Pie, £7.50 (serves 8) – Outdoor-bred pork with venison and pheasant in rich hot water crust pastry, finished with savoury bone stock jelly. Available 17 December.
Mains:
- Waitrose Duchy Organic Free Range Bronze Feathered Turkey Crown, £63-75 (serves 5+) – An easy-to-carve organic free range turkey crown. Available from Waitrose.
- Free Range Stuffed Turkey Breast, £25 (serves 4) – Turkey breast with a traditional stuffing of pork, shallot and herbs, wrapped in bacon. Available from Waitrose.
- Waitrose Three Fish Roast, £40 (serves 8) – Scottish salmon fillet, cod and smoked haddock with baby spinach in lemon and dill butter. Available from Waitrose.
- Vegan Jewelled Roast with a Fruity Centre (vegan), £5.99 (serves 4) – Mushroom-based roast with caramelised onions and chestnuts with a clove-spiced apricot centre, topped with apricots, cranberries, crushed chestnuts, sunflower seeds and pine nuts. Available 22 December.
Desserts and sweet treats:
- Vegan Winter Pudding (vegan), £5 (serves 4) – Apples, blackberries, raspberries and blackcurrants layered with bread, and soaked in a lightly spiced fruit sauce. Availability TBC
- Heston’s The Giant Cracking Penny, £20 (serves 10) – Belgian chocolate shell surrounding a rich chocolate mousse with hazelnut ganache, on a chocolate and hazelnut base. Available 17 December.
- Chocca Mocha Wensleydale, £3 (200g) – A three-in-one post dinner treat to cover all your cravings. Creamy Wensleydale studded with chocolate-coated coffee nibs, and a dash of coffee liqueur. Availability TBC
Looking for wine recommendations? Keep an eye out for our supermarket champagne, sparkling wine and red wine reviews, plus our traditional mince pie taste tests, coming soon. Browse our food and drink reviews and advice.
When to buy your Christmas food and how to store it safely
Getting ahead on Christmas food shopping can help spread the cost and save you stress in the days leading up to Christmas, especially when things are a bit more uncertain this year.
Plenty of Christmas staples are relatively long-lasting and can be bought in advance, including store-cupboard and frozen foods.
These include:
- Biscuit/chocolate selection boxes
- Christmas pudding
- Christmas condiments e.g. cranberry sauce
- Savoury nibbles e.g. nuts, crisps
- Mincemeat (if making your own mince pies)
- Crackers (for cheese)
- Frozen vegetables
- Frozen party food
Fresh food such as chilled desserts, cheese, meat and fish may only keep in the fridge for a few days. Some may be freezable but you’ll need to check the packaging to be sure, and it may affect the texture of some products.
If you’re doing an online shop, you can order fresh foods in advance for delivery or collection closer to Christmas.
Prepping and freezing festive favourites
Most Christmas food can be prepped ahead of time and stored in the freezer. Christmas dinner items such as turkey, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, and stuffing are usually suitable for freezing up to three months in advance (make sure you always check the pack instructions).
But some foods may lose some of their sparkle when frozen. For example, it’s best to avoid freezing your cheeseboard selection.
Freezing can affect the texture of cheese, particularly soft cheeses such as brie or goats cheese, which may lose their creaminess and become grainy. Harder cheeses can become very crumbly, which won’t make for a star slice on the day.
More food prep and storage tips:
- How to make your own pigs-in-blankets – what to use, how to store and the perfect finishing touches
- How to store food safely in the freezer – tips for freezing and defrosting safely
- How to organise your fridge this Christmas – find out what should go where and why to maximise space and safety
We’ve tested wine, champagne, mince pies, cheese and much more this Christmas to help you find the best tasting Christmas food – look out for our recommendations coming soon.
In the meantime, take a look at our guide to the best food and drink, featuring our top picks for everyday staples such as coffee, cornflakes and pizza.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/10/supermarket-christmas-food-2021-the-ultimate-guide-to-ms-sainsburys-aldi-festive-ranges-and-more/