Ingredients Checklist, Timings and Step by Step Guide
The festive season is upon us, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a beautifully cooked Christmas dinner. If the idea of timing your turkey, potatoes, and all the trimmings feels daunting, fear not! With a bit of preparation and some tips from us at The Cornish Food Box Company, you’ll create a show-stopping meal that’s both delicious and stress-free.
We make Christmas easy from sourcing high-quality, local ingredients, to getting everything you need to your door, and step-by-step timings, we’ve got you covered. So, put on your favourite Christmas playlist, pour yourself a glass of something sparkling, and let’s get started!
Start with the best ingredients.
At The Cornish Food Box Company we have everything you need for the most delicious & sustainable Christmas ever. Here’s what you’ll need:
Turkey: Opt for one of our free-range Cornish turkeys for unbeatable flavour. You can choose different cuts including whole, crown, & breast joint - find out more from our Christmas Turkey Guide. What sized turkey do you need? Our guide to getting the right sized turkey.
Veggies: Potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, red cabbage, savoy cabbage and cauliflowers are all included in our Christmas Veg Boxes. To find out more read our Christmas Veg Box blog.
Extras: Cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy, and pigs in blankets.
Puddings: Traditional Christmas pudding, Tunis Cake, or a Sticky Toffee Sponge Pudding there are lots of options to suit everyone. Or go savoury with a cheeseboard to finish & graze on for supper.
Preparing for the Big Day
- Order Your Turkey and Veg: Place your order with The Cornish Food Box Company to ensure delivery of your fresh, local produce. Our Christmas Dinner Boxes are a easy way to get everything you need or your can order your turkey, goose, chicken, beef joint, gammon, veggies, and all the trimmings you need.
- Plan Your Table: Add festive cheer with pinecones, candles, and a touch of sparkle. A crisp white tablecloth, matching napkins, and Christmas table decorations will make your table look great.
- Pre-make Dishes: Lots of dishes can be made in advance and frozen for the big day.
- Red Cabbage: Cook spiced red cabbage the day before—it tastes even better reheated.
- Gravy: Make your gravy base and freeze it.
- Peel and Chop Veggies: Prep your potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, storing them in water in the fridge.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Perfect Turkey Christmas Dinner
8:00 AM: Start the Day
Take the turkey out of the fridge to come to room temperature (this ensures even cooking).
9:00 AM: Prep the Turkey
Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C (non-fan).
Season your turkey with butter, salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme and rosemary.
Calculate your cooking time:
- 4–5kg turkey: 2 hours 15 minutes.
- 5–6kg turkey: 2 hours 45 minutes.
- 6–7kg turkey: 3 hours 15 minutes.
Cover the bird loosely with foil to prevent over-browning. See our Turkey Cooking Guide.
9:30 AM: Prep the Veggies
Parboil potatoes for 10 minutes, then drain and rough up the edges for crispy roasts.
Toss parsnips and carrots in honey and olive oil.
10:00 AM: Cook the Turkey
Pop the turkey into the oven. Remember to baste every 30–40 minutes.
11:30 AM: Prep Sides
Cook red cabbage on the hob if you haven’t prepped it earlier.
Trim and cross Brussels sprouts, ready for steaming.
12:15 PM: Roast Potatoes and Veggies
Add potatoes to a hot roasting tray with beef dripping, goose fat or oil. Roast for 1 hour, turning halfway.
Place carrots and parsnips on a separate tray and roast for 40 minutes.
12:45 PM: Final Touches
Remove the turkey and rest it, covered with foil, for 30 minutes.
Steam Brussels sprouts, then sauté with pancetta or chestnuts for extra flavour.
Heat red cabbage, gravy, and stuffing.
1:15 PM: Serve Up
Carve the turkey, plate up the sides, and bring everything to the table.
Making the Table Festive
Centrepieces: Use seasonal flowers, a garland of greenery, or candles in mason jars.
Personal Touches: Create handwritten place cards or festive crackers.
Sparkle and Shine: Add fairy lights or metallic accents for extra glamour.
Top Tips
Stick to your timings but don’t stress if things take a little longer—Christmas is about enjoyment!
Serve a selection of wines and soft drinks to complement the meal.
If you find that everyone is too full to enjoy pudding straightaway take a break and enjoy it later on when everyone has a little more space.
With a little planning your Christmas dinner will be a feast to remember. Let the rich flavours and warm company make the day magical. Merry Christmas and happy feasting!
