30 British Christmas Foods | Traditional Recipes for the Holidays

Every December, my kitchen turns into a little echo of a British Christmas — a season where tradition is measured as much in flavor as in festivity. I love the lights, the music, and the gift-giving, but nothing captures the holiday spirit quite like the food.

So many Christmas traditions we celebrate in the U.S. and Europe began in Britain, and the menu tells the story. Children leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas. Families sit down to Christmas lunch — the main meal of the day — built around a roast of turkey, beef, or goose with all the trimmings: roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, bread sauce, and rich gravy.

And of course, dessert is iconic. Mince pies, Christmas pudding, trifle, and fruitcake wrapped in marzipan have been part of British Christmas tables for generations.

In this roundup, I’m bringing that cozy British holiday magic home with 30 classic British Christmas recipes — mains, sides, and nostalgic desserts that make the season unforgettable. If you want to celebrate Christmas like the Brits, start right here.

A plate of golden-brown English sausage rolls, freshly baked and ready to be enjoyed.

1. Toad in the Hole

This is the classic from England, with sausages enrobed in batter and baked, which is different from the eggs-fried-in-toast of the same name here in the U.S. Sausages baked in batter (essentially Yorkshire pudding batter) with onion gravy and winter vegetables. A cozy, homey British dish — good for a Christmas Eve dinner or a simpler holiday gathering.

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.

5. Christmas Bread Sauce

A British Christmas menu is incomplete without this famous easy bread sauce from the BBC. The ingredients are straightforward as all you need is milk, butter, stale bread, and spices. There are many substitutes for homemade breadcrumbs that work well with other recipes but this side dish needs you to stick with classic breadcrumbs for the best results.

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. Traditionally served with gravy or sauce made from the roast meat.

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. Served hot or cold, it makes a sweet, tangy side to many rich dishes.

9. Traditional English Trifle

This British Christmas treat is light and delectable with a beautiful presentation that everyone will love. Serve in a footed trifle bowl or a large glass bowl so guests can see the layers.

10. Homemade Cranberry Pear Sauce

A proper festive Brutish meal especially for Christmas must have some cranberry sauce to go with the meats and as a dip. This one is fragrant with rosemary and ginger. You can also make it up to a week in advance leaving you more time to relax and socialize.

11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprouts are eaten more by Brits than any other nation in Europe. What are brussels sprouts and 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 and nutty dish with a little bit of crunch you will want to make even after the festivities.

12. Mincemeat Pie

Mince meat is the same thing as ground beef for us yanks, and yes, mincemeat pie really does have meat in it! Here’s a recipe and a charming history of these special pies, packed with seasonings, apples, raisins, and finely chopped beef.

13. British Roast Potatoes (Roasties)

A ‘crispy roastie’ is a must-have in a British Christmas menu, whether serving in the U.S. or abroad. Roast your potatoes the British way by parboiling them and then frying them to a crisp. A crisp exterior and fluffy interior make these very delicious indeed.

14. Steak and Kidney Pie

A classic British savory pie, rich and comforting — good as a winter or holiday main (or hearty side) especially for those who don’t want turkey or want a “pub-style” festive meal.

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 so they cook evenly.

16. Old English Fruitcake

I’ve become a fan of fruitcake and stollen in my older years, a moist, dense and sweet slice that goes great with hot, black coffee. 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 crisp and green in color.

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.

Want to share Christmas cookies with neighbors and friends? Make some with these 17 recipes!

19. Beef Wellington

This is the pinnacle of holiday feasting, in my opinion. I used this recipe to make Beef Wellington on Christmas of 2022. I’d advise a practice run before cooking BW for a group, but this came out wonderfully. Medium rare chateaubriand was the star and there was not a crumb left behind. Aren’t they gorgeous? We made these with the roasties and yorkshire pudding.

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. This is an original, but try our carrot cake roll if you aren’t up for chocolate cake or all the thick icing.

21. Devils On Horseback

This festive appetizer is great for buffets and parties. While this recipe calls for prunes, it is reminiscent of stuffed or bacon-wrapped dates. 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 Mousse with no Egg

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.

23. Brandy Sauce

This Brandy Sauce is needed for the classic British pudding. Whisk together eggs, cream and sugar with a bit of flour to make this sweet pour-over sauce for dessert.

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. Bread and Butter Pudding

A traditional British dessert — pudding made from buttered bread, raisins (or other dried fruit), eggs, milk/cream and spices. Less heavy than a fruitcake or Christmas pudding, but still old-school British and comforting on cold winter days.

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

It’s a warm drink that starts with orange juice, apple juice and lemon juice and a lot of warm, fall spices. You’ll need whole apples, whole cloves, a big pot and a crowd will gather with their cups out.

28. Roast Goose

People in England traditionally loved to celebrate with a goose before the arrival of the turkey. Roast goose drizzled with Cumberland sauce and paired with roasted potatoes cooked in the drippings is something everyone should experience.

29. English Sausage Rolls

These are nothing like pigs in a blanket. These start with a mixture of bulk sausage and enrobed in puff pastry, just four ingredients for a brunch appetizer or Christmas morning snack!

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 more Festive & Bubbly Christmas Cocktails for the upcoming holiday!

The bottom line

Whether you’re dreaming of a traditional British Christmas dinner or just craving a taste of cozy holiday comfort food, this roundup brings together the most beloved dishes of a British Christmas feast. From golden roast turkey with all the trimmings — pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, and thick, savory gravy — to nostalgic desserts like mince pies, Christmas pudding, trifle, and a rich Christmas cake, these recipes capture everything we love about the holidays in Britain.

If you want to bring British holiday magic to your Christmas table — or simply try something new this season — this collection has a little bit of everything: classic mains, unforgettable sides, and sweet show-stopping desserts that will make your home feel festive from the first bite to the last crumb. So pour a glass of mulled wine, pick a recipe (or three!), and celebrate the season with the best British Christmas foods.

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