For even the most accomplished chefs, nailing the Christmas feast is not an easy task.
It’s not just the case of getting the timings right and ensuring that the meat is perfectly cooked (not dry, still moist), it’s the pressure of the day itself.
You likely have family and friends coming over, some of whom you may not have seen in a while and all expecting big things from your cooking. If they’re left disappointed - or worse, hungry - you’ll have to wait 365 days to get another crack at it.
To take the stress and fuss out of the time-heavy task, the likes of Hello Fresh, Gousto, All In A Box and more are giving us head chefs all the tools we need to shine by combining everything you will need to whip up a Yuletide extravaganza that they’ll remember forever, and all for the right reasons.
Pull out all the stops with turkey, the trimmings and a three-course selection - factoring in all the possible dietary requirements of course - with these ready-to-go boxes. Not only are all the ingredients in the perfect measurements contained within, but there’s also step-by-step instructions to make sure it goes off without a hitch. Quality ingredients and farm-to-table meat ensure that each bite will be a veritable treat.
Shop the all-encompassing Christmas boxes for the ultimate banquet come December 25.
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Mindful Chef
Mindful Chef has established itself as one of the leading recipe kits for those looking for healthy alternatives and while the festive season is typically about indulging, if you want a balanced meal to end the year as you mean to start the next, it’s the one for you.
You can order for one, two or four people and with options for all dietary requirements. Go for the Traditional Turkey Roast if you’re looking for a classic meal, or Creamy Chicken & Chestnut Pie or Tiger Prawn Curry for something a little different. For the vegetarians or vegans, break away from the tasteless nut roast and opt instead for Festive Veggie One-Tray Bake with Cranberry Sauce, Maple Tofu with Parsnip Mash & Cabbage or the Mushroom & Lentil Roast.
From £4.38 per portion.
Buy now, Mindful Chef
Festive Raan Feast
For a truly show-stopping meal, call on the experts over at Dishoom to delight your family or friendmas feasts. The always packed-out restaurant chain has launched a whip up at home meal kit with a Christmassy twist. The Festive Raan Feast places a turkey leg at the heart of its multi-course line-up that is to be enjoyed alongside or after the beloved House black daal and Mattar paneer. There’s also naan, rice, bhel and sprouts with a lime-chilli dressing, and all you have to do for the majority of the cooking process is boil up the pre-prepared dishes in the bag that they come in. This is all expect for the turkey that needs to be roasted until it’s tender and breaks apart with ease.
For 4-6 people.
Buy now £95.00, Dishoom
Gousto Christmas Dinner
The forward-thinking recipe box specialist Gousto is making sure you can enjoy your festive feast without worrying about how much the cooking process will cost you in your electricity bills. For this reason, they have created a Turkey Dinner box that can be whipped up in just 60 minutes.
The ingredients are pre-portioned and it comes with recipe cards complete with instructions and photos to guide you clearly through every step of the cooking process - ideal if this is your first time whipping up the big meal. Alongside the turkey, you will also recieve all the makings of pigs in blankets, gravy, roasties, buttered parsnips, sausage stuffing and sprouts.
For those following a plant-based lifestyle, the Vegan Nut Roast will ensure you’re not missing out. The loaf is fruity and made up of umami mushrooms, pistachios and cranberries, as well as all the appropriate trimmings.
From £31.48 if you order two recipes for two people.
Buy now, Gousto
Farmison & Co Christmas meats and hampers
You can count on the online meat retailer, Farmison & Co to step up for the main event, offering local and sustainable produce to enhance the Yuletide celebrations come December 25. The brand opts for ethical practices to rear the animals and ancient farming traditions where quality is at the forefront. For ease, you can also have it delivered straight to your door.
This year’s offering was developed by Farmison’s own Michelin-starred chef, Jeff Baker with options like the Rare Breed Slate Turkey, The Wild Venison Wellington, Bourbon & Molasses Cured Beef Brisket Joint, Muscovado & Bitter Orange Cured Ham and our personal favourite, the Easy Carve Turkey Breast with Chestnut, Apple and Cinnamon Stuffing. There are different weights to serve individuals as well as 6-10 people.
You can add all the trimmings too, from stuffing balls to pigs in blankets as well as show-stopping centrepieces that are pre-cooked and ready to serve.
For everything combined, look to the hampers.
From £25.
Buy now, Farmison & Co
All In A Box Christmas in a box
The clue is in the name with this brand that specialises in providing all the ingredients that you need to cook up a storm. This year, the brand is making your Christmas meal more customisable than ever as you have the ability to build your very own box. You start by opting for whether you want a one or three course meal, next your decide on the meat (or meats) in question. There’s the classic turkey as well as beef, chicken, gammon or nut roast - and then how many people you are catering for.
Potatoes, sprouts, greens, pigs in blanket, yorkshire puds, stuffing and gravy come included but there’s optional additional sides too. These are cauliflower cheese, braised red cabbage or green beans and there’s bread, mint, apple and cranberry sauces.
For the three course meal, the starter is croquettes with chutney, while dessert is a Christmas crumble with vanilla custard. A mulled wine kit, mince pies, crackers and even a festive playlist are extras.
All there’s then left to do is choose your delivery date and specify any dietary requirements. The whole lot should then arrive, prepped and marinated for you to delight your guests.
From £45
Buy now, All In A Box
Hello Fresh Christmas Dinner
If you’ve yet to sample one of the leaders in the recipe box game, you’re in for a treat - and that’s not just because you can get your first box half price and the next three 35 per cent off when you sign up. The meals themselves are easy to put together and the exact quantities are weighed out and ready to be added to make the whole process speedy and seamless.
With Hello Fresh, there’s options to suit all types of festivities that you are throwing. Go for dinner and dessert (from £18.10 per person) or dinner alone (£16) and specify the quantity from 4-10 guests. The latter indicates whether you’ll recieve a crown or a whole turkey and alters the volume of the sides.
No matter what you choose, pigs in blankets, fluffy roasies, sprout and bacon gratin, honey and thyme root veg and pork and cranberry stuffing are included. This is on top of red cabbage, gravy and the option for White Christmas Chocolate Cheesecake Pots or the cheeseboard. The latter two are sure to satify even the pickiest of guests.
Buy now, Hello Fresh
Coombe Farm Organic Christmas Box
Ensure your Christmas meal gives a five-star dining experience with premium quality meat from Coombe Farm. There are grazing plates, three-bird roasts, turkey boxes with all the trimmings – and all is organic and Soil Association certified. Honourable mention goes to the Organic Christmas Feast Box that is large enough for a crowd as well as the goose, duck, gammon and beef options.
Buy now £59.00, Coombe Farm
Parson’s Nose Christmas Box
The butchers at Parson’s Nose offer some of the finest British farmed free-range meat, fish, and cheese with delivery across the UK – in some locations, there’s even next-day delivery.
The Ultimate Christmas Box packs the whole song and dance into one handy package. For 4-6, 6-8 or 8-10, it contains a turkey breast, vegetables, turkey gravy and cranberry sauce. The turkey is sourced from a small family run producer in Berkshire where the short supply chain guarantees the quality, while the Christmas Pork Stuffing is created in-house.
Buy now £105.00, Parson’s Nose
