These British Christmas dinner menu ideas feature delicious recipes that are traditionally served for the holidays in the UK! With this guide, you can build the ultimate British Christmas dinner menu from appetizers to desserts. If you are missing a taste of home, or simply want to try something new, these festive and flavorful recipes will not disappoint!
British Christmas Recipes
Celebrate Christmas the UK way by trying some of these delicious British Christmas dinner menu ideas! If you are cooking for an out-of-country guest or you simply want to try some new recipes this year, this model British menu will have you enjoying every bite.
There are a number of appetizers, side dishes, entrees, and desserts to choose from. You can mix and match as you see fit, there are no wrong choices here!
Jump to:
- British Christmas Recipes
- British Holiday Recipes
- Appetizers
- 1. Potato Leek Soup
- 2. Devils On Horseback
- 3. Welsh Rarebit
- Main Courses
- 4. Oven Roasted Prime Rib
- 5. Beef Wellington
- 6. Roast Goose
- Side Dishes
- 7. Yorkshire Puddings
- 8. Prime Rib Au Jus
- 9. Dauphinoise Potatoes
- 10. Braised Red Cabbage
- 11. Honey and Herb Oven Roasted Carrots
- 12. Clapshot
- Desserts
- 13. British Christmas Pudding
- 14. British Christmas Cake
- 15. Mary Berry’s Fork Biscuits
- 16. Mince Pies
- 17. English Trifle
- 🎅 More Christmas Recipes & Ideas
- 📖 Recipe Card
- British Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas: Oven Roasted Prime Rib with Dry Rib Rub (+More Holiday Recipes!)
- 💬 Reviews
British Holiday Recipes
To make the ultimate holiday feast, pick one (or a few) of the British Christmas dinner menu ideas from each of the sections below. This guide offers the best appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and desserts that are traditionally enjoyed in during Christmastime in the UK!
If this is your first time hosting dinner for the holidays, check out my Christmas guide for a step-by-step timeline for preparing Christmas dinner!
Appetizers
1. Potato Leek Soup
Creamy potato leek soup is warm and comforting. Top it off with some extra bacon, white cheddar, and cream, and your guests will be scrambling to get to the table.
2. Devils On Horseback
The name may not be the most festive, but these bacon-wrapped dates are a classic British starter. This simple recipe calls for the dates to be stuffed with Stilton cheese before they are wrapped in bacon and baked.
3. Welsh Rarebit
Welsh rarebit, or Welsh rabbit, is similar to cheese on toast, though it's much more than that. Toasted bread is covered in a cheese sauce made with beer and mustard sauce that can be enjoyed as-is or topped with savory meats and more.
Main Courses
4. Oven Roasted Prime Rib
A perfectly cooked prime rib truly makes Christmas dinner feel like a special occasion. My prime rib dry rub adds loads of flavor and the oven will do the rest of the work!
5. Beef Wellington
You don't have to be Gordon Ramsay to make a fabulous beef wellington. The flaky pastry crust and earthy mushroom filling (duxelles) are only surpassed by the juicy, medium-rare tenderloin in the middle.
6. Roast Goose
A delectably tender roast goose makes the perfect centerpiece for any Christmas spread. This is the chef's choice of Christmas entrees, and you will agree once you give it a try!
Side Dishes
7. Yorkshire Puddings
You can't have a British Christmas without these rich and eggy rolls. Your whole family will love these classic British popovers.
8. Prime Rib Au Jus
This prime rib au jus is the perfect sauce for your roasted prime rib. You can use the pan drippings from your roast so it is extra flavorful!
9. Dauphinoise Potatoes
These au gratin potatoes are an elegant addition to any holiday spread and they are shockingly easy to make, too! The tender sliced potatoes are layered with plenty of cream, butter, and cheese to make a rich and indulgent side dish that won't leave any leftovers.
10. Braised Red Cabbage
Originally a German dish, braised red cabbage has spread in popularity all over Europe. With butter, brown sugar, apples, and apple cider vinegar, it takes your tastebuds on a sweet and tangy adventure!
11. Honey and Herb Oven Roasted Carrots
Tender and sweet with plenty of herbaceous flavors, this recipe will have you looking at carrots in a whole new light. Even the kids will enjoy these honey-coated carrots!
12. Clapshot
This Scottish side dish is made with potatoes, turnips, and carrots. It is often served with haggis, though it pairs well with any meaty main course!
Desserts
13. British Christmas Pudding
The base of this pudding is ultra moist and cake-like. The dried fruits and warm holiday spices will get you in the Christmas spirit!
14. British Christmas Cake
This cake is filled with warm spices, citrus, and dried fruits and coated in sweet apricot preserves, marzipan, and royal icing. It's one of the most popular holiday desserts in England for a reason!
15. Mary Berry’s Fork Biscuits
Fork biscuits are actually crisp, buttery cookies. They only require 3 ingredients to make and they are just as delicious with tea as they are on their own.
16. Mince Pies
These bite-sized pies made are another British classic. Mince pies consist of a flaky pastry crust and a filling made with sweet dried fruits. You can even serve it with a side of rich brandy butter.
17. English Trifle
An English trifle is elegant and delicious. Serve it in one large bowl or in individual glasses for each person.
English trifle consists of layers of white cake, fresh fruit, and vanilla pudding, then topped off with whipped cream.
🎅 More Christmas Recipes & Ideas
- Italian Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas - An list of Italian Christmas recipes for sharing with family and friends!
- Christmas Brunch Recipes - The best recipes for hosting a holiday brunch on Christmas.
- Easy Christmas Dinner Menu - A list of recipes for hosting a holiday dinner stress-free.
- Christmas Casserole Recipes - Easy Christmas casserole recipes that you can even make in advance!
- Easy Christmas Desserts - These holiday treats are incredibly delicious, yet so simple that anyone can make them!
- Holiday Pie Recipes - A wide variety of pies for celebrating the holidays.
Did you give any of these British Christmas dinner menu ideas a try? Tell me how they turned out in the comments below!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card
British Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas: Oven Roasted Prime Rib with Dry Rib Rub (+More Holiday Recipes!)
Ingredients
- 5-6 lb prime rib roast (we used a boneless prime rib roast)
- 3 tablespoon salt (coarse ground)
- 2 tablespoon pepper (coarse ground)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon ground sage
- ½ tablespoon dried rosemary
- ½ tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Combine all of the herbs: salt, pepper, garlic powder, ground sage, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and dried oregano in a small bowl. Rub the prime rib roast with the seasoning blend, making sure to coat all sides evenly.
- Place the seasoned prime rib roast in a shallow roasting pan on a rack with the fat side facing upward. Sear the roast for 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 450°F (230°C), then reduce the temperature to 325°F (160°C) and cook for an additional 45 minutes before starting to check the internal meat temperature.
- When the internal temperature (inserted into the thickest middle portion of the roast) reaches 120°F (50°C), remove the roast from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Then cover loosely with aluminum foil, forming a 'tent' over the roast while allowing your prime rib to rest for 20-30 minutes before serving. The internal temperature should be 130°F (55°C) when the roast has rested, before serving.
Notes
- Remember that cooking times will vary depending on your oven temperatures and the size of your prime rib portion so make sure to use your meat thermometer.
- When checking the internal temperature, make sure that your meat thermometer is inserted into the thickest middle portion of the roast.
- The internal temperature should be 130°F (54°C) when the roast has rested, before serving.
- Let your roast sit at room temperature for an hour before cooking to ensure that it cooks as evenly as possible.
- To store: Place the meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months, just make sure to let it defrost for 24 hours before reheating.
- To reheat: Place your roast in a pan and cover it with foil. To maintain juiciness, add ¼ cup of beef broth. Bake in the oven at 300°F (149°C) for 20-30 minutes.
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