Top Christmas Tips

Entertaining on the big day: Planning your Christmas meat order

Christmas Dinners are about sharing special moments with family and friends. And nothing brings people together quite like a delicious meal with meats supplied by your local Craft Butcher!

Whether you’re hosting an intimate traditional Christmas dinner or entertaining a large crowd, planning your meat order is essential to creating a beautiful meal with those who matter most. The right selection in your Christmas meat order ensures your guests are satisfied, setting the stage for the perfect festive feast!

The Christmas dinner is the most important meal of the year and you want to get the meats from a professional you trust. A Craft Butcher.

Planning your Christmas meat order for large gatherings

When you’re preparing for Christmas Day, ordering the right amount and variety of meat can make all the difference.

Whether it’s a juicy ham, tender turkey, or a classic roast, understanding how much to buy and which cuts will satisfy everyone at the table ensures your guests are happy and full!

Estimating the correct amount of meat

Planning the right quantity of meat per person is the key to ensuring everyone enjoys their meal without running short!

As a general guide, aim for about 250-300g of meat per adult (400g bone-in). For a larger crowd, consider a variety of meats to cater to different preferences, like ham, turkey, or beef.

Choosing the right variety of meats

Selecting the right variety of meats for your Christmas gathering involves three core considerations:

· Your guests’ preferences,

· Their dietary restrictions, and

· How much time you’re willing to spend in the kitchen!

For larger groups, offering a mix of meats like ham, turkey, beef, or lamb is a great way to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

Ham is a classic crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time, freeing you up for other tasks on the day. Turkey, on the other hand, makes an impressive centrepiece and requires careful planning and cooking to keep it juicy and tender.

For guests with dietary restrictions, consider including smaller portions of speciality meats or vegetarian options alongside the main dishes.

Timing your meat order

Ordering your Christmas meats well in advance will ensure a stress-free family meal. Popular cuts like ham and turkey can and will sell out quickly!

Craft Butchers offer pre-orders on our most sought-after meats, allowing you to plan ahead and avoid any last-minute rush. Place your order at least two weeks before Christmas to guarantee the freshest cuts and ensure you’re well-prepared.

With convenient locations around the country, you can choose to pick up your order or have it delivered straight to your door.

Make sure to order early – after all, Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year!

Pairing side dishes with your Christmas meats

Choosing the right side dishes elevates flavours and creates a well-rounded, satisfying meal for your family and friends.

You can’t go wrong with roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, and a fresh green salad to balance the richness of a glazed ham. If turkey is on the menu, consider serving sausage meat stuffing, cranberry sauce, and roasted root vegetables, which pair perfectly with the bird’s savoury flavour.

If you’re serving beef or lamb , complement their robust taste with sides like garlic-infused roast potatoes and buttery green beans.

Serving your Christmas meats like a pro

When it comes to presenting your feast roast, how you carve your Christmas meat can make all the difference. Carving not only affects the look of your feast but also impacts how tender and juicy the meat remains.

For ham, it’s best to cut thin, even slices across the grain to maximise tenderness and flavour. If you’re serving turkey, remove the legs and wings first, and then slice the breast meat in long, smooth strokes.

Whether you’re slicing up a juicy roast beef or a perfectly glazed ham, the proper carving technique ensures each guest gets the perfect bite.

Enhancing flavour with meat glazes and marinades

A well-chosen glaze or marinade can take your Christmas meats to the next level, adding depth and richness to every bite. Glazes, in particular, are great for adding a glossy finish and a burst of flavour.

For ham, a sweet glaze made from ingredients like honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar combined with mustard or cloves can create a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

Try a savoury herb and butter marinade for a turkey to keep the meat moist and add a rich, earthy flavour.

If you’re after something with a bit more kick, consider a spicy marinade for your beef or lamb, using ingredients like chilli, garlic, and smoked paprika.

Your perfect Christmas feast starts with your local Craft Butcher

Planning ahead is the key to creating a beautiful Christmas meal

Select the right meats and ensure your order is placed early with your Craft Butcher so you can focus on enjoying the feast with your

loved ones. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or feeding a large crowd, choosing the perfect cuts will help make your festive feast truly special.

Best of all, there are also plenty of ways to use up your leftover Christmas meats, https://www.safefood.net/christmas/leftovers so you can also enjoy delicious meat after the day has passed.

At Craft Butchers Stores, we provide the freshest cuts at great prices, ensuring your Christmas meal is one to remember. Visit us to secure your order and make this holiday season truly joyful!

To help you with the Christmas meal planning,

Safefood have a very handy calculator to ease the stress for you. https://www.safefood.net/christmas/shopping

Cooking times for the perfect turkey

https://www.safefood.net/christmas/turkey-cooking

Things to do in the run-up to Christmas

https://www.safefood.net/Christmas/get-ahead

We wish all our loyal Craft Butcher customers a happy & peaceful Christmas and thank them for their custom throughout the year.