Let’s face it, cooking Christmas dinner can be overwhelming. Feeding a crowd can be stressful as it is. Add in all the complex side dishes, and it's a recipe for chaos. If you want a stress-free celebration, you may wonder whether you can make some parts of Christmas dinner beforehand.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to prepare for your festive feast and save time on the day. With some organization, you’ll have more time to socialize with your guests and relax.
Here, we’ll cover the parts of Christmas dinner you can prep ahead for a hassle-free celebration. We asked a chef for his pro tips on properly reheating your food to avoid food poisoning.
When cooking multiple dishes at once, a microwave is your friend. It’s a convenient way to reheat food quickly, so you don’t have to wait for guests. Check out our guide to the best microwaves and over-the-range microwaves to serve a feast in no time.
Which parts of Christmas dinner can you make in advance?
So, which parts of Christmas dinner can you prepare in advance? With these ideas, you can get a head start and relieve the pressure.
Veg side dishes
“Side dishes are the best to make in advance for any holiday dinner,” says chef George Duran. Save on vital oven space by reheating roasted veggies in the microwave. Your guests won’t know the difference.
Mashed potato
Mash is a real crowd-pleaser, but did you know you can make it ahead? George advises that dishes with a liquid, such as milk or cream, are ideal for reheating.
“I love to make a large batch of my creamy herbed mashed potatoes, then cover them and refrigerate a day or two before,” says George. “Preheat the oven to 350 F and remove the foil from the casserole dish to reheat the mashed potatoes. Place the dish in the oven and bake the potatoes for about 20-30 minutes or until heated.”
But if you’re pressed for time, you can reheat mash in a microwave. George’s top tip is to “add a little milk or cream to the potatoes to help them stay moist and creamy while they reheat.”
Gravy and sauces
No Christmas dinner is complete without gravy. Making it on the day can unnecessarily add to stress levels. You can make gravy in advance and keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days, or even freeze it up to 3 months beforehand.
Want a fast, convenient way to reheat your gravy? Look no further than the microwave. Warm the gravy for short intervals and stir in between for best results. You can also use this method for other sauces.
Which parts should you not reheat?
Yet some dishes aren’t the same when reheated. “I would avoid reheating meats in the microwave. They tend to dry up and turn rubbery and tough pretty quickly,” says George.
“Instead, place meat in a non-stick skillet. Add a bit of stock to the pan and bring it to a low simmer, uncovered. You can also place it with some stock in a 300 F oven and cover it with aluminum foil.” George cautions against overdoing it - you want to reheat it, not overcook it.
You should avoid reheating certain foods because of the food safety risk. Let’s face it: the last thing anyone wants for Christmas is food poisoning. Reheating stuffing can be questionable. The FDA recommends preparing stuffing immediately before putting it in the oven.
Another top tip is to avoid reheating anything more than once. To reduce food waste, only reheat what you think you’ll eat.
How to reheat your Christmas dinner
Patience is a virtue when it comes to reheating. “The key to successfully reheating food is slowly and gently, using low heat. This will help preserve the texture and flavor of the food and prevent it from drying out or becoming overcooked,” advises George. Ideally, it’s best to reheat your food the same way you cooked it, so a casserole dish would go in the oven, for example.
If you are pressed for time, a microwave can help. Here’s how to reheat food in a microwave safely and effectively.
1. Prepare
Place your food on a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Cover with a lid to retain moisture and avoid annoying splatters.
2. Cook
Cook until your food is piping hot. The USDA recommends stirring food mid-way through to warm food thoroughly and kill bacteria.
3. Check
Check your food is steaming hot and cooked evenly. Allow standing time before serving.
