Christmas cooking questions

8 replies

gingerbreadmumm · 19/12/2025 10:32

I have a couple - feel free to add yours …

how early can I stuff/prep turkey? I normally don’t on Christmas Eve, but time is a bit short this year as have to be out Xmas eve morning. So was thinking if I can prep it on the 23rd?

Normally do my roasties on the day - if they were boiled and trayed the day before, would they still be good?

thanks

OP posts:

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 19/12/2025 10:34

Don't know about the turkey as we have chicken and cook the stuffing separately, but I do parboil my potatoes the day (or more) before. I keep them in the pan under the water just in case they go black or otherwise discolour rather than traying them up though.

Lamelie · 19/12/2025 10:38

I brine my turkey on Christmas Eve and on the day there’s very little to do.
Nigella’s Turkey.
Cook the stuffing separately.
I think the potatoes would be a bit funky prepared so far in advance. Would you have time to peel and put them in a pan the night before?

Spiced and Superjuicy Roast Turkey

For me the only turkey is a brined one. Not only does it tenderize and add subtle spiciness, but it makes carving the turkey incredibly much easier. You have only to try this method to be utterly convinced. And I mean to say: how hard is it to fill a p...

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/spiced-and-superjuicy-roast-turkey

CharlotteCChapel · 19/12/2025 15:03

You can pack stuffing loosely in the holes. If you pack it too tightly it can lead to the turkey not cooking fully. Take it out of the oven to rest, covered, a couple of hours before the meal. DH refused to do this until our microwave roasting function blew on Christmas day and we needed the room. We now do it every year.

If not doing stuffing poke holes in an orange an put that in the cavity.

GooseyGandalf · 20/12/2025 07:16

I stuff mine on the 24th, and push a metal skewer in until it touches the bone to help conduct the heat.

My roasties have been parboiled and are sitting in the freezer.

Tintackedsea · 20/12/2025 08:02

Parboiled and rolled in fat and left to go cold is the best way to cook roast potatoes. All the veg can be peeled and left in water.

OMGitsnotgood · 20/12/2025 09:35

I never stuff the turkey, having read years ago that it is safer not to and also both can be cooked optimally. My stuffing balls have been in the freezer for a while now.

dementedpixie · 20/12/2025 09:50

Stuffing always cooked separately here too

Original poster

gingerbreadmumm · 21/12/2025 08:43

Sorry it’s just been a bit manic here. Thanks for the replies. I normally just stuffed the neck of the turkey obviously not the cavity. I just chuck some herbs in there. I can just not stuff it - but I do put butter under the skin, which probably takes longer than putting stuffing in.

If I par boil the roast potatoes the day before, will they go grey if I leave them overnight?

OP posts:

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