Christmastime brings together family, friends, and, let’s be honest, a lot of food.
Whether you’re hosting the full feast, putting on a Boxing Day buffet, or simply trying to stay prepared for unexpected visitors, your festive larder is your secret weapon.
Stocking it with the right sauces, chutneys, and pickles ensures that even the simplest leftovers or cold cuts can be transformed into something delicious.
Here’s a handy guide to what every Christmas kitchen should have at the ready.
1. Cranberry Sauce – the Christmas Classic
No festive table is complete without cranberry sauce. Whether you go for smooth, whole berry or a homemade spiced version, this is essential for turkey, nut roasts and Boxing Day sandwiches.
Tip: A jar of cranberry relish with orange or port adds extra luxury.
2. Bread Sauce – Comfort in a Bowl
A very British staple and often overlooked. Bread sauce pairs beautifully with poultry, gammon and even roasted vegetables.
Top up your larder: Pre-made sachets store well, but a homemade batch can be frozen ahead of time.
3. Horseradish – Not Just for Beef
Fiery, fragrant and incredibly versatile. Horseradish is a brilliant partner for roast beef, cold cuts and smoked fish. It also lifts leftover mash when stirred through.
4. English Mustard and Dijon Mustard
Two mustards, two purposes:
English mustard for heat and punch
Dijon mustard for creaminess and subtlety
Perfect for glazes, roast dinners, cheese boards and sauces.
5. Apple Sauce – For Pork, Turkey and Beyond
Usually associated with pork, apple sauce is also wonderful with turkey crown, savoury stuffing and many vegetarian centrepieces.
If you spot an apple and cider version, even better.
6. Redcurrant Jelly – A Roast Dinner Hero
Redcurrant jelly doesn’t get the attention cranberry sauce does, but it should. It cuts through richness, pairs brilliantly with lamb and beef, and adds gorgeous flavour to gravies.
7. Chutneys for the Boxing Day Feast
Boxing Day practically demands a chutney or three. Stock up on:
Caramelised onion chutney for cheese and pies
Ploughman’s chutney for cold meats
Tomato and chilli chutney for a little festive fire
A good chutney transforms leftovers into a full meal.
8. Pickled Onions – A Festive Favourite
Crisp, sharp and irresistible on any buffet table.
The strong ones are perfect with Cheddar and pork pie; milder sweet pickled onions are brilliant with pâté or sandwiches.
9. Cornichons and Gherkins
Small but mighty. These sharp little pickles cut through the richness of cheese boards, charcuterie, cold ham and terrines.
Keep one jar of classic gherkins and one jar of cornichons for variety.
10. Piccalilli – A British Treasure
That tangy, mustard-yellow mixture of cauliflower, onions and other vegetables is unbeatable with gammon, sausages, pork pies and cheese.
It’s one of the most useful jars in your Christmas cupboard.
11. Mint Sauce – Not Just for Spring Lamb
A light and refreshing counterbalance to heavier dishes.
Lovely with lamb, of course, but it also perks up leftover roast potatoes.
12. Gravy Granules and Stock Concentrates
Even if you plan to make gravy from scratch, always have a backup.
Christmas is hectic—and nothing ruins the mood like discovering you’re short on gravy during service.
13. Sweet Sauces and Pouring Treats
Keep a small sweet section ready for puddings and festive bakes:
Brandy butter
Vanilla custard
Salted caramel sauce
Chocolate sauce
Perfect for mince pies, Christmas pudding and impromptu desserts.
14. Chilli Jam – The Modern Must-Have
A dollop of chilli jam makes everything better: cheese boards, sausages, roasted veg, and even brie-topped crackers on Christmas Eve.
If you’ve never tried it, Christmas is the ideal excuse.
A well-stocked Christmastime larder gives you flexibility, creativity and peace of mind. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or indulging in quiet leftover meals between festivities, the right condiments elevate every plate.
Prepare now, and you’ll glide through the season with flavour and flair.
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