Classic Two-Tray Christmas Dinner
Equipment
- 2 large roasting trays
- aluminum foil
- Gravy jug
- Meat thermometer
- Mixing bowls
- Saucepan
- Whisk
Ingredients
Tray One
- 2 to 3 kg turkey crown
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 teaspoons ground mace
- 3 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- 4 tablespoons port or red wine
- 65 g softened butter
- 75 g prunes finely chopped
- 450 g sausagemeat
- 8 rashers smoked streaky bacon halved
- 1 large onion sliced
- Small bunch fresh sage leaves chopped
Tray Two
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 4 bay leaves
- 150 ml vegetable oil
- 450 g Brussels sprouts halved
- 450 g small carrots trimmed
- 600 g parsnips peeled and quartered
- 800 g Maris Piper potatoes halved or quartered
For the Gravy
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan).
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil.
- Mix the butter, garlic, ground mace, and half of the chopped sage.
- Loosen the turkey skin carefully.
- Spread most of the butter underneath the skin and rub the remaining butter over the turkey.
- Arrange the sliced onion in a roasting tray.
- Place the turkey on top.
- Roast for 1½ hours, basting halfway through.
- Parboil the potatoes for 8 minutes.
- Add the parsnips and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.
- Drain well and leave to steam dry.
- Cook the carrots for 5 minutes.
- Cook the Brussels sprouts for 3 minutes.
- Reserve some of the vegetable cooking water.
- Mix the sausagemeat, prunes, cranberry sauce, remaining sage, and ground mace.
- Shape into 16 stuffing balls.
- Wrap each stuffing ball with bacon.
- Chill until needed.
- After 90 minutes, baste the turkey again.
- Add the stuffing balls to the turkey tray.
- Heat the vegetable oil in the second roasting tray.
- Coat the potatoes and parsnips lightly with flour.
- Transfer them to the hot oil.
- Roast for 30 minutes, turning halfway.
- Check that the turkey reaches 75°C.
- Remove the turkey from the oven.
- Cover loosely with foil and rest for 20 minutes.
- Increase the oven temperature to 220°C (200°C fan).
- Roast the potatoes for another 10 minutes.
- Add the carrots, Brussels sprouts, and bay leaves to the tray.
- Roast for 30 minutes.
- Add the stuffing balls during the final 5 minutes.
- Place the turkey tray over medium heat.
- Pour in the port or red wine.
- Scrape up the browned bits.
- Whisk in the reserved vegetable water.
- Add the butter and flour mixture.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Strain the gravy.
- Carve the turkey and serve everything immediately.
Notes & Wine Advice
Recipe Notes
Prepare the stuffing balls a day ahead to make Christmas Day more relaxed. Allow the turkey to rest before carving to keep every slice tender and juicy. Turn the potatoes halfway through roasting for an evenly crisp finish. Serve directly from the roasting trays for a relaxed family-style Christmas meal.Wine Advice
A glass of Vacqueyras pairs beautifully with the roast turkey and rich gravy. A smooth Pinot Noir is another excellent choice for this festive dinner.Nutrition values
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About This Recipe
Classic Two-Tray Christmas Dinner is the perfect solution for serving a complete festive meal with less effort and fewer dishes. Everything from the juicy turkey crown and crispy roast potatoes to the caramelized parsnips, Brussels sprouts, glazed carrots, and bacon-wrapped stuffing balls cooks together using just two roasting trays. The result is a beautifully coordinated Christmas dinner that allows you to spend more time with family and less time managing the oven.
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Feast
This two-tray holiday roast makes preparing a traditional Christmas meal surprisingly simple. Cooking the main components together saves valuable oven space while allowing all the flavors to develop naturally. If you enjoy festive cooking, explore our Christmas Recipes, Turkey Recipes, Main Course Recipes, Rustic Baking Recipes, and English Recipes.
Classic Two-Tray Christmas Dinner Preparation
The turkey is seasoned with butter, garlic, sage, and warming spices before roasting over onions that help flavor the gravy. While the turkey cooks, the vegetables are prepared and the stuffing balls are wrapped in smoky bacon. Careful timing allows every component to finish together, creating a complete festive meal without filling the oven with multiple trays.
Serving the Two-Tray Holiday Roast
Serve this festive meal directly from the roasting trays with homemade gravy, cranberry sauce, and your favorite Christmas side dishes. Fresh bread, roasted chestnuts, or a crisp green salad also make excellent additions. Leftovers are perfect for sandwiches, pies, soups, and quick lunches during the days after Christmas.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat the turkey gently with a little gravy to keep it moist, while the vegetables can be crisped in the oven or air fryer. For additional food safety recommendations, visit the FDA Food Safety website.
Classic Two-Tray Christmas Dinner is an easy way to prepare a complete festive feast while keeping cooking organized, stress-free, and full of traditional holiday flavor.