When to Buy Christmas Dinner Ingredients and How to Store Them Safely

Hosting Christmas dinner can quickly become overwhelming, with different ingredients needing careful timing, storage and preparation. With Christmas Day just around the corner, new guidance has revealed exactly when you should be buying key items for the big meal.

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at food hygiene experts High Speed Training, has shared practical advice to help hosts avoid food waste, last minute panic and potential food safety issues.

The turkey

When should you buy it?
Frozen turkeys can be bought and frozen at any time. Fresh turkeys should be collected and kept in the fridge during the week before Christmas.

Richard explains: “Storing your Christmas turkey will depend on multiple factors, including the size and whether you’re buying a fresh or frozen bird. Most people will have pre-ordered their turkey, meaning that it’s just a matter of collecting and storing the bird once it’s ready.

“If you’ve bought a frozen turkey, make sure it remains frozen until the final run down to Christmas day. At this point you’ll want to begin the defrosting process by moving it to the fridge. You should allow approximately 8 hours per kg to defrost in the fridge. Aim to have your bird defrosted by the 23rd, to ensure that when you actually begin cooking, there are no frozen parts that have not yet defrosted.

“If you’re defrosting at room temperature, allow 3 hours per kg, and ensure that you work backwards from Christmas day to ensure it’s fully defrosted.”

The veg

When should you buy it?
Green and leafy vegetables should be bought no more than a week before Christmas. Root vegetables can be bought at any time.

Richard says: “The veg included in a Christmas dinner varies from household to household, and different types of veg should be stored in different ways.

“For leafy veg, like leeks, cabbage and sprouts, you should aim to buy them within the final week before Christmas day. Leafy veg can be prone to wilting the longer it is kept, becoming soggy and unappetising.

“Leafy veg is best kept in the fridge, preferably in a veg drawer, which will also help to protect it from being damaged or crushed by other items within the fridge.”

He also advises that some root vegetables, such as carrots and parsnips, benefit from refrigeration to keep them fresh and crunchy. These can last several weeks if stored correctly and removed from plastic packaging to prevent moisture build-up.

“For root veg, such as turnips, squashes, swedes or onions, you do not need to keep them refrigerated before use. Instead, store them in a cool, dry place, such as a cupboard or a pantry. Kept this way, these types of veg can be bought any time in the run up to Christmas, and unused veg can last well into the new year.”

Pigs in blankets

When should you buy them?
Frozen pigs in blankets can be bought at any time. Fresh versions should be purchased no more than a week before Christmas.

Richard shares: “If you’re purchasing your pigs in blankets frozen, then you can buy them whenever you want, and they’ll be ready to cook for Christmas. Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging to ensure they are safely prepared to cook.

“If you’re buying fresh pigs in blankets, or making your own, it’s best to buy the ingredients no more than a week before the meal. Keep the packaging sealed to ensure they remain fresh, and keep them refrigerated at all times.”

Potatoes

When should you buy them?
Potatoes can be bought weeks before Christmas if stored properly.

Richard explains: “Potatoes benefit from being stored in a cool, dark place, which will slow down the sprouting process. Avoid storing them in the fridge, as the cold will turn the starch into sugar and will taint the flavour.

“You should remove them from their plastic bags, and refrain from washing them until you’re ready to use them. Potatoes in the early stages of sprouting are perfectly safe to eat.”

More information about food hygiene courses is available on the High Speed Training website here