If you’ve not already sorted the herbs and spices you’re seasoning the Christmas dinner with, now is the time! When you make that all important ingredient list, don’t forget to purchase those Christmas spices to ensure your food has that unforgettable festive taste.
With just under a month to go until the big day, the experts at World of Spice discuss the essentials you should have in the pantry and how they can take your Christmas dinner to the next level!
The Top Christmas Spices, Herbs and Seasonings
Not sure where to start when it comes to festive herbs and spices? They’re a kitchen fundamental and guaranteed to bring those flavours associated with the festive season to your plate! Of course, it does come down to personal taste, but there are a few necessities you should invest in to use in festive cooking. Here are our essentials list:
- Cloves
- Cinnamon (both ground and sticks)
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Cumin
- Cardamom
- Star Anise
- Allspice
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Sage
- Mint
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
Once you’ve got your selection, you can use them in a vast array of dishes, so it’s worth taking up the cupboard space, trust us! Let’s take a closer look at traditional Christmas food and the herbs and spices you can use to make the festive build up one to remember.
Roast Meat
For many, the Christmas meat is the main event, here are our seasoning suggestions:
Turkey: Stuff and sprinkle with onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary and sage for a fragrant and aromatic flavour. You can even step it up a notch by adding a squeeze of lemon and orange, roasting the segments with the turkey for a fresher flavour.
Pork: Pork tastes incredible when covered in a little garlic, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme. At Christmas, we recommended buying a pork shoulder with the potential for crackling. Score the meat, stuff with cloves, and sprinkle with salt, pepper and mustard powder. Cook in red wine with cinnamon and orange halves, baste halfway through.
Beef: Garlic, thyme, rosemary and sage make all the difference to roast beef. Rub into the meat with a little oil and sprinkle with salt for a crispier finish. Baste in the fragrant juices halfway through and sprinkle again with a light dusting of salt and pepper.
Chicken: Chicken works with so many herbs and spices, but for a fresher kick this Christmas, try oregano and rosemary! Thyme will add a depth to the meat, so if you want things a little stronger, add this.
Lamb: Rosemary, garlic and a little mint work beautifully with roast lamb. If this is your chosen meat at Christmas, use these liberally. Sprinkle a little fresh mint on top for festive decoration!
Pigs in Blankets
Traditional pigs in blankets are a wonderful festive extra that can be easily enhanced by a sprinkling of rosemary, pepper and a dollop of wholegrain mustard or cranberry sauce to serve.
Roast Potatoes
Want to perfect a crispy roasty? Be sure to douse your potatoes in either goose fat, oil and salt - stir to ensure a golden crunch. Add some rosemary and parsley to the mix and continue to stir. Be sure to turn halfway through cooking and sprinkle a little more herbs and salt on to ensure a full flavour.
Yorkshire Puddings
For yorkies that are full of flavour, be sure to stir the herbs and spices into the batter mix. We like to add rosemary and a sprinkling of mustard powder for a fiery bite, complimented by the freshness of rosemary.
Stuffing
Whether you’re going herb and onion, or apple and cranberry, similar herbs will work here. Add a dash of thyme and sage to lift the mix and of course, salt and pepper to enhance all of the other flavours. See our blog on the best Christmas spice for stuffing for more tips!
Cauliflower Cheese
Cauliflower cheese is a family favourite. To enhance your Christmas cauli this year, add a little nutmeg to your white sauce for a festively sweet spice. Make a mixture of breadcrumbs, cheese, salt, pepper, thyme and parsley and sprinkle on the top – trust us.
Christmas Vegetables
Carrots and Parsnips: Roasted carrots and parsnips are a festive classic that everyone loves. To add a rustic sweetness to a plate, we recommend a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of rosemary, salt and pepper.
Red Cabbage: This dish is a Christmas classic, infused with a sweet spiciness. For a large batch, add a mix of herbs and spices including – 1 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and a sprinkle of nutmeg. This is a side where those true Christmas flavours can be unleashed!
Sprouts: Mixing bacon and chestnuts with your sprouts will truly transform them into a Christmas treat! Add a sprinkle of garlic, coarse salt and pepper to the mix. You can choose to add thyme, dill or parsley to your sprouts too.
Gravy
You just can’t beat hot gravy poured over freshly steamed vegetables and yorkies. Be sure to add a little of the cooked juice from your meat to the liquid. For example, beef dripping, or a ladleful of the clove, onion and wine mix your gammon was cooking in. It’s an easy way to infuse those delicious flavours and make it oh so festive! You can also add strong savoury herbs like a bay leaf, marjoram, sage and thyme. A sprinkle of nutmeg can add a festive sweetness, whilst black or green pepper and onion powder can add a tangy bite.
Be sure to check out our Christmas condiment blog for other festive sauce ideas!
Get in Touch
Ready to purchase your festive herbs and spices? Order not to guarantee delivery before the big day. At World of Spice, we can help you achieve amazing and authentic flavour through our herbs, spices and seasonings this winter. For more information about our bespoke services for trade and retail, please contact us at orders@worldofspice.co.uk, or call our team on 01277 633303. We look forward to hearing from you.
