I tried Iceland’s Christmas dinner in a box and they have added a new item

I am going to be honest and say I don’t cook Christmas dinner in my house; my husband took up the baton years ago, and on December 25, I am a lady of leisure. However, I have made  Christmas dinner before, as well as many roasts, so I know how stressful it can be, especially with the added pressure of wanting it to be extra special and perfect for the special day. 

If you are worried about cooking for the family this year, Iceland’s £25 Christmas dinner in a box for four might just be the perfect answer for you. It is the same price as last year, and they have added an item, but when I tried it out, I felt that something was still missing that could elevate it. But firstly, what do you get in Iceland’s £25 deal?

Inside the box

Turkey Breast JointLuxury Perfect Beef Dripping Roast PotatoesTurkey Gravy12 Pigs In BlanketsHoney Glazed ParsnipsSprouts & BaconMaple Glazed Chantenay CarrotsNew for 2025 – 16 Pork, Onion & Sage Stuffing Balls

You can get the Christmas dinner in a box in store or on the Iceland website here.

They also do a wide variety of fish starters, such as the luxury raw lobster tails for £12.50, the classic prawn cocktail ring, the Luxury King Prawns with Creamy Prosecco Sauce, £4 for two and the Iceland Luxury Coconut Butterfly Prawns, £6 for six.

What is it like to cook?

What I love about the box is how well-thought-out it is. This isn’t just a collection of items for £25; you get precise cooking times and details on when to put all the foods in the oven.

I would suggest oven cooking for ease, as you can simply place it in and set a few timers without having to worry about when to put the roasties in the air fryer.

You start with the turkey crown, of course, and just let that do its thing while you chat and entertain. The easy-to-follow instructions tell you when to set timers for and what to put in the oven next when it goes off. 

You do cook the sprouts and carrots on the hob towards the end of cooking, but this helps make it feel like you are actually putting some work in. And we heated the gravy in the microwave just before plating, it really was easy and stress-free.

What about the taste?

Since I had the opportunity to taste this dinner last year, I had certain expectations, and they were fulfilled once again. The turkey was moist and delicious, with plenty for four people. And there were plenty of pigs in blankets to go around, which my teenager enjoyed. The sausages were nice and juicy, with the bacon crisping up nicely for that extra salty kick.

The roast potatoes are really lovely with a thin, crispy shell and fluffy potato inside. In my opinion, they are far better than branded varieties like Aunt Bessie’s, which I find dry.

We also loved the luxury parsnips, which is saying something as my husband and I are not huge fans of this veg, despite cooking them every year. But these caramelise beautifully in the hot oven, and the glaze allows for moreish crisp edges. And you get a back big enough to make more on another meal.

We also loved the carrots and sprouts. Cooking them on the hob means they have a lovely fresh taste and both complement each other with the sweetness from the carrots and the lovely saltiness from the Brussels. 

The gravy was also good, considering it is shop-bought, there were some good flavours packed in, you can taste some herby notes on the tip of your tongue.

I was not fussed on the pork stuffing balls, which were new for this year. We are a sage and onion stuffing family, so this may just come down to personal taste, as I thought there was already enough meat on the plate, and while they tasted fine, I could easily live without them and have extra parsnips instead.

The verdict

I love that Iceland has not only managed to keep the box at £25, but they have also added an item this year. But, they didn’t add the item I thought it needed last year, and still do – Yorkshire puddings!

Now, I am aware not everyone has a Yorkshire pudding with their Christmas dinner, but we do, and we missed them again on this meal. However, you can pick them up for a low price, and they take just a few minutes in the air fryer if you prefer a more laid-back style of roast this year. 

The instructions are fantastic and so well thought out, you really can not go wrong buying this in advance for December 25. The portions are generous, and we had leftovers of turkey, roast potatoes, parsnips, stuffing, and pigs in blankets – perfect for a Christmas sandwich on Boxing Day.

This is one of the best offers Iceland do, and I think they should bring it in all year long and transform cooking your Sunday roast for good. 

Overall, a nine out of 10 because I wasn’t keen on the stuffing balls and would have preferred a Yorkshire pudding. 

Pick up a £25 Christmas dinner box here on the Iceland website.