The Iceland Christmas dinner with all the trimmings(Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
I’ll hold my hands up and admit that I’m not the one slaving over the stove on Christmas Day – that honour goes to my hubby, who took over the reins years ago. So come December 25, I’m kicking back and enjoying the festivities.
But I’ve done my fair share of festive feasts and Sunday roasts in the past, so I know all too well the stress that comes with trying to pull off a perfect meal for the big day.
If you’re feeling the heat about cooking up a storm this year, Iceland’s £25 Christmas dinner box for four could be just the ticket. It’s held its price from last year and even thrown in an extra treat, but when I gave it a whirl, I felt it was missing a certain something to take it up a notch, reports the Express.
What exactly do you get for your £25 at Iceland?
You can snap up the Christmas dinner box in-store or online on the Iceland website here.
They’ve also got a cracking selection of seafood starters, like luxury raw lobster tails for £12.50, a classic prawn cocktail ring, Luxury King Prawns with Creamy Prosecco Sauce at £4 for two, and the Iceland Luxury Coconut Butterfly Prawns, £6 for six.
Iceland’s Christmas dinner in a box(Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
So how does it fare in the kitchen?
What really impressed me about the box is how well thought out it is. This isn’t just a random assortment of items for £25; you get detailed cooking times and instructions on when to pop each item in the oven.
I’d recommend sticking to the oven for simplicity’s sake – just set it and forget it with a few timers, without having to fret about when to chuck the roasties in the air fryer.
You kick off with the turkey crown, naturally, and let it work its magic while you mingle and play host. The straightforward guide lays out when to set your timers and what needs to hit the oven next.
Sure, you’ll need to tackle the sprouts and carrots on the hob towards the end, but it adds a touch of authenticity to the process. And we zapped the gravy in the microwave just before dishing up – it was a breeze and utterly stress-free.
What is in the Iceland Christmas dinner in a box deal(Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
How did it fare on the flavour front?
Having had a taste test last year, I had my hopes pinned high, and they were met once more. The turkey was succulent and scrumptious, with ample portions for a party of four.
Plus, there were pigs in blankets aplenty, much to my teenager’s delight. The sausages were plump and juicy, with the bacon crisping up to perfection for that extra salty punch.
The roasties were a real treat, sporting a thin, crispy exterior and fluffy innards. In my book, they trump branded versions like Aunt Bessie’s, which I find a tad dry.
We were also smitten with the luxury parsnips, which is quite the feat as neither my husband nor I are big fans of this veg, despite it being a festive staple. But these beauties caramelise wonderfully in the hot oven, and the glaze creates irresistibly crunchy edges.
Plus, you get a generous bag, enough to whip up another batch for a future feast.
The carrots and sprouts were a hit, their hob-cooked freshness providing a delightful contrast between the sweetness of the carrots and the salty tang of the Brussels sprouts. The shop-bought gravy was surprisingly tasty, with herby notes that danced on the tongue.
However, the new addition of pork stuffing balls didn’t quite hit the mark for me. As a sage and onion stuffing devotee, I felt the plate was already meat-heavy enough.
While they were perfectly palatable, I’d happily swap them out for extra parsnips.
The Iceland roast turkey joint, which crisped up nicely in the oven(Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
Verdict
As for the verdict, it’s commendable that Iceland has maintained the £25 price tag while adding an extra item this year. However, they’ve still overlooked the one thing I believe is missing – Yorkshire puddings!
Yes, not everyone includes them in their Christmas feast, but we do, and their absence was felt.
Thankfully, they’re cheap and quick to cook in an air fryer for those who prefer a more relaxed roast.
The Iceland Christmas dinner with all the trimmings(Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
The instructions are brilliantly clear, making this a foolproof choice for your Christmas Day meal. The portions are generous too, leaving us with plenty of turkey, roast potatoes, parsnips, stuffing, and pigs in blankets for a Boxing Day sandwich.
This is one of the finest deals Iceland has to offer, and I reckon they should make it a year-round feature, revolutionising your Sunday roast experience.
On the whole, I’d give it a solid nine out of 10, with points docked only because the stuffing balls weren’t to my taste – I would have preferred a Yorkshire pudding.
You can grab a £25 Christmas dinner box right here on the Iceland website.