Aldi Ireland has issued tips for cooking the perfect Christmas turkey ahead of the all-important collection date on 20 December.

This festive season, Aldi is putting the spotlight firmly on the season’s true hero ingredients, with expert guidance from Aidan Gilhooly and James Coughlan, sampling chefs for Aldi Ireland, guiding shoppers through the festive range, as well as every step to creating a fabulous dinner.

The staple products in this year’s range are Aldi’s 100% Bord Bia Quality-Assured turkeys and hams.

Sourced from Aldi’s network of farmers and suppliers across Ireland, these centrepiece cuts are selected for their exceptional quality, delivering unbeatable flavour and guaranteed flair.

From 20 December, Aldi shoppers can collect the Specially Selected Irish Outdoor-Reared Slow-Grown Bronze Whole Turkey (€49.99), bred in Co. Monaghan, or, for something smaller but equally delicious, the award-winning Specially Selected Ultimate Edition Outdoor-Reared Bronze Butter-Basted Irish Turkey Breast Parcel (€39.99), complete with stuffing and topped with bacon.

Turkey Tips

For turkey that steals the show, keep in mind these tips from Gilhooly and Coughlan.

Timing is everything: Don’t rush the process. Bring the bird to room temperature before putting it in the oven, and let the turkey rest for up to one hour after removing it from the oven.
Don’t forget to baste: It’s important to keep the turkey moist, so be sure to baste at regular intervals.
’Tis the seasoning: Seasoning makes all the difference to the turkey, so be sure to use good-quality Irish butter, Christmas herbs, salt and pepper.
Check the temperature: Invest in a meat thermometer, to ensure the bird is cooked to perfection and safe to eat – with 75 degrees Celsius being the sweet spot.
Choose the right turkey: A good rule of thumb when choosing a turkey is 500g per guest, ensuring everyone has enough for dinner, as well as next-day leftovers.

Christmas Food

For those who believe no Christmas dinner is complete without a Christmas ham, Aldi has its award-winning Specially Selected Irish Silverside Ham (€14.99) available in Honey & Mulled Wine or Maple & Festive Spice.

Alternatively, the Specially Selected Slow-Cooked Irish Silverside Ham (€19.99) offers a succulent and tender option.

Add a touch of luxury before dinner with Specially Selected Flavoured Smoked Salmon (€3.99) or Specially Selected Fresh Irish Crab Meat (€4.99), to create the perfect starter.

Mix it up by indulging in a Specially Selected Whole Cooked Canadian Lobster (€13.79), served with butter and lemon, to create a timeless classic.

Aldi’s line of vegetarian and vegan dishes bring flavour to any feast, with the Specially Selected Nut Roast (€3.79) ideal as a main, or the Specially Selected Vegan Wreath (€3.99), which is available in Butternut Squash & Mushroom or Vegan Sausage & Cranberry Roll.

Savour each bite of the Specially Selected Vegetable Parcels (€6.49), crafted to cater to vegetarians and vegans.

Aldi turkeys are available to collect in store from 20 December, with its wide Christmas food range now available in stores nationwide, while stocks last.

Read More: Aldi Ireland Reveals Christmas Opening Hours And Seasonal Sales Trends