Festive Christmas Lunch Loaf with Turkey, Pork & Cranberries
Festive Christmas Lunch Loaf with Turkey, Pork & Cranberries
Equipment
- 900g loaf tin
- mixing bowl
- wooden spoon
- Meat thermometer
- spatula
- foil
Ingrediënten
- 3 onions finely chopped
- 50 g butter plus extra for the tin
- 700 g turkey mince
- 500 g pork mince
- 250 g smoked streaky bacon finely chopped
- 70 ml port
- 200 g vacuum-packed chestnuts roughly chopped
- 100 g dried cranberries
- 1 orange zested
- 1 tsp thyme leaves
- 5 sage leaves finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 80 g rye crackers or dried breadcrumbs, crumbed
- Trimmings gravy, and bread sauce, to serve
Instructies
- Fry the onions in butter for 15–20 minutes until soft and golden.
- Butter a 900g loaf tin and chill.
- Heat oven to 200C / 180C fan / gas 6.
- In a large bowl, combine turkey mince, pork mince, bacon, port, chestnuts, cranberries, orange zest, thyme, sage, garlic, onion mixture, and crumbs.
- Mix until evenly combined.
- Remove loaf tin and pack the mixture into it, shaping the top like a loaf of bread.
- Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 70C.
- Heat grill to medium and grill 5–10 minutes for a golden crust.
- Rest in tin for 20 minutes, invert carefully onto a board or platter, slice, and serve with classic holiday trimmings.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:
Serve thick slices with bread sauce, gravy, crusty bread, or classic Christmas vegetables for a complete festive spread.Wine Pairing:
Pairs beautifully with a medium-bodied Merlot that complements the cranberry sweetness and savory meat flavors.Nutritional Information
————————————————————————————————–
About This Recipe:
This Festive Christmas Lunch Loaf with Turkey, Pork & Cranberries is one of the most comforting, crowd-pleasing, and elegantly simple dishes to bring to your holiday table. It offers all the flavors and warmth of traditional British Christmas cooking but with a modern, streamlined approach that makes it ideal for today’s busy kitchens.
Instead of juggling multiple roasting trays, pans, and preparation techniques, this loaf cleverly unifies the best of the season into one beautifully sliceable centerpiece. The combination of turkey and pork delivers the perfect balance of lean and rich textures, while smoked streaky bacon infuses depth and aroma throughout. Cranberries and chestnuts provide bursts of sweetness and a festive nod to classic stuffing recipes — while port wine and orange zest bring brightness and sophistication.
This loaf is also a host’s dream:
It can be prepared ahead of time, rested without drying, and sliced cleanly for a stunning presentation. It travels well if you’re contributing to a family gathering, and any leftovers make incredible sandwiches the next day — especially layered onto soft rolls with gravy or bread sauce. Whether served at a relaxed lunch, Christmas Eve supper, or Boxing Day buffet, this recipe ensures seasonal joy in every slice.
