Christmas buffet ideas

CHRISTMAS BUFFET IDEAS

Christmas buffet ideas

CHRISTMAS BUFFET IDEAS

Christmas buffet ideas

CHRISTMAS BUFFET IDEAS

With something for everyone, buffets make the perfect feast for Christmas parties, Boxing Day or Twixtmas entertaining. Below, you'll find ideas for a mouth-wateringly memorable and easy festive spread.

Gradient divider

Christmas centrepieces

Shimmering salmon mousse, succulent blood orange & festive spiced ham and a vegan wellington… these sumptuous serve-yourself centrepieces will be the stars of the show on any buffet table. The moreish mains below are all from our convenient Food Made To Order service, where you’ll find a delicious range of prepared food – perfect if you’re short on time or want to take the stress out of entertaining.

Shimmering Salmon Mousse

Shimmering Salmon Mousse

Treat your guests to something really special this Christmas – tender Scottish smoked and poached salmon mousse with a shimmering bronze lustre finish. Serves 8.

Shop now

Background Image

We recommend serving this showstopping sharing mousse with bread (see our suggestions below) and whipping up a simple dill and lemon butter.

You could also serve alongside easy-to-make side dishes, like pickled cucumber or red onion, chicory and chive salad with lemon and olive oil dressing, or shredded Waitrose Baby Beetroot with horseradish mixed with soured cream and salad onions.

NEW Blood Orange & Festive Spice Wiltshire Ham

NEW Blood Orange & Festive Spice Wiltshire Ham

A succulent roasted ham joint seasoned with spiced blood orange, finished with a zesty braised cranberry topping. Our ham is Wiltshire cured and matured on the bone, so it’s full of flavour and perfectly tender. Serves 22.

Shop now

NEW No.1 Cornish Quartz Cheddar & Caramelised Shallot Galette

NEW No.1 Cornish Quartz Cheddar & Caramelised Shallot Galette 

All-butter puff pastry with an indulgent crème fraîche and Quartz Cheddar cheese filling, topped with caramelised shallots. Serves 6.

Shop now

Easy Carve Duck with Plum & Chestnut

British Easy Carve Duck with Plum & Chestnut

This plump and succulent part-deboned whole British duck comes with a pork, plum and chestnut stuffing, and cooks in a foil tray for convenience. Great for gluten-free guests. Serves 6.

Shop now

PlantLiving Ultimate Festive Sharing Wellington

PlantLiving Ultimate Festive Sharing Wellington

Moreish mushroom duxelle meets plant-based ‘beef’ braised in a shallot, garlic and thyme vegetable stock. Ready to slice and share, with a holly decoration adding a jolly touch. Serves 4.

Shop now

No.1 30-day Dry Aged British Beef Rump Joint

No.1 30-day Dry Aged British Beef Rump Joint

The flavour, tenderness and succulence of the beef develops during the traditional dry ageing process, making it a fabulous addition to any festive buffet. Serves 10-12.

Shop now

NEW Salmon, Trout, Lemon & Mascarpone Terrine

NEW Salmon, Trout, Lemon & Mascarpone Terrine

Hot smoked salmon and smoked trout mousse with silky lemon and mascarpone mousse, topped with Scottish smoked salmon. Serves 6-8.

Shop now

Gradient divider

Christmas party food

Wow your guests with a lavish spread of delicious bite-sized nibbles. Crunchy king prawn toasts, crispy bacon carbonara cups and super-cute handmade mini Santa bao buns – ‘tis the season to feast on fabulously festive finger food.

Festive party food is available in store and online from 13 November. 

No.1 8 King Prawn Toasts

NEW No.1 8 King Prawn Toasts

These crunchy prawn toasts are topped with a succulent, tail-on king prawn, and come with a zingy soy, ginger and lime dipping sauce. 8 pieces.

Available 13 November

Reuben Rarebit

NEW Reuben Rarebit – New York Deli Style 

A ready-to-bake blend of Emmental cheese, pastrami and pickled gherkins with ale, Worcester sauce and mustard, inspired by the bold flavours of a Reuben sandwich. Serves 4.

Available 6 November

No.1 12 Crispy Bacon Carbonara Cups

NEW No.1 12 Crispy Bacon Carbonara Cups 

Enjoy 12 bitesized cups of crisp, maple-cured smoked bacon filled with creamy spaghetti carbonara made with extra mature Cheddar. 

Available 13 November

No.1 8 Santa Bao Buns

NEW No.1 8 Santa Bao Buns 

Our festive take on the popular snack – soft, pillowy, handmade mini Santa bao buns filled with shredded vegetables in a deliciously sweet, sticky hoisin sauce. 

Available 13 November

12 Duchy Organic Free Range British Pork Sausages Wrapped in Bacon

NEW 12 Duchy Organic Free Range British Pork Sausages Wrapped in Bacon

Deliciously meaty sausages made from prime cuts of free-range pork shoulder, wrapped in unsmoked, air-matured bacon. 

Shop now

No.1 8 Crab & Brown Butter Crumpets

NEW No.1 8 Crab & Brown Butter Crumpets 

Mini crumpets topped with a rich crab gratin made with spiced brown butter and crème fraîche, finished with a sprinkle of paprika. 

Available 27 November

Bake at Home Cheesy Trio

NEW Bake at Home Cheesy Trio 

A crowd-pleasing trio of cheeses in ready-to-bake ceramics. Gouda with crème fraîche and cider, Welsh Rarebit made with Red Fox Red Leicester, and Gorgonzola blended with cream and Prosecco – just add plenty of bread for dipping. Serves 20.

Available 27 November

12 Frozen Vegetable Spring Rolls

NEW 12 Frozen Vegetable Spring Rolls 

Crisp filo pastry rolls filled with carrot, yam bean, cabbage and wood ear mushroom. Great for dipping into soy sauce or sweet chilli sauce. 

Available 6 October

Frozen Katsu Chicken Goujons

NEW Frozen Katsu Chicken Goujons 

Tender British chicken in a spiced batter and crunchy coconut crumb. Serves 4.

Available 6 October

Gradient divider

Christmas desserts

No matter how much party food your guests pile their plates with, there's always room for something sweet. Lay out (large) spoons for the likes of sumptuous No.1 Millionaire's Torte, light Limoncello Fizz Panettone and brand-new, showstopping No.1 Red Velvet Bauble Dessert.

No.1 Millionaire’s Torte

No.1 Millionaire’s Torte 

Sumptuous dark chocolate ganache and velvety caramel on a crunchy biscuit base, studded with shimmering cocoa nibs. Serves 10-12.

Shop now

9 Mini Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac

No.1 9 Mini Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac 

Brown butter gives the pastry a nutty flavour that perfectly complements a rich mincemeat made with glacé Amarena cherries, almonds and apricots, and laced with Cognac in this 9-pack of pies. 

Shop now

Limoncello Fizz Panettone

NEW Limoncello Fizz Panettone 

This light Italian cake with candied lemon peel has pockets of limoncello filling and is infused with sparkling wine syrup. Sprinkle over the fizzy lemon sugar to finish.  Serves 8.

Shop now

No.1 Red Velvet Bauble Dessert

NEW No.1 Red Velvet Bauble Dessert 

This creamy white chocolate and mascarpone mousse with tangy raspberry and redcurrant compôte sits on a crunchy feuilletine and cocoa sponge base. It’s finished with a red lustre and comes with decorative baubles for you to add the finishing touches. Serves 10.

Available 19 December

6 Mini Tiramisu Desserts

NEW 6 Mini Tiramisu Desserts 

Six individual tiramisus with coffee sauce-soaked sponge cake, rich mascarpone and Marsala wine cream. Neatly portioned for one per guest (or all six just for you…). 

Available 11 December

Christmas leftovers recipes

Transform Christmas Day leftovers into a delicious Boxing Day or Twixtmas buffet feast.

Ultimate Triple Nut Roast

Leftover turkey recipes

Discover crowd-pleasing dishes, from turkey curry to turkey & sprout pot pie.

See & shop the recipes

Leftover cheese recipes

Leftover cheese recipes

Dig into Brie & caramelised leek tart, loaded potato skins and plenty more.

See & shop the recipes

Leftover dessert recipes

Leftover dessert recipes

Christmas pudding doughnuts or Christmas pudding brownies? That is the question.

See & shop the recipes

Gradient divider

Christmas drinks

The food’s sorted – now it’s time to fill the fridge with fizz, make plans for homemade punch or stock up on mulled wine to simmer on the hob.

Shop drinks with your groceries

Shop drinks with your groceries

Add wine, fizz, beer, spirits and pre-made Tails cocktails to your food order.

Shop & sip

Shop at Waitrose Cellar

Shop at Waitrose Cellar

Discover our full range of wines, all handpicked by our experts.

Shop now
(opens in new tab)

Christmas cocktail recipes

Christmas cocktail recipes

Get creative and shake up wintery cocktails and mocktails.

See & shop the recipes

Gradient divider