Home-Cooked Christmas Meal Guide 2025

by | Dec 22, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

A Complete Festive Feast for 6-8 People

Recreate restaurant-quality Christmas dishes at home with this complete guide featuring recipes, cooking instructions, and Singapore retail pricing.

🦃 MAIN COURSE: Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce

Inspired by: Moga and traditional Christmas roasts

Ingredients & Retail Prices

  • 1.5kg boneless turkey breast – $25-30 (FairPrice, Cold Storage)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil – $0.50
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced – $0.30
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped – $2.50 (FairPrice herbs)
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme – $2.50
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced – $0.80
  • Salt and black pepper – $0.20
  • 200g fresh cranberries – $5 (Cold Storage)
  • 100g sugar – $0.50
  • 100ml water – $0

Total: ~$38

Cooking Instructions

For the Turkey:

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Mix olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  3. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey breast, coating evenly.
  4. Place turkey in a roasting pan, tent with foil.
  5. Roast for 1 hour, then remove foil and roast another 20-30 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 75°C.
  6. Rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

For the Cranberry Sauce:

  1. Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
  2. Bring to boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes until berries burst and sauce thickens.
  3. Cool to room temperature before serving.

🦆 ALTERNATIVE MAIN: Yuzu Duck Breast with Japanese Chestnut Glaze

Inspired by: RE&S festive offerings

Ingredients & Retail Prices

  • 4 duck breasts (about 200g each) – $28-32 (Huber’s Butchery, Market Place by Jasons)
  • 3 tbsp yuzu juice – $4 (Don Don Donki, Meidi-Ya)
  • 2 tbsp honey – $1
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce – $0.30
  • 100g chestnuts, roasted and chopped – $5 (FairPrice)
  • 1 tbsp butter – $0.50
  • Salt and pepper – $0.20

Total: ~$40

Cooking Instructions

  1. Score the duck skin in a crosshatch pattern, season with salt and pepper.
  2. Place duck breasts skin-side down in a cold pan, then turn heat to medium.
  3. Cook for 6-8 minutes until skin is crispy and golden, rendering the fat.
  4. Flip and cook for 3-4 minutes for medium-rare.
  5. Remove duck and rest for 5 minutes.
  6. In the same pan, add yuzu juice, honey, soy sauce, and chestnuts. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Add butter, swirl to combine.
  8. Slice duck and drizzle with glaze.

🦐 PASTA DISH: Rose King Prawn Linguine

Inspired by: Earle Swensen’s Christmas menu

Ingredients & Retail Prices

  • 400g linguine pasta – $3 (FairPrice)
  • 500g king prawns, peeled and deveined – $18 (wet market or FairPrice)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced – $0.30
  • 200ml heavy cream – $3 (FairPrice)
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste – $0.50
  • 100ml white wine (optional) – $3 or substitute chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp olive oil – $0.30
  • Fresh basil leaves – $1.50
  • Parmesan cheese, grated – $3 (100g)
  • Salt, pepper, chili flakes – $0.30

Total: ~$33

Cooking Instructions

  1. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
  3. Sauté prawns for 2-3 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
  4. In the same pan, sauté garlic until fragrant (30 seconds).
  5. Add tomato paste, cook for 1 minute.
  6. Pour in white wine (or stock), simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Add cream, stir until combined. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
  8. Add cooked linguine and prawns, toss to coat. Add pasta water if needed.
  9. Garnish with basil and parmesan.

🥔 SIDE DISH 1: Black Truffle Roasted Potatoes

Inspired by: Shake Shack black truffle fries

Ingredients & Retail Prices

  • 1kg baby potatoes, halved – $3 (FairPrice)
  • 3 tbsp truffle oil – $8 (Cold Storage, Marketplace)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil – $0.30
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced – $0.30
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs – $1.50
  • Parmesan cheese, grated – $2
  • Fresh parsley, chopped – $1
  • Salt and pepper – $0.20

Total: ~$16

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
  2. Toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
  3. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
  4. Roast for 35-40 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy.
  5. Remove from oven, drizzle with truffle oil.
  6. Sprinkle with parmesan and parsley. Serve immediately.

🥗 SIDE DISH 2: Honey-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Ingredients & Retail Prices

  • 500g Brussels sprouts, halved – $4 (FairPrice)
  • 150g bacon, diced – $4
  • 2 tbsp honey – $0.70
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar – $1
  • 2 tbsp olive oil – $0.30
  • Salt and pepper – $0.20

Total: ~$10

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
  2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Roast for 20-25 minutes until crispy and caramelized.
  4. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a pan until crispy.
  5. Add honey and balsamic vinegar to the bacon, stir to combine.
  6. Toss roasted Brussels sprouts with the bacon mixture. Serve warm.

🍞 SIDE DISH 3: Garlic Herb Butter Bread

Ingredients & Retail Prices

  • 1 French baguette – $2.50 (BreadTalk, bakeries)
  • 100g butter, softened – $2
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced – $0.30
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped – $1
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped – $1.50
  • Pinch of salt – $0.10

Total: ~$7.50

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Mix softened butter with garlic, parsley, rosemary, and salt.
  3. Slice baguette diagonally without cutting all the way through.
  4. Spread garlic herb butter generously between each slice.
  5. Wrap in foil and bake for 15 minutes.
  6. Unwrap, bake another 5 minutes until crispy on top.

🍰 DESSERT 1: Chocolate Peppermint Trifle

Inspired by: Shake Shack chocolate peppermint shake

Ingredients & Retail Prices

  • 1 store-bought chocolate cake or brownies – $8 (FairPrice bakery section)
  • 500ml heavy cream – $7
  • 3 tbsp icing sugar – $0.50
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract – $3 (Phoon Huat)
  • 200g crushed candy canes or mints – $4 (various supermarkets)
  • Chocolate shavings – $2

Total: ~$24.50

Assembly Instructions

  1. Whip heavy cream with icing sugar and peppermint extract until stiff peaks form.
  2. Cut cake/brownies into cubes.
  3. In a large trifle bowl or individual glasses, layer: cake cubes, peppermint cream, crushed candy.
  4. Repeat layers 2-3 times.
  5. Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and crushed candy.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

🍪 DESSERT 2: Sugar Cookie Christmas Tree Stack

Inspired by: Shake Shack Christmas cookie shake

Ingredients & Retail Prices

  • 300g butter, softened – $5
  • 200g caster sugar – $1
  • 1 egg – $0.30
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract – $1
  • 400g plain flour – $1.50
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder – $0.20
  • Pinch of salt – $0.10
  • Green food coloring – $2
  • White icing/royal icing – $3
  • Sprinkles and decorations – $3

Total: ~$17

Cooking Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy (5 minutes).
  2. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
  3. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture.
  4. Divide dough in half. Add green food coloring to one half.
  5. Wrap both doughs and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
  7. Roll out dough to 5mm thickness. Cut out star shapes in graduated sizes.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
  9. Cool completely, then stack from largest to smallest with icing.
  10. Decorate with icing and sprinkles.

🥤 FESTIVE DRINK: Spiced Christmas Punch

Ingredients & Retail Prices

  • 1 liter apple juice – $4
  • 500ml cranberry juice – $4
  • 500ml ginger ale – $2
  • 2 oranges, sliced – $1.50
  • 1 apple, sliced – $0.80
  • 3 cinnamon sticks – $2
  • 5 star anise – $1.50
  • 5 cloves – $0.50
  • Fresh cranberries for garnish – $2

Total: ~$18.50

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, combine apple juice, cranberry juice, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves.
  2. Heat gently (do not boil) for 15 minutes to infuse spices.
  3. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
  4. Strain out spices.
  5. Just before serving, add ginger ale, orange slices, apple slices, and fresh cranberries.
  6. Serve in a punch bowl with ice.

For adults: Add 200ml rum or bourbon ($8-15)

📊 COMPLETE MEAL COST BREAKDOWN

Budget Option (Serves 6-8)

  • Turkey Breast Main: $38
  • Rose Prawn Linguine: $33
  • Black Truffle Potatoes: $16
  • Brussels Sprouts: $10
  • Garlic Bread: $7.50
  • Chocolate Peppermint Trifle: $24.50
  • Christmas Punch: $18.50

Total: ~$147.50 (approximately $18-25 per person)

Premium Option (Serves 6-8)

  • Duck Breast Main: $40
  • Rose Prawn Linguine: $33
  • Black Truffle Potatoes: $16
  • Brussels Sprouts: $10
  • Garlic Bread: $7.50
  • Sugar Cookie Tree: $17
  • Chocolate Peppermint Trifle: $24.50
  • Christmas Punch: $18.50

Total: ~$166.50 (approximately $21-28 per person)

🕐 COOKING TIMELINE (For Christmas Day)

2 Days Before

  • Make sugar cookies, store in airtight container
  • Prepare cranberry sauce

1 Day Before

  • Shop for all fresh ingredients
  • Make trifle, refrigerate
  • Marinate turkey/duck

Morning (10:00 AM)

  • Start turkey roast (if serving lunch)
  • Prepare punch base (without ginger ale)

3 Hours Before Meal

  • Prep all vegetables
  • Make garlic butter for bread

2 Hours Before

  • Put turkey in oven (if serving dinner)
  • Whip cream for trifle

1 Hour Before

  • Roast potatoes
  • Cook Brussels sprouts
  • Prepare pasta sauce base

30 Minutes Before

  • Finish duck (if using)
  • Cook pasta and assemble linguine
  • Warm garlic bread

Just Before Serving

  • Add ginger ale to punch
  • Slice turkey
  • Final plating

💡 MONEY-SAVING TIPS

  1. Buy in bulk: Get spices, pasta, and dry goods from Giant or Sheng Siong for better prices
  2. Use frozen prawns: Save $5-8 by using frozen instead of fresh
  3. Substitute truffle oil: Use regular olive oil with mushroom seasoning for similar flavor at 1/4 the cost
  4. Shop at wet markets: Fresh produce and meats are 20-30% cheaper than supermarkets
  5. Skip the duck: Turkey is more economical and feeds more people
  6. Make your own stock: Use turkey bones/vegetable scraps instead of buying stock
  7. Buy store-bought cookies: Skip homemade sugar cookies and buy shortbread cookies for the trifle ($5 vs $17)

Budget-conscious total: ~$110-120 for 6-8 people

🛒 WHERE TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE

Supermarkets:

  • FairPrice (best for basics and promotions)
  • Cold Storage (premium ingredients, imported goods)
  • Giant/Sheng Siong (budget-friendly options)

Specialty Stores:

  • Don Don Donki (Japanese ingredients like yuzu)
  • Meidi-Ya (premium Japanese items)
  • Huber’s Butchery (quality meats)
  • Market Place by Jasons (gourmet ingredients)

Online:

  • RedMart (delivery convenience)
  • Amazon.sg (specialty ingredients)
  • FairPrice Online (same-day delivery available)

Baking Supplies:

  • Phoon Huat (extracts, food coloring, decorations)

📝 SHOPPING LIST SUMMARY

Print this and take it shopping!

Proteins:

  •  1.5kg turkey breast OR 4 duck breasts
  •  500g king prawns
  •  150g bacon

Produce:

  •  Garlic (2 bulbs)
  •  Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley)
  •  3 lemons
  •  2 oranges
  •  1 apple
  •  Fresh cranberries (300g)
  •  1kg baby potatoes
  •  500g Brussels sprouts

Pantry:

  •  Olive oil
  •  Truffle oil
  •  Linguine pasta
  •  Heavy cream (700ml)
  •  Tomato paste
  •  White wine or stock
  •  Honey
  •  Soy sauce
  •  Balsamic vinegar
  •  Sugar
  •  Flour
  •  Butter (500g total)
  •  Parmesan cheese
  •  Spices (cinnamon, star anise, cloves)

Beverages:

  •  Apple juice (1L)
  •  Cranberry juice (500ml)
  •  Ginger ale (500ml)

Bakery:

  •  French baguette
  •  Chocolate cake or brownies

Special Items:

  •  Yuzu juice (if making duck)
  •  Chestnuts (if making duck)
  •  Peppermint extract
  •  Candy canes
  •  Green food coloring
  •  Sprinkles

🎄 Final Tips for Success

  1. Don’t overcomplicate: Choose 1 main, 2-3 sides, and 1 dessert maximum
  2. Prep ahead: Almost everything can be prepped the day before
  3. Ask for help: Assign family members different dishes
  4. Keep it warm: Use warming trays or low oven (80°C) to keep dishes hot
  5. Enjoy the process: Christmas cooking is about bringing people together!

Merry Christmas and happy cooking! 🎅🎄