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The best shop-bought Christmas starters for 2024
These are the best dishes to kick off your Christmas feast, according to the Good Housekeeping Institute
Tested by Joanna AnastasiouFood and Drinks Tester
Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’re dedicated to ensuring Christmas Day goes off without a hitch.
From the best gifts to the chicest decorations, there’s always so much to think about in the lead up to the big day. So, allow us to tick one thing off your to-do list, with our expert-rated round-up of the best Christmas starters to buy.
Best starters to buy for Christmas 2024
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From impressive seafood verrines (bite-sized treats served in glasses) to comforting cheese dips and decadent pâtés, these pre-made starters are designed to impress without the stress.
Scroll through our top-rated picks below but if these aren’t quite what you’re looking for, we’ve got plenty more suggestions to try – you could make your own blinis with our Taste Approved smoked salmon, or serve a selection of tasty canapés before the main event. Either way, we’re confident you’ll have some very happy guests on your hands.
How we test Christmas starters and sharers
The Good Housekeeping Institute presented our tasting panel with a selection of 19 starters and sharing dishes from the leading supermarkets and independent retailers. Each was cooked as per instructions and served blind to avoid brand bias.
They were looking for ready-to-serve starters (or those that required very minimal effort), and flavours that would complement the main event, kicking off your feast in style.
Score: 93/100
This decadent take on a prawn cocktail is packed with sweet, succulent prawns, crab meat, and generous chunks of lobster. The mayonnaise is flavourful and creamy, without overpowering the delicate fish. All that’s left to do is pile into kitsch cocktail glasses and top with lemon wedges. Very on-trend for Christmas 2024.
Available: 16th December 2024
Score: 91/100
These impressive whipped quenelles are exactly what we’d make for a festive dinner party – if only we had the time! The tangy fruit glaze pairs perfectly with the rich, roasted chicken flavour, and would be delicious spread on brioche or rye bread.
Available: 18th November 2024
Score: 89/100
Bring a taste of the seaside to your table this Christmas with Booths’ trio of fish pâtés. Each was a hit, but we particularly loved the chunky texture and “fresh, citrus” flavour of the hot smoked trout with horseradish, lemon, and parsley. Serve tableside with peppery watercress and slices of Melba toast – delicious.
Score: 87/100
Crowned with a plump prawn and packed with layers of smoked salmon laced with fresh dill, these individually potted verrines would make an impressive seafood starter. Well-seasoned and decadently creamy, what’s not to love?
Available: TBC
Aldi Specially Selected Ultimate 5 Year Vintage Cheddar Bake 300g
Score: 83/100
This cheese bake enticed testers with its golden, molten top and caramelised aroma. It's simple but effective, with mature cheddar bringing a moreish, salty flavour our testers couldn’t get enough of. Technically, it’s made for sharing, but we won’t blame you if you polish this off solo. Just add warm crusty bread.
Score: 82/100
These classic Coquilles St. Jacques are beautifully presented in a scallop shell, with neat piping and a gorgeous golden top. The scallop is plump and well-seasoned, with a hint of white wine bringing welcome acidity to the creamy sauce. A luxurious option for the big day or a New Year’s Eve feast.
Available: 16th December 2024
Score: 81/100
Decadent and smooth, this classic duck paté is lifted with a hint of orange. One tester said this dish wouldn’t have felt out of place in a fine dining restaurant. It’s clear that Iceland’s budget-friendly starter punches well above its price tag.
Available: 3rd December 2024
Score: 80/100
These terrines are packed with quality pork, sweet apricots, and pistachios. The texture was deemed “spot on,” by testers who thought they would be delicious paired with caramelised onion chutney and warm sourdough.
Available: 4th December 2024
Score: 78/100
Longing to escape the cold? This authentic prawn pil pil will bring a taste of the Spanish sunshine to your plate – minus the air miles. The sauce is a triumph, packed with flavour from roasted garlic, sweet smoked paprika, and a hint of chilli. Douse with fresh lemon and serve with plenty of bread for mopping up every last drop.
Available: 12th November 2024
Score: 78/100
This sharing-style thermidor is packed with an impressive selection of luxury seafood, including juicy lobster, scallops and king prawns, all cooked in a creamy white wine and paprika sauce. Oozing with flavour, it’s ideal for dunking crusty bread.
These also passed...
- Asda Shimmering Star Terrine, £8 for 400g, Score: 78/100
- Lidl Deluxe Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Vol-au-vents, £3.99 for 172g, Score: 78/100
- Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Prawn & Scallop Shells with Samphire and Citrus Butter, £9 for 300g, Score: 74/100
- by Amazon Spanish Meat Selection, £3.40 for 105g, Score: 74/100
- Field & Flower Chicken Liver Pâté with Brandy, £6.98 for 200g, Score: 70/100
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Millie is freelance journalist and editor with five years’ experience writing product reviews, buying guides, breaking news and about the latest trends.
Millie has also reviewed countless restaurants and written travel features for British GQ, The Telegraph and the Independent, and has interviewed a number of leading chefs, including Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal and Raymond Blanc.
Founder of creative catering brand @grazeandgorge, Millie also spends her time creating seasonal recipes and tablescape content, as well as planning her next golden retriever-friendly getaway and rearranging her own home bar cart (... again).
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
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