This blog has been refreshed for Christmas 2025 with updated tips and

preparation advice to make your festive cooking even easier.

With Christmas approaching and guests arriving to celebrate, my go-to Christmas Eve recipe is this Mary Berry Christmas Game Casserole. It’s delicious, impressive and perfect for preparing ahead, saving you time in the kitchen and allowing you to fully enjoy the festivities with family and friends. I recently shared a behind-the-scenes Instagram story of me making it and the response was incredible, so I knew I had to share the recipe with you. guests arriving to celebrate Christmas with you, this is my go to Christmas Eve recipe which will delight your guests and save you time.

Why Prepare Ahead For Christmas Eve

Christmas should be about relaxing and enjoying time with your loved ones, not stressing over the kitchen. Preparing this casserole ahead of time means:

• You can freeze it and reheat on the day.
• Flavours have time to develop, making it even tastier.
• You can spend more time with your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

Mary Berry Christmas Game Casserole (serves 8)

Ingredients

Vary the proportion of meats as you like, and, if you have difficulty getting the exact amounts of mixed game, you can make up the difference with braising beef or Boneless chicken. In season, some supermarkets sell packs of mixed game – often including venison, pheasant, rabbit, wild duck and pigeon.

1.4kg (3lb) mixed game meats (see above)

2 tablespoons sunflower oil

75g (3oz) butter

200g (7oz) smoked bacon lardons

450g (1lb) whole frozen chestnuts, thawed

4 leeks, thickly sliced on the diagonal

50g (2oz) plain flour

300ml (½ pint) red wine

600ml (1 pint) chicken stock

4 tablespoons redcurrant jelly

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large orange

To Serve

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 orange, sliced

Method

1. Trim the meats and cut into 5cm (2in) pieces.
2. Heat the oil and half of the butter in a large non-stick frying pan or casserole. Brown the game and bacon over high heat in batches. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. Add remaining butter and brown the chestnuts. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add leeks and fry briefly over a hot heat.
4. Sprinkle in the flour, gradually blend in red wine, stock and redcurrant jelly. Bring to the boil, season with salt and pepper then add the whole orange and meats.
5. Cover and cook over low heat for 1½–2¼ hours (or in a 160°C / 140°C fan / Gas 3 oven for similar time) until meats are tender. Check halfway and add stock if needed. (You could also cook the casserole in the oven preheated to 160°C/Fan 140°C/Gas 3 for about the same time.)
6. About 15 minutes before finishing, add chestnuts.
7. Once the game is tender, lift the softened orange into a sieve, cut in half, stand over a bowl and push the orange through the sieve, collecting the juice. Gradually stir the juice into the casserole until the taste is perfect. Check the seasoning and add a little more stock if the casserole is still a little thick.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and orange slices. Serve with your choice of sides.

Top Tips

Serve as Individual Pies

1. Cook the casserole as directed.
2. Roll out a 375g packet of ready-rolled puff pastry slightly larger than needed.
3. Cut 8 circles (10cm / 4in), crimp edges, lightly mark diagonal pattern, glaze with beaten egg.
4. Bake at 200°C / 180°C fan / Gas 6 for ~15 mins until golden.
5. Serve a spoonful of casserole topped and a puff pastry circle on top to make individual “pies”.

Preparing Ahead

• Casseroles taste even better after a day or two as the flavours have chance to mellow, and this one is no exception
• Cook the casserole as directed. Cool quickly, cover and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheat gently, adding extra stock if needed.

Freezing

• Cool casserole to the end of stage 4, then freeze up to 3 months.
• Thaw thoroughly, reheat gently, adding liquid if needed, garnish with parsley and orange slices.

Aga Cooking

• Simmering Plate: Cook to end of stage 4.

• Boiling Plate: Bring to boil, cover, transfer to Simmering Oven for 2½ hours until tender. Continue as above.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole is perfect with:

• Buttery egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes
• Roasted carrots, parsnips, or a fresh green salad
• Crusty bread to soak up the rich sauce

Why This Recipe Works

• Make-ahead friendly
• Freezer safe
• Flavours improve over time
• Simple to serve for large groups.
• It’s a real lifesaver for a stress-free Christmas Eve — and your guests will be impressed!

Enjoy Stress-Free Festive Prep

Let me know in the comments what you do to spend more time with your friends and family.

Love

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