Sunday lunch skills masterclass

Roasting meat to perfection is all about timing, temperature and a little kitchen confidence. Whether it’s blushing roast beef, golden roast chicken or a tender leg of lamb, the secret lies in knowing your cut and letting the oven do the heavy lifting. Don’t forget to rest your meat before carving – it locks in juices and guarantees melt-in-the-mouth results. Use our handy roast timer to take the guesswork out of cooking times and ensure perfect results every time.

Seasoning is key to enhancing flavour. Explore our expert guides on how to marinate chicken, which herbs go well with lamb, and which herbs go well with pork to ensure that your meat is packed with taste from the very first bite.

Need more help? Our how-to guides provide detailed tips on how to cook roast beef, how to cook pork shoulder, how to cook lamb, and how to cook venison, including advice on which cuts to choose.

We even have helpful step-by-step videos for you to follow on how to roast and carve a rib of beef and how to roast a chicken.

Ready to put it all into practice? Discover our top Sunday lunch meat mains in these brilliant collections and guides:

Twists on classic roast turkey
Roast goose recipes
Top roast beef recipes
Top roast lamb recipes
Roast pheasant recipes
Roast chicken recipes
Roast pork recipes
Roast lamb recipes
Venison recipes

Making fluffy Yorkshire puddings

Making fluffy Yorkshire puddings is all about a simple batter, sizzling hot fat and a fiercely hot oven. The key to that signature rise and crisp shell is letting the batter rest and ensuring your tin is piping hot before it goes in. Our best Yorkshire pudding recipe is a firm favourite – with more than 1,000 five-star ratings, it’s a tried-and-tested classic that never fails to impress. If you’re more of a visual learner, we also have a follow-along video on how to make Yorkshire puddings.

Once you’ve nailed the basics, why not mix things up? Add extra flavour to your roast with our sage & onion Yorkshire puddings, give your meal a spicy twist with onion bhaji Yorkshire puddings, or get ahead with our make-ahead parmesan Yorkshire puddings – perfect for planning in advance.

Short on oven space? Free it up for your roasties and main by turning to our air fryer Yorkshire puddings – ideal for timing your Sunday lunch to perfection.

Don’t let your vegan guests miss out on the fun – try our delicious vegan Yorkshire pudding recipes.

Explore even more of our Yorkshire pudding recipes for fresh takes on this iconic side.

Creating rich gravy

Making rich gravy is all about layering flavour. A great place to start is the roasting tin – using the meat juices means you capture all the depth from your roast, along with any herbs or marinade you’ve used. For vegetarian or vegan guests, building that savoury richness is still possible. Try adding a spoonful of yeast extract or a splash of soy sauce for an umami boost, just like we do in our veggie gravy recipe and vegan gravy. Cooking for meat-eaters? Deglaze the tin with a little wine or port to add extra depth, then finish with herbs and seasoning to taste – our sticky port gravy recipe and easy onion gravy recipe are perfect examples. Prefer a silky finish? Simply strain your gravy through a sieve for a smooth, lump-free result.

A well-made gravy brings everything on the plate together – it’s the finishing touch no Sunday roast should be without, so check out more of our gravy recipes to find the perfect recipe for you.

Perfecting roast potatoes

Perfecting roast potatoes is all about getting that satisfying contrast – crisp, golden outsides with irresistibly fluffy centres. The first step? Choosing the right spuds. Floury varieties like Maris Piper or King Edward are ideal. Parboil until just tender, then shake them up in the pan to create those rough edges that turn beautifully crisp in the oven. Wondering which fat reigns supreme? Our guide has the answer – we tested them all in the Good Food test kitchen so you don’t have to. Whichever fat you choose, make sure it’s smoking hot before your potatoes hit the tray – that’s the secret to a perfectly crisp coating. Give them space to roast evenly, season with a generous pinch of sea salt, and you’re well on your way to roastie perfection.

New to the game? Start with our foolproof ultimate roast potatoes recipe. We also have a helpful video on how to roast potatoes to get you started. Once you’ve mastered the basics, level up with flavour-packed twists like our parmesan roasted potatoes, roast potatoes with paprika and festive favourite thyme & chestnut roast potatoes.

Browse even more roast potato recipes to keep your Sunday lunch fresh and full of flavour, week after week.

Preparing seasonal vegetables

Preparing seasonal vegetables is a brilliant way to bring colour, freshness and balance to your Sunday lunch. Whether it’s honey-glazed carrots in winter, punchy spring greens or crisp runner beans in summer, using what’s in season guarantees the best flavour and value.

Not sure what’s in season when planning your Sunday lunch? Take a look at our handy seasonal calendar – it’s the easiest way to make sure you’re picking produce at its peak.

Then, browse our extensive collection of vegetarian side recipes to find the perfect way to showcase your chosen veg – from simple steamed greens to flavour-packed gratins and glazes, there’s something for every season and every roast.

Making smooth mash

Making top notch mash is all about starting with the right spuds and showing them a little TLC. Floury potatoes like Maris Piper or King Edward are your best bet for that light, fluffy finish. Boil until just tender, then drain thoroughly and let the steam escape—this helps prevent gluey mash. Then it’s time to decide: smooth or rustic? For some, a few nostalgic lumps are a nod to the way Mum made it. For others, only the silkiest mash will do – in which case, a potato ricer is your best friend. Not sure which one to go for? Our guide to the best potato ricers for silky smooth mash has you covered.

Whichever texture you favour, generous lashings of butter, warm milk or cream are non-negotiable for that rich, comforting finish. Once you’ve nailed the classic, why not experiment with flavour? A spoonful of mustard for a subtle kick, roasted garlic for depth or fresh herbs for a fragrant twist. Here are some of our favourite mash recipes to serve alongside your Sunday lunch:

Perfect mashed potatoes
Carrot & sweet potato mash
Garlic mashed potatoes
Winter root mash with buttery crumbs
Carrot & swede mash with brown butter & thyme

Check out more mashed potato recipes for further inspiration.

Crafting homemade stuffing

Crafting homemade stuffing is a brilliant way to add depth, flavour and texture to your Sunday roast. Whether you like it crisp and golden in the tray like our crispy traybake stuffing or prefer neatly portioned balls, such as our sage & onion stuffing or apricot & hazelnut stuffing, it all begins with a good base. Think soft breadcrumbs or torn sourdough, gently mixed with onion, garlic, herbs and plenty of seasoning. From there, the flavour possibilities are endless: add sausagemeat for richness, as in our sausage & Bramley stuffing; opt for chestnuts to bring a nutty twist, like our chestnut stuffing roll; or fold in dried fruit for a touch of sweetness, just like our fruit & nut stuffing. A generous splash of stock helps bind everything together and keeps the stuffing moist while baking. Once you’ve made it from scratch, it’s hard to go back to a packet.

Discover more stuffing recipes.

Cater to everyone

Catering for vegans and vegetarians at Sunday lunch doesn’t mean sacrificing flavour or tradition, it’s all about smart swaps and big, satisfying flavours. Go for a showstopping meat-free main like a nut roast, mushroom Wellington or whole roasted cauliflower centrepiece. When done right, these dishes are so good even the meat-eaters will be reaching for a second helping.

To keep things manageable in the kitchen, try choosing a main that everyone can enjoy, then build your spread with sides tailored to different diets. After all, no one wants complaints about missing pigs in blankets! We’ve rounded up some of our favourite vegetarian and vegan centrepieces to get you started, but be sure to explore our full collections of vegetarian Sunday roast recipes and vegan roast recipes for more inspiration.

Italian-style roast cabbage wedges with tomato lentils
Beetroot & squash wellingtons with kale pesto
Stuffed butternut squash
Feta-stuffed cannellini nut roast
Chestnut, spinach & blue cheese en croûte

Preparing crispy crackling

Start by scoring the pork skin with a sharp knife, then pat it completely dry – moisture is the enemy of crispness. Generously rub with sea salt to help draw out any remaining moisture and boost flavour. For the best results, give the skin a blast of high heat at the beginning or end of cooking to puff it up and crisp the edges. Watch these steps in our easy roast pork shoulder video.

Serving a decadent dessert

Serving a decadent pudding is the perfect way to round off a Sunday lunch and leave everyone feeling properly spoilt. Whether you go for a classic sticky toffee pudding, a comforting fruit crumble with lashings of homemade custard, or an indulgent chocolate fondant with a melting centre, the key is choosing something rich, satisfying and full of nostalgic charm. Puddings are all about comfort, so don’t be afraid to go all out; add clotted cream, scoop on some ice cream or pour over a generous helping of sauce.

Take the stress out of finishing your Sunday feast with something sweet by browsing our comforting dessert recipes and easy dessert recipes. From quick crowd-pleasers to nostalgic favourites, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to round off your roast with minimal fuss and maximum flavour.

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