10 Irish products to buy for the food lover's Christmas pantry

Raise your festive eating pleasure with these 10 pantry essentials, writes Ali Dunworth

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025 - 01:00

Ali Dunworth

Christmas is a top-tier time for eating and drinking. Whether hosting at home or lazing about, stocking up on these quality Irish pantry essentials can take your festival feasting from modest to merry.

Builín Blasta Smoked Onion Mayo

This tasty mayonnaise made with slow-smoked onions should be a staple year-round, but it really comes into its own at Christmas when there’s leftover turkey to be paired with.

A big dollop of this in your Christmas sandwich is a must, and you can also serve it as a dip with pretty much anything else.

€4.50, in selected Tesco, Dunnes Stores, SuperValu and independent food retailers.

Roll It Puff Pastry

Few things are as versatile as quality pre-made puff pastry at Christmas. Pies, tarts, desserts and canapés– puff pastry can do it all. Last-minute guests? Rustle up sausage rolls. Leftovers become a pie. Stuff cheese into a turnover. Irish brand Roll It Pastry has won a plethora of awards for its products made using only Irish butter, and it’s a favourite of supermarket swapper Sophie Morris.

€5.99, in select Tesco and SuperValu stores and independent food retailers.

Sheridans Brown Bread Crackers

A Christmas cheeseboard demands excellent crackers, and Sheridans Brown Bread crackers were developed to be just that. Along with being a cheeseboard’s ideal companion, you can also put them to work as a quick, easy base for canapés,served with pâté, a simple foundation for a lazy lunch, or even paired with butter and jam alongside a cup of tea. Endlessly adaptable and delicious.

€3.70, from Sheridan’s and independent food retailers nationwide.

Irish Black Butter

Another cheeseboard essential has to be a nice fruity condiment to cut through the creamy richness, and this Irish Black Butter does a wonderful job of that. Made from PGI Armagh Bramley apples and slow-cooked with cider, brown sugar, and spices, it’s a rich, dark spread that has just the right amount of zing. Make it work outside the cheese board by trying it spread on toast, with cold meats, or even stirred through ice cream trust me, it works.

€7.50 from select Super Valu, Marks & Spencer and independent food retailers.

Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur

Is it even Christmas without a bottle of Irish cream liqueur knocking around? Chilled over ice, sipped in front of the telly, or stirred into your coffee or hot chocolate, it adds festive flair to any drink. It’s also a lovely addition to whipped cream for serving with mince pies or Christmas pudding. The Five Farms version is rich and smooth, made in Cork from fresh Irish cream and Irish whiskey, and comes in a beautiful bottle, too. What’s not to love?

€35, from Dunnes, O’Brien’s, SuperValu and Tesco.

On The Pig’s Back Paté

Paté is a festive favourite for good reason. This classic Christmas food is perfect for an easy starter, last-minute snack, or
canapé. Cork-based On The Pig’s Back never fails to impress and offers duck liver paté with port or chicken liver paté with garlic and brandy, both smooth and savoury.

From €4.50, from select Super Valu, Centra, Tesco, independent food retailers, On The Pig’s Back at the English Market and online at onthepigsback.ie

Lolo’s Picklery

We all know fermented foods are good for us, and when they taste this good, it’s a no-brainer to add them to everything. Dublin’s Lolo’s Picklery offers a fun range, perfect with leftovers, cold meats, sandwiches, or cheese toasties. Bright Tickled Pink (red onion with coriander and fennel) jazzes up any canapé.

€7.50, from independent food retailers.

Graham’s Mustard

We love Christmas leftovers, but sometimes the palate needs a kick, so keep a stash of mustard ready. For the all-important leftovers sandwich, mustard is a game-changer, especially if you’re turning your cheese board into a toastie. Irish brand Graham’s offers a great range: Dijon mustard pairs well with cold meats, Steak Mustard with tarragon suits beef, and their aged Wholegrain Mustard makes a gorgeous roast ham glaze

€4.35, in select SuperValu and independent food retailers.

Dublin Cocktail Lab’s Mulled Wine

Nothing beats the waft of mulled wine to say it’s Christmas. Dublin Cocktail Lab’s Fig & Cranberry mulled wine mix, made with organic fruits and spices, just needs wine, sugar, and heat. Straight from the bottle, try their Mulled Wine for Palestine, a spiced Italian red blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, sure to fill your home with festive aromas. A delicious way to celebrate while supporting a great cause.

Mulled wine mix, €9.95; Mulled Wine for Palestine, €19.50, from independent food retailers, off-licences, and online at dublincocktaillab.com

Olly’s Farm Hot Honey

Hot honey might not seem like a Christmas staple, but it should be. Use this sweet and spicy condiment on your cheese board, as a ham glaze, drizzled on puff pastry canapés, or on cheeseboard leftovers toasties. The best treat? A spoonful in your hot whiskey. You’ll find it in most super-markets now but buying from a local honey producer makes it even more special.