If you’ve ever dreamed of elevating your Christmas feast, let me introduce you to my favorite centerpiece: Roast Goose with Orange & Five Spice: Christmas Dinner Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of rich, succulent goose paired with the bright, zesty freshness of orange and the warm, aromatic depth of five spice. Trust me, once you make this, it’s going to be a go-to for those special holiday moments.

What I love about this Roast Goose with Orange & Five Spice: Christmas Dinner Recipe is how it strikes that beautiful balance between festive flavors and homey comfort. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or cooking for family, it’s impressive but surprisingly manageable. Plus, the scent that fills the kitchen as it roasts? Pure holiday magic.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together in harmony, giving the goose its signature tender texture and the vibrant citrus-spicy notes. A tip when shopping: try to find a good-quality, fresh goose and fresh oranges for maximum flavor — it really makes a difference!

Goose: A 10 lb. bird is ideal for serving a crowd; make sure it’s thawed properly if frozen.
Oranges: They give a lovely citrus tang and moisture — I like to use ones with a bright aroma.
Salt: Essential for seasoning both inside and out to help the flavors penetrate the meat.
Pepper: Just a pinch goes a long way to add a gentle heat.
Sugar: Adds a subtle caramelized note to the skin, making it beautifully crisp.
Five Spice Powder: The star aromatic blend here — cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel, and Sichuan peppercorns give the bird that festive punch.
Shaoxing Wine (or dry sherry): Adds depth and a touch of umami to the marinade.
Soy Sauce: Boosts savoriness and helps with that golden skin color.
Garlic: Five cloves minced — imparts subtle warmth and richness.
Ginger: Three slices for a fresh, spicy note that cuts through the richness.
Scallions: Adds a mild onion flavor and freshness when roasted inside the cavity.
Potatoes: Around 3 lbs., perfect for roasting alongside the goose with herbs.
Herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, Sage): Use fresh if possible—they marry beautifully with the potatoes and the goose’s flavor.

Variations

I like to encourage you to make this dish your own. Whether you’re tweaking the spice blend or changing up the sides, personal touches bring the recipe to life. I sometimes swap out the five spice for a little more cinnamon and star anise alone, which amps up the cozy vibes.

Variation: For a slightly sweeter twist, I’ve added a honey glaze during the last 30 minutes of roasting—your kitchen will smell incredible!
Dietary: If you want to lighten things up, you can roast only the breast portion and pair it with steamed veggies instead of potatoes.
Seasonal: In winter, tossing some cranberries or pomegranate seeds into the garnish adds a festive pop.

How to Make Roast Goose with Orange & Five Spice: Christmas Dinner Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Goose and Marinade

Start by patting the goose dry with paper towels—this helps the skin crisp up nicely. Then zest and juice one of the oranges, and combine that with salt, pepper, sugar, five spice powder, shaoxing wine, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a few slices of ginger to create a fragrant marinade. Rub this all over the goose inside and out, making sure you get right under the skin if you can (it helps the flavors soak in). For best results, let it marinate overnight in the fridge, covered.

Step 2: Stuff and Roast

Stuff the cavity with the remaining orange (cut into quarters), ginger slices, and scallions. This infuses the meat with extra aromatics as it roasts. Preheat your oven to about 350°F (175°C). Place the goose breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan, and pour a bit of water into the bottom to keep things moist. Roast for around 2.5 to 3 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices—this keeps the skin golden and delicious. Check that internal temperature hits at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s cooked perfectly.

Step 3: Roasted Potatoes with Herbs

About halfway through the goose roasting, toss your peeled potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your chosen herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage are my favorites). Spread them on a baking sheet and roast until crisp and golden, usually 45 minutes to an hour, turning once or twice. The potatoes soak up that lovely goose fat and herbs, making them irresistible.

How to Serve Roast Goose with Orange & Five Spice: Christmas Dinner Recipe

A whole roasted duck with deep golden brown crispy skin covers the entire center of a white oval plate with blue pattern around the edge. The duck's legs and wings are stretched out, showing a textured surface with a rich glaze. Below and around the duck, there are many chunky roasted potato pieces with golden brown skin and soft inner texture, filling the plate edges. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love brightening the plate with a few orange slices and some fresh herbs—rosemary sprigs or even a sprinkle of chopped scallions add color and freshness. A drizzle of the reduced pan jus over everything really pulls it all together and adds a luscious finish you’ll appreciate.

Side Dishes

Aside from the herby roasted potatoes, I swear by creamy Brussels sprouts with bacon or a buttery carrot puree to complement the rich goose. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette works nicely if you want some freshness to balance the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive table, you might carve the goose at the table for some theatre and serve it on a large platter surrounded by herbs, orange wedges, and roasted potatoes. Or for a more intimate setting, plate individual portions with a spoonful of jus and some microgreens for an elegant touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your feast, let the leftover goose cool down before putting it in an airtight container. I store mine in the fridge and it keeps well for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making for even tastier sandwiches or reheated meals.

Freezing

Goose freezes beautifully. I recommend slicing the meat off the bone before freezing to make reheating easier. Freeze in portion-sized containers or resealable bags and use within 2 months for best flavor. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) covered with foil to keep the meat moist. Adding a splash of orange juice or a bit of broth helps prevent dryness. I avoid the microwave for reheating this dish, as it tends to dry out the meat and lose that wonderful texture.

FAQs

Can I prepare the marinade in advance for the Roast Goose with Orange & Five Spice: Christmas Dinner Recipe?

Absolutely! Preparing the marinade a day ahead means the flavors really meld, making the goose even more flavorful. Just keep it refrigerated and apply it right before marinating the bird.
How do I ensure the goose skin gets crispy?

Drying the skin thoroughly before applying the marinade and cooking at a moderate oven temperature with occasional basting will help crisp the skin. You can also finish it under the broiler for a few minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
Is there a substitute for five spice powder in this recipe?

If you don’t have five spice powder, a combination of ground cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and fennel seeds mixed in appropriate proportions works well as a substitute. I sometimes make my own blend, which is nice when the store-bought runs out.
Can I make this Roast Goose with Orange & Five Spice: Christmas Dinner Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari and double-check that your five spice powder doesn’t contain any gluten-containing fillers. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

This Roast Goose with Orange & Five Spice: Christmas Dinner Recipe holds a special place in my heart — it’s the dish that has wowed guests year after year and turned our Christmas dinners into treasured memories. I hope you’ll find the same joy and satisfaction cooking it as I have sharing it with you now. Roll up your sleeves, pour yourself a cup of something warm, and dive in — I promise, this recipe will make your holiday table shine.