Updated 30 May 2026 by Linda Garrould. A Christmas Countdown family favourite.
One of the simplest ways to take the stress out of Christmas lunch is to keep two or three speed peelers in the kitchen drawer. When you are peeling potatoes, parsnips, carrots and sprouts for a crowd, having spares means the whole family can muck in, and you are never caught out when one is in the dishwasher.
Why a spare speed peeler makes such a difference
A speed peeler (sometimes called a Y-peeler) is quick, comfortable and cheap. The trouble is that on Christmas Eve, when you most need it, it is often the one thing buried at the bottom of a full dishwasher with an hour left on the cycle. I have been caught out by exactly that more times than I care to admit. Keeping two or three to hand solves it, and means that if you get behind, you can hand one to each helper and clear a mountain of veg in minutes.
A simple Christmas veg-prep plan
You do not have to do all the peeling on the day. Here is the order that works for us:
- A few days before: check you have enough peelers and that they are sharp. A blunt peeler is slow and frustrating.
- Christmas Eve: peel potatoes and parsnips and keep them in cold water in the fridge overnight, or peel carrots and store in a tub.
- Christmas morning: a quick final prep and you are ready to par-cook and roast.
Sharing the peeling between two or three people, each with their own peeler, turns a chore into a ten-minute job and gets everyone involved.
Getting the children helping
Older children can be a real help with peeling under supervision, and it is a nice way to bring them into the cooking. Speed peelers are generally easier and safer for young helpers to handle than a knife, just mind little fingers at the end of each stroke.
Three speed peelers worth buying
If you are stocking up, these three are consistently rated among the best Y-peelers, and all are easy to find on Amazon UK:
- Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler – a long-standing favourite, named best overall Y-peeler by both America’s Test Kitchen and The New York Times. Feather-light, very sharp and inexpensive, so it is easy to justify buying a few.
- OXO Good Grips Y-Peeler – a comfortable, grippy handle that is kind on the hands during a big peeling session, with a sharp blade that works in both directions.
- Kuhn Rikon Serrated “Piranha” Peeler – a serrated blade that grips soft, waxy or awkward skins (tomatoes, squash, peaches), so it is a handy second peeler to have in the drawer.
As an Amazon Associate, Christmas Countdown earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are shown on Amazon and can change.
Speed peeler FAQs
How many vegetable peelers do I need for Christmas?
Two or three is ideal. It means several people can peel at once and you always have a clean spare while others are being washed.
What is a speed peeler?
A speed peeler, or Y-peeler, has the blade set across the top of a Y-shaped handle. Many people find it faster and more comfortable than a traditional straight peeler.
How do I prepare Christmas vegetables in advance?
Peel potatoes and parsnips on Christmas Eve and keep them in cold water in the fridge overnight; carrots can be peeled and stored in a sealed tub.
Once the veg is peeled, see our guide to crispy roast potatoes and parsnips and keep the whole day organised with our Christmas to-do lists.
0 Comments