Top 5 Traditional Meats For Christmas Dinner 2023 - Owton's (2024)

1. Turkey

Let’s admit it, awhole turkeyis the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. Originally gracing our plates in the16th century, popular history tells of King Henry VIII being the first English monarch to have turkey for Christmas. Since then, it rapidly became the meat of choice for those in England and even appeared in the famous English Christmas dinner scene in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (1843).

With Christmas turkeys ranging in sizes, they can effortlessly feed a crowd (we know that you might have the whole family over for the day) – this versatility mixed with its tender and lean nature, means they’re a great choice for the special feast! Why not add a bit of stuffing or cranberry sauce to go with it?

Turkey is definitely the most traditional meat for Christmas dinner and you can take a look at ourwide selection of whole, rolled and diced turkeyshere– perfect for your traditional Christmas dinner!

  • Diced Turkey breast (500g)£3.50
  • Turkey Breast Roll (1.8-2.0Kg)£19.45
  • Turkey Escalope (4 x 200g)£9.65
  • Whole Turkey (Frozen) (5-5.5Kg)£31.10

View All Christmas Turkey

2. Beef

Beef often comes to mind when choosing Christmas meats and for good reason. A tender side of beef for Christmas is the height of luxury. The succulent juiciness of asirloinor a slow-cookedbeef brisketserved with a jus made from the meat’s natural juices, is something that deserves to be on your Christmas dinner plate this year!

When preparing this year’s Christmas beef, season it with herbs and spices, roast it at a high temperature initially to sear the exterior, then lower the heat for slow roasting. You can also use a meat thermometer to achieve your desired level of doneness, whether it’s rare, medium-rare, or well-done!

Christmas is a special time of the year and your choice of meat should match. That’s why we stock a variety of thehighest quality beef cuts, to ensure your festive dinner is one to remember.

  • Whole beef fillet (minimum 1.8kg)£85.95
  • Topside Of Beef Joint (1.9-2.1Kg)£24.40
  • Beef Brisket (1.9-2.1Kg)£21.95
  • Rib Eye Steak (2 x 225g)£15.10

View All Christmas Beef

3. Ham and Gammon

What’s Christmas without a joint of ham? Delicious both hot and cold,gammonis versatile, tender and perfect for a Christmas dinner. Cuts of ham (smoked or unsmoked) drizzled in a homemade honey glaze and slowly cooked throughout the day, makes an irresistibly sweet meat for your Christmas dinner.

Cooking a joint of gammon for Christmas dinner doesn’t actually take up much time or effort, which gives you plenty of time to focus on the vegetables, stuffing and all important pudding. What’s even better, is that with your leftovers you can serve up cold slices of ham for Boxing Day – perfect for all members of the family!

Cook up a traditional Christmas feast with our specialhamsandgammons.

  • Gammon Joint (2.4Kg)£15.75
  • Unsmoked Gammon Steak (225g)£2.30
  • Smoked Gammon Joint (2.4Kg)£20.55
  • Sliced Ham (500g)£6.45

View All Christmas Ham

4. Pork

Pork is a staple of any Christmas, whether that be ashoulder joint,legorfillet.With so many different cuts of pork available, there really is something for everyone this Christmas. As well as getting a prime piece ofpork, crispy crackling is a must for the dinner table – guests will be holding out their plates for more!

For families on a tighter budget for this year’s Christmas, pork can be a great alternative to a more premium cut of meat. Whilst pork can generally be cheaper than its counterparts, it certainly doesn’t lack flavour!

To see how to cook the perfect Christmas pork, check outBBC Good Food’sselection of festive recipes.

  • Boneless Pork Leg (1.9-2.1Kg)£10.45
  • Pork Fillet (min 350g)£4.15
  • Rolled Shoulder Pork (2Kg)£13.85

View All Christmas Pork

5. Lamb

Last but not least… Lamb. Lamb too comes in a wide choice of cuts and ourshanks,shoulder jointsandlegsare a great choice for your traditional Christmas dinner.

Whether cooked low and slow or roasted on the bone, you’ll be guaranteed juicy and sweet slices of meat. Having a slightly crisp outside and rosy pink inside is sure to be the highlight of your festive meal.

Our grass-fed lambs are reared in farms across the UK which gives it that sweet, hearty British flavour – perfect for a traditional Christmas dinner!

  • Part boned shoulder of lamb (1.3-1.4kg)£15.95
  • Three Bone Racks of Lamb (4, 1.3Kg)£25.15
  • Shoulder of Lamb on Bone (2 x 500g)£12.45

View All Christmas Lamb

Traditional Christmas Meat Ideas

Now you know what meats people have for their traditional Christmas dinner, you can now plan on getting them ordered for the special day!

Over the last 40 years, Owtons have supplied domestic and trade customers with meats for their traditional Christmas dinner and this year is no different. If you want a mixture of meats for the festive period instead, we also offerspecially selected Christmas boxes– perfect for the busy Christmas schedule!

Top 5 Traditional Meats For Christmas Dinner 2023 - Owton's (2024)

FAQs

Top 5 Traditional Meats For Christmas Dinner 2023 - Owton's? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used.

What meat do many people eat for Christmas? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used.

What is the best cut of beef for Christmas dinner? ›

Check out some of the country's favorite and most popular beef cuts for the holiday season.
  • ribeye roast (Prime RIb) The Prime Rib, the classic holiday roast. ...
  • tenderloin roast. This roast is lean, succulent and full of great flavor. ...
  • Strip Roast. This centerpiece roast is juicy, tender and full of flavor.

What is the most common Christmas dinner in the USA? ›

What Foods Are Traditionally Served on Christmas?
  • Turkey.
  • Prime Rib.
  • Baked Ham.
  • Mashed Potatoes & Gravy.
  • Stuffing.
  • Green Bean Casserole.
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes.
  • Roasted Vegetables.
Dec 19, 2022

What is the most Christmassy meat? ›

Turkey is definitely the most traditional meat for Christmas dinner and you can take a look at our wide selection of whole, rolled and diced turkeys here – perfect for your traditional Christmas dinner!

What meats to serve on Christmas Day? ›

The best Christmas meats for your festive feast | Christmas 2022
  • Goose. Traditional and classic, the goose has slipped in popularity over the years compared to the turkey. ...
  • Duck. ...
  • Roasting Chicken. ...
  • Rib of Beef. ...
  • co*ckerel. ...
  • Honey Roast Ham.

What is a traditional Italian Christmas dinner menu? ›

In Northern Italy, Lasagne Bolognese and filled pasta like manicotti and ravioli are traditional Christmas fare. Next comes the main event, the meat. Roasted veal, baked chicken, sausages or braised beef are common Natale entrées worth celebrating.

What can I serve for Christmas dinner besides turkey? ›

Unique holiday dinner ideas
  • Beef Wellington: The Showstopper.
  • Christmas Roast Duck: The Twist on a Classic.
  • Vegetarian Enchiladas: The Surprise Favorite.
  • Roast Lamb: The Savory Star.
  • Stuffed Acorn Squash: The Festive & Flavorful.
  • Prime Rib Roast: The Hearty Hero.
Dec 12, 2022

What meat is original Christmas dinner? ›

The traditional choices were beef, venison and wild boar, but the Tudors also ate a range of wild animals and birds that we wouldn't eat today, including badger, blackbird and woodco*ck. Turkeys first came to England during the Tudor period were seen as an exotic delicacy.

What is a good meat for Christmas instead of turkey? ›

A pork loin can also be a delicious addition to your Christmas table. Consider giving the pork a holiday flavor with maple, cranberry and/or apple additions. Longer, lower cooks work well for pork, just like for roast beef, while almost any side complements this versatile and tasty cut of meat.

What is a good alternative to prime rib for Christmas dinner? ›

The Top Contenders: Strip Loin & Sirloin

The Strip Loin Roast already resembles Prime Rib's flavor thanks to its proximity to the ribeye. Additionally, Strip Roast has no large pockets of fat, making it easier to trim.

What is the most eaten vegetable at Christmas? ›

Within this article we will outline the 5 most popular Christmas vegetables, and how to keep them fresh for the big day!
  • 1) Carrots.
  • 2) Broccoli.
  • 3) Potatoes.
  • 4) Cauliflower.
  • 5) Brussel sprouts.

What is a typical German Christmas dinner? ›

Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.

What is the most popular item on a Christmas dinner plate? ›

Roast potatoes and gravy are the most ubiquitous items on the Christmas dinner, with only around half opting for turkey.

What is the most popular Christmas Eve food? ›

Turkey is classic, of course, as is ham, but you could also serve a roast chicken, roast beef, or pork tenderloin. Fill out your meal with some Christmas-y side dishes, and you'll be all set for the perfect holiday dinner.

What should I eat for Christmas dinner? ›

Serve a traditional Christmas dinner menu filled with classic dishes, including smoked salmon starters, roast turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding. We're all for breaking with convention and trying something new on special occasions, but sometimes only classic dishes will do on Christmas Day.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Duane Harber

Last Updated:

Views: 5692

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Duane Harber

Birthday: 1999-10-17

Address: Apt. 404 9899 Magnolia Roads, Port Royceville, ID 78186

Phone: +186911129794335

Job: Human Hospitality Planner

Hobby: Listening to music, Orienteering, Knapping, Dance, Mountain biking, Fishing, Pottery

Introduction: My name is Duane Harber, I am a modern, clever, handsome, fair, agreeable, inexpensive, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.