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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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? ›

Pork is the most popular traditional holiday dish in 23 countries, more than the 17 that focus on turkey, she said. Suckling pig is the center of the traditional Christmas table in Spain and Cuba, while the Philippines feasts on roasted pork, according to the map.

What is the most popular meat for Christmas dinner? ›

Pork is the most popular traditional holiday dish in 23 countries, more than the 17 that focus on turkey, she said. Suckling pig is the center of the traditional Christmas table in Spain and Cuba, while the Philippines feasts on roasted pork, according to the map.

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 traditional Christmas dinner menu? ›

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. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.

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 can I have for Christmas dinner instead of ham or turkey? ›

Here are six non-traditional dinner alternatives (vegetarian and meat) that you can swap out for turkey or ham this holiday season.
  • Beef Wellington: The Showstopper.
  • Christmas Roast Duck: The Twist on a Classic.
  • Vegetarian Enchiladas: The Surprise Favorite.
  • Roast Lamb: The Savory Star.
Dec 12, 2022

What do most Americans have for Christmas dinner? ›

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 best beef for Christmas? ›

Tips for cooking the perfect roast beef this Christmas

Rib of beef and rump are all worthy contenders, or if you're looking for a cheaper cut to slow cook, then try brisket or topside. 2. Remove the beef from the fridge about an hour before cooking to let it come up to room temperature. 3.

Is prime rib a traditional Christmas dinner? ›

Tradition runs deep at Christmastime, and the prime rib roast is dripping with tradition as much as it's dripping with its own savory jus.

What are the most popular meats at Christmas? ›

Top 5 Traditional Meats For Christmas Dinner
  1. Turkey. Let's admit it, a whole turkey is the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. ...
  2. Beef. Beef often comes to mind when choosing Christmas meats and for good reason. ...
  3. Ham and Gammon. What's Christmas without a joint of ham? ...
  4. Pork. ...
  5. Lamb.

What are 5 Christmas foods? ›

Candy Cane can be hung as edible decorations.
  • White Christmas, a sweet slice made of copha and mixed fruit.
  • Cold ham and cold turkey.
  • Seafood and salads.
  • Roast chicken, ham and turkey.
  • Stuffing.
  • Christmas cake or Christmas pudding.
  • Custard.
  • Gingerbread in Christmas shapes.

What is the least popular Christmas food? ›

Across all states, their findings showed that the least popular Christmas foods are persimmon pudding (13%) and fruitcake (25%). The most popular foods were roasted potatoes (91%), scalloped potatoes (83%), roast beef (77%), red velvet cake (76%), ham (76%) and Christmas nuts (76%).

What is the most popular Christmas dinner item? ›

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 dinner? ›

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 do Italians eat for Christmas dinner? ›

Pasta is a must for an Italian Christmas Dinner. Lasagna, Stuffed Manicotti and other cheesy baked pasta dishes are a hit with all ages—this is classic Christmas fare in Southern Italy.

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