What Can I Have Instead of Turkey at Christmas?
Despite a rich history of Briton’s having turkey as their go-to meat for generations gone by, you don’t always have to settle for it!
Top 5 alternatives to a Christmas turkey
- Beef
- Chicken
- Ham and gammon
- Duck
- Vegan and vegetarian substitutes
Beef
When you’re in search of alternatives to turkey for your Christmas meal, beef often emerges as a top choice, and rightfully so. A carefully prepared side of beef brings an element of luxury to your festive feast – the tender, juicy qualities of a perfectly cooked sirloin or the slow-cooked richness of a beef brisket, paired with a jus made from the meat’s own natural juices, is something that deserves to be on your Christmas dinner plate this year.
Christmas is a special time of the year and your choice of meat should match. That’s why we stock a variety of the highest quality beef cuts, to ensure your festive dinner is one to remember. From making a beef wellington to cooking the perfect fillet, beef is a brilliant meat alternative to turkey for this years Christmas dinner.
Chicken
For an easy and familiar option that never disappoints at Christmas, roast chicken is an excellent choice! The process of roasting a whole chicken with a blend of herbs, butter and chicken stock creates a succulent, golden-brown bird that not only promises festive flavours but also adds an inviting touch to your Christmas table.
Include some classic vegetables like carrots, potatoes and brussel sprouts, and you’ll have a straightforward, wholesome, and festive dinner. Of course, you can spruce it up with extra sides, or even bake it in a crust (shop bought puff pastry will do!), but a delicious Christmas alternative to a turkey crown is available with just a little salt, pepper, and butter. You can’t go wrong with Christmas poultry!
Ham and Gammon
What’s Christmas without a joint of roast ham or gammon? Gammon, whether served hot or cold, adds versatility and tenderness to your plate, making it a great turkey alternative. Whether you prefer smoked or unsmoked cuts, a drizzle of homemade honey glaze and slow, all-day cooking infuses it with irresistibly sweet flavours.
What’s even better is the idea of enjoying leftover cold ham slices on Boxing Day – a tradition that brings smiles to the faces of every family member!
Duck
Many people prefer the stronger, sweeter taste of duck to turkey. Duck has long been a traditional meat for Christmas dinners, but the bigger bird has won in recent times. Whether you slowly cook it with a cherry and red wine sauce allowing the meat to fall off the bone, or a high-temperature roast to give a crispy skin, duck is a brilliant alternative to Christmas turkey.
Another benefit of duck is that it oozes flavoursome fat when cooking, meaning you can make those all-important roast potatoes. With all the goodness that comes with duck, it’s definitely a good idea to choose this bird over its bigger counterpart this Christmas!
Vegan and Vegetarian Substitutes
As veganism continues to rapidly grow, more and more people are looking for vegan and vegetarian-friendly alternatives to turkey for their Christmas dinner. As a butcher for over 40 years, it may seem odd that we’ve put this option on our blog… but even we can’t deny that choosing a vegan substitute for for the Christmas centrepiece is becoming more popular. From mixing a blend of seasoned soya, mushrooms and caramelised onions to make a beef wellington alternative, or making a seitan-based joint from seitan, apricot and a cranberry stuffing.
Christmas is for everyone and this is a brilliant alternative to turkey for those who choose not to consume animal-based products – even the meat eaters will love it too!
Christmas Alternatives to Turkey
With some ideas as to what turkey alternatives there are for your Christmas dinner, you can now plan on getting them ordered for the special day! Over the last 40 years, Owton’s 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 offer specially selected Christmas boxes – perfect for the busy Christmas schedule!
If you need help sourcing your traditional Christmas meat, one of our friendly team members will be more than happy to help.
About the Author.
R Owton Wholesale Butchers
Traditional Family ButchersThe Owton family have been farming the land at Chalcroft Farm for over 750 years, and in business since 1976, so you can be sure we have the experience, knowledge and expertise about all things meat! We specialise in butchering locally sourced and traceable meat, working with over 40 farmers within Hampshire and Dorset to offer some of the finest meat produce in the south.
