From ham and beef; goose and chicken to brilliant veg-based heroes, there are plenty of other options. Diversify your Christmas dinner this year with our bumper pick of gorgeous recipes.
HAM
Ham already has its place at the Christmas table and rightly so. Deliciously sweet and salty, it’s bound to be a hit with your guests; and it’s super-easy to achieve golden, succulent meat. Whether you go all-out on the festive vibe with a mulled wine glaze, or spice things up with jerk, we’ve got all the options covered.
Don’t forget to check out our guide to picking the best cut, plus all the tips you need for the perfect roast ham.
Jamie’s jerk ham
Mulled wine glazed ham
Glazed jerk ham
BEEF
Beef gives you so many options, from quick-cook steaks that you can keep juicy and rare, to longer roasts and low-and-slow recipes that provide pullable, tender meat. Keep it simple with herby steak and crispy potatoes for two, or push the boat out with a luxurious show-stopping beef Wellington. Check out more of our favourites below.
Perfect roast beef
Roast forerib of beef with garlic & rosemary
Beef Wellington
Herby steak & crispy potatoes
Beef brisket with red wine & shallots
The ultimate steak & roasties
CHICKEN
Roast chicken is a logical swap for turkey come Christmas Day. A great carrier of flavours, you can take your chicken in all sorts of different directions, embracing classic festive flavours, or mixing it up with a different vibe like Jamie’s roast chicken margherita with giant stuffed gnocchi or a Mediterranean-style pot roast.
My perfect roast chicken
Roast chicken for two
Roast chicken Margherita
Pot-roast chicken
Festive roast chicken
Cumberland roast chicken
Farmhouse roast chicken
Mushroom-stuffed roast chicken
VEG
Veggie options for Christmas Day can be just as much of a show-stopper as the meat, or even more so. It’s all about celebrating those seasonal veg stars and giving them the right amount of love and attention in the kitchen. So, whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian looking for fresh inspiration, or you just fancy serving up something a bit different this year, we’ve got loads of lovely recipes to keep things exciting this Christmas.
Veggie crown
Vegetarian nut roast
Mushroom & squash vegetarian Wellington
Persian squash & pistachio roast
Best-ever cranberry & pistachio nut roast
Gluten-free spinach & ricotta roulade
Pot-roast cauliflower
Veggie toad-in-the-hole
Spinach, feta & lemon filo pie
VEGAN
Need some vegan inspo? We’ve got brilliant recipes that are guaranteed to impress your guests. Looking for something traditional? Jamie’s Vegan nut roast is bursting with festive flavours. Or for exciting new centrepieces, we love the Baked squash or Vegan mushroom, chestnut & cranberry tart. Those making a vegan festive feast, check out our delicious how-to guide.
Whole roasted cauliflower
Vegan nut roast
Vegan mushroom, chestnut & cranberry tart
Baked squash
PORK
Roast pork is a favourite to serve at Christmas. We have the classic Pork belly roast, complete with perfect crunchy crackling; or perhaps you fancy something fruity, like our Pear-roasted pork loin joint, which will have your guests clamouring for seconds. But for the ultimate festive pork recipe, you need Gennaro’s stuffed porchetta on your table. Believe the hype!
Pot roast pork
Pear-roasted pork loin joint
6-hour slow-roasted pork shoulder
Pork loin with a great herby stuffing
Gennaro’s stuffed porchetta
Pork belly roast
GOOSE
Goose is actually the original festive bird, and has a gorgeously rich flavour, tasting like a cross between chicken and duck. It’s beautiful when flavoured with spices, and Jamie’s Spiced roast goose recipe ensures great results every time. If you can get your hands on a British bird, that’s ideal.
Spiced roast goose
Roast goose
DUCK
With enough flavoursome fat to make the best roast potatoes, duck is another incredible bird to swap in for turkey. Its rich flavour marries incredibly well with festive spices and citrus. Roast duck with Marsala gravy is ideal for the Big Day, while Jamie’s Roast duck with pancakes is perfect for a Twixmas get-together.
Roast duck
Roast duck with Marsala gravy
Easy Christmas roast duck with crispy potatoes and port gravy
Slow-roasted duck with celeriac remoulade
Clementine roast duck
LAMB
Perhaps not the most traditional choice, but a good cut of lamb can make an incredible centrepiece for your Christmas dinner. From a gnarly Balsamic lamb shoulder to a delicious Rack of lamb, there are so many tasty ways to cook it. If you don’t know which cut will work best for your recipe, check out our best-cut guide.
Perfect roast leg of lamb
Balsamic lamb shoulder
Rosemary & garlic lamb shoulder
Leg of lamb with amazing gravy
Rack of lamb
VENISON
Venison has a beautifully rich taste, which goes well with autumnal flavours like mushroom, horseradish and root vegetables. As Jamie says: “Venison is delicious, full of flavour and it’s nutritious!” Ask your butcher for the best cut they have, whether farmed or wild, then cook it with care to ensure a succulent meat.
Roast venison
Venison Wellington
Venison carpaccio with orange and horseradish
Pan-seared venison with blueberries, shallots and red wine
