AIBU to serve turkey on Christmas Day?

[ShanghaiTwang]

We have relatives coming over to our house on Christmas Day. They prefer not to have turkey. Its not that they don't like it, it's just that they prefer other things. Apparently it can be a bit dry.

DH, I and my DC love turkey and whilst I know we can have it whenever, we don't. Also, for me Christmas lunch is turkey and we really enjoy it.

We are pretty much obliged to cook Christmas lunch, I won't bore you with the details. AIBU to think that I should at least be able to have turkey if I want it. My house, I'm doing the cooking and no one is allergic to it. They just prefer beef!

[tissuesosoft]

Can you cook the turkey and they bring the beef? If they don't agree then just go with your own plan

[BenLui]

Make two things. One of our guests dislikes turkey. We do both a turkey and a small joint of beef or ham.

[Floralnomad]

My mum always does Christmas dinner and we always have Turkey and Gammon so you can choose or have both . Neither of my dc particularly like turkey and I prefer gammon .

[Ropsleybunny]

Cooked properly turkey isn't dry, it's yummy. Having said that, if it was me doing the catering, I'd do turkey and beef.

[LivLemler]

Turkey and ham is typical in Ireland, you could do that. But definitely do turkey - when I show up to be fed somewhere, I'm happy to be handed whatever, regardless of the date!

[frogsoup]

Could we swap guests? I love beef and would happily have a big roast for Xmas dinner, but everyone else insists on turkey! Which is like chicken, only drier and less tasty, more expensive and has too many bloody leftovers!

[Neuroticwoman]

I'm with your guests - I don't like turkey, much prefer beef. However I think it's a bit rude to dictate to you when you are doing the cooking!

[caravangirl]

I'm not keen on turkey but my dm loves it so she always serves it on Xmas day...I'd never be so cheeky/ungrateful to tell her I'd rather have something else!! Your house, your choice of meat!!

[GooodMythicalMorning]

You do turkey they can bring beef if they want it.

[misskatamari]

Yanbu but I would probably do something like a slow cooker gammon as well, or ask them to bring something. Personally we aren’t turkey fans, and never do it ourselves, and when we go to pil we do a gammon as well as the turkey. Would eat just the turkey without complaint if nothing else, but it is nicer to have something we actually like on Christmas Day

[schoolgaterebel]

Very rude of guests to dictate what you cook, make exactly what you would like and don't say another word to them about it!

You could do a turkey crown, and gammon (along with stuffing balls & pigs in blankets) smothered in gravy no one will be complaining!

[Justbookedasummmerholiday]

Tell them the pub round the corner has alternatives and you will see them after lunch.

[Soubriquet]

Do both

We are having turkey and beef here

[lunabear1]

We have turkey and a 4 bird thing think it's from Lidl I wouldn't go out of my way for them though you're the one who has to stand and cook it!

[newmumwithquestions]

Why is everyone saying do both? OP is cooking - cook what you like!

(Ps try Jamie olivers recipie for turkey - was amazing - you stuff the turkey with flavoured pork mince under the turkey skin - keeps everything moist)

[ohtheholidays]

I usually do turkey and belly pork,a ham or gammon but there is no way I would try to dictate what someone else cooks for me when they've been gracious enough to have me round for Christmas dinner.

Like others have suggested I'd tell them to bring a joint of beef,your providing everything else and cooking for them that's the least they could do. and I'm with you and yours I love turkey and I only ever have it at Christmas.

[MsHarry]

Do the Nigella brine thing, my turkey has never been dry when I follow this.

I also think it's your house, it's not that they can't eat it so cook your turkey and ask her to bring a cooked beef joint.

[dunraven]

I’m hosting for the first time. DH wants Beef Wellington which is coming in less than the Kelly’s bronze turkey I’ve eyeing up and dithering about (especially at spending close to £100 just for the turkey) - more expensive than beef fillet! Also looked at the local butcher’s offering of local bronze free range turkey crown and MIL commented that we should buy the whole bird because some people might prefer the brown meat. There are 8 of us and everyone prefers breast! . Might just please DH after all!

[MsHarry]

How about pleasing yourself dunraven ? It sounds like you are doing the work. Fwiw, I've always bought a free range dozen turkey for under £15. Always tastes good, never had any complaints. I defrost 2 days before then brine using Nigella method. Juicy and tasty every time.

[MsHarry]

frozen not dozen.

[keeponworking]

I'd do something else as another meat option but I'd simply make it another thing that you and your family can eat up on other days of the holiday.

Gammon would be a good choice as it doesn't have to be cooked in the oven it could be cooked on the hob with all sorts of lovely spices then you can snaffle what could be considerable easy to care/use leftover the next day. Nom nom.

Yes, I agree, it's a bit rude to dictate but if you need more grub for the other days, it could work to your advantage. Also, buy a not hugely massive turkey and it won't have anywhere near the tendency to dry out anyway (if you're concerned about dryness that is, if not, get a bloody massive one!!! )!!

Have a fab Xmas Day meal for my mild fear is that if they've got the brass neck to ask you not to serve a particular meat, what other highly specific requirements might they have?!

[MistressDeeCee]

Make 2 things, a small joint of beef or lamb alongside the turkey isn't difficult. I do love turkey...

[littlebird7]

Offer two options with the guests bringing the second. It is very rude to dictate what you should be eating!

[AJPTaylor]

Cheeky fuckers
Im sure what they mean to say is "thank you for inviting us for Christmas Dinner. We are very much looking forward to it."
I once had the Royle Family reinactment. Had cooked and served a full xmas dinner to 15 various older relatives. Then heard them all agree after i has left the room that they all preferred chicken to turkey. I added on an extra 15 mins slamming about in the kitchen for that

[goose1964]

Turkey is not dry if cooked properly. Butter under the skin, bacon over and white wine under the rack, cover in foil so it cooks in the wine steam. The legs are usually nicer than the breast, juicier and more flavour. Just cook a turkey,, it's not my favourite but I'll eat it if given