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Original poster

Christmas dinner for people who don’t like roasts?

134 replies

crossstranger · 15/10/2025 10:20

I do like a roast but Dh and teens don’t want a roast, they don’t want vegetables.
I usually do cold meat and salad with bits for Boxing Day and they like that.
Dh suggests just a spread rather than a sit down meal.

It doesn’t surprise me that nobody wants a traditional Christmas dinner because nobody likes roasts except me and I’m not spending hours in the kitchen cooking for just me.
What would you do? And what even goes on a spread?

In previous years I’ve spent all morning preparing roast turkey while the rest of the family eat chocolate, drink and fill up on crap, just to force down a bit of turkey to please me so I need some ideas.

OP posts:
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blueumbrella2016 · 25/12/2025 02:53

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 24/12/2025 02:00

People who don't like roasts should be expelled from the country for the festive period!

Agreed!

gogomomo2 · 24/12/2025 08:08

Time he set a good example and ate vegetables. If they eat cold meat and salad they can eat hot meat and vegetables! Far too late to moan now. Next year he sorts it

JennyForeigner · 24/12/2025 08:05

It's one of my Christmas traditions to go into town just as the shops are closing and pick whatever looks good from the yellow sticker specials in M&S. They had a Brussel sprout gratin last year which ridiculously cost a tenner and was being sold off for a couple of quid. It was delicious - I bought two more in the following week. Imho a lot of their steak/mini bird type dishes are reduced about 1pm but someone here would know.

Only works if you are in a position to throw the dice, but it's fun. And always so lovely and quiet in town.

Ginmonkeyagain · 24/12/2025 07:00

Bow about an adpated roast - we're not fond of heavy food and I don't want to spend ages cooking so we tend to have a roast side of salmon with a homemade mint, lemon and caper salsa, steamed green veg and roast potatoes.

BeanQuisine · 24/12/2025 05:30

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 24/12/2025 02:02

I live alone and like the sound of this. What kind of meat did you roast?

Show quote history

Usually a turkey breast or thigh, sometimes duck or a small beef roast.

Always plenty left over that can be enjoyed next day or frozen.

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 24/12/2025 02:04

BeMellowAquaSquid · 16/10/2025 21:29

My ex boyfriend used to have lasagne for Christmas Day. It was actually one of many things that made me rethink our whole relationship but someone who doesn’t like a roast potato just isn’t the man for me.

I don't blame you. Having an everyday meal on Christmas Day is rank. I need a turkey and roast potatoes and all the trimmings person!

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 24/12/2025 02:02

BeanQuisine · 16/10/2025 20:40

Make yourself a nice little mini-roast, it won't take long. I always treated myself to a good little roast on the times I was just cooking for myself on Xmas Day.

Let them eat whatever crap they want, it won't take them long to open the packets or whatever.

I live alone and like the sound of this. What kind of meat did you roast?

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 24/12/2025 02:00

People who don't like roasts should be expelled from the country for the festive period!

GrannyTeapot · 24/12/2025 01:59

I’ve always felt a feast should be your favourite meal…at Christmas time at mine that choice is given to the person cooking generally. It’s even been soup and a sandwich before.
This year though, two of my children asked if we could have gammon and it’s me cooking; I really don’t mind so gammon and cheese sauce it is.

Newname29 · 24/12/2025 01:56

Cook their favourite dinner

HolidayPlanningAgain · 24/12/2025 01:54

blueumbrella2016 · 24/12/2025 01:35

I'm baffled that there's people out there who don't like a roast dinner! Surely it's the height of dining? Sunday Roast is good and Christmas Dinner is the gold standard.

There are much more exciting foods than a roast dinner… Moroccan Tagine, authentic curry, fresh grilled fish would all place well above a roast dinner for me.
DSC like a roast so will do them one every couple of months but as a week night tea when I’ve got an easy workday but not as a Sunday thing, I save that time for more interesting meals

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 24/12/2025 01:48

Last Sunday, instead of the roast dinner we usually have (because I'm cooking the meal on Christmas) i did 3 lasagnes (beef , chicken, veggie) with salad and garlic bread. Have seen us through the last couple of days, with kids all grabbing some for lunch/ snacks at various times! Cooked the day before, slung in the oven on the day

Elbowpatch · 24/12/2025 01:37

TheSandgroper · 15/10/2025 10:36

Plenty of Australians just have a bbq for Christmas. Steak, sausages, potato salad, coleslaw, tomato, lettuce. Perhaps a fruit platter. Trifle for afters.

Job’s a good’un.

Pavlova.

blueumbrella2016 · 24/12/2025 01:35

I'm baffled that there's people out there who don't like a roast dinner! Surely it's the height of dining? Sunday Roast is good and Christmas Dinner is the gold standard.

Mama2many73 · 21/10/2025 23:15

We have a normal christmas dinner although our youngest has nuggets and chip. We have our eldest DS and his family over in between xmas and new year. We do hot beef sandwiches ( decent buns) roast potatoes, and yorkie puds no other veg, unless requested.

FigCandle · 21/10/2025 22:58

If you’re the only person who wants a traditional Christmas dinner I’d do this:

Organise to go out with friends to a good pub or restaurant the week before Christmas and have it there. Get it out of your system.

Christmas day: Serve cold roast turkey breast, sliced, and ham - both pre- cooked by you a day or two in advance
Plus:
Home made potato salad (Delia’s is nice)
Home made coleslaw
Green salad
Nice chutney
Crusty bread
Cheeses

SophiaSW1 · 21/10/2025 22:41

Plus I rely heavily on M&S for the meal prep.

SophiaSW1 · 21/10/2025 22:40

I added chips to the mix! Game changer. I just want them to enjoy the meal.

motherofawhirlwind · 21/10/2025 22:28

We did antipasti one year. Meats, cheeses, a warm potato salad, fresh baked ciabatta, figs, posh chutney, olives, stuffed vine leaves, all sorts. Was great!

Mintyt · 18/10/2025 07:50

Gammon air fryer the day before with the mustard and sugar glaze. It slices better the next day jacket potato, and cauliflower cheese

mummymissessunshine · 17/10/2025 21:56

What do your family like?
sounds like they might want
smoked salmon
pigs in blankets
sausage rolls
a Cooked ham
a baked Camembert
proper Stilton
chips n dips

what else would they eat?

maybe ask each of them to provide / prepare the thing they like?

mummymissessunshine · 17/10/2025 21:51

My OH does beef on the barbecue.

You could do it on Christmas Eve and then have left overs on Christmas Day.

can have it with chips and pigs in blankets!!!

Rainallnight · 17/10/2025 21:10

We always had steak for Christmas dinner growing up.

caringcarer · 17/10/2025 21:10

What about a lasagne.

UtterlyOtterly · 17/10/2025 21:08

I haven't eaten a roast dinner for over 50 years. Somehow I have survived.

Pizzas are popular in the Otterly household on Christmas Day.

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