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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:
Shedmistress · 15/10/2025 12:53

crossstranger · 15/10/2025 10:49

If I left them to it I’d have a plate of twiglets and quality street.

Show quote history

And?

Personally I'd do a one tray one pan roast for me, all roast veg in one tray and all veg in one pan, and a small gravy...and leave your husband to make whatever he feels he wants to make for the rest of them.

shootingstar001 · 15/10/2025 12:52

You could do a bit of deconstructed Christmas "spread" of all the seasonal goodies and make/buy a range of Christmassay bits - do sausages rolls, mince pies, really good quality deli sliced ham and turkey, make a big fancy salad with avocado, seeds etc. Get some some posh crackers, nice cheeses, spreads, chutneys, pates etc. Smoked salmon, baked camembert.Make some easy savoury bites with ready made puff pastry - cheese straws, mini caprese tarts etc. Plus of that idea is you'd have loads of bits for the next few days for everyone to graze at their leisure and free you from the kitchen.

Or you could do a Christmas turkey pie? Get some of the Xmas dinner flavours/ingredients in it? Carrots, sprouts, turkey in the pie mix and then serve with a mash, greens, cranberry sauce etc. Then it feels "christmassy" but not really going down the roast route.

You could just go with a special meal with a great centrepiece, not particularly christmassy but something you wouldn't make everyday. Like a whole side of salmon or rack of lamb or something. Big seafood platter? Maybe just something a bit extra and special. I sometimes make a savoury "strudel" for my brother with cranberries, feta, chestnuts etc - you could do that?

I like a PPs suggestion of the beef joint and then having some tasty leftovers for sandwiches and salads. That would work if everyone likes it.

ThisCanFuckOffToo · 15/10/2025 12:44

I wouldn’t spend hours cooking if it wasn’t going to be appreciated, I’d buy a beef wellington, some frozen mashed potato and Some lovely veggies and have that instead with some really nice pre made or bought gravy.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 15/10/2025 12:41

crossstranger · 15/10/2025 10:37

That’s a good idea, I usually cook lots of meat on the day to have cold Boxing Day so I could do it all the day before and not have to spend Christmas cooking.

Show quote history

But Christmas Eve is a working day, do you really want to come back from work and start cooking a roast?

Original poster
crossstranger · 15/10/2025 12:40

GordonRamsey · 15/10/2025 12:36

Well, you know my answer to this - Pot Noodles all round. Job done!

There would be no arguments from them

OP posts:
xSideshowAuntSallyXx · 15/10/2025 12:39

Beef Wellington, not a roast but still special.

Original poster
crossstranger · 15/10/2025 12:37

Ohthatsabitshit · 15/10/2025 12:00

What’s their favourite meal normally? Do they just not like turkey, or is it any roasted meat?

They don’t mind the meat it’s the vegetables and the big meal idea they don’t want when they’re quite happy to sit and and scoff mince pies and pretzels and of course copious amounts of chocolate for the day.
Dh is happy with a beer and some snacks, usually a Christmas film goes on and out come the popcorn and crisps.

OP posts:
GordonRamsey · 15/10/2025 12:36

Well, you know my answer to this - Pot Noodles all round. Job done!

cestlavielife · 15/10/2025 12:34

Mix n match. Order the smallest ready to cook turkey crown for you and ready to cook sides...and let the rest eat cake/twiglets as they desire.

AngelicInnocent · 15/10/2025 12:30

We had steak and ale pie last year. A massive takeaway from the Indian (bought far more different things than usual and it was still cheaper than several joints XxX

CluelessAboutBiology · 15/10/2025 12:21

Massive salad?

if you decide to order the Marks & Sparks beef wellington for Xmas Day, best you don’t mention it on here!

TheDevilFindsWorkForIdleMums · 15/10/2025 12:07

Let them order a massive takeaway and do a Christmas dinner for yourself.

mumonthehill · 15/10/2025 12:03

I would do a big ham on Christmas eve and then have cold with loads of cheese and anything else in Christmas day.

Ohthatsabitshit · 15/10/2025 12:00

What’s their favourite meal normally? Do they just not like turkey, or is it any roasted meat?

Bjorkdidit · 15/10/2025 11:57

Take yourself out for a roast at a pub either alone or with a friend or your mum, sister etc in the days running up to Christmas.

Perhaps do a ham to eat over Christmas with cheese etc as buffet food.

Parmaviolet3456 · 15/10/2025 11:41

What about a Turkey pie? I saw one advertised on m and s looks lush

Troublein · 15/10/2025 11:41

What would you cook as a special meal you all enjoy if it wasn't Christmas?

Cook that, so it something everyone enjoys.

It doesn't have to be a roast, just a nice meal.

VegBox · 15/10/2025 11:39

How about something simple like grilled steak with salad and perhaps mashed potatoes? Or tuna steak if you prefer. Beats spending hours on a roast and less washing up, but still quite festive.

12Giraffes · 15/10/2025 11:37

My Aunt and Uncle book a table at their local Indian restaurant, and have a slap up Indian feast. They’ve done that for over a decade.

I think Christmas dinner should be what you like. Personally, I’d rather have a pie than a roast.

Hoodedfinger · 15/10/2025 11:22

What does DH think this spread should look like? Send him shopping.

CraftyNavySeal · 15/10/2025 11:21

Steak and proper deep fried chips with some fancy sides. Less effort that a roast but nicer IMO

Netcurtainnelly · 15/10/2025 11:17

sleepandcoffee · 15/10/2025 10:35

Could you do a roast on Christmas eve ? That way there are leftovers you can have - you could even have a full roast from the leftovers while the others have meat / cheese / baguettes

Another brainwashing post. Just because its Dec 25th, people think they've got to have a roast dinner.

Hoppinggreen · 15/10/2025 11:16

We go out for a curry

HereForTheFreeLunch · 15/10/2025 11:15

Chicken kievs are now our main for Christmas dinner. Along with a shedload of pigs in blankets.
Nowadays I only cook what people appreciate and will eat - which surprisingly includes Brussels sprouts!