Turkey for 2.5 people - suggestions?

[snappybadger]

I am doing Christmas dinner for just me, my Dad and 3 year old ds this year. Obviously I don't need a whole turkey, but I'm not sure what I should be getting instead - a turkey crown or a joint?

I would like one that is a little bit more special rather than just plain. Has anyone seen any nice ones about in the supermarkets? Just feeling rather uninspired after a quick look online as most places seem just to be showing the whole turkeys.

Have you had a look in Lidl or Aldi for one of their three-bird roasts? I don't think they are too big, and they are much easier to carve too, because you can just slice them.

M&S usually do nice crowns with stuffing, in various sizes.

Chicken.....!

I am only cooking for 6 so am doing a chicken.

I usually cook for 14-18 where a turkey is actually necessary.

A turkey breast joint (ie one breast) will be plenty. They sometimes come with bacon on. Or a nice chicken?

I get a turkey roll from the butcher which has a nice mix of meat.

You could just buy a turkey breast. They're still huge, but at least you won't be eating turkey for months.

I was going to say a Lidl three bird roast too

M&S usually do nice Turkey crowns.

M&S turkey crown - the one with pork and sage stuffing and bacon over it. Small one lasted us (2 adults/2 DCs) for 3 days. Fits easily into fridge and oven and no argument about who gets the "nice bits".

Great minds think alike, FamiliesShareGerms!

I didn't notice this was under the Christmas topic and was about to tell you all about Olu Deniz in Turkey!

Morrison's looked like they had done nice ones but I haven't investigated closely yet.

I fourth M&S Turkey crown. Got one last year when just the three of us and it was really moist and tasty with the bacon and stuffing. Bit of a scrum at this time of year in M&S but just don't mess about, get the bird, get out! Not too ridiculously expensive to get something luxurious when only a couple of you eating it.

We often get one a bit ahead of time (when they first start appearing) and freeze it to avoid the scrum or them running out.

Does it have to be turkey, there is just DH and I and we are having a free range chicken. I make my own stuffing to go with it.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm not sure I can stretch to £35 for a M&S turkey crown although it does look nice!

What does the Lidl three bird roast taste like? Is it nice? I've only been eating meat for a few years (long time veggie before that) and never had a three bird roast before.

I'm personally not keen on a three bird roast. I don't like the flavour combination that much.

If I've been offered it though I just eat one type of bird at a time. Problem solved!

Beef Wellington instead?

I'm not sure I can stretch to £35 for a M&S turkey crown although it does look nice!
If you look in the shop (rather than online) you will find small turkey crowns that don't cost nearly as much.

We had one a couple of years back, and it was pretty tasty.

Think I'll pop into town tomorrow to look in M&S. Is it okay to freeze the fresh turkey crowns then? Or would it be better to risk the scrum closer to the big day? It's a bit of a pain to get to our M&S so only really want to go the once.

Fine to freeze a fresh turkey crown. Some years M&S has had them in freezer cabinet, so look there if you are buying it tomorrow.

Great! Thank you :)

I had this problem. I had ordered a Tesco crown to serve 5, leftovers for Boxing day! However DH'S shift change mean no Boxing day so cancelled it and just bought a breast fillet. With all the other bits, I think it will still do 2 meals and won't take up anywhere near as much room in the oven. Also only cost about £4!

Well I popped into M&S today (not that it's possible to "pop" anywhere with a 3.5yo in tow) and picked up a nice turkey breast joint with stuffing and bacon lattice for £7. It's quite small but it says it serves 2-3 and I'm probably going to do a gammon as well so there should be more than enough for us! Thanks for all the help/advice.