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Original poster

Not turkey?

51 replies

Whathappenedtothelego · 20/10/2019 14:30

Anyone else considering having something different to turkey this year?

I have to feed 6 meat-eaters. Would have liked goose, but don't think it's big enough.
Mulling over other alternatives.

What do you have if not turkey?

OP posts:
PennysPocket · 20/10/2019 14:33

We had goose last year and there was plenty for 3 adults 14 yo DS and 2 12 yo DDs so fed 6 with some to spare plus the lovely goose fat for roasties.

ysmaem · 20/10/2019 14:44

My mum made goose one year and she easily fed 6 mouths

KTD27 · 20/10/2019 14:54

Yes op me! I am not a turkey fan and need to feed 6 meat eating adults and two kids. I’ve been contemplating rack of lamb or bone in rib of beef. I’d actually love to do pork but the in laws don’t eat it. Not made a decision yet am waiting for the food gods to make it for me

MarshmallowManiac · 20/10/2019 14:56

We never have turkey (feel it’s very dry), usually have duck and lamb and we have to feed 7 mouths.

doxxed · 20/10/2019 14:58

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twins2019 · 20/10/2019 14:59

We have a turkey crown and then beef. I get a large piece of fillet and roast it with onions and mushrooms with a mustard crumb - delicious! Turkey crown keeps the traditionalists happy. Defending upon numbers (I can have as many as 18 as few as 6 depending on the year) I sometimes do a honey glazed ham as well - 3 meats I know, it's absurd but we use the cold cuts for Boxing Day buffet.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 20/10/2019 15:00

We aren't turkey fans so have gammon

KatherineJaneway · 20/10/2019 15:01

Why not do chicken?

BeanBag7 · 20/10/2019 15:02

We have rib of beef, it is amazing 🤤

DeRigueurMortis · 20/10/2019 15:02

I gave up on Turkey 5 years ago and haven't looked back Grin.

A decent sized goose will easily feed 6 adults (though don't expect to have masses of leftovers).

They are deceptive, in so far the cavity is large (great for lots of lovely stuffing), so you do get less meat than on a turkey the same size.

That said I don't think there is any contest. Lovely flavoured, moist meat and super crispy skin - plus all the goose fat to cook your roast potatoes/parsnip in.

I now tend to alternate between goose and beef (rib roast) each year. Both look spectacular and are so much nicer than bland/dry turkey.

If I'm doing goose I tend to cook a large ham on Xmas eve to eat, that then provides the meat leftovers for Boxing Day sandwiches etc so not having much left from the goose isn't an issue.

00100001 · 20/10/2019 15:03

We have chicken.

00100001 · 20/10/2019 15:04

We also have chipolatas with bacon.
Meaty stuffing.

Normal roast and steamed veggies.

iklboo · 20/10/2019 15:05

In the past we've had:

Beef
Venison
Goose
Duck

We just go for a curry now. Much easier.

Sparkletastic · 20/10/2019 15:12

We never have turkey as none of us like it. Last year we had 2 Gressingham ducks. This year we are have ham baked in sloe gin from my GH Christmas book Gin[santa]

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 20/10/2019 15:56

I would happily do a ham but DD2 doesn’t like it. Ham with Coke in the slow cooker. We have done prime rib in the past too.

myrtleWilson · 20/10/2019 15:58

We have only had turkey once - far too big for our small Christmas!

We have had
Goose
Beef
Porchetta
and last year we had Rooster/Capon which was great.

Grumpbum123 · 20/10/2019 16:01

We are having venison this year

MiniMum97 · 20/10/2019 16:08

I love turkey! If your turkey is dry you are cooking it wrong. Well cooked turkey is lovely and moist.

cheesewitheverything · 20/10/2019 16:11

We usually have beef as none of us like turkey. Some years we have had a curry.

Original poster
Whathappenedtothelego · 20/10/2019 16:12

That's a good idea cooking a ham so you still have leftover cold meat if you do cook goose.

I want something that seems extra special - I often cook beef/chicken/lamb/pork just for Sunday lunch.

Intrigued by venison, have never tasted it, sounds very Henry VIII banquet!

OP posts:
DuckonaBike · 20/10/2019 16:16

We usually have beef or lamb. This year we're probably going to do HFW's roast lamb with rosemary and anchovies. If you put it straight on the oven shelf with the roast potatoes underneath you get lovely roasties as well.

singswithitsfingers · 20/10/2019 16:16

A couple of guinea fowl?

DeRigueurMortis · 20/10/2019 16:32

I find venison a bit "marmite".

Some people love it, but others find it too rich/gamey.

It's also very lean, so you have to be careful how you cook it (it needs to be quite rare, unless you are using it in a stew, so not really suitable for anyone who doesn't like "bloody" meat).

Personally I like it, but I'm not sure I'd serve it at Christmas over a goose.

linentowel · 20/10/2019 16:40

We are having a big steak pie.

bananasandwicheseveryday · 20/10/2019 22:25

For over 20 years I cooked turkey at Christmas, because it's 'traditional' . Despite using the same cooking method every year, we did have the occasional dry turkey, so I don't think it's quite as simple as 'you're cooking it wrong' . I really don't not like turkey - moist or dry. I find it bland and completely underwhelming. We vary Christmas dinner now, sometimes lamb, sometimes pork, or duck or goose. Have had quail and one year, we had lobster. Not sure what we are having this year - depends whether it's just dh and I, or whether our dcs and their partners and children come for dinner. I do usually do a turkey crown for anyone who absolutely can't live without their turkey. One year, I'm going to have Indian for Christmas dinner.