Roast beef for Christmas

[Gladtimeslady]

I normally feed the 5000 at Christmas and I am required to cook turkey. This year is a complete departure - there will only be 4 of us, all adults, and two will have had turkey for Thanksgiving so are happy not to have it for Christmas dinner.

So I have decided to cook a great joint of beef. Unfortunately my lovely local butcher has just retired so I'm looking to order something on line. I want something really special and am happy to pay accordingly. I'm thinking small producers who sell their own meat.

Can anyone suggest a good supplier and perhaps a particular joint/cut you have been happy with.

Thank you.

Roughly whereabouts in the country are you?

Can't suggest a butcher, but my dad always did rib of beef for Christmas (and lamb for New Year) as none of us liked turkey.

Can't suggest a supplier but I would go with either rib of beef or if you want something that cooks relatively quickly a full fillet of beef.

We usually have beef, and go for topside, plus a meat thermometer to check when it's ready. We're fortunate to have several local butchers where I am, but they only deliver within the city.

The best me and my dad ever had was a rib of Devon red. Was a cracking Christmas roast and amazing casserole after. We had friends over for Boxing Day and neither of us could believe we’d knocked up such great leftovers dinner, given we’re not natural cooks.

I'm near Bath.

Thanks for the replies. A rib of beef is one of my favourite roasts (albeit expensive).

We do beef every year as we don’t like turkey as a family. Always Rib. Looks the part (special) and makes the best gravy imho.

https://donaldrussell.com/

I agree with Donald Russell if you haven't got a good local butcher.

We use Dorset Meats, they deliver and we’ve not had anything bad from them.

For xmas I’ve done a roast sirloin and a bone in ribeye eye both were fantastic. Both sourced from Costco

We had m and s wagyu beef one year, it was amazing

Rib of beef.

If I was buying online (and not my usual local butcher), for something special and happy to pay accordingly…then I would go Ginger Pig 👌🏻

Rib of Beef def my fave and generally regarded as a special cut but being fatty it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. I did 4 x Rib of Beef as part of a NYE feast last year and all the teenagers left loads on their plate (all the tasty fatty bits) and I realised they would have been better with something tasteless lean like fillet.

I did Sirloin on the rotisserie last weekend, nice and rare, first time I’d tried a whole joint and it was really tasty and a good compromise. Fat mostly on the outside and crisped up nicely.

I do beef nearly every year (in US so turkey for thanksgiving). I have done standing rib for a big crowd but for just the 5 of us I usually do a fillet of beef with 3 sauces - jus/gravy, warm blue cheese, and arugula/horseradish cream.

The Dorset Meat Company? I used them last year, whole fillet of Beef and a Kelly bronze turkey. They were delicious and beautifully packaged. I'll be buying them again this year.

https://www.thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk/christmas-orders-2026/

I also love rib of beef but for a relatively small number of people, I'd be tempted by a roast sirloin.

I use Field and Flower. It's think they're actually based near Bath. They're definitely in Somerset. Their meat is expensive, but excellent. (I might have a code too if you go that route - let me know and I can check).

Thank you for all the replies. I really appreciate people taking the time.

I'll check out Field and Flower and the Dorset Meat Co (which both sound like what I'm looking for).

Thanks to @WillieBanjo though for reminding me of Costco. We had an excellent rib from Costco at my brother's once. Sadly I don't have a Costco nearby.

I'm currently torn between a rib and a sirloin. I always think a rib looks fun and impressive and suitable for a feast. I agree with @OnlyOneAdda that teenagers and other foolish folk tend to be put off by the tasty fatty bits on a rib, but we will only be sensible adults on this occasion. On the other hand I am very tempted by sirloin ...

I am drooling as I write. (Probably too much information.) Anyway thanks for everyone's help.

We did a big rib of beef last year for the first time (usually go for goose). Used the reverse sear method. Worth looking up. Will post if I can find it. Absolutely gorgeous- so tender.

@Gladtimeslady - I live in your part of the world , and recommend DT Waller and Sons, who are based in Ledbury .
We’ve ordered our Christmas beef from them for the last three years and it’s absolutely amazing !

Yep, never been disappointed with Costco meat. We've had prime rib from there for Christmas for the last few years and all have been fantastic.

Try Allington Farm Shop in Chippenham. Excellent local veg too!

This is definitely the best farm shop for miles, luckily only a few miles from me!
We always buy our Christmas joint here.

https://shop.rothiemurchus.net/?_gl=11a0ezyn_gaMjU2NjgzNDkzLjE3OTAzNjk1OTY._ga_K6EFNG54BV*czE3OTAzNjk1OTYkbzEkZzEkdDE3OTAzNjk2NDQkajEyJGwwJGgw

Love this meat. Really is special. Would.give them a call to discuss.