Turkey and ham with all the trimmings might be the classic Christmas Day dinner, but it’s not for everyone. Maybe your family just isn’t keen on it, maybe you’re catering for vegetarians or vegans, or maybe you simply fancy a change this year. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of delicious ways to put a different centrepiece on the table this Christmas. Here are 8 alternative Christmas dinner ideas to keep everyone at the table happy.
#1. Stuffed Lobster Tails
Image from Lobster from Maine
A seafood alternative is always a treat, and this stuffed lobster tail recipe combines traditional Christmas dinner touches — a herb stuffing and a white wine sauce — with something a little more special.
Serve with creamy baked potatoes, buttered carrots and some fresh peas for a feast that will impress family and visitors alike.
#2. Individual Mini Beef Wellington
Making mini beef wellingtons for each guest means you can cook the beef exactly to everyone’s taste — or make them just for the meat eaters and add a vegetarian wellington alongside for anyone who prefers it. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted parsnips, braised red cabbage and a rich red wine sauce.
Top tip: make more than you think you’ll need — everyone will be back for seconds.
#3. Jamie Oliver’s Best Ever Cranberry & Pistachio Nut Roast
For some households, Christmas dinner has to include a nut roast. This recipe from Jamie Oliver combines mushrooms, rice and nuts with a sticky cranberry glaze for a cranberry and pistachio nut roast that’s worthy of any Christmas table.
#4. Venison Steaks with a Cranberry Cumberland Sauce
Venison is a leaner alternative to beef, and this recipe from Coopershill uses orange and lemon zest with cranberries for a festive twist.
Best of all, the sauce can be made days ahead, and the venison steaks themselves only need 3 to 6 minutes to cook. Serve with brussels sprouts, mange tout, French beans, caramelised baby onions, braised red cabbage and mashed, jacket potatoes or croquettes.
#5. Mini Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
Image from Bev Cooks
Topped with baby purple potatoes and filled with lentils, kale, carrots and mushrooms, these mini vegetarian shepherd’s pies from Bev Cooks are sure to win over meat eaters and vegetarians alike.
#6. Caramelised Sea Scallops with Roasted Chestnut Butter Sauce
The taste of Christmas comes through in the use of thyme in this recipe for caramelised sea scallops with roasted chestnut butter sauce.
Scallops are a luxurious treat, so cook them gently to keep them tender rather than tough.
#7. Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
One Green Planet has a delicious recipe for vegan mushroom stroganoff — classic comfort food that would make an excellent centrepiece for an alternative Christmas dinner. It can also be made gluten free.
#8. Duck with Madeira Sauce and Braised Red Cabbage
This dish usually works well with Barbary duck breasts, but for a full Christmas dinner you could roast a whole duck instead. Make double the quantity of Madeira sauce — it doesn’t keep, but it will all be used up on the day.
Lift the duck off the bottom of the roasting tray using a wire rack, and place your roast potatoes and parsnips underneath so they cook in the juices. Serve with braised red cabbage and broccoli or brussels sprouts.
Do you have an alternative Christmas dinner idea of your own? Share it with us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to choose just one alternative to turkey?
Not at all. Many families mix and match — for example, a beef wellington for meat eaters alongside a nut roast or mushroom stroganoff for vegetarians and vegans at the same table.
What sides work well with these alternative mains?
Classic Christmas sides suit almost all of these dishes — think roast potatoes, braised red cabbage, glazed carrots, roasted parsnips and creamy mash. Pick two or three sides that complement the main you’ve chosen.
Can I make an alternative Christmas dinner vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. The nut roast, mushroom stroganoff and vegetarian shepherd’s pie in this list are all naturally vegetarian, and the stroganoff and shepherd’s pie can be adapted for vegan diets with simple swaps.
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Browse our full collection of Christmas recipes for more festive dinner inspiration, and save this page so you have it handy when you’re planning the big day.
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