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Christmas main courses that aren't turkey

Christmas main courses that aren't turkey

Turkey isn’t the only star of the festive table. If you’re looking for Christmas main courses that aren’t turkey, we’ve got you covered.

These Christmas main courses include alternative roasts like goose, budget-friendly Christmas chicken and classic roast beef. Slow-roast lamb and pork with golden crackling also make impressive Christmas mains. There’s festive favourites like beef wellington and salmon en croute, plus some vegetarian and vegan options. Merry Christmas!

Our Glow Up mini recipes, including a luscious sage and nutmeg garlic butter to rub under the turkey’s skin or toss with veg, are a great way to jazz up your festive feasting too.

Showing 1-16 of 32 recipes

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Wellingtons

Best-of-the-best beef wellington

Want to show off your cookery skills? Try our best-of-the-best beef wellington recipe for the ultimate take on this culinary classic.

Make-ahead

Medium

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Christmas fish

Roast trout with clementine, ginger, spring onion and herbs

Fancy an alternative to all those heavy festive mains? Try this spectacular whole roast trout, served with a crisp and bright winter salad.

Dairy-free Gluten-free

Easy

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Lamb shanks

Curried lamb shanks with roast potatoes and red cabbage

Food writer Lara Luck's curried lamb shanks make a wonderful alternative to a classic roast, served with golden roasties and red cabbage.

Dairy-free

Easy

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Alternative Christmas roast

Roast guinea fowl with fennel, shallot and white wine sauce

Guinea fowl with thyme butter, bacon and a rich white wine sauce to serve four: a special roast for a smaller gathering.

Gluten-free

Medium

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Alternative Christmas roast

Pernil (Puerto Rican slow-roasted pork)

Pernil is Puerto Rican slow-roasted pork with tender meat and crispy crackling, often served at Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Dairy-free Gluten-free

Easy

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Alternative Christmas roast

Brioche and thyme butter-stuffed chicken crown

Chicken crown, slathered in butter and whizzed up with thyme and brioche, makes an incredible Christmas main for four. Who needs turkey?

Easy

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Easy whole fish

Roast turbot with leeks, tarragon and riesling

Celebrate Christmas or a special family gathering with roast turbot. Mitch Tonk’s whole fish is incredibly quick to cook and has a firm, rich, meaty texture.

Gluten-free

Easy

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Christmas mains that aren't turkey

Venison wellington

Venison wellington makes a fabulous alternative to Christmas turkey. Try this prep-ahead recipe from top chefs, Chris and Jeff Galvin.

Easy

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Alternative Christmas roast

Marmalade porchetta with salsa verde

Cherie Denhamputs a British spin on slow-roast porchetta. The citrussy sweetness in the marmalade works wonders with the punchy salsa verde.

Dairy-free Gluten-free

Easy

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Easy vegan

Nut roast balls, onion gravy and greens

Clodagh McKenna's nut roast balls with onion gravy and greens makes a fantastic vegan alternative to roast dinner or a simple Christmas lunch.

Dairy-free Vegan

Easy

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Duck

Michel Roux Jr’s roast duck with spiced pears

Michel Roux Jr's Christmas roast duck with spiced pears makes a decadent festive meal for two. The meat is tender and skin crisp.

Gluten-free

Easy

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Vegetarian Christmas dinners

Porcini mushroom and vegetable nut roast

Forget those uninspiring veggie offerings of Christmases past – this updated porcini mushoom and vegetable nut roast is so satisfying.

Vegetarian

Easy

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Christmas dinners

Beef wellington with spinach and chestnut mushrooms

Once you’ve tasted our beef wellington with spinach, with its melt-in-the-mouth meat and crisp, buttery pastry, you’re hooked.

Medium

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Pies

Venison, onion and red wine pie

A pie with real body; Gill Meller cooks the onions slowly until they collapse into a thick jam before adding the venison to achieve slow-cooked perfection.

Easy

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Roast chicken

Roast stuffed chicken with mustard fruits and green sauce

This roast stuffed chicken is full of vibrant festive flavours, with a sweet-spicy accompaniment of mustard-preserved fruit taking it to the next level.