Just imagine this: a platter of perfectly cooked Christmas turkey, accompanied by stuffing, roasted potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce. You’ve got yourself a mouth-watering spread to share with family and friends. The description itself likely conjures up memories of a similar scene. You’ve had it every year for as long as you can remember – for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Isn’t it time for a change? Try something new for Christmas dinner this holiday season by considering alternatives that go over and above the yearly bird.

Even the Grinch loves a good roast beast beef

Hear me out: what about a delicious roast beef tenderloin? Depending on how you and your guests like red meat cooked, it could take less than an hour to get this dish from oven to table. Imagine spending your morning watching Christmas movies with loved ones instead of rolling up your sleeves in the kitchen in preparation for visitors. Elevate the dish by serving it in a sumptuous Cab Sauv sauce with butter, rosemary, beef broth and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Glazed ham isn’t just for Easter

Glazed ham is an underrated British classic that’s sure to garner oohs and ahhs at the table. Score the top of the ham to allow the glaze to seep into its core. It cooks in about a third of the time it would take for turkey, so you’ll regain a couple more hours to wake up with a hot coffee and open gifts with your family in your pajamas.

An everyday staple with a holiday twist

Chicken breasts in a creamy cranberry sauce is the perfect marriage between comfort and Christmas. The cream and horseradish in this dish give the meat tons of flavour. Garnish with sautéed cranberries and sprigs of rosemary for an added festive flare. Ready in under an hour, this plate is sure to please without requiring too much prepping, cooking and carving.

Turkey is delicious! We’ve been having it every year for Christmas dinner for a reason, after all. However, we also love so many different types of foods and trying new recipes, so why not savour them with your favourite people in the world? Win back a few magical moments on Christmas Day by whipping up one of these seasonal must-haves.