The Ultimate Christmas Dinner Survey
Published 09.14am on 12 December 2024 by Matthew Banks
Christmas dinner is the culinary climax of the year, a time when tables creak under the weight of food, and families gather to enjoy (and argue about) the favourite bits of their festive feast. From traditional turkey to the surprise appearance of baked beans, here’s what our survey revealed about how the nation eats on Christmas Day.
Key Findings
- Turkey’s Losing its Crown: Only 58% of Brits now eat turkey at Christmas.
- Roasties Reign Supreme: The humble roast potato is the UK’s favourite Christmas trimming, with 85% of Brits going for roasties this Christmas.
- Yorkshire Puddings Divide The Nation: Exactly 50% of Brits have Yorkshire puddings on their plate.
- Baked Beans and Chips?!: 5% of Brits—around 3.5 million people—will be tucking into chips on Christmas day, while 1.2 million (2%) will be having baked beans. In London, those numbers rise to 18% having chips and 9% having beans.
- Dessert favourites: Christmas pudding leads the nation (44%), but classics like trifle (20%) and cheese (18%) are also festive favourites.
- London bucks the trend: Only 52.6% of Londoners will be having gravy this Christmas, far below the national average of 81%, and only 47% will include stuffing on their plate, compared to the national average of 71%.
Is Turkey Losing Its Crown?
Ah, turkey. The undisputed king of Christmas… or is it? Only 58% of Brits now include turkey on their festive plates, suggesting that the bird’s iron grip on the holiday table might be slipping. In London, just 53.9% are sticking with tradition. Beef is the UK’s second favourite meat option at Christmas at 24%.
Meanwhile, alternatives like chicken are making waves in the capital, with 38.8% choosing it as their main event, compared to 23% nationwide. Nut roasts are also on the rise, with 14.1% of Londoners opting for this plant-based alternative—more than double the uptake in Northern regions.
It’s no secret that the Welsh love their lamb, and 17% of people there love it so much that they have it on Christmas day, compared to just 9% in both England and Scotland.
A Nation Divided Over Trimmings
When it comes to the sides, the UK shows a patchwork of tastes and traditions. Yorkshire puddings, for instance, spark fierce debate. Literally half the nation (49.99%) includes them on Christmas Day, but they’re a more common sight in the North (57.2%) than in London (38.5%). Similarly, gravy—essential for soaking up every last bite—is adored by 81% of the nation, compared to just 52.6% in the capital.
Roast potatoes, however, unite the nation. Well, almost. With 85% of Brits enjoying them, it’s shocking to discover that 15% are skipping them altogether. Even more surprising? 5% of Brits—around 3.5 million people—are tucking into chips instead. London leads the charge here, with 18% of respondents opting for fries. Baked beans are another curious addition, with 9% of Londoners including them on their plate.
Pigs in Blankets and the Mash Divide
Pigs in blankets are another regionally divisive addition. While 64.9% of Northerners wouldn’t dream of a Christmas dinner without them, only 38.6% of Londoners feel the same. And then there’s mashed potatoes. Comforting, creamy, and perfect for gravy, mash is a Northern favourite, with 49% of Northern respondents including it. In the capital, however, it’s a different story, where just 17.5% bother with mash.
Capital Controversies
Londoners are certainly shaking up Christmas dinner traditions. Alongside their baked beans and chips, 20% add mayonnaise, 19% have fish as their main event, and 18% slather ketchup on their plates. And stuffing? Only 47% of Londoners are including it—far below the national average of 71%. London also leads the way with Asparagus with 13%, compared to 3% in the rest of the country. It’s clear that the capital has its own ideas about what makes a festive feast.
Cranberry the King of the Christmas Condiments
Cranberry sauce is an ultimate Christmas classic. Whether slathered over turkey, paired with stuffing, or mingling with roast potatoes, it’s a winner. It’s no surprise then that it’s the UK’s most popular Christmas condiment, appearing on 44% of plates across the country. 28% of Brits have no sauce at all, while 19% have the old favourite Bread Sauce. Shockingly, 11% of Brits will be having mustard with their Christmas Dinner this year.
Sweet (and Savoury) Endings
When it’s time for dessert, Christmas pudding reigns supreme. It is enjoyed by 44% of people in the UK at Christmas. The nation’s second most popular dessert is the classic British trifle with 20%, while 18% opt against the sweets and finish their Christmas meal with cheese.
The Brussels Sprouts Debate
No Christmas dinner conversation is complete without mentioning Brussels sprouts. Love them or hate them, 66% of Brits still tuck into them on Christmas day. Sprouts are a firm favourite in the North (72%) but are less adored in the South (63%). Wherever you stand on the sprout spectrum, they remain a quintessential part of the Christmas plate.
Scotland Avoiding the Veg
When it comes to vegetables, Scotland is taking a minimalist approach this Christmas. Across key festive favourites like broccoli, parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and red cabbage, just 38% of Scots are loading up on their veg. In contrast, 66% of Welsh respondents and 56% of those in England are closer to their five-a-day on the 25th.
Methodology
This survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Slotswise. It gathered data from a sample of 1,000 adults in the UK, representative of the national population by age, gender, socioeconomic status, and region.
The survey explored Christmas Day meal preferences and the data was collected online using YouGov’s panel in November 2024, with weighting applied to ensure representativeness.
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