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Roast potatoes reign supreme, ketchup is creeping in, and 14% of Londoners say chicken nuggets belong on the plate
Planning your Christmas dinner? According to instantprint’s latest nationwide survey, your festive menu might not be as traditional as you think.
In November 2025, we asked 2,000 UK adults what makes the perfect Christmas dinner, from mains and sides to sauces, surprises and price tags. The results paint a picture of a nation still loyal to its roasties, but increasingly experimental when it comes to condiments, carbs and Christmas Day curveballs.
What’s on the nation’s plate this year?
The humble roast potato is still top of the table, with 69% of Brits naming it the most essential part of their festive meal. Turkey holds steady in second place at 51%, followed by stuffing, pigs in blankets and gravy.
But alongside the classics, some more unexpected favourites have snuck onto this year’s list, with 8% of Brits claiming chicken nuggets are a valid Christmas side.
The UK’s Top 10 Christmas Dinner Items for 2025:
1. Roast Potatoes - 69%
2. Turkey - 51%
3. Stuffing - 48%
4. Pigs in Blankets - 46%
5. Gravy - 44%
6. Yorkshire Puddings - 41%
7. Carrots - 38%
8. Parsnips - 36%
9. Cranberry Sauce - 29%
10. Brussels Sprouts - 27%
“More mash, less meat?” The shift towards carbs and comfort
This year’s data suggests the British public is leaning into nostalgia and feel good favourites. Only 1 in 5 under 30s said turkey was their most important dish, with many preferring pigs in blankets, mash or Yorkshire puddings as their centrepiece.
In fact, 19% of Gen Z diners say they would happily skip meat altogether if the side dishes are strong enough.
Ketchup on Christmas dinner? You’re not alone
The most controversial condiment award goes to ketchup, with 11% of Brits saying it deserves a spot on the festive plate. In London, that number jumps to 17%, making it more popular than cranberry sauce among under 25s in the capital.
Other wildcard sauces include sweet chilli (6%), garlic mayo (4%) and a few brave souls (2%) voting for BBQ dip.
“A side of nugs please”: Nuggets and toast crash the Christmas table
While most of the nation sticks to tradition, some wildcard entries caused festive uproar.
• 14% of Londoners include chicken nuggets on their Christmas dinner
• 7% of UK households say a slice of toast features on their plate
• 9% of men admit to adding chips as a key component
• 4% nationwide say they’ve served baked beans on the big day
Regional flavours and foodie favourites
• Leeds is officially the most Yorkshire pudding-obsessed city, with 61% voting them essential
• Glasgow is the sprout capital of the UK, with 35% backing them over parsnips
• Bristol and Brighton are the most plant-based friendly, with 1 in 4 opting for nut roast as their main
Will Christmas dinner cost more this year?
Not necessarily. Despite rising food prices, only 29% of Brits say they plan to spend more on food than they did in 2024. The majority are aiming to keep their meal under £35 for four people.
Our pricing analysis shows you can still build the UK’s “Ultimate Christmas Dinner” for under £30 at several major supermarkets - including turkey, trimmings and pudding.
| Item | Aldi | Tesco | Asda | Sainsbury's | Waitrose | Morrisons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roast Potatoes | £1.09 | £1.30 | £0.94 | £1.50 | £1.60 | £3.00 |
| Turkey | £12.99 | £16.50 | £16.01 | £15.75 | £20.00 | £13.50 |
| Gravy | £1.09 | £0.45 | £0.69 | £0.40 | £1.00 | £0.73 |
| Sprouts | £0.95 | £0.95 | £1.00 | £1.00 | £0.75 | £1.00 |
| Stuffing | £0.45 | £0.45 | £0.30 | £0.45 | £1.45 | £0.55 |
| Carrots | £0.69 | £0.55 | £0.69 | £0.55 | £0.70 | £0.55 |
| Pigs in Blankets | £2.19 | £3.00 | £2.78 | £3.50 | £5.25 | £2.75 |
| Yorkshire Puddings | £0.99 | £1.40 | £1.06 | £1.75 | £1.50 | £0.99 |
| Parsnips | £0.74 | £0.55 | £0.74 | £0.74 | £0.80 | £0.55 |
| Cranberry Sauce | £0.49 | £0.49 | £0.55 | £0.69 | £1.50 | £1.25 |
| Total | £21.67 | £25.64 | £24.76 | £26.33 | £34.55 | £24.87 |
| Average | £26.44 | |||||
The calorie question: Do we care?
When asked about the growing trend of calorie labelling on restaurant menus, 39% of UK adults say they’d rather not see calories on festive food, especially in December.
While 21% admitted it makes them think twice about what they eat, almost half (48%) said calories “don’t count at Christmas” and won’t change their habits.
Craig Wassell, Marketing Manager at instantprint, said:
“This year’s results show that Christmas dinner is no longer one-size-fits-all. While roast potatoes still lead the charge, we’re seeing more personality and playfulness on people’s plates. From ketchup to chicken nuggets, the festive meal is becoming more about comfort and custom than tradition”
How to win Christmas dinner in 2025:
• Keep roast potatoes at the heart of your plate
• Don’t underestimate the power of pigs in blankets
• If you’re feeling bold, test the waters with a wildcard side - but maybe check who’s coming first
• And whatever you serve, just remember - it’s about the people around the table, not just what’s on it
Because whether you’re all-in on tradition or Team Toast and Ketchup, there’s no wrong way to do Christmas dinner… unless you forget the gravy.
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