Vegetarian alternatives are the main for 8% of Christmas dinners, but are more popular among the young (13% of 18-24-year olds versus 7% of over 65s). Meat free substitutes are also more favoured by women (12%) than men (5%).
Other meats had at Christmas time but less popular include beef (7%), lamb (3%), pork (3%). The other birds come in last with goose and duck only featuring in 2% and 1% of Christmas meals respectively.
When it comes to sides, the humble yet crisp roast potato reigns supreme. Last year roast potatoes defeated pigs in blankets to be crowned the single best Christmas food in a knock-out style competition, unsurprising given that 88% of Britons will have them as part of their typical Christmas lunch, the most popular element overall.
Gravy is a close second, featuring on eight out of ten (80%) of Christmas dinners, vastly outcompeting other condiments such as cranberry sauce (41%), bread sauce (15%) and ketchup (2%).
Of the vegetables, carrots are the second most common sight on a Christmas dinner (74%) however, only 65% of Britons previously picked out carrots for their ideal Christmas dinner, meaning around 9% of the population could be begrudgingly eating carrots this year and dreaming of something else.
Dining and Cooking