Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 12:27 am
A study of 2,000 Brits revealed 58 per cent of consider roasted spuds to be the superior part of the plate, followed by roast turkey, which won 43 per cent of the vote.
Pigs in blankets came in a close third, while even Brussels sprouts managed to beat parsnips, cauliflower cheese and carrots in the tastiness ratings, according to 17 per cent of adults.
The stats, from McCain’s ‘Nation’s Conversation’s report, also found that despite being a side typically served with beef, one in five agreed Yorkshire puddings are a firm favourite when it comes to Christmas dinner.
But while eight in 10 will have a traditional Christmas dinner of a roast with all the trimmings, some will opt for pie and chips (two per cent) or even fish and chips (two per cent).
It also emerged the typical Christmas dinner plate will contain three slices of turkey, four sprouts and four roasties, as well as parsnips, pigs in blankets and Yorkshire puds – two of each.
But Brits are still conflicted by the infamous Brussels sprout, with nearly a third (29 per cent) citing them as their least favourite part of a Christmas dinner.
Mark Hodge from McCain, said: “For many, Christmas dinner is one of the biggest events of the year, a chance to catch up and celebrate around the dinner table with friends and family alike.
“Our latest findings, as part of our Nation’s Conversations research, has also shown the differences in people’s preferences over the favourite part of the festive dinner plate.
“And although it’s not really that different to a typical Sunday roast the Christmas menu gives people culinary licence to include sides you might not typically have, indulging in their favourite spuds and all the trimmings.
“And why wouldn’t you? It’s truly a time of year to feast and be merry.”
The study also found as many as seven in 10 will stuff themselves more than usual on the 25th December.
Almost six in 10 will treat themselves to ‘seconds’ during their festive roast, with turkey, gravy and stuffing among the foods they’re most likely to have another helping of.
In fact, the nation struggle so hard to resist their festive feast that of those who are usually opposed to eating meat, a third will make exceptions and eat meat-based products, such as gravy or goose fat roasties, on the big day.
It also emerged a prawn cocktail is the most popular choice for a Christmas Day starter according to 28 per cent of those polled, while a fifth typically opt for smoked salmon.
And British families will spend just shy of £70 for their Christmas dinner, and slave over a hot stove for four hours.
More than one in 10 will even make two alternatives of the festive roast to cater for picky eaters, their children’s tastes, or vegetarian guests.
A quarter of Brits’ Christmas meals will be cooked by their mum, with just eight per cent of dads mucking in.
Nearly two-thirds will be joined by their partner during Christmas dinner, with 39 per cent accompanied by their mum and 29 per cent by dad.
Just 16 per cent will be graced with the presence of their in-laws.
With roast potatoes being the preferred part of the plate, the study also uncovered exactly how the nation likes them, with just under three quarters of those polled, via OnePoll, (73 per cent) favouring a crispy roastie.
A third like them fluffy, with one in 10 wanting their spud served ‘soft’ and 18 per cent opting for roast potatoes cooked in meat fat.
Top 10 best part of the Christmas dinner:
1. Roast potatoes (58 per cent)
2. Roast turkey (43 per cent)
3. Pigs in blankets (43 per cent)
4. Stuffing (23 per cent)
5. Gravy (21 per cent)
6. Yorkshire pudding (20 per cent)
7. Sprouts (17 per cent)
8. Parsnips (14 per cent)
9. Christmas pudding (11 per cent)
10. Cauliflower cheese (8 per cent)
