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Move over cranberry sauce...

  • December 10th 2025
  • Category: Food

Move over cranberry sauce - chips, baked beans and salad crash the nation’s Christmas dinners

This Christmas, the nation’s plates are facing new trends as millions of Brits boldly break from tradition.

According to a survey by Audley Villages, 5.3 million Brits will be dishing up chips alongside their turkey, while 2.9 million will add baked beans into the festive mix. Even salads are stealing a spot on the plate, with a staggering six million people opting for a greener Christmas. 

Turning to condiments, BBQ sauce (7%) and curry sauce (6%) are unexpected additions to a festive feast. One in ten (10%) people will also serve up chicken nuggets, while one in 20 (5%) will dish up fish fingers. 

Dubbed the “Christmas Dinner Sinners”

these culinary rule-breakers are rewriting the rules of the classic festive feast. Whether loved or laughed at, these bold additions are sparking conversation around the nation’s dining tables and redefining what it means to celebrate Christmas the traditional way.

However, the classics are still holding strong, with more than half (52%) of people enjoying a Yorkshire pudding with their Christmas lunch. It’s Brighton that is crowned as the most Yorkshire-loving city with 66% adding one to their plate. Glasgow takes the spot as the least-Yorkshire-loving city with only 36% enjoying one at Christmas. 

What about the traditional Christmas dinner? According to Audley Villages, almost a third (30%) of Brits say they love every part of a Christmas feast and simply can’t pick the ‘worst’ part. One in seven (15%) admit they’re not fans of Brussels sprouts while roast potatoes remain the nation’s undisputed ‘festive hero’, with just 1% naming them the worst part of the meal.

Other festive favourites include carrots (99%), gravy (99%) and stuffing (97%) as standout essentials on the Christmas plate.

Alistaire Eckles, Head Chef at Audley Sunningdale Park in Ascot commented

,

Move over cranberry sauce - chips, baked beans and salad crash the nation’s Christmas dinners

This Christmas, the nation’s plates are facing new trends as millions of Brits boldly break from tradition.

According to a survey by Audley Villages, 5.3 million Brits will be dishing up chips alongside their turkey, while 2.9 million will add baked beans into the festive mix. Even salads are stealing a spot on the plate, with a staggering six million people opting for a greener Christmas. 

Turning to condiments, BBQ sauce (7%) and curry sauce (6%) are unexpected additions to a festive feast. One in ten (10%) people will also serve up chicken nuggets, while one in 20 (5%) will dish up fish fingers. 

Dubbed the “Christmas Dinner Sinners”

these culinary rule-breakers are rewriting the rules of the classic festive feast. Whether loved or laughed at, these bold additions are sparking conversation around the nation’s dining tables and redefining what it means to celebrate Christmas the traditional way.

However, the classics are still holding strong, with more than half (52%) of people enjoying a Yorkshire pudding with their Christmas lunch. It’s Brighton that is crowned as the most Yorkshire-loving city with 66% adding one to their plate. Glasgow takes the spot as the least-Yorkshire-loving city with only 36% enjoying one at Christmas. 

What about the traditional Christmas dinner? According to Audley Villages, almost a third (30%) of Brits say they love every part of a Christmas feast and simply can’t pick the ‘worst’ part. One in seven (15%) admit they’re not fans of Brussels sprouts while roast potatoes remain the nation’s undisputed ‘festive hero’, with just 1% naming them the worst part of the meal.

Other festive favourites include carrots (99%), gravy (99%) and stuffing (97%) as standout essentials on the Christmas plate.

Alistaire Eckles, Head Chef at Audley Sunningdale Park in Ascot commented

,
Four chefs in white uniforms stand in a commercial kitchen, smiling.

"Your Christmas dinner might look a little different this year with baked beans, chips and salads all making their way onto the nation's festive plate. I’m surprised to hear that some diners are even tempted by a dollop of BBQ or curry sauce on their turkey, shunning traditional favourites like cranberry and bread sauce.

I love to experiment with flavours and ingredients and why should Christmas dinner be any different. While traditions chop and change, the most important thing is getting together with loved ones. You might just have to ignore the baked beans!"

,
Four chefs in white uniforms stand in a commercial kitchen, smiling.

"Your Christmas dinner might look a little different this year with baked beans, chips and salads all making their way onto the nation's festive plate. I’m surprised to hear that some diners are even tempted by a dollop of BBQ or curry sauce on their turkey, shunning traditional favourites like cranberry and bread sauce.

,

I love to experiment with flavours and ingredients and why should Christmas dinner be any different. While traditions chop and change, the most important thing is getting together with loved ones. You might just have to ignore the baked beans!"

,

Methodology

1 - The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,241 UK general consumers of which 1,000 aged over 55 years old. The data was collected between 03.12.2025 - 08.12.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

2 - There are approx. 54 million adults in the UK as of 2025. 9.9% of those surveyed have chips on their Christmas dinner which equates to 5.3 million. 5.33% have baked beans which equates to 2.9 million and 11.08% have salad which equates to 6 million people. 

Press enquiries:
For more information or spokespeople for Audley Group contact audley@vccproar.com

About Audley Group
Audley Group is a specialist retirement housing provider which acquires sites, develops and then operates retirement villages. The Group has two brands: Audley Villages, founded in 1991 and aimed at the luxury end of the market, and Mayfield Villages, a proposition with broader appeal. Audley Group now owns a portfolio of 21 villages across the country.

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Methodology

1 - The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,241 UK general consumers of which 1,000 aged over 55 years old. The data was collected between 03.12.2025 - 08.12.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

2 - There are approx. 54 million adults in the UK as of 2025. 9.9% of those surveyed have chips on their Christmas dinner which equates to 5.3 million. 5.33% have baked beans which equates to 2.9 million and 11.08% have salad which equates to 6 million people. 

Press enquiries:
For more information or spokespeople for Audley Group contact audley@vccproar.com

About Audley Group
Audley Group is a specialist retirement housing provider which acquires sites, develops and then operates retirement villages. The Group has two brands: Audley Villages, founded in 1991 and aimed at the luxury end of the market, and Mayfield Villages, a proposition with broader appeal. Audley Group now owns a portfolio of 21 villages across the country.