How to choose your Christmas turkey

Whether you’re feeding a crowd this Christmas or your dinner table is a little cosier, Tom Kerridge is here to help you find a showstopping centrepiece. Read his guide to choosing your turkey, then pre-order using our delicious, hassle-free Christmas Food to Order service.

M&S Chef Ambassador

Tom Kerridge

Tom Kerridge's guide to choosing your Christmas turkey

Whether you're keeping it traditional with a whole bird or searching for something that's completely stress-free, we've got you covered with the perfect-every-time turkeys in this year’s Christmas Food to Order range. To help you find your perfect Christmas centrepiece, chef Tom Kerridge is on hand to share his failsafe tips. Whatever you go for, all our turkeys are 100% British, RSPCA Assured and sourced from trusted M&S Select Farms.

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Whole turkeys

“A whole bird gives your guests a choice of juicy turkey breast meat, crispy legs or fall-off-the-bone wing meat,” says Tom. “Plus, it’s great for leftovers like soup or curry come Boxing Day.” For something very special, try our Collection Free-range Pembrokeshire Heritage Blue Turkey. These slow-grown birds forage on lush Pembrokeshire landscapes, creating fat-marbled meat with a hint of natural sweetness. The skin crisps up a treat, too.

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Turkey crowns

Want to spend less time in the kitchen, and something that’s easier to carve? “Try a turkey crown,” says Tom. “Crowns don’t need to be cooked for as long as a whole turkey – plus, they’re compact, which is great if you’re pushed for oven space. Crowns are ideal if everyone you’re feeding prefers that lighter-tasting white breast meat.” The ultimate fuss-free, perfect-every-time crown? Our Collection Oakham Slow Cooked Turkey Crown with Pork and Italian Chestnut Stuffing. It’s buttermilk-brined and expertly slow-cooked for hours, so you don’t have to. Simply finish in the oven for tender, juicy meat every time.

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Tukey joints

Expertly prepared by our skilful butchers, boneless turkey joints are the ultimate convenience. “If you don’t want to spend ages carving, these are a winner,” says Tom. “Layer in even more flavour by opting for a stuffed bird. Try our Oakham Stuffed Turkey Breast Joint, which comes filled with a flavour-packed pork, sage and onion stuffing, or our Slow Cooked Oakham Turkey Joint, hand-prepared by our butchers before being cooked sous vide to retain its naturally rich flavours.

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Fuss-free turkeys

“M&S have done the hard work for you with slow-cooked, expertly prepared options that take the stress out of the big day,” says Tom. For the ultimate no-fuss festive feast, opt for our Collection Slow Cooked Oakham Turkey and Trimmings. This box includes a tender British turkey joint stuffed with pork and Italian chestnuts and wrapped in bacon, plus sous vide carrots, spiced cabbage, pigs in blankets, and turkey gravy – all cooked to perfection in one hour.

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Flavour-packed vegetarian centrepieces

Make sure there are no afterthoughts when it comes to the veggies and vegans this Christmas by choosing a pull-out-all-the-stops meat-free centrepiece. Try our Plant Kitchen No Turkey Crown, made with succulent pea protein, filled with a rich mushroom, sage and onion stuffing and topped with a vegan garlic and sage melt.

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Alternative birds

“Whether you’re feeding a crowd and want something to serve alongside, or just fancy something different, some British duck is a proper festive treat,” says Tom. Try our Collection Easy Carve Duck, which is ridiculously tender meat stuffed with pork, fragrant cherries and Italian chestnuts.

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Epic turkey pies

Don’t save tucking into turkey for the main event. “I always make space on my festive table for a turkey pie, whether for a Boxing Day feast or a Christmas Eve party treat,” says Tom. Our Collection Handcrafted Turkey, Bacon and Stuffing Pork Pie is made by bakers in Melton Mowbray who’ve been crafting the very best pies since 1824. This pie combines British outdoor-bred turkey with smoked bacon, cranberries and hot water crust pastry.

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