Find out whether Yorkshire Puddings actually belong in Christmas dinner or not

Christmas is a wonderful time for a whole range of reasons. Spending time with loved ones, exchanging gifts and various other holiday traditions bring joy to the festive season.

But the thought of all the delicious food that awaits us on Christmas Day gets most of us more excited than anything else.

A traditional Christmas dinner menu in the UK varies from region to region and, even, from household to household. However, there is a general list of common items that a Christmas dinner is truly incomplete without.

Of course, there are also some items on the menu, like Yorkshire Puddings, that are definitely subject to debate. So, settling a controversial debate, here's what's in a traditional Christmas dinner.

Turkey

Turkey is the most popular meat and, quite often, the star of Christmas dinner. Usually, the main course dish that most go for, carving into a juicy roast turkey flavoured with garnishings and sauces really makes your Christmas meal.

Though turkey is the main course of choice in the UK, other popular meat dishes also include ham or roast beef.

Roast Potatoes

Despite not being a particularly festive food, you can’t possibly have Christmas dinner without roast potatoes.

There's little that is quite as divine as a scoop of golden-brown roasted potatoes slathered in goose fat or olive oil, along with herbs such as parsley and thyme, and a smattering of salt and pepper.

Pigs in Blankets

Pigs in blankets are an absolutely crucial part of a British Christmas dinner! These small sausages, wrapped in bacon, often come to the table surrounding the turkey. In Scotland, these are called kilted sausages.

Brussels sprouts

Now, these slightly bitter and pungent veggies may not be quite as loved as the potatoes, but Brussels sprouts are often a key part of a traditional British Christmas dinner.

They are usually served either steamed, or sometimes fried up with bacon, and can usually be found on the table on Christmas.

Gravy

Gravy is a sauce that’s made from the drippings of the turkey when its cooked in the oven, but families tend to have their own recipes they adhere to.

These drippings are mixed with wheat flour to make it thicker and seasoned with salt and pepper before dousing your meal in it.

Cranberry Sauce

Another popular sauce, that’s also common at Thanksgiving in the US, is cranberry sauce. Made from cranberries, the sour sauce adds some punchy flavour to your turkey and stuffing, especially if there’s also gravy.

Stuffing

Herb stuffing is the most traditional choice in Britain for Christmas, and it’s made with large quantities of rosemary or thyme added to a mixture of onions, breadcrumbs and butter. Another popular choice for stuffing at Christmas dinner is sage and onion.

Stuffing is a versatile addition to the spread as it can be served inside the turkey or as a side dish.

Christmas Pudding

A festive dessert made from dried fruit that is normally served with brandy butter, Christmas pudding is the most traditional and popular choice at Christmas.

Sometimes, the pudding is made from figs and is called a "figgy pudding." People often spend months preparing homemade Christmas puddings, regularly adding more booze to it every few weeks in the lead-up.

Mince Pies

Mince pies are often small, flavourful pies are filled with fruits such as raisins, cranberries, and sultanas, as well as chopped nuts and spices such as cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg.

Usually dusted with icing sugar and served with tea, mince pies are the perfect end to a scrumptious Christmas dinner.

Are Yorkshire puddings part of Christmas dinner?

Now for the most controversial part of the Christmas dinner conversation – whether Yorkshire puddings should be part of the traditional Christmas spread or not.

The argument in favour of having Yorkshire puddings with Christmas dinner

Yorkshire puddings which are made from a batter of eggs, milk, and flour to be eaten with turkey. Christmas dinners are a meal of indulgence, and if there's ever a day to indulge in baked batter for dinner, it's Christmas!

So though its more traditionally served with roast beef, it's definitely worth having a Yorkshire pudding on your table at Christmas.

The argument against having Yorkshire puddings with Christmas dinner

Christmas is meant for tradition, and Yorkshire puddings which are traditionally served with roast beef dinners are not meant to be eaten with turkey. And so, surely its not meant to be part of a traditional Christmas meal

Besides you've got enough carbs at the table with roast potatoes, stuffing and bread sauce. You don't need the Yorkshire puddings!

So, while you can choose to have scrumptious pillowy Yorkshire Puddings with your Christmas dinner, it is not a traditional accompaniment to the festive meal.

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