Every year more and more people bring out innovative ways to cook and season your turkey for Christmas. From stuffing with citrus fruits and herbs to adding a spicy twist, there are so many ways you can make an impression during your Christmas dinner. However, if you’re stuck for ideas, we’ve compiled a list of the top turkey cooking trends for 2024.

Why is the Christmas turkey important?

The Christmas turkey is the centrepiece of the Christmas Day dinner. It’s been a long-standing tradition that has evolved with modern cooking. When turkeys originally became popular in Britain in the 1500s-1800s, they were prepared in a variety of ways, such as boiled with other vegetables, stuffed with forcemeat, or made into a pie. Nowadays, there are hundreds of different recipes for you to get creative and ensure a truly special Christmas dinner.

Turkey trends 2024

Flavour-infused turkey

Some say it’s not Christmas without a turkey, but it’s not always everyone’s favourite meat. That’s why, in 2024, people are being brave with brand new brine flavours. For example, glazes made from maple and mustard add sweetness and a kick for a hearty and intense flavour, whilst serving your turkey wrapped in bacon makes an all-in-one main that’s sure to impress your guests. You can even draw inspiration from across the globe with an Asian fusion flavoured brine or add lemon and garlic with oregano for a Mediterranean twist.

This year, try experimenting with bold flavours to mix things up, such as:

• Paprika, garlic, bay, and peppercorn
• Sage and apple with cider gravy
• Thyme and sherry
• Maple and clementine
• Honey glazed
• Soy-ginger glazed

You don’t need to be too bold with the flavours, but adding something different is sure to make your Christmas dinner even more memorable.

Alternative cooking methods

Much like experimenting with seasonings, people are starting to explore a variety of cooking methods to bring something fresh to the table – literally – or simply streamline their Christmas dinner prep.

Air fryer

Innovative techniques are gaining traction, and one of the most popular is the air fryer. These appliances can handle just about anything, Christmas turkey included!

Smaller cuts of turkey like the crown are well suited to the air fryer. Simply season them to your liking, pop them in the air fryer and let it work its magic. Not only does this method save time, but it also frees up valuable oven space for all your trimmings.

Sous vide

Another cooking method that’s becoming more popular is sous vide cooking. This cooking method involves vacuum sealing your meat and immersing it in warm water with regulated water temperature to cook the meat to the exact temperature of the water.

Within this bag, you can include a range of herbs and spices for a perfectly cooked, delicious Christmas turkey. This method works with smaller cuts such as crowns or breasts.

Slow cooker

The slow cooker is a popular method of cooking for many people as you can create delicious one-pot dishes with ease. But did you know you could cook your Christmas turkey in there too? Cooking your turkey low and slow is becoming a popular trend for Christmas dinner as it ensures your turkey remains moist, juicy, and flavourful.

Take minimal time to prepare as you don’t even need to brine it. And best of all, you can use the turkey juices for the most delicious gravy your guests will ever taste.

Artistic presentations

As we’ve highlighted previously, turkeys are the centrepiece of the table, and in 2024, presentation is taking centre stage – especially with the ever-growing trend of Instagram-worthy spreads! To make a true showstopper, many people are opting for stunning garnishes like edible flowers, fresh herbs, and vibrant seasonal fruits to create a feast for the eyes before they take their first bite.

Alternatively to creating a turkey centrepiece, why not consider a more modern, family-style approach by presenting your turkey pre-carved on a high-quality serving board accompanied by a buffet-style arrangement of trimmings? This not only makes the whole dinner more convenient but also encourages guests to serve themselves so you don’t have to worry about catering to each individual’s preferences.

Whether you go for a picturesque whole bird centrepiece or a stylish carved presentation, the turkey remains the highlight of your Christmas dinner.

Looking for a turkey for Christmas this year?

At John Howe, we have hundreds of free-range turkeys that we raise and nurture to ensure the meat has maximum flavour. Our turkeys have the freedom to explore their surroundings that are similar to their natural habitat, this ensures they are happy for their whole life, and a happy bird is a tasty bird! We have both bronze turkeys and white turkeys available, as well as Christmas turkey hampers complete with extra meat, trimmings, and condiments.