The holidays are full of food rituals that consumers feel very passionately about – just ask someone if they prefer fresh or canned cranberry sauce. Or whether it’s called “stuffing” or “dressing.”
But one thing they can agree on? That they want some type of meat on the holiday table. In a recent survey, 69% of consumers told us that the holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, etc. – wouldn’t be the same without some type of meat on the table. For many consumers it’s the centerpiece of the holiday meal.
So what do they want to see on the holiday table? There was no clear consensus – consumers today are open to a range of proteins and dishes. Of the options we tested, prime rib came out on top, with 46% of consumers saying it was a holiday-worthy entrée, followed by beef tenderloin and a standing rib roast. Nearly 1 in 4 consumers say beef wellington is worthy of the holiday table, an option that has grown on social media in recent years as ambitious home cooks attempt to tackle it (or just go out to a restaurant and let the chef do the work).
Rack of lamb was holiday-worthy for 23% of consumers, while 1 in 5 said shepherd’s pie and the same percentage said a leg of lamb. A sizeable percentage – 14% – of consumers said a roasted goat leg would be right at home on the holiday table considering that it’s still fairly new and adventurous to many U.S. consumers, with Gen Z (19%) and Millennials (18%) being even more open to the option. It helps that goat birria has trended in recent years, an option that 12% of Gen Z said is holiday-worthy.
As we head into the holiday season, it’s clear that meats not only belong on the holiday menu, but that a wider variety of options can earn their place.
Editor’s note: For more holiday menu inspo, check out our recipe article here, and tips from our chef ‘mates in club and catering here.