Although trends have changed throughout the ages, a roast turkey dinner is considered the traditional feast on Christmas day. With so many alternative dishes available, including meat, fish, and vegetarian options, you may have wondered why people eat turkey at Christmas. Here, we answer the question of why do we eat turkey at Christmas along with some other related questions that may have crossed your mind.
Why Do We Eat Turkey at Christmas?
Who First Ate Turkey at Christmas?
According to Wikipedia, popular history says that King Henry VIII was the first person to serve turkey for a Christmas dinner feast, and he was the King of England from 1509 to 1547. There is historical evidence that by 1573, the turkey was a common component of the Christmas dinner in England.
Although turkey retained its popularity to an extent, goose became the most common centrepiece of the Christmas dinner table during the Victorian era, although there were some differences between traditions in the north and south of England. While goose was the meat of choice in the south, those in the north of England were more likely to serve a roast beef dinner.
When Did It Become Popular to Eat Turkey at Christmas?
During the early 20th century, turkey regained its title as the most popular Christmas dinner option. One possible reason for this is that goose was too expensive for many people, and the turkey was a cheaper alternative.
In the United States, the tradition of eating turkey for Christmas dinner is something that the British settlers introduced. However, Christmas dining traditions in the United States are also influenced by the traditions of Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands.
What Did People Eat Before Turkey?
Turkey has not always been the meat of choice to serve for Christmas dinner. Before the rise of the popularity of turkey, various other birds graced Christmas dinner tables. In the UK, some of these included pheasant, duck, and goose. Cost and availability are two factors that influence the choice of meat. Some wealthy families would eat a bird within a bird to enjoy two or more meats for their Christmas dinner.
What Do People Eat Across the Globe?
Although it is traditional to eat turkey at Christmas in many societies, that is not the case for every society across the globe. Cuisines are often influenced by the availability of ingredients, and turkey is not a bird that is widely available in every country. You might like to read our article about global Christmas food traditions.
Christmas Dinner in India
For example, Christmas dinner in India usually consists of multiple dishes. These may include chicken or mutton biryani, which is a rice dish, along with various chicken and mutton curries. In the Goan Catholic community, a pork vindaloo is a popular option, while Hindus and Muslims who get celebrate Christmas share sweets and gifts.
Traditions in Sweden
Another example of differing Christmas culinary traditions is Sweden. They eat four courses, beginning with a fish course that is usually salmon served with various types of pickled herring. For their second course, the Swedes eat cold meats, and a Christmas ham is usually central to this platter. The second course often also includes cheese, crispbread, pate, and boiled potatoes. A platter of warm dishes is the third course, while they serve a traditional rice pudding for dessert.
Why Is Turkey Still Popular?
Although turkey is not the only option for Christmas dinner, it remains one of the most popular options in many societies across the globe, including the United States and the UK. There are many reasons why turkey is popular for Christmas dinner, including:
- The size of the bird: The larger size of a turkey compared to a chicken makes it ideal for feeding a large group if you have friends and family round for Christmas dinner. As most people have leftover meat, it is also budget-friendly as you can make several meals from one bird. Therefore, although the initial outlay is greater than for a chicken, it can keep down the costs of Christmas overall. The size of the bird also means it looks impressive when presented at the dinner table.
- Following tradition: Many people choose to eat turkey at Christmas simply because they consider it the traditional meal. It is something they associate with Christmas, and it is possibly the meat they have eaten on Christmas Day since they were a child.
- Versatile meat: The mild flavour of turkey meat means that it is versatile. Once you have eaten your Christmas dinner, you can use the leftover turkey meat in many ways. For example, you might like to try our cheat’s leftover turkey curry. It is a simple and tasty dish to use up your leftovers.
The Final Verdict- Why Do We Eat Turkey at Christmas?
If you have wondered, ‘why do we eat turkey at Christmas?‘, then the answer is rooted in tradition in many societies. However, it has not always been the meat of choice on the Christmas dinner table. Similarly, not every society across the globe chooses turkey for their celebratory feast. It remains a popular option in the UK, the United States, and many other countries. Its popularity is due to tradition, the bird’s size, and the meat’s versatility.
You might like to read our guide to pairing wine with turkey and why do we eat chocolate eggs at Easter?