The Most Controversial Christmas Dinner Choices Like Yorkshire Pudding And Curry Sauce For Brits

Ah, the great British Christmas dinner. It is the meal everyone waits for all year, and it can also spark some fierce family debates. Should the sprouts be boiled or fried with bacon? Is red cabbage essential or optional? And the biggest argument of all is what actually deserves a place on the plate next to the turkey.

A study released on 27 November 2025 by Fray Bentos has revealed the nation’s most surprising and divisive festive add ons. Some of them are classics, but others will make you blink twice. It turns out the definition of a traditional Christmas dinner varies wildly from house to house.

The great Yorkshire pudding debate

The biggest controversy centres on the humble Yorkshire pudding. This fluffy favourite is usually paired with a roast beef dinner, but the survey of 2,000 people found that nearly half of Brits, an impressive 48 percent, would happily add one to their Christmas plate. It is a choice that divides families across the country. Some say a Yorkie has no place next to the turkey, while others argue that if there is gravy, a Yorkshire pudding is essential. From Manchester to the Midlands and everywhere in between, this simple batter pudding has become the most popular unconventional choice for Christmas Day.

Beyond the Yorkie: from salad to curry sauce

While Yorkshire puddings take the top spot, the rest of the list is a mix of sensible, surprising and downright unusual choices. A third of people would add sausages, which seems fair enough when you consider pigs in blankets. Thirty one percent said cauliflower cheese belonged on the plate. So far, so reasonable.

Then things get more unusual. Sixteen percent would add salad, which raises questions about mixing cold leaves with hot gravy. Fifteen percent would serve a Christmas pie, and another fifteen percent fancied rice. Fourteen percent said fish, which is not a traditional British Christmas option at all.

The most eyebrow raising choices include chips at ten percent, mayonnaise at nine percent, and curry sauce at eight percent. Yes, curry sauce. A spoonful of chip shop style curry right next to the stuffing and cranberry. And six percent believe baked beans belong at Christmas too. It seems nothing is off the table.

What Fray Bentos and Big John Fisher have to say

The team at Fray Bentos, famous for their tinned pies, were amused and surprised by the results. Brand Manager Jude Smart said the survey showed how divided the country is over festive food. He explained that pie is becoming a big hit with younger generations, with more than half of Gen Z and Millennials planning to serve one this Christmas.

The study was released alongside the company’s Bish Bash Bentos campaign, a festive giveaway run with social media star Big John Fisher, also known as The Boshfather. Despite being part of a campaign that celebrates pies, his own Christmas tastes are very traditional. He said, “My wife makes a lovely Christmas dinner. I love a traditional turkey and roast beef with parsnips, cabbage, peas, accompanied by a tasty Yorkshire pudding on the side, with profiteroles, Christmas pudding and cheese and biscuits for afters.” Even Big John stops short of adding curry sauce to the mix.

The full list of controversial Christmas dinner choices

Here are the top unusual additions Brits say they are planning to add to their festive plate:

• Yorkshire puddings (48 percent)
• Alternative meat (41 percent)
• Sausages (32 percent)
• Cauliflower cheese (31 percent)
• Salad (16 percent)
• Pie (15 percent)
• Rice (15 percent)
• Fish (14 percent)
• Mac and cheese (11 percent)
• Chips (10 percent)
• Mayonnaise (9 percent)
• Curry sauce (8 percent)
• Coleslaw (7 percent)
• Baked beans (6 percent)

Christmas food traditions in Manchester and beyond

It is clear that Brits are shaking up their festive plates. Many families will still stick to the traditional meal of turkey with all the classic trimmings, especially in places like Manchester. But the survey shows that more and more people are experimenting with their Christmas dinner. Perhaps a Christmas pie will become the new must have. Perhaps baked beans will one day be considered normal. Food traditions are always changing, and these results show how creative people can be.

While campaign groups are planning protests for the Autumn Budget, it seems the quieter battles are happening at the dinner table. Forget arguments about politics. The real controversy is whether curry sauce, coleslaw or chips belong next to the roast potatoes. And while some shoppers are getting excited about the latest festive Sainsbury's tin, others are stocking up on ingredients for their unconventional Christmas feast.

The question now is simple. Are you brave enough to try any of these surprising additions?