Turkey may be the traditional centrepiece at Christmas dinner, but that doesn’t mean it’s your only choice. Why not mix things up this year by using a different protein for the main dish?

Each of the following six main course options can make a fantastic alternative to Christmas turkey if you’d like to try something new this year. They would also make a great addition to turkey if you’re hosting a lot of friends and family and don’t think one bird would be enough to feed all of your hungry guests!

Honey-Glazed Ham

Perhaps the only main dish that rivals the popularity of a Christmas turkey is a Christmas ham. Honey-glazed ham is a great turkey alternative because it still provides a big cut of meat that can feed a crowd. Easy and simple to cook up, this classic dish is sure to please just about anyone. Plus, you’ll get to make tasty ham sandwiches out of any leftovers.

Roast Beef

Instead of a Christmas turkey, why not cook up a juicy slab of Christmas roast beef this year? A rib roast is sure to please anyone that takes a seat at the dinner table. Pair your roast beef with roast or mashed potatoes (or both!), Brussels sprouts, roast parsnips, and some mouth-watering beef gravy. Just like ham, roast beef makes for excellent leftover sandwiches.

Chicken

Who’s to say that turkey’s smaller cousin can’t make a good Christmas centrepiece? Chicken is a great option if you’re keeping your Christmas celebrations smaller this year and don’t need to feed a lot of people. Choose free-range chicken for a bigger bird with a better ratio of leg to breast meat. Save the carcass to make hearty leftover chicken soup the next day.

Duck

For something a little less closely related to turkey than chicken, duck is a great choice. Duck is a richly flavourful bird with enough fat to ensure that the meat will never be dry. It pairs wonderfully with roast potatoes and with seasonal spices such a cinnamon. For super tender meat, make sure that you rest the duck for at least 15 minutes after it has finished cooking.

Goose

Goose is the go-to protein if you’re looking for a different taste but a comparable size to turkey. In fact, prior to turkey becoming more affordable, goose was often the Christmas bird of choice. A lot of natural fat and a darker meat make for a richer flavour and more moisture throughout the bird. You’ll want to save the fat to make irresistible goose gravy.

Salmon

If you’re not really feeling a meaty dish this year, then you should consider cooking up some salmon instead. Salmon is quick and easy to prepare and will pair well with most other traditional Christmas dishes. It is also perhaps the healthiest option on this list, full of important omega-3 fatty acids. A gorgeous fish, salmon is known for its light and not overly fishy flavour that even the pickiest eaters can enjoy.

Traditions are always nice, especially around Christmas, but sometimes you just have to try something new. This year, why not go with a new main dish? You can always go back to turkey again next year, or you might find that you’ve started a brand new tradition.