Top 10 main course buys for Christmas 2014

Best… Turkey

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Norfolk Black turkey parcel

This hefty parcel is no-carve and rather cleverly cuts into neat slices. Wrapped in bacon, this divine parcel of turkey meat, cranberries and stuffing stays succulent.

£50, from Sainsbury’s

Best… Multi-bird roast

Asda Extra-Special British six-bird roast

This mix of turkey, chicken, duck, pheasant, pigeon and partridge is well balanced without being overwhelming. The stuffing in the centre cuts through the meaty blanket in fine fashion. 

£40, from Asda
 

Best… Roast pork

Morrisons three-pork roast

Pork tenderloin and crispy crackling, plus a hearty pork, sage & onion stuffing – this roll is packed with different tastes and textures and proved very popular with our testers.

£6.99, from Morrisons

Best… Centrepiece

Booths apple-fed cockerel cushion

This dome-shaped treat will get people talking. The tender cockerel breast meat is wrapped around herby, soft stuffing, adding depth of flavour. Perfect for those looking for something less traditional. 

£45, from Booths

Best… For smaller groups

This beautiful piece of game meat is perfect either as a main course for two or three, or as an addition to your larger roast bird, this cut is delicious. We like its simplicity.

£6.12, from Ocado

Best… Game bird

We loved the texture of this small bird – the ideal size for two people or to supplement a turkey. The nutty stuffing has great flavour and the bacon was a lovely touch.

£7.99, from Aldi

Best… Whole side of salmon

Simple and delicious. The fish cooks with its herby butter, so you can add extra flavours or eat with different side dishes.

£12.99, from Morrisons

Best… Vegetarian option

A pretty filo pastry with umami mushroom flavours and a sharper cranberry filling – so good they’ll have the meat-eaters drooling in envy.

£5.99 for two, from Waitrose

Best… Stuffing

These multi-dimensional fruity sausagemeat bundles wrapped in bacon are a cross between pigs in blankets and traditional stuffing.

£2.99, from Morrisons

Best… Ham

This meat is subtly flavoured with festive ingredients and makes an attractive Christmas centrepiece thanks to the fruit topping.

£10, from Sainsbury’s

For more taste-tested products, equipment rundowns and buying advice, visit our review section, plus our Christmas kitchen contains everything you’ll ever need for perfect festive feasting.