The most unusual Christmas food of 2022

If you’re a festive fanatic but also a raving foodie, a typical British Christmas dinner can get a bit repetitive and overly familiar.

For some truly unique Christmas food, there are restaurants and shops across the country that have the answer.

From Christmas dinner in a can, to pigs in blankets milkshakes and festive kebabs, it’s all here…

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‘Pigs in Blankets’ milkshake at Five Guys

Let’s be clear, a pigs in blankets milkshake is an unexpected twist when it comes to festive offerings. Nevertheless, until 26 December the Five Guys burger chain will be selling the drink across its outlets. It is comprised of three rashers of bacon, mixed into the restaurant’s vanilla milkshake base, topped with whipped cream.

Bethan Shufflebotham was “pleasantly surprised” by the balance of sweet and salty shake, she wrote for Manchester Evening News. However, she recommended getting spare straws as “bacon chunks” can easily get stuck in the tube.

Find your local branch of Five Guys.

Pigs in blankets bao buns

With its pigs in blankets bao buns, featuring chilli jam and stuffing crumb, Yorkshire street food outlet Yuzu is giving the “Xmas classic” an “Asian-inspired makeover”, said Nathan Ellis in The Yorkshireman. For a festive combination these can be paired with Chashu pork belly and chilli jam fries.

Yuzu, Brew York, Unit 6, Enterprise Complex, Walmgate, York YO1 9TT.

Christmas dinner fondue

At Fizz and Fromage in Hoveton near Norwich until New Year’s Eve, the classic cheese fondue is being given a Christmas twist. Cubes of turkey, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, sprouts and sourdough bread will be served to dunk in a bubbling-hot blend of Gouda, Comté and Emmental. “We couldn’t resist the idea of offering a traditional dinner with a big difference,” chef Pete Chapman told the Eastern Daily Press.

Fizz and Fromage, Station Rd, Hoveton, Norwich NR12 8QJ.

Classic Christmas Poutine

Vegan-friendly restaurants, such as the popular fast-food chain Oowee, are also offering an array of unusual festive additions. Its Christmas Poutine crosses poutine with “a classic Christmas dinner”, said Vegan Food and Living. Fries are topped with vegan Popcorn Chick’n, vegan mozzarella, crispy onions, cranberry sauce and a dollop of spinach pesto.

Available until 4 January, both in restaurants and via delivery. Find your local branch of Oowee.

Roast Turkey Dinner pasty

In collaboration with award-winning Cornish chef James Strawbridge, the West Cornwall Pasty Company is launching a winter range. Leading the way is its bold attempt at a Christmas dinner pasty. It comes filled with all the traditional festive trappings – turkey, roast potatoes, parsnips and even a few Brussels sprouts. For a sweet option, try its Spiced Apple and Salted Caramel pasty, advised Cornwall Live.

West Cornwall Pasty Co.

Turkey kebabs

The Botanist, with sites across Manchester, is offering an exciting Christmas variation of its hanging kebabs, reported The Manc. Alongside turkey hanging kebabs with orange and cranberry glaze, there is also a range of festive sides to pick from, including pigs in blankets, a sharing baked truffle Camembert fondue and mac ’n’ cheese.

The Botanist.

Buttermilk chicken Parmo and Sprout and bacon loaded fries

Parmogeddon, at Hatch in Manchester, is “joining in the festive fun” with its buttermilk chicken ‘Parmo’, fused with pigs in blankets, deep fried stuffing and homemade chicken gravy, reported Manchester’s Finest.

Meanwhile, said the outlet, Kong’s Sandwich Shop, also at Hatch, will “fly the festive flag for the underrated sprout” with its sprout and bacon loaded fries.

Parmogeddon and Kong’s at Hatch, Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED.

Christmas dinner pizza

Meanwhile, up in Glasgow, don’t miss out on the Christmas dinner pizza. The cocktail bar and pizzeria Nonna Said is serving up the “ultimate festive pizza”, said Glasgow World, “topped with pigs in blankets, turkey, honey roast parsnips, and drizzled with the all-important gravy”.

There is also a Snowman pizza – “a classic margarita made in the shape of Jack Frost, topped with olives and parmesan, and finished with a carrot nose”.

Nonna Said, 26 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1LD.

Heinz Christmas dinner soup

Yes, the food giant has created a “Big Soup” based on the Christmas dinner. It has been described as “hearty” and “yummy” by the actress Drew Barrymore, reported OK!’s Josie Copson, who agreed with the superstar’s assessment. There is also a new vegan version this year, which Copson found “equally enjoyable”. However, said Today’s Heather Martin, “this kind of soup is not my favorite”.

The soups are available at selected Asda stores.