Roberts spots a festive opportunity for shredded turkey

Turkey is a Christmas favourite, but could it have a bigger role on festive menus beyond the traditional roast dinner?

North Wales food manufacturer Roberts of Port Dinorwic thinks so. 

The meal solutions specialist is encouraging foodservice operators to consider shredded turkey for Christmas sandwiches, loaded fries, tacos and other handheld dishes.

Roberts’ research into the UK Christmas market and street-food sector found plenty of pulled pork, loaded fries, Yorkshire pudding wraps and gyros, while turkey remains comparatively underrepresented. The company sees potential for the versatile ingredient across Christmas markets, pubs, hospitality, contract catering and food-to-go.

A prepared shredded turkey base could help busy kitchens offer several festive dishes with less preparation. Roberts suggests hot sandwiches with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce, Yorkshire pudding wraps, festive loaded fries, tacos and pressed wraps.

Miriam Williams, Commercial Director at Roberts of Port Dinorwic, told That's Christmas 365: “Turkey is synonymous with Christmas, but there’s an opportunity to be much more creative with how it appears on festive menus.

“The real benefit of shredded turkey is its versatility. One high-quality base ingredient can become a hot festive bap, loaded fries, or a taco, helping operators create menu variety while simplifying preparation, improving consistency and reducing waste.”

A festive ingredient all year round

Roberts believes shredded turkey could earn a place on menus beyond Christmas, too. With different flavours and accompaniments, the same base ingredient could be used in jerk, BBQ, taco and bao-style dishes.

The idea also reflects Roberts’ wider work with shredded proteins. The company develops bespoke solutions using different meats, as well as vegetarian and vegan options such as tofu and emerging ingredients including lion’s mane mushroom.

Williams added: “The bigger opportunity is shredded proteins more broadly. Operators increasingly need ingredients that deliver flexibility without adding complexity in the kitchen.

“We want Roberts to be the partner operators come to for shredded solutions, whether that’s meat, poultry or innovative plant-based alternatives, helping turn one versatile ingredient into multiple commercially successful dishes.”

For more information, visit Roberts of Port Dinorwic, roberts-wales.co.uk or find the company on LinkedIn.