In short: for a tender beef roast that is easy to carve, choose a whole beef tenderloin; for a slow roast with gravy, our beef for roasting. For pork, boneless shoulder turns soft and juicy in the oven. If your table calls for tradition, kid goat; if it calls for poultry, a whole duck serves 4 to 5 people and each turkey leg serves 2 to 3.
Which meat should I roast in the oven at Christmas?
It depends on three things: how many people are at the table, how much oven time you have and what your family expects on the plate. This table brings together our roasting cuts and what each one gives you. Tap a cut to open its product page; there are more cuts in beef, pork and poultry and kid goat.
| Cut | How it turns out in the oven | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| Beef tenderloin (whole) | The most tender cut of beef, no sinew and no fat to trim; ideal for roast beef | Sold by the kilo |
| Beef for roasting | A joint for roast beef, slow roasts and braises with vegetables | Sold by the kilo |
| Boneless pork shoulder | Slow roasted, it turns soft and juicy, with more flavour than pork loin | Sold by the kilo |
| Pork for roasting | A joint for the oven, whole or in pieces | Sold by the kilo |
| Kid goat | Tender with a mild flavour, for a long roast with traditional seasoning | Half (about 2.5 kg) or whole (about 5 kg) |
| Duck | Skin that caramelises and turns crisp, meat with an intense flavour | 4 to 5 people (2.8 kg) |
| Turkey leg | Dark meat, juicier than the breast in long roasts | 2 to 3 people per leg |
Tenderloin or beef for roasting: which one for roast beef?
Tenderloin comes from the inner loin of the animal, a muscle that barely works during its life. That makes it the most tender of all, with no sinew, no significant marbling and a clean flavour. As a whole piece, it goes into the oven as roast beef and is carved at the table.
Our beef for roasting is the choice for a longer roast, with vegetables in the tray or with gravy. It handles slow ovens and braising well.
When the meat is the star of the table, tenderloin. For the family roast with gravy and potatoes, beef for roasting.
Pork in the oven: shoulder or pork for roasting?
Pork shoulder comes from the front of the animal. It has moderate fat and collagen, and it is the collagen that, given oven time, makes it soft with a concentrated flavour. Being boneless, it is easy to portion and its cooking time is more predictable. Once roasted, slice it or pull it.
Pork for roasting goes into the oven whole or in pieces, and any leftovers work in curries and stews.
How do you roast kid goat?
Our kid goat comes from animals slaughtered before 6 months of age, so the meat is tender and the flavour milder. The method we give on the product page:
- Season with garlic, bay leaf, paprika and white wine.
- Roast at 160 ºC for 2h30 to 3h.
- Baste with its own juices during roasting.
- Make sure the centre reaches at least 70 ºC.
It comes without the head, as a half (about 2.5 kg) or whole (about 5 kg).
Turkey or duck: which one?
The turkey leg is the dark meat of the bird. It has more fat than the breast, so it stays juicier in a long roast, and each leg serves 2 to 3 people.
Duck has thicker skin and more fat than chicken. In the oven, that fat bastes the meat and the skin turns caramelised and crisp. Each duck weighs 2.8 kg and serves 4 to 5 people; it comes whole or cut into pieces.
When should I order meat for Christmas?
The beef for roasting, pork for roasting, pork shoulder, turkey leg and kid goat arrive frozen. Order early enough to thaw them before Christmas Eve. We deliver across mainland Portugal, in a cold chain; delivery days and times are in the shop FAQ.
The cuts for the oven
Beef Tenderloin
Beef for Roasting
Pork Shoulder for Roasting
Pork for Roasting
Kid Goat
Duck
Turkey Leg
Frequently asked questions
Does the roasting meat arrive frozen?
Yes: the beef for roasting, pork for roasting, pork shoulder, turkey leg and kid goat are sold frozen.
How many people does a duck serve?
The duck weighs 2.8 kg and serves 4 to 5 people.
How many people does a turkey leg serve?
Each turkey leg serves 2 to 3 people.
At what temperature do you roast kid goat?
At 160 ºC for 2h30 to 3h, basting with its own juices, until the centre reaches at least 70 ºC.
Do you deliver outside Lisbon?
Yes, across mainland Portugal, in a cold chain. Shipping is always free. The minimum order is €50 in Greater Lisbon and the Setúbal Peninsula and €90 in the rest of mainland Portugal (the list of municipalities is in the shop FAQ).
