A Christmas feast without a traditional roast is like a Christmas tree without its baubles – incomplete and slightly unnerving. Whether you prefer to keep it traditional with lamb and turkey or are looking to impress guests with a serving of succulent pork belly, we’ve pulled together a list of six great recipes from the Eat Out archives to ensure you pull off a perfect roast, whatever your cooking level.

Greek-style roast lamb 

Impress your Christmas guests with a tender shoulder of lamb with an olive oil and oregano rub, and fragrant rosemary and garlic flavours. The best part of this recipe is that it cooks for eight to ten hours, allowing you to get on with your day while your lamb roasts to perfection.
Difficulty level: pretty easy; your only tears should be as a result of onions

Moroccan turkey with couscous stuffing

Enjoy an exotic twist on traditional Christmas turkey with this spicy, nutty Moroccan turkey roast. The recipe is slightly complicated, but the expressions of awe on your guests’ faces will make it worth the effort.
Difficulty level: don’t attempt after too many eggnogs

Lamb roast with mint aioli

Roasted with cayenne pepper and coriander, the spiciness of the lamb is complemented by a refreshing mint aioli. While the spices may be a little too hot for the kids, this roast will be a surefire hit with the adults. Pair with a glass of Nederburg pinotage to bring out the flavours of the meat.
Difficulty level: a walk in the park for patient cooks with time on their hands. (Patience can also be substituted with gin and tonic.)

Pork belly chilli roast with pecan-nut baked apples

Be on trend this Christmas (pig is still big!) by preparing a succulent pork belly chilli roast. The apples are stuffed with pecan nuts and roasted in the oven, adding delicate fruity flavours to the fiery chilli basting sauce.
Difficulty level: a little tricky, but if you follow the recipe you will be fine. (That means you too, recipe mavericks.)

Classic roast chicken with lemon and rosemary 

Play it safe with a good old-fashioned roast chicken with hints of lemon and rosemary. This recipe is easy to pull off and will be ready in just 90 minutes, making it the perfect dish for a busy cook.
Difficulty level: a piece of cake. Mmm…cake.

Classic roast leg of lamb with rosemary

A perfectly cooked leg of lamb is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Seasoned with a winning combination of mixed dried herbs, rosemary and garlic, this roast will appeal to all.
Difficulty level: cooking time is determined by the weight of the lamb, so sneak in a calculator to avoid having to do maths on Christmas day.