This is your moment to live a little and spend without feeling guilty. So, go ahead and choose that beautiful cut of meat you've been eyeing all year and fill your home with the kind of incredible aromas that have everyone gathering in the kitchen asking: "What smells so amazing?"

There's something deeply satisfying about centring your celebration around a gorgeous roast. From a classic beef roast that never goes out of style, to showstopping pork that'll have your guests talking for weeks, each of these recipes brings its own special character to your table.

This is your time to create those moments that become precious memories. After all, the summer holidays only come once a year.

These seven roasts will make your festive celebration absolutely unforgettable, no matter which one speaks to your heart (or your guest list).

1. Asian braised brisket

When you're hosting, you need a dish that will work as hard as you do and this Asian braised brisket is your secret weapon. You can get it started hours ahead and let those beautiful flavours develop while you're setting the table and catching up with guests.

Asian braised brisket recipe

2. Honey mustard roast lamb

The honey adds just enough sweetness to balance the mustard's tang, creating caramelised flavours with every bite. Serve with hasselback potatoes or a side of your choice for a complete dish.

Honey mustard roast lamb recipe

3. Miso-glazed chicken

The miso glaze roasts and develops into a stunning golden-brown finish that has a perfect balance of salty, sweet and savoury flavours.

Miso-glazed chicken recipe

4. Nectarine roast gammon

It would not be a festive table without gammon. The nectarines transform into an incredible sticky-sweet coating with natural fruit flavours, while the gammon stays perfectly salty and tender underneath.

Nectarine roast gammon recipe

5. Golden roast leg of pork

Nothing says "special occasion" quite like crunchy roast pork. Every bite is a perfect combination of crispy, salty, tender and richly flavoured meat. You need this on your table these holidays.

Golden roast leg of pork recipe

6. Mushroom-stuffed roast beef 

The stuffing keeps the meat incredibly moist and flavourful, with a beautiful presentation that has everyone reaching for their phones before they even take a bite. Ask your Woolies butcher to butterfly this prime rib, so there's less work for you.

Mushroom-stuffed roast beef recipe

7. Harissa yoghurt slow-roasted lamb shoulder

This is the kind of dish that makes you look like a culinary genius while actually being wonderfully forgiving. Pop it into the oven and let time do all the hard work. The creamy yoghurt marinade keeps everything incredibly tender while the harissa spices create a delicious flavour profile.

Harissa yoghurt slow-roasted lamb shoulder recipe

Follow our roast recipe guide for more.

This content was created with AI assistance. However, it was fact-checked, edited and ideated by actual human beings at TASTE.