Christmas Main Dishes for a Festive Holiday Dinner
So I started looking for Christmas dinner ideas and somehow ended up with a whole list of 30 recipes. There are just too many delicious options to choose from!
If you’re still figuring out what to put on the holiday table, I’ve got you covered. There are classic roasts and glazed hams, plus seafood, chicken, lamb, and even a cozy mac and cheese.
I’ve also included some air fryer, slow cooker, and Instant Pot ideas for those of us trying to juggle a million things in the kitchen. And there’s a simple ham glaze in here too, because a good glaze deserves its moment!
Whether you’re feeding a big crowd or keeping Christmas dinner small this year, I hope you find something fun to make. Now I just need to decide which one to try first!
Roast Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Sauce
Image Credit: theforkedspoon
If you’re after a Christmas centerpiece, this roast beef tenderloin looks so impressive on the table. It’s tender and juicy, with a rich red wine sauce that makes it feel extra special for the holidays.
Easy Maple Glazed Ham
Image Credit: ihearteating
This maple glazed ham needs just five ingredients and makes such a lovely Christmas dinner centerpiece. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect if you want something festive without a long ingredient list.
Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
Image Credit: nourishplate
Creamy, zesty, and full of lemon and garlic flavor, this Instant Pot chicken is ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a lovely option if you’re after an easy holiday dinner with less time spent in the kitchen.
Smoked Pork Loin with South Carolina Tang
Image Credit: whatsmoking
Smoked pork loin brings a little smoky flavor and a wonderful South Carolina tang to the holiday table. It’s quick and easy to make, which is always a bonus when you’re busy cooking Christmas dinner!
Oven-Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
Image Credit: amandascookin
Spatchcocking might sound fancy, but it simply means removing the backbone and flattening the chicken before roasting. This helps it cook quickly and evenly, making it a great option for your holiday meal.
Slow-Roasted Standing Rib Roast
Image Credit: drivemehungry
This tender, juicy rib roast is slow roasted in the oven and makes a wonderful main dish for a Christmas gathering. It’s a simple recipe with plenty of flavor, so you can serve something impressive without too much fuss.
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham with Apple Cider
Image Credit: cupcakesandkalechips
A sweet and tangy glaze made with apple cider and pineapple juice gives this brown sugar ham its festive flavor. It’s the kind of Christmas dinner centerpiece that looks gorgeous on the table!
Air Fryer Christmas Glazed Ham
Image Credit: cookingschooldropout
Yes, you can make a festive glazed ham in the air fryer! This one is sweet, juicy, and saucy, and it’s a fun option when you’re putting together a special holiday dinner.
Air Fryer Leg of Lamb
Image Credit: cookingschooldropout
This air fryer leg of lamb makes a lovely main dish when you’re having guests over for Christmas. Once you’ve set the time and temperature, you can get on with all the other holiday cooking.
Instant Pot Roasted Duck
Image Credit: corriecooks
Looking for something a little different this Christmas? This aromatic, buttery duck is made in the Instant Pot and is ready in just 50 minutes, making it a fun festive option without an all-day cooking project.
Cioppino Seafood Stew
Image Credit: theforkedspoon
This cozy San Francisco-style seafood stew is packed with shrimp, clams, mussels, white fish, and crab legs, all simmered in a tomato, white wine, and fish stock broth. It feels wonderfully special for Christmas dinner, but everything comes together in one pot!
Honey Baked Ham
Image Credit: julieseatsandtreats
Sweet honey glaze and savory, juicy ham are such a delicious combination for the holidays. A final broiling step gives this easy recipe its finishing touch, and it would be perfect for feeding your Christmas guests.
Rice Stuffed Roast Chicken
Image Credit: cookingorgeous
This rice stuffed chicken is a lovely alternative to a traditional Christmas turkey, especially for a smaller gathering. It feels like a treat, but the recipe is surprisingly straightforward to make.
Air Fryer Chicken with Sage and Onion Stuffing
Image Credit: recipethis
A whole chicken and homemade sage and onion stuffing made in the air fryer? Yes, please! The chicken cooks up crispy, and the stuffing makes it feel just right for a cozy Christmas dinner.
Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast with Stuffing and Gravy
Image Credit: recipethis
This Ninja Foodi turkey breast comes with homemade stuffing and gravy for a festive meal with all the trimmings. It’s a great way to enjoy a roast turkey dinner without making a whole bird.
Five-Ingredient Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder
Image Credit: aussiehomecook
This slow cooker lamb shoulder is wonderfully fuss-free and needs just five ingredients. Pop it on in the morning and let it cook while you get on with the rest of your Christmas plans!
Roasted Cornish Hens
Image Credit: allweeat
Cornish hens are such a lovely choice for a smaller Christmas dinner or when you want to serve something a little different. This recipe comes together in about an hour and pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
Oven-Baked Brisket with Dry Rub
Image Credit: askchefdennis
This oven-baked brisket keeps things simple with a flavorful dry rub and comes out deliciously fork-tender. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing choice for your holiday table.
Easy Prime Rib Roast
Image Credit: lanascooking
Prime rib always looks so impressive, but this recipe makes it feel much less intimidating. Follow the step-by-step method for a special-occasion roast that’s perfect for Christmas dinner.
Maple and Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Image Credit: belleofthekitchen
Boneless sliced ham is baked with a maple and brown sugar glaze until tender and deliciously caramelized. It’s sweet, festive, and ready to take center stage at your holiday dinner.
Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Image Credit: foodnservice
If you love crispy skin and juicy turkey, this air fryer recipe is one to add to your list. It uses simple ingredients you may already have in the cupboard and is great for a smaller holiday meal.
Bacon-Wrapped Roast Turkey
Image Credit: littlesunnykitchen
Give your Christmas turkey a fun twist with a gorgeous bacon lattice on top. This roast makes a real statement on the holiday table and is perfect if you’re looking to change up your usual turkey.
Lobster Tail Five Ways
Image Credit: littlesunnykitchen
Want to make Christmas dinner feel extra fancy? This guide shares five easy ways to cook tender, succulent lobster tail at home, with a restaurant-worthy dish ready in under 20 minutes.
Air Fryer Christmas Chicken
Image Credit: budgetdelicious
When oven space is in short supply, this air fryer Christmas chicken is such a handy option. It cooks quickly and makes a lovely roast for a special holiday meal.
Easy Air Fryer Ham
Image Credit: recipesfromapantry
This air fryer ham is an easy way to free up precious oven space while you’re putting together Christmas dinner. It turns out tender and juicy, with less fuss in an already busy kitchen.
Instant Pot Lamb Shoulder
Image Credit: recipesfromapantry
Craving roast lamb but don’t have all day to cook? This Instant Pot lamb shoulder is ready in just 90 minutes and turns out wonderfully tender and fall-apart delicious.
Creamy Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Image Credit: thelittlestcrumb
This creamy smoked Gouda mac and cheese is comfort food at its best, and it can be made in under 30 minutes. Serve it as a cozy Christmas main or alongside the rest of your holiday spread.
Three-Ingredient Ham Glaze
Image Credit: simplyscrumptiouseats
This simple glaze brings mustard, brown sugar, and orange juice together for a sweet and tangy finish. It’s an easy way to dress up a Christmas ham if you’ve already picked out your main dish.
Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast
Image Credit: nourishplate
This easy roasted turkey breast is ready in about 60 to 90 minutes and is perfect for a smaller Christmas dinner. It’s a great choice when you want a traditional holiday meal without roasting a whole turkey.
Simple Roast Turkey with Brown Sugar Brine
Image Credit: easycozyhomemade
An overnight salt and brown sugar brine helps make this Christmas turkey moist and flavorful. It’s stuffed with aromatic vegetables, fresh herbs, and lemon, then roasted until golden and served with savory pan juices.
