33 Christmas Dinner Ideas: Main Dishes
When it comes to Christmas dinner, the main dish is what everyone looks forward to most. It’s the star of the show, the one that brings family and friends together around the table, sharing good food and even better memories. If you are looking for Christmas dinner main dish ideas you’re in the right place!
In this roundup, we’ve handpicked a selection of mouthwatering Christmas main dishes that will make your Christmas celebration unforgettable. These dishes bring families together with their rich flavors, hearty portions, and comforting aromas. From traditional roasts to brand new main course twists, Christmas main dishes cater to a variety of tastes and traditions.
There are a lot of different recipes for everyone’s favorite meats like ham. Just because it’s your go-to, doesn’t mean it has to be prepared the same!
Tips to Make Christmas Main Dishes:
⦁ Prep Early: Chop vegetables, marinate meats, and prepare sauces a day or two before to save time on the big day.
⦁ Season Wisely: Combine crispy, creamy, and tender elements to create a more interesting plate. Use herbs and spices thoughtfully to enhance the natural flavors of your main dish without overpowering them.
⦁ Consider Dietary Needs: Be mindful of guests’ dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free) by including at least one alternative dish. If possible, label some food items, especially those that are gluten-free or contain common allergens.
⦁ Focus on Quality Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor and presentation. Incorporate seasonal produce and local meats to enhance taste and support local farmers.
MORE CHRISTMAS RECIPES TO MAKE:
- Homemade Eggnog… yum!
- 30+ Christmas Dinner Side Sides
- 27+ Appetizers that Look Like the Christmas Holiday
- 27 No Bake Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Delicious Traditional Christmas Cookies
Image Credit: thissillygirlskitchen
Crispy, golden, moist, and absolutely delicious, this Whole Roasted Turkey is the perfect main course for any of your upcoming holiday events.
The pan is lined with vegetables and the turkey is stuffed with fruits and herbs, all topped off with a delicious compound butter that gives this meal an over-the-top flavor. Put this Whole Roasted Turkey on your menu, if you are planning ahead on your holiday meals.
Get the full recipe from: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Image Credit: thissillygirlskitchen
This simple, flavorful and easy ham is baked with a combination of beer and apple juice, then glazed with a mixture of honey, mustard, brown sugar, and other spices.
It is a simple and easy ham recipe that doesn’t take many ingredients or special techniques to prepare.
Get the full recipe from: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Image Credit: masalaherb
An Individual Beef Wellington makes for a delicious, pretty and elegant main course meal this holiday season.
This beef wellington recipe is for you if you are looking for an almost foolproof, elegant Christmas dish for 4 servings. Serve them up to your family and friends for Christmas or New Year’s for dinner.
Get the full recipe from: Masala Herb
Image Credit: delicioustable
Kahlua Pineapple Glazed Ham elevates party food for holidays and special celebrations. This one takes a tropical island spin on a classic spiral ham. This recipe could start a “new tradition” for Easter dinner, Christmas, holidays, family get-togethers, or even brunch.
The heavenly glaze is brushed on both the ham and wedges of pineapple. As it bakes, you get gorgeous fruity, candy, caramelized edges…
Get the full recipe from: Delicious Table
Image Credit: delicioustable
Cherry Balsamic Pork Roast is perfect for family dinner, entertaining, or the holidays. An easy 10-minute prep pork loin recipe that serves a crowd. It is EASY to make at the last minute with simple ingredients, and always a crowd-pleaser…
Get the full recipe from: Delicious Table
Image Credit: foodfolksandfun
This Christmas Lasagna is packed with so much flavor thanks to the Italian sausage, bell peppers, basil, and the blend of 3 kinds of cheese!
It’s comforting, revives the taste buds, and warms the soul on a winter’s day. Add a little Christmas tree on this traditional lasagna to make this Italian recipe a super fun and festive dinner.
Get the full recipe from: Foodfolksandfun
Image Credit: foodfolksandfun
This Christmas Ham recipe with Cherry Ham Glaze is the perfect main dish for your holiday feast. The tart cherry glaze is slightly spiced and it compliments the roasted ham beautifully.
To prepare this ham; simply roasted with a homemade tart cherry ham glaze that’s lightly spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
Get the full recipe from: Foodfolksandfun
Image Credit: swirlsofflavor
Horseradish Crusted Prime Rib is guaranteed to be the star at your holiday table! Smothered with fresh herbs, this garlic studded beef rib roast is brimming with fresh flavor and sweet roasted garlic.
Fresh herbs lend a savory gourmet flavor along with fresh garlic that takes on sweet notes as it roasts. So easy to prepare, our beef rib roast recipe will make you look like a well seasoned chef and guaranteed to impress your guests!
Get the full recipe from: Swirls of Flavor
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This Christmas Beef Chuck Roast Recipe is juicy, tender, and packed with great flavor thanks to the rub and brown gravy made with the pan drippings.The unique cooking method of this recipe creates a perfectly tender roast everyone raves about.
Oven Baked Roast Recipe is definitely the perfect meal for Christmas dinner. Enjoy this special dinner, your whole family will love it as it doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare it.
Get the full recipe from: Easy Budget Recipes
Image Credit: theforkedspoon
This impressive Roast Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Sauce is melt-in-your-mouth delicious and perfect for any special occasion or holidays like Easter, Christmas dinner, and New Years’.
You’re looking for a recipe that looks incredibly fancy, tastes like a million bucks, and is secretly so easy to make that you can have a party of 10 served in little more than an hour. This tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth roast beef tenderloin is exactly the recipe you’re looking for.
Get the full recipe from: The Forked Spoon
Image Credit: theforkedspoon
This Slow Cooker Ham Recipe is a pre-cooked spiral cut ham topped with a finger-licking-good brown sugar and apricot marmalade glaze.
This Slow Cooker Ham with Marmalade Glaze is perfect for a casual Sunday dinner or special family Christmas holiday and cooks itself right in the slow cooker. It’s heavy, delicious, and is great with all kinds of sides during the festive holiday
Get the full recipe from: The Forked Spoon
Image Credit: yuminthekitchen
This recipe layers pineapple slices between spirals of tender ham, a glossy, golden glaze of brown sugar and natural pineapple juices.
This pineapple ham recipe is not only mouth-wateringly delicious but also easy to prepare, which is perfect during the busy holiday season.
Get the full recipe from: Yum in the Kitchen
Image Credit: tastyoven
Pressure Cooker Leg of Lamb makes a delicious and tender holiday roast that takes a fraction of the time as it does on the stove or in the oven and slow cooker. It falls apart tender, juicy, and full of warm flavor.
Festive boneless pressure cooker leg of lamb is a great main dish for your next holiday gathering. It’s simple, delicious, and a true time and space saver when preparing big holiday dinners.
Get the full recipe from: Tasty Oven
Image Credit: tastyoven
Kebab Hindi is an authentic Syrian family dinner enjoyed for centuries by Middle Eastern families! Mini lamb meatballs are cooked in a sweet tomato sauce with carrots and potatoes, then served over yellow Saffron rice.
This is a great meal for large family gatherings and for holidays like Christmas and Easter. Making this recipe is a much anticipated Christmas Eve tradition.
Get the full recipe from: Tasty Oven
Image Credit: cheneetoday
This best beer-braised boneless pressure cooker ham glazed with pineapple and brown sugar is a go-to recipe to make in an Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker in a fraction of the time!
It’s the best ham ever, with a brown sugar glaze that is perfect for your special occasions or your Christmas dinner! In the pressure cooker, ham is done in just minutes and comes out even more flavorful and delicious.
Get the full recipe from: Chenee Today
Image Credit: greedygirlgourmet
Gochujang Chicken is an easy and delicious Asian Roast Chicken. This popular Korean chicken recipe is the perfect flavor explosion for busy weeknight dinners, Sunday lunches, Thanksgiving or even Christmas!
This Gochujang Chicken is a flavorful and hands-off 1 pot meal: roast the chicken with cut vegetables or some kimchi and you get a nutritious, filling meal!
Get the full recipe from: Greedy Girl Gourmet
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Impress your guests with this cranberry glazed ham. It has a simple cranberry sauce with a tart, yet sweet, warm flavor with the addition of allspice, cinnamon and a touch of pepper.
Glazed hams are often one of the easiest, most elegant dinners to make. It takes a little bit of time in the oven, but you’ll end up with a flavorful baked ham that is juicy and tender. Perfect for the holiday season.
Get the full recipe from: Tastes of Lizzy T
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Orange Pepper Jelly Glazed Ham slathered with a sticky, sweet, and savory glaze will be the center of attention on your holiday table! Turn any meal into a celebration with this easy recipe for warm, glazed ham, and watch the outstanding reviews come in.
This recipe features just a few key ingredients but offers lots of flavor. The taste will remind you of orange marmalade, making it the perfect choice for Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Get the full recipe from: A Southern Soul
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This Slow-Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Roast is an effortless and unforgettable dinner. Imagine tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork infused with deep, tangy flavors and the perfect touch of sweetness.
Sweet, tangy balsamic vinegar, rich brown sugar, a few herbs and spices covering a lean pork roast, all cooked low and slow for a few hours.
Get the full recipe from: A Southern Soul
Image Credit: whatagirleats
Prime rib is a classic centerpiece for Christmas dinner, celebrated for its rich flavor and tender texture. Often roasted to perfection, it boasts a beautiful crust and juicy, pink interior.
Served with sides like creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables, prime rib creates a festive and indulgent meal that brings family and friends together. This dish is typically accompanied by horseradish sauce or au jus, enhancing its savory qualities.
Get the full recipe from: What A Girl Eats
Image Credit :whatagirleats
Roast rack of pork is an elegant dinner, perfect for special occasions, but easy enough to make for a special Sunday supper. It’s topped with a delicious green peppercorn sauce that is easy to prepare while the pork is resting.
The green peppercorn sauce adds a creamy, slightly spicy kick, complementing the rich taste of the meat. This dish pairs beautifully with sides like roasted vegetables or creamy polenta, making it a standout choice for festive gatherings.
Get the full recipe from:What A Girl Eats
Image Credit: xoxobella
Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions is a quick beef recipe featuring the delicious flavors of cayenne, garlic, chilies, horseradish and more. It’s a great dish for a busy weeknight supper since it’s pretty easy to throw together in just 30 minutes.
Grab a cast iron skillet and get ready to make beef with red onion, peppers and cherry tomatoes for dinner. This full-flavored dish pairs beautifully with anything like mashed potatoes, etc. You will find these steak medallions are perfect for special occasions or even weeknight dinners
Get the full recipe from: Xoxo Bella
Image Credit: xoxobella
Smoked sweet onion honey glazed ham on a pellet grill makes such a delicious meal for a special occasion. Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter would be the perfect time for smoking a ham on a pellet smoker or Traeger grill.
This honey ham recipe is juicy, boasting all kinds of rich, wonderful flavors. The glaze ensures it won’t dry out and the flavor is just phenomenal.
Get the full recipe from: Xoxo Bella
Image Credit: simplystacie
Christmas Lasagna is make-ahead comfort food with a festive red and green flair for the holidays! This home-cooked meal is a Christmas Eve tradition with its layers of noodles, pasta sauce, sausage and cheese.
This hearty holiday lasagna is the perfect Christmas Eve dinner. It feeds a crowd and has all the colors of Christmas! Loaded with noodles, veggies, cheese and meat and can be made ahead of time.
Get the full recipe from: Simply Stacie
Image Credit: simplystacie
This baked festive ham is easy to make, tender and incredibly delicious. Topped with a sweet sticky orange glaze that will bring your holiday meal to the next level.
This scrumptious glazed ham is perfect to serve for Christmas dinner or even on Christmas eve. It’s an unforgettable and classic main course that everyone loves. The delicious glaze adds incredible flavor and makes it that much more memorable.
Get the full recipe from: Simply Stacie
Image Credit: chocolatemoosey
Pan Seared Lamb Chops are a delicious and elegant dish featuring tender lamb chops seasoned with herbs and spices, then seared to perfection in a hot skillet.
This dish is served with complementary sides, making it a perfect dinner option. The recipe highlights the rich flavor of the lamb, enhanced by a simple yet effective preparation. Perfect for your small Christmas or Easter meal.
Get the full recipe from: Chocolate Moosey
Image Credit: chocolatemoosey
The Honey Glazed Ham Steak recipe with pineapple is an easy ham dinner for two that can be ready in under 30 minutes! It features thick slices of ham steak brushed with a sweet and tangy honey glaze, creating a deliciously sticky exterior while remaining juicy and flavorful inside.
This dish is simple to prepare, making it an ideal option for a cozy dinner for two, and it pairs well with a variety of sides for a complete meal. Fry it on the stovetop or bake in the oven for Christmas or Easter.
Get the full recipe from: Chocolate Moosey
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This roasted turkey breast is coated in a savory garlic and herb butter, then baked to golden brown perfection. The perfect quick and easy option for a holiday meal or everyday dinner!
You’ll love this best turkey breast , it’s tender, flavorful and juicy! This roasted turkey breast is the perfect option. It’s super flavorful, quick cooking, and festive for any holiday meal like Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Get the full recipe from: Dinner At The Zoo
Image Credit: dinneratthezoo
This slow roasted prime rib recipe features a flavorful crust of garlic and fresh minced herbs. The prime rib is cooked to golden brown perfection and comes out tender and juicy every time. The perfect main course for a special occasion, Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Prime rib roast is so incredibly flavorful and also happens to be quite easy to make! To make this recipe, you will need a prime rib roast, olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary, kosher salt and black pepper. Then, serve the meat with any pan juices and enjoy!
Get the full recipe from: Dinner At The Zoo
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This simple, yet flavor-packed recipe for Oven Roasted Whole Chicken is sure to become a family favorite! Featuring tender, juicy meat and deliciously crispy chicken skin.
Considered an essential recipe for the home cook, roasted chicken is the perfect main dish for any occasion. Use the leftovers in your favorite casseroles, and the bones to make broth or soup.
Get the full recipe from: Dash For Dinner
Image Credit: corriecooks
Instant Pot short ribs are a tender and flavorful dish that combines the richness of beef short ribs with the convenience of pressure cooking. The ribs are seasoned and seared, then cooked in a savory broth with aromatics, resulting in meat that easily falls off the bone.
These short ribs are delicious and so easy to make. Use the Instant Pot to save time and effort and get a great main dish for Christmas or any special dinner.
Get the full recipe from: Corrie Cooks
Image Credit: corriecooks
Instant Pot duck is a succulent and flavorful dish that simplifies the process of cooking duck to achieve perfectly tender meat with crispy skin. The duck is seasoned and cooked under pressure, allowing the rich flavors to develop quickly.
This aromatic and buttered roasted duck recipe will be a festive favorite for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table.
Get the full recipe from: Corrie Cooks
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This pecan-glazed ham is a real showstopper. With a sweet maple glaze and pecan brown sugar topping, this stunning ham is sure to be the star of your holiday table.
It is an amazing holiday dinner centerpiece or main course option for any special occasion. It is also perfect for an everyday family dinner!
Get the full recipe from: Crayons and Cravings
Enjoy Christmas dinner with these mouthwatering Christmas main dishes, With recipes like kahlua pineapple glazed ham, cherry balsamic pork roast, whole roasted turkey, honey baked ham, beef wellington, prime rib, beef tenderloin, leg of lamb, roast rack of pork, among several other crowd-pleasing main dishes.
Remember to complement these recipes with your favorite side dish.
