18 Christmas Dinner Recipes

Christmas dinner is one of the most anticipated meals of the year, and your main dish sets the tone for the entire celebration.

Whether you’re planning something traditional, flavorful, hearty, or globally inspired, this list of 18 Christmas dinner main recipes will help you create an unforgettable feast.

Each recipe includes a short description, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions for easy cooking.

1. Herb-Roasted Turkey

A classic Christmas centerpiece, juicy on the inside with crispy, herb-infused skin.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole turkey (10–12 lbs)

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tbsp rosemary

  • 1 tbsp thyme

  • 1 tbsp sage

  • Salt and pepper

  • 1 lemon, halved

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).

  2. Mix butter, garlic, and herbs.

  3. Pat turkey dry and rub butter mixture under and over the skin.

  4. Stuff cavity with lemon.

  5. Roast for 3–3½ hours, basting occasionally.

  6. Rest 20 minutes before carving.

2. Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham

Sweet, sticky, and savory ham that makes any holiday table shine.

Ingredients

  • 1 spiral-cut ham

  • 1/2 cup honey

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/2 cup orange juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).

  2. Mix honey, sugar, cinnamon, and orange juice.

  3. Brush glaze over ham.

  4. Bake covered for 1 hour; uncover and bake 15 more minutes.

3. Garlic Butter Prime Rib

A luxurious cut slow-roasted to perfection with garlic and herbs.

Ingredients

  • 4–5 lb prime rib

  • 1/2 cup butter

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tbsp rosemary

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).

  2. Mix butter with garlic and herbs; rub over meat.

  3. Roast 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 325°F (163°C).

  4. Cook 1.5–2 hours until desired doneness.

  5. Rest 15 minutes before slicing.

4. Cranberry Rosemary Chicken

Festive and flavorful chicken roasted with fresh herbs and tart cranberries.

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs

  • 1 cup fresh cranberries

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp rosemary

  • 2 garlic cloves

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).

  2. Season chicken, place in a pan with cranberries and garlic.

  3. Drizzle oil; sprinkle rosemary.

  4. Bake 35–40 minutes.

5. Beef Wellington

Tender beef wrapped in mushroom duxelles and flaky puff pastry—pure elegance.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb beef tenderloin

  • 1 sheet puff pastry

  • 8 oz mushrooms

  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

  • 1 egg (for wash)

Instructions

  1. Sear beef on all sides; brush with mustard.

  2. Blend mushrooms into paste; cook until dry.

  3. Wrap beef and mushroom mixture in pastry.

  4. Brush with egg; bake at 400°F (205°C) for 30–35 minutes.

6. Maple-Mustard Pork Loin

Balanced sweet and savory holiday main dish.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb pork loin

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Mix maple and mustard; coat pork.

  3. Roast 1 hour until cooked through.

7. Lemon Herb Roast Chicken

Bright and aromatic, perfect for a lighter Christmas option.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken

  • 1 lemon

  • 3 tbsp butter

  • Garlic, rosemary, thyme

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).

  2. Rub chicken with herb-butter mixture.

  3. Stuff lemon inside cavity.

  4. Roast 1–1.5 hours.

8. Baked Salmon with Dill Cream

Elegant, tender salmon topped with a creamy herb sauce.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb salmon

  • 1 cup sour cream

  • 1 tbsp dill

  • Lemon juice

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Season salmon; bake 20 minutes.

  3. Mix sour cream with dill and lemon.

  4. Serve over salmon.

9. Roast Duck with Orange Glaze

Crispy skin, juicy meat, and a sweet citrus glaze.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole duck

  • Salt

  • 1/4 cup orange marmalade

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Score skin, season with salt.

  3. Roast 2 hours.

  4. Brush with glaze and roast 15 more minutes.

10. Stuffed Bell Peppers (Holiday Style)

A festive vegetarian main filled with rice, herbs, and veggies.

Ingredients

  • 6 bell peppers

  • 2 cups cooked rice

  • 1 cup diced veggies

  • 1 cup cheese

  • Spices

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Cut tops off peppers; fill with mixture.

  3. Bake 30–35 minutes.

11. Italian Lasagna

A comforting, crowd-pleasing holiday favorite.

Ingredients

  • Lasagna noodles

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • Marinara sauce

  • Ricotta, mozzarella

Instructions

  1. Cook noodles.

  2. Brown beef; add sauce.

  3. Layer noodles, cheese, meat sauce.

  4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40 minutes.

12. Braised Short Ribs

Tender, rich beef slow-cooked in red wine.

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs short ribs

  • 1 cup red wine

  • 1 onion

  • 2 cups beef broth

Instructions

  1. Brown ribs; remove.

  2. Sauté onion; add wine.

  3. Return ribs, add broth.

  4. Simmer 2–3 hours.

13. Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Breast

Simple, juicy, and perfect for any Christmas table.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 3 garlic cloves

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Mix sauce; pour over chicken.

  3. Bake 25–30 minutes.

14. Shepherd’s Pie

Hearty meat topped with creamy mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • Mixed vegetables

  • Mashed potatoes

Instructions

  1. Cook beef with vegetables.

  2. Layer in dish and top with mashed potatoes.

  3. Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 25 minutes.

15. Moroccan Spiced Lamb

Warm, aromatic spices make this lamb roast unforgettable.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb lamb leg

  • 1 tbsp cumin

  • 1 tbsp paprika

  • 1 tbsp garlic

  • Olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Mix spices with oil; rub on lamb.

  3. Roast 1.5–2 hours.

16. Vegetable Wellington

A vegetarian show-stopper with mushrooms, spinach, and pastry.

Ingredients

  • Puff pastry

  • Mushrooms

  • Spinach

  • Parmesan

  • 1 egg

Instructions

  1. Cook veggies; drain well.

  2. Wrap in pastry and brush with egg wash.

  3. Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 30 minutes.

17. Roast Beef with Gravy

Classic and comforting, with easy homemade gravy.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb beef roast

  • Salt, pepper

  • 2 cups beef broth

  • 2 tbsp flour

Instructions

  1. Season beef; roast at 350°F (175°C) for 90 minutes.

  2. Whisk broth and flour over heat to make gravy.

18. Pineapple-Glazed Roast Chicken

Sweet tropical glaze makes this a fresh twist on holiday poultry.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken

  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).

  2. Mix glaze ingredients.

  3. Roast chicken 1 hour, brushing with glaze halfway.

These 18 Christmas dinner main recipes offer something for every family tradition and taste.

Whether you love poultry, beef, pork, seafood, or vegetarian dishes, this list gives you plenty of festive inspiration for the holiday table.