Christmas dinner has never looked better.
As the year comes to a close, the turkey is roasted, the holiday gifts are being purchased and the pumpkins are put away—it’s officially time to get laser-focused on the most wonderful time of the year: Christmas!
On social media, I’ve seen this question roaming around for the last couple of months, “What should I make for Christmas dinner?” And usually, only two or three of the same dishes would come on every single comment thread. It was then that I knew I had to round up the 25 best Christmas dinner ideas that could really wow guests, impress the in-laws and be showstoppers on the Christmas dinner table at the same time.
Related: 25 Impressive Christmas Desserts
Best Christmas Dinner Ideas
These are recipes of all kinds, from slow cooker Christmas dishes to pressure cooker holiday meals. Prepare to salivate over Beef Tenderloin and Bouillabaisse to vegan Shepherd’s Pie. This collection features every dish you could possibly want during the holidays, from the simple to the super fancy—and all are seriously easy-to-make delicious family-pleasing main courses.
Related: 13 Best Christmas Eve Dinner Recipes
So browse through these fantastic dinner ideas and imagine the oohs and ahhs you’ll receive when you present these gorgeous dishes this holiday season!
Related: How Long Does it Take to Cook the Perfect Ham?
Middle Eastern Inspired Roasted Leg of Lamb
Every Little Crumb
An Iranian spiced leg of lamb with warm cumin, turmeric, honey and pomegranate molasses. Marinade, stick it in the oven, then forget about it!
Get the recipe: Middle Eastern Inspired Roasted Leg of Lamb
Balsamic Brown Sugar Lamb Chops Recipe
Grandbaby Cakes
This delicious Balsamic Brown Sugar Lamb Chops Recipe is savory and rich goodness with sweetness to boot! Delicious juicy lamb chops are seared then basted in a deliciously flavorful luscious sauce that’s super easy to make!
Get the recipe: Balsamic Brown Sugar Lamb Chops
Related: 35 Best Ground Lamb Recipes
Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon
Sweet Tea and Thyme
Beef Bourguignon in the Instant Pot has never been quicker or tastier! All done in just over an hour, the beef is seared and the vegetables are sauteed in rendered bacon fat, then pressure cooked in red wine and beef stock until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Beef Bouguignon
Related: 50 Best Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
Stuffed Flank Steak
Seasoned Sprinkles
Flavorful flank steak stuffed with a roasted red pepper walnut stuffing makes a show stopping holiday meal.
Get the recipe: Stuffed Flank Steak
Air Fryer Cornish Hens with Creamy Mushroom Bacon Gravy
JZ Eats
Delicious juicy Cornish hens in your air fryer with the best mushroom bacon gravy. The best air fryer recipe for crispy skin and fantastic flavor!
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Cornish Hens with Creamy Mushroom Bacon Gravy
Related: 23 Best Air Fryer Recipes
Cider and Chili Pork Belly Recipe
Slow the Cook Down
A beautiful sweet and salty pork belly recipe that is perfect for a holiday dinner!
Get the recipe: Cider and Chili Pork Belly Recipe
Simple Crockpot Beef Short Ribs
Erhardts Eat
These simple Crockpot Beef Short Ribs pack a big flavor and make the perfect holiday main dish or celebratory meal. Trust me, these are worth the splurge.
Get the recipe: Simple Crockpot Beef Short Ribs
Related: Best Christmas Breakfast Ideas
Easy Seafood Bouillabaisse
The Suburban Soapbox
This Easy Seafood Bouillabaisse recipe is a classic French dish that’s perfect for the holidays! Quick and simple to make ahead, this flavorful seafood stew features whatever seasonal fish is available at the market. Impress your guests with a totally jaw-dropping meal that can easily be prepared ahead of time.
Get the recipe: Easy Seafood Bouillabaisse
Instant Pot Whole Cauliflower in Indian Masala
The Belly Rules the Mind
Instant Pot Whole Roasted Cauliflower served in a thick creamy Indian Masala Sauce. A perfect centerpiece for the holiday season, this dish is sure to wow the crowd. Exotic yet easy to make.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Whole Cauliflower in Indian Masala
Related: 51 Best Cauliflower Recipes and Delicious Dish Ideas
Honey Roast Duck Recipe
House of Nash Eats
This honey roast duck recipe makes a beautiful holiday main dish but is easy enough for any special occasion or Sunday dinner. With crispy skin and tender, juicy meat, this post will show you how to cook duck to get that beautiful roasted look and amazing flavor!
Get the recipe: Honey Roast Duck Recipe
Related: 17 Best Duck Recipes
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Grandbaby Cakes
My Auntie Rose’s Famous Southern Cornbread Dressing recipe will put boring ole’ stuffing to shame. Moist skillet cornbread is combined with homemade chicken stock, celery, onion, chicken pieces, spices and flavor galore—creating a perfect side dish ready to claim its fame at your holiday table especially served with gravy.
Get the recipe: Southern Cornbread Dressing
Honey Mustard Glazed Roasted Rack of Pork
I Just Make Sandwiches
A stunning meat centerpiece of any dinner would be this Honey Mustard Glazed Roasted Rack of Pork. Brined in apple cider with plenty of aromatics, slow roasted and glazed, and perfectly frenched rib bones make this pork rib roast taste as good as it looks!
Get the recipe: Honey Mustard Glazed Roasted Rack of Pork
Pork Roast with Warm Persimmon Sauce
Vikalinka by Julia Frey
Why not walk on the wild side and serve your traditional pork roast with exotic persimmon sauce?
Get the recipe: Pork Roast with Warm Persimmon Sauce
Salmon en Papillote with Gremolata
Sweet Tea and Thyme
Salmon en Papillote sounds super fancy but it’s a fast and easy recipe! Not only is the salmon baked with a flavorful lemon dill compound butter, but it’s served with fresh and beautiful gremolata.
Get the recipe: Salmon en Papillote with Gremolata
Related: Best Christmas Brunch Ideas
Garlic Fennel Crusted Roast Rack of Lamb
Renee Nicole’s Kitchen
A roast rack of lamb with a crunchy garlic fennel crust makes a beautiful addition to your holiday table. Whether you are looking for a Christmas alternative to turkey or prime rib, or want something truly impressive for New Year’s Eve, this special dish has you covered.
Get the recipe: Garlic Fennel Crusted Roast Rack of Lamb
Roasted Spatchcock Chicken with Apple Cider Gravy
Recipes Worth Repeating
This roasted apple cider spatchcock chicken is the perfect holiday meal. Covered in warm spices, this chicken is spatchcocked for quicker, more even, roasting and is finished with a delicious apple cider gravy.
Get the recipe: Roasted Spatchcock Chicken with Apple Cider Gravy
Roasted Beef Tenderloin Recipe
The Anthony Kitchen
Perfectly cooked, medium-rare whole beef tenderloin is a beautiful sight to behold, and it makes a seriously impressive presentation for a crowd.
Get the recipe: Roasted Beef Tenderloin Recipe
Slow Cooker Ham
The Little Kitchen
This slow cooker ham recipe will be your new go-to ham recipe for holidays like Easter and Christmas!
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Ham
Sous Vide Duck Breasts with Quick Orange Chocolate Sauce
Beyond Mere Sustenance
Tender, succulent duck breasts get a quick sear after their hot bath, and slathered in a gorgeous sauce. Sous Vide Duck Breasts with Quick Orange Chocolate Sauce and Garlic Mash is sure to wow even the most discerning palate! A special meal for two that is easily scaled up for more.
Get the recipe: Sous Vide Duck Breasts with Quick Orange Chocolate Sauce
Related: Best Candy Cane Recipes
Provolone and Prosciutto-Stuffed Pork Loin
Homemade Interest
This easy Provolone and Prosciutto-Stuffed Pork Loin is roasted and filled with delicious salty prosciutto and perfectly melted provolone cheese.
Get the recipe: Provolone and Prosciutto-Stuffed Pork Loin
Vegan Cashew Nut Roast
Thinly Spread
This simple cashew nut roast is savory and moist and is the perfect centerpiece for a vegan Christmas dinner!
Get the recipe: Vegan Cashew Nut Roast
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
My Pure Plants
This Vegan Shepherd’s Pie is true comfort food for fall and for winter with rainbow carrots, zucchini (courgette) and eggplant (aubergine) topped with creamy vegan mashed potatoes.
Get the recipe: Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Related: 100+ Best Vegan Recipes
The Ultimate Vegan Wellington
Vegan Huggs
Impress your guests with this gorgeous Vegan Wellington! The filling is meaty, satisfying and ever-so-tasty. It’s surprisingly easy to make too.
Get the recipe: The Ultimate Vegan Wellington
The Best Broiled Lobster Tails
Wholesome Yum
This guide has all you need to know about cooking lobster tails—how to prepare lobster tails, how to cook lobster tails and the BEST broiled lobster tail recipe—all in just 20 minutes!
Get the recipe: The Best Broiled Lobster Tails
Related: 52 Best Lobster Recipes & Ideas
Roasted Pork Shoulder Porchetta
Just a Little Bit of Bacon
Rosemary, garlic and fennel are all rubbed over a boneless pork shoulder and roasted until it’s meltingly tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Get the recipe: Roast Pork Shoulder Porchetta
More Holiday Recipe Inspiration:
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