Effizzie Kitchen

35 Delicious Christmas Main Dishes Everyone Will Love

Center your meal around one of these festive and hearty mains.

By effizziemag On Dec 14, 2024

Don’t Forget to Wash Your Wreath

Southern Living Roast Beef sliced on a platter to serve — PHOTO: JEN CAUSEY, FOOD STYLIST: MARGARET MONROE DICKEY, PROP STYLIST: JULIA BAYLESS

On top of all the shopping, gift wrapping, and baking you do for the holidays, planning the Christmas Day main dinner entree might slip your mind. It’s not like Thanksgiving when you know you’ll cook a turkey. Christmas Day entrees range from roasted chicken to prime rib—and there is no right or wrong answer.

Center your meal on one of these festive and hearty main dish recipes. Not only are these entrees delicious, but they also are the elegant centerpiece your holiday table needs. Check another thing off your holiday planning list by choosing one of these main Christmas dishes that all your guests will love.

Roast Rack Of Lamb

Southern Living Rack of Lamb on a platter to serve — MORGAN HUNT GLAZE, FOOD STYLIST: JULIAN HENSARLING, PROP STYLIST: JOSH HOGGLE

Between marinating, seasoning, roasting, coating in a crispy panko crust, and topping with a fresh Herb Sauce, every step of this recipe is there to make it even more flavorful.

Simple Roasted Turkey

Southern Living Simple Roasted Turkey on a platter to serve — FRED HARDY, FOOD STYLIST: MARGARET MONROE DICKEY, PROP STYLIST: HANNAH GREENWOOD

If you’ve never been in charge of the Christmas dinner main dish before, this easy turkey recipe is a great place to start. Our Test Kitchen recommends serving it with your favorite gravy recipe.

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Porchetta With Lemony Herb Sauce

Southern Living Southern Cracklin' Pork Roast With Lemony-Herb Sauce — GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLIST: MICAH MORTON; PROP STYLIST: GINNY BRANCH

Talk about a photo finish. This stunner is a labor of love, but the reactions to both the look and taste of it will be worth it all.

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Honey-Glazed Ham

Honey-Glazed Ham - Southern Living — CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX

Surprising ingredients like orange marmalade, grated fresh ginger, and rice vinegar add incredible depth of flavor to a classic Honey-Glazed Ham.

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Roast Beef

Southern Living Roast Beef sliced on a platter to serve — JEN CAUSEY, FOOD STYLIST: MARGARET MONROE DICKEY, PROP STYLIST: JULIA BAYLESS

If you want gorgeous results for your holiday meal, don’t ignore our Test Kitchen’s biggest piece of advice for this main dish recipe: Use a probe thermometer. “This way, you can monitor the temperature of the roast without having to move it from the oven and open the oven door a lot.”

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Cornish Hens

Southern Living Cornish Hens half of a hen on a plate to serve with vegetables — CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX

This chicken dish is a great option for smaller Christmas crowds. Since it’s cooked with carrots and baby new potatoes, it also comes with a side dish.

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Prime Rib With Horseradish Dipping Sauce

Prime Rib With Horseradish Dipping Sauce — ALISON MIKSCH; FOOD STYLIST: KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: JOSH HOGGLE

Perhaps no main dish feels more luxurious than prime rib, and this go-to recipe has perfected the cooking process for it.

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French Onion Turkey

Southern Living French Onion Turkey on a platter to serve — DANE TASHIMA; FOOD STYLIST: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DALEY

You haven’t had turkey like this before! If you love the flavor of French onion soup, you’re going to want to make this new take on roast turkey year after year.

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Christmas Goose

Secrets to Best Christmas Goose — GETTY/GMVOZD

Bring an old-fashioned Christmas favorite back this year with a truly traditional main dish recipe.

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Roasted Lamb With Fresh-Herb Sauce

Southern Living Roasted Lamb With Fresh-Herb Sauce on serving platter — VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: MELISSA GRAY; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY

Take it from a reader who left this recipe a five-star review: “Made it exactly as stated. Incredible, and received rave reviews!”

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Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Southern Living Roasted Spatchcock Chicken in the pan ready to serve — JEN CAUSEY; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX

This elegant chicken dish is dressy enough for a holiday, and the reviews are stunning.

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Pan-Seared Rib-Eye With Mushroom-Hunter’s Sauce

Southern Living Pan-Seared Rib-Eye with Mushroom-Hunter’s Sauce sliced on a platter to serve — VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLIST: JULIA BAYLESS

If you’re having a small Christmas dinner, serve an elegant steak with mushroom sauce to wow your crew. This luxurious steak cooks in your cast-iron skillet on the stovetop and in the oven, so you don’t have to worry about grilling in the winter cold.

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Slow-Cooker Pork Roast Recipe

Slow-Cooker Pork Roast — VICTOR PROTASIO; PROP STYLING: MARY CLAYTON CARL JONES; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

Boneless pork loin is a more budget-friendly option than a cut of beef, but it’s oh-so-flavorful. With this slow-cooker recipe, you don’t have to give up valuable oven space you need for sides and desserts.

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Broiled Lamb Chops

Broiled Lamb Chops

The actual cooking process for these elegant lamb chops is very quick, but be sure to carve out enough time for them to marinate beforehand.

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Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

a plate filled with bacon-wrapped tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and green beans — CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX

If Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin wasn’t delicious enough on its own, the easy glaze that’s served with it is over-the-top tasty.

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Cast-Iron Roast Chicken

Southern Living Cast-Iron Roast Chicken in the pan ready to serve — VICTOR PROTASIO, FOOD STYLIST: CHELSEA ZIMMER, PROP STYLIST: JULIA BAYLESS

Roast chicken has never looked so beautiful! The cast-iron skillet and a rainbow of veggies make for pretty presentation and delicious results.

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Onion-Braised Brisket

Southern Living Onion Braised Brisket on a platter ready to serve — JEN CAUSEY; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL

“My mother’s brisket has hands-down been the best I’ve ever tasted…until now,” says Southern Living Test Kitchen Recipe Developer and Tester Amanda Holstein. If that isn’t high praise, we don’t know what is!

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French Onion Pot Roast

Southern Living French Onion Pot Roast on a plate to serve with mashed potatoes — CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX

Time to make the onions shine in this deliciously flavorful pot roast that is perfect for serving on a holiday. Our Test Kitchen loves serving this over creamy mashed potatoes.

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Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce

Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce — ALISON MIKSCH

Since beef tenderloin doesn’t have much fat, it can quickly dry and be overcooked. For tender slices, don’t cook past a meat thermometer registering 130°F in the center. Serve with a Mustard-Cream Sauce.

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Baked Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze

Southern Living Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze on a platter to serve — CAITLIN BENSEL, FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX

Classic baked ham belongs at nearly any holiday table. This cooking technique yields moist, tender ham with a caramelized and crispy rind. Serve with a sauce for the perfect holiday dish.

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Brisket with Carrots and Horseradish-Parsley Gremolata

Brisket with Carrots and Horseradish-Parsley Gremolata — ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

Cooked low and slow in a slow cooker, this brisket emerges fork tender and ready for your holiday table. The herbaceous parsley sauce adds a welcome note of brightness to the meat.

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Herb-Crusted Roasted Leg of Lamb

Herb-Crusted Roasted Leg of Lamb — GREG DUPREE; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

The secret to roasting a leg of lamb is cooking it low and slow, turning up the heat so the exterior can brown and form a crust. This very flavorful and tender lamb pairs well with couscous or butternut puree. Serve with parsley-mint sauce on the side.

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Dutch Oven Turkey Breast

Southern Living Dutch Oven Turkey Breast and Vegetables on a platter to serve — VICTOR PROTASIO, FOOD STYLIST: CHELSEA ZIMMER, PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY

Hosting a small crowd but in the mood for turkey? This recipe for turkey breast is cooked it in a Dutch oven, which also eliminates the need to make gravy in a second pan.

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Perfect Beef Tenderloin

Perfect Beef Tenderloin — IAIN BAGWELL

When seasoning roasts, this will generally do the trick. Add one teaspoon of kosher salt per pound of meat. Plan on about five pounds of meat for every 12 guests. The beef goes pairs well with Homemade Hot Mustard.

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Spice-Rubbed Turkey Tenderloin With Gravy

spice-rubbed turkey tenderloin - Southern Living — ALISON MIKSCH; FOOD STYLIST: KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: JOSH HOGGLE

If your holiday crowd is a handful or fewer, turkey tenderloins are the perfect option. Each one is about the same size as a chicken breast, but the spice rub feels every bit a holiday feast, with warm notes of sage and thyme.

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Baked Ham with Brown Sugar-Citrus Glaze

Baked Ham with Brown Sugar-Citrus Glaze — VICTOR PROTASIO; PROP STYLING: GINNY BRANCH; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER

A holiday ham doesn’t get much prettier than this one. Fresh orange juice and marmalade give this glaze tons of citrus flavor and create a glossy, sticky exterior.

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Lemon Roast Chicken With Rainbow Carrots

Southern Living Lemon Roast Chicken With Rainbow Carrots in roasting pan — VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY

If you’re feeding a small crowd, a roast chicken can be much more manageable than a turkey or a ham. This one is packed with flavor and looks great on the table thanks to rainbow carrots, herbs, and lemons.

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Sweet-and-Spicy Roast Turkey

Sweet-and-Spicy Roast Turkey — GREG DUPREE; PROP STYLIST: GINNY BRANCH; FOOD STYLIST: CAT STEELE

You’ll have no fear of a bland bird thanks to this recipe. After you dry-brine the turkey with an aromatic spice rub, you roast it with a honey-hot sauce glaze for a spicy exterior that has a beautiful bronzed look.

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Glazed Spiral-Cut Ham

Glazed spiral-cut ham on white platter — VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN; PROP STYLIST: MISSIE NEVILLE CRAWFORD

For many families, the holidays mean glazed ham. This recipe gives you three delicious options depending on what your crowd will like—sweet, herby, or spicy.

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Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Burgundy-Mushroom Sauce Recipe

Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Burgundy-Mushroom Sauce — PHOTO: HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ; PROP STYLING: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER; FOOD STYLING: WILLIAM SMITH

If you really want to impress, this stuffed and rolled beef tenderloin makes a special treat for the holidays. The meat is filled with creamy spinach and leeks and served with a rich mushroom sauce.

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Sweet Tea-Brined Ham With Lemon Glaze

Southern Living Sweet Tea Brined Ham with Lemon Glaze on a platter to serve — CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX

A salty-sweet brine and tangy-sweet lemon glaze makes this ham stand out from any other you’ve tried.

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Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin — GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY

This simple but decadent beef tenderloin makes a fantastic holiday main dish. A mixture of mustard and mayonnaise keeps the meat moist and helps the herbed breadcrumbs adhere.

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Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon — HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ

Rich, comforting, and made in a slow cooker—what more could you want from a holiday main? Serve with a rustic loaf of bread and plenty of red wine and you’ve got a fabulous Christmas meal.

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Maple-Bourbon Glazed Ham

maple bourbon glazed ham — PHOTOGRAPHER: FREDERICK HARDY II, FOOD STYLIST: MARGARET DICKEY, PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DALEY

Made with six ingredients—including the ham itself—this sweet, richly spiced glaze has a little kick thanks to the bourbon.

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Vanessa’s Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna — PHOTO: BETH DREILING HONTZAS; STYLING: MISSIE NEVILLE CRAWFORD

A container of refrigerated pesto adds distinctive flavor to this basic beef-and-cheese lasagna. Freeze the unbaked lasagna for up to three months if you want to plan that far in advance. Bake until the cheese is browned.

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