It’s here, it’s here! The most wonderful time of the year for cozy sweaters, twinkly lights, and putting together a Christmas dinner menu that will absolutely wow everyone.
If you want to make this year’s dinner extra special, I’ve got you covered.
These recipes are the definition of holiday joy and will have everyone coming back for seconds. Trust me, you’re going to want to make every single one.
1. Beef Wellington
Source: Delish.com
If you really want to show your loved ones some holiday magic, this Beef Wellington is how you do it. This is the ultimate Christmas dinner centerpiece.
Let’s just talk about what’s happening here. You’ve got melt-in-your-mouth tenderloin that gets a layer of Dijon mustard and a mushroom medley.
Then, the whole thing gets wrapped in prosciutto and puff pastry before being baked to golden perfection. YES.
I’m telling you, this is how you prove your kitchen skills are next-level. It’s the kind of dish that shows everyone just how much you love them.
2. Stuffing
Source: Theendlessmeal.com
You absolutely cannot have a holiday feast without the sides, and this stuffing is a must. It’s completely loaded with walnuts, apricots, cranberries, onions, mushrooms, and celery.
I mean, just think about that flavor and texture explosion! The veggies keep the bread perfectly moist.
Honestly, it doesn’t even matter if you use this to stuff a turkey or just eat it on its own. It’s a total dream either way.
3. Maple Glazed Ham
Source: Damndelicious.net
Thinking about serving ham as your main? Forget the store-bought kind! When you make it yourself, your family and friends will feel so special this Christmas.
And don’t even worry, this recipe is ridiculously easy.
You only need seven simple ingredients to create the most succulent ham, which gets coated in a wonderfully sweet maple and brown sugar glaze. You just can’t beat a classic like this.
4. Pork Crown Roast with Stuffing
Source: Howtofeedaloon.com
This pork roast with stuffing is a total showstopper for Christmas dinner. The succulent pork is packed with a rich stuffing and finished with a luscious white wine sauce. The taste is just out of this world.
You get this perfect harmony between the savory pork, the sumptuous stuffing, and that smooth sauce. And the best part? It looks so impressive but is surprisingly easy to make happen.
5. Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna
Source: Juliasalbum.com
To all my vegetarians out there, listen up! This butternut squash and spinach lasagna is the most mouth-watering dish you could possibly serve for Christmas.
Sweet veggies get stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella, then baked until it’s all golden and bubbly. I’m not even a vegetarian, but this dish has me thinking about it! It’s so good, you won’t even notice the meat or pasta is missing.
6. Mulled Wine
Source: kalejunkie.com
Mulled wine is the definition of a cozy winter drink. It’s this amazing blend of red wine and aromatic spices. While it’s simple to make, it has such a rich flavor that’s just right for holiday parties or a quiet night in.
Just picture it: you’re curled up under a blanket, sipping this warm drink while watching the snow fall outside. That is pure festive happiness in a mug.
7. Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Source: Gratefulgrazer.com
Honey-roasted carrots and parsnips take everyday vegetables and turn them into a festive treat. The edges get caramelized in the oven, making them sweet, tender, and just a little bit browned.
They get topped with walnuts and herbs and drizzled with a sweet honey-cumin sauce. So yummy. What a simple and flavorful way to complete your Christmas dinner!
8. Oven-Roasted Turkey
Source: Averiecooks.com
Let’s be real, you can’t talk about stuffing without giving a nod to our favorite holiday bird. If you’re doing a turkey for Christmas, this is the only recipe you’ll ever need.
It’s unbelievably juicy, buttery, and seasoned so well, roasted to a perfect golden brown. I’m telling you, this turkey will make your mom proud.
The best part? It’s so easy to make! You don’t have to do any basting or brining. It’s so simple, it’s basically foolproof.
9. Hasselback Potatoes
Source: Recipegirl.com
They’re crisp, tender, and just so amazing. Hasselback potatoes are such a fun spin on the usual roasted spuds.
Those thin cuts create the most wonderful texture when the potatoes bake. All the crevices get super crisp, but the inside stays soft and fluffy.
And the flavor is so buttery! The chives bring a bit of sweetness and earthiness to the potatoes. They are the perfect side to go with a tender cut of beef, like a prime rib.
10. Orange Five-Spice Roast Goose and Potatoes
Source: thewoksoflife.com
Forget the turkey this year and go for this succulent Chinese centerpiece! Imagine a juicy goose with crispy skin, infused with flavors of orange zest, ginger, soy, and five-spice.
Now, picture golden potatoes roasted in goose fat until they’re crisp and unbelievably flavorful. This is such a bold and delicious change from the usual holiday main, a true feast for your senses.
11. Christmas Salad
Source: Rachelcooks.com
Bring some freshness to your heavy Christmas dinner with a simple salad that is packed with flavor. With kale, candied pecans, blue cheese, oranges, and pomegranate seeds, this salad is all about combining amazing flavors and textures!
It’s so festive looking, you’ll want to dive right in. The citrus vinaigrette dressing gives it a refreshing and tangy flavor that brings everything together.
12. Gravy
Source: Averiecooks.com
It doesn’t matter if you’re serving chicken, pork, turkey, or beef, this gravy will take any meat from just okay to totally sensational. It’s so full of flavor, it might just become the star of the whole show!
All it takes are drippings, fat, flour, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper to whip up the greatest gravy you’ve ever had. There are no fancy cooking techniques, either! This gravy is ready in less than 10 minutes.
13. Pull-Apart Christmas Tree
Source: Sweetandsavorymeals.com
This pull-apart Christmas tree bread is a definite showstopper. The idea is pretty simple. It’s just bite-sized pieces of bread filled with cheese and shaped like a Christmas tree. But wow, what a treat.
The little bites are delicious all on their own. But then they get a drizzle of melted butter, parmesan, and herbs just to make them even better. This appetizer is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday meal.
14. Beef Brisket
Source: Recipetineats.com
Succulent, fork-tender beef gets smothered in a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. I mean, how drool-worthy is that!
Two things make this dish so epic: the tender beef roast and that awesome sauce.
The beef is slow-cooked for 8 hours, so it gets so soft it just melts in your mouth. Then it gets roasted in the oven and basted with barbecue sauce to get that ridiculously amazing flavor.
15. Roasted Leg of Lamb
Source: Damndelicious.net
A roasted leg of lamb for Christmas is so elegant without a lot of effort, and it’s so simple to make. You just rub it with garlic, herbs, olive oil, and Dijon, then roast it until it’s perfect.
Its succulent, herb-infused flavor is a guaranteed hit with everyone! It’s the perfect dish for a festive table that looks just as good as it tastes, with very little fuss.
16. Classic Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Ribs
Source: Katieatthekitchendoor.com
These beef short ribs are slow-cooked until they’re perfectly tender. The rich flavors of red wine soak into the meat, creating a succulent and deeply satisfying dish.
They are perfect served over creamy mashed potatoes or some buttery noodles. This is the kind of recipe that makes any holiday table feel extra special.
17. Creamed Spinach
Source: Themodernproper.com
Creamed spinach is a simple but truly luxurious holiday side. It takes the humble spinach and transforms it into a rich and creamy delight.
For this recipe, the spinach is blended with a creamy, herb-infused sauce, making it a super indulgent way to eat your greens. It pairs wonderfully with so many Christmas mains and adds a touch of elegance to any festive table.