When it comes down to planning Christmas dinner, the Christmas main and entree has to be a showstopper. Whether you are sticking to traditional recipes like a holiday glazed baked ham or whole roast turkey, or opting for something smaller and new, like a tender herb-crusted rack of lamb or juicy slow cooker turkey breast, I have you covered. Today, I am sharing my 25 most popular and favourite best Christmas mains and entrees.
Easy holiday glazed baked ham is juicy, succulent and flavourful, coated in a brown sugar honey glaze with and baked until caramelized and golden brown.
This Prime Rib Roast is a tender and juicy cut of beef marbled with fat. It is incredibly flavorful, delicious, and good — flavored with simple ingredients.
Quick easy roasted pork tenderloin with sauce is juicy, tender, and flavorful. Ready in 30 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknights or a holiday dinner.
Best and Juiciest Roast Turkey
The best and juiciest roast turkey cooks faster that traditional methods and requires no brining. It's so tender and juicy every time.
This delicious garlic and herb-crusted rack of lamb is tender, juicy, and flavourful. It is surprisingly quick and easy to make at home in about 30 minutes.
Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken
Easy Dutch oven whole roast chicken with the crispiest golden skin is juicy, tender and succulent and packed with flavour. Just takes 15 minutes to prep.
Homemade roast beef is roasted on high heat and slow cooked on low heat for the best texture — browned crust on the outside and tender, moist, juicy inside.
Honey Glazed Roast Pork with Vegetables
Easy one pan honey glazed roast pork is moist, tender, and juicy, coated with an irresistible honey glaze and packed with potatoes, green beans and apples.
Ground beef meat pie with a flaky puff pastry double crust pie is filled with ground beef cooked with vegetables and seasonings. The ultimate comfort food and a classic French Canadian dish on Christmas eve.
Easy Juicy Roasted Turkey Breast
Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the perfect holiday dinner, minus the headache…tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions.
This juicy tender Stuffed Pork Loin filled with a delicious mushroom and spinach stuffing is a gorgeous entree to serve at your next dinner party.
Asian five-spice roast turkey is tender and juicy, marinated with a delicious flavourful Asian rub and has a crispy brown skin. The perfect holiday dinner.
Sheet pan lamb chops with vegetables are healthy and delicious, easy to make, and easier to clean up. Perfect for busy weeknights or a holiday dinner.
Roasted Spatchcock Chicken (Butterflied Chicken)
Quick and easy roasted spatchcock chicken (butterflied chicken) seasoned with garlic and thyme is juicy, tender, delicious and flavourful with minimal prep.
Glazed Honey Balsamic Pork Chops
Quick and easy, glazed honey balsamic pork chops are tender and juicy, seared in thyme and coated with a honey balsamic sauce. Make it in under 30 minutes.
Skillet shepherd's pie is a savoury and hearty traditional comfort food. With flavourful beef and fluffy potatoes, this cozy meal it will warm you up.
There’s nothing better than a classic Pot Roast for Sunday Dinner. It's hearty, wholesome, and filling comfort food that can feed the whole family.
Instant pot turkey roast with homemade gravy is easy to prepare in minutes, the fastest way to cook turkey, and delivers flavorful, juicy, tender turkey.
Sweet and savoury pineapple glazed ham slices are perfect for a holiday dinner. With a caramelized glaze, this ham is dressed to impress.
Roast Stuffed Chicken is easy to make and has everything you need for a meal in one pan. Serve it for a special occasion or weekly for Sunday roast dinner.
Instant pot whole chicken with gravy is tender, juicy, and flavorful. It's the fastest way to cook a whole rotisserie chicken for dinner in just 40 minutes.
Instant pot turkey breast is the most tender and juicy turkey you’ll ever try. It's so easy to make in the pressure cooker and requires little prep.
Creamy Chicken Roulade with Spinach and Mushrooms
Give your chicken breasts an upgrade by stuffing them to make fancy, juicy chicken roulade with spinach and mushrooms topped with a creamy alfredo sauce.
This hearty classic meatloaf with a caramelized glaze will nourish your body and soul. Feed the whole family with a simple yet flavourful classic.
Greek Lemon Garlic Whole Roast Chicken
Easy Greek lemon garlic whole roast chicken is tender, juicy and succulent with the crispiest skin. Prep this flavourful one pan meal in just 15 minutes.
Instant pot osso buco is a delicious, classic Italian recipe with braised veal shanks stewed with vegetables in a thick, savory red wine and tomato sauce.
Soft, tender and juicy slow cooker turkey breast with the crispiest skin and fresh fall herbs is the easiest way to cook a turkey this holiday season.
Easy Roast Lamb with Vegetables
Easy roast lamb with vegetables is tender, juicy, and succulent and packed incredible flavour. This fancy holiday dinner is easy to prep in just 15 minutes.
Instant pot whole turkey is a tender, juicy, and delicious holiday main. Ready in under 2 hours, it's the fastest and easiest way to cook a whole turkey!
Roasted Balsamic Chicken with Cranberries
If you’re scrambling to figure out dinner with less than 30 minutes on hand, this sweet and tangy roasted balsamic chicken with cranberries will save the day.
Apple Cider Chicken with Butternut Squash
One of my favourite chicken recipes is quick, easy, one pan apple cider chicken with butternut squash, apples, and thyme, cooked in an apple cider sauce. Serve this fall meal in just 40 minutes.
Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Dijon Garlic Marinade
Juicy, tender, and delicious 18-minute air fryer lamb chops is marinated in a dijon sauce and will change the way you cook lamb forever.
Pesto whole chicken baked over a bed of vegetables is the juiciest and most flavorful chicken you’ll ever taste. Quick and easy to prep and pop in the oven.
Soy Glazed Braised Turkey Breast with Five-Spice
Soy glazed braised turkey breast with Asian five-spice is moist, tender, succulent and the juiciest turkey ever with browned and crispy skin. So flavourful.
Ready in under 30 minutes, juicy and tender garlic rosemary rack of lamb is an exquisite dish bursting with incredible flavours in each and every bite.
Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep.
Roasted Turkey Legs with Vegetables
Tender, succulent and flavourful, easy roasted turkey legs with crispy skin and vegetables is a complete wholesome turkey dinner and family favourite.
Slow Cooker Leg of Lamb with Vegetables
Easy Mediterranean slow cooker leg of lamb with vegetables is succulent, tender, juicy, and flavourful, seasoned with fresh herbs. Prep the crockpot in just 15 minutes.
Prep and Storing Tips
- How to make ahead: I would recommend making these main dishes fresh on the day that you are serving them. However, you can prep your ingredients as much as possible so that you have one less thing to worry about. Whether that is chopping vegetables, marinating meat, or preparing glaze. You can store all your prepared ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- How to store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator. Check the individual recipes for full storing instructions.
- How to reheat: To reheat, place leftovers in the air fryer or in the oven at 300F for 10-20 minutes until warmed through.
More Christmas Recipes
Once you have figured out the main dish that you will be serving on your Christmas dinner menu, start planning the sides and dessert. Browse through my most popular holiday recipes:
- 50 Best Christmas Side Dishes
- 30 Best Christmas Dessert Recipes
- 30 Best Christmas Cookies
- 50 Best Christmas Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
Did You Make Any of These Christmas Mains and Entrees?
Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of these Christmas mains and entrees. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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PrintRecipe
25 Best Christmas Mains and Entrees
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
The 25 best Christmas mains and entrees for a festive holiday dinner including classic baked ham, roast turkey, whole chicken, rack of lamb, and more.
Ingredients
Check each recipe to get full ingredient list. You may need some of the following, depending on what you are making:
- ham
- turkey
- lamb
- chicken
- ground beef
Instructions
- How to make ahead: I would recommend making these main dishes fresh on the day that you are serving them. However, you can prep your ingredients as much as possible so that you have one less thing to worry about. Whether that is chopping vegetables, marinating meat, or preparing glaze. You can store all your prepared ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- How to store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator. Check the individual recipes for full storing instructions.
- How to reheat: To reheat, place leftovers in the air fryer or in the oven at 300F for 10-20 minutes until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Entree
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 400
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