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    Home » Christmas » 25 Best Christmas Mains and Entrees

    25 Best Christmas Mains and Entrees

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    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Holiday Glazed Baked Ham

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Prime Rib Roast

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Roasted Pork Tenderloin

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    Make Thanksgiving easier with the best and juiciest roast turkey ever! It cooks faster and requires NO brining! | aheadofthyme.com

    Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Roast Beef

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ground Beef Meat Pie

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headache...tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions. | aheadofthyme.com

    Asian Five-Spice Roast Turkey

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Sheet Pan Lamb Chops

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    Quick and easy roasted spatchcock chicken (butterflied chicken) seasoned with garlic and thyme is juicy, tender, delicious and flavourful with minimal prep. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Skillet Shepherd's Pie

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Pot Roast

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Instant Pot Turkey Roast

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Pineapple Glazed Ham Slices

    Sweet and savoury pineapple glazed ham slices are perfect for a holiday dinner. With a caramelized glaze, this ham is dressed to impress.

    Sweet and savoury pineapple glazed ham slices are perfect for a holiday dinner. With a caramelized glaze, this ham is dressed to impress. | aheadofthyme.com

    Instant Pot Whole Chicken

    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 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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Instant Pot Turkey Breast

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Classic Meatloaf

    This hearty classic meatloaf with a caramelized glaze will nourish your body and soul. Feed the whole family with a simple yet flavourful classic.

    This hearty classic meatloaf with a caramelized glaze will nourish your body and soul. Feed the whole family with a simple yet flavourful classic. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Instant Pot Osso Buco

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Instant Pot Whole Turkey

    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!

    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! | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    Roasted balsamic chicken with cranberries is a quick and easy 30-minute weeknight dinner made with tender chicken thighs in a sweet and tangy marinade. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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! | aheadofthyme.com

    Pesto Whole Chicken

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Garlic Rosemary Rack of Lamb

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    Tender, succulent and flavourful, easy roasted turkey legs with crispy skin and vegetables is a complete wholesome turkey dinner and family favourite. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.
    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    HUNGRY FOR MORE? Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipe updates.

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    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    25 Best Christmas Mains and Entrees


    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    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

    1. 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.
    2. 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. 
    3. 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

    Keywords: 25 best christmas mains and entrees, best christmas mains, christmas entrees, christmas recipes, main dish recipes, best christmas recipes, christmas dinner ideas

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    25 Best Christmas Mains and Entrees
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