To answer the inevitable question "What to cook for Christmas dinner this year?" and not end up with the same menu as last year, I've put together an incredible compilation of different Christmas dinner main courses for you.
You'll find variations on traditional Christmas dinner menu main courses such as Beef or Pork Tenderloin, Beef or Vegan Wellington, Christmas Ham, Christmas Turkey, as well as Nontraditional Christmas Dinner Main Course Recipes.
Even those who want to stay true to their tradition, such as roasting a turkey every year at Christmas, will find recipe ideas to glaze the turkey maybe differently this year.
To avoid being overwhelmed by this array of recipes, you have the option to download "36 delicious Christmas Dinner Main Course Recipe Ideas" as a PDF. With this link collection, you'll have those lovely recipes at your fingertips when it comes to planning and cooking your fantastic Christmas menu.
Are you also looking for soups, appetizers, and party recipes? Then check out the following recipe collections: 73 Appetizer Recipes for an outstanding Christmas Dinner, 36 Christmas in July Party Recipes, 36 Soup Recipes for your Amazing Christmas Dinner Menu, 36 fabulous Christmas Dinner Dessert Recipes Ideas! If you fancy, you can also snag my Christmas Dinner Cookbook with 24 matching recipes!
7 variations of Pork and Beef Tenderloin Recipes
1. BBQ Pork Tenderloin
The best and easiest BBQ Pork Tenderloin made on the grill or in your oven. Simple ingredients packed with sweet and smoky flavor, the only pork tenderloin recipe you’ll ever need!
2. Christmas-Spiced Pork Tenderloin
Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg mix with orange zest and rosemary for a simple rub, creating a fragrant, juicy pork tenderloin recipe perfect for the holidays.
3. Electric Skillet Pork Tenderloin with White Wine Sauce
This pork tenderloin is cooked in a citrus white wine sauce. Tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked, it’s certain to become one of your holiday season favorites in no time at all.
4. Mind-Blowing Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin | Borrowed Bites
This addictive Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin is moist, tender pork covered in a sweet, sticky maple syrup sauce. It’s an amazing main dish that gets rave reviews every time! Plus it is the perfect dish for entertaining and holidays.
5. Beef Tenderloin with Wine Sauce
Tender Beef Tenderloin Roast with rich Wine Sauce is an easy and impressive main dish perfect for special occasions or holidays.
6. Herb Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Herb Roasted Beef Tenderloin is a delicious treat for Christmas dinner. Fresh herbs bring so much flavor to this lovely cut of meat.
7. Christmas Dinner Beef Tenderloin Roast » Not Entirely Average
Christmas Dinner Beef Tenderloin Roast is not only a seasonal favorite, but it is also a tradition. Beef tenderloin roasts are a near-perfect solution for a crowd who would otherwise all want their steaks cooked differently. Tenderloins are typically uneven in shape and weight from end to center to end. Despite requiring a few 'alterations' to promote even cooking, the ends usually finish a firm medium, an inner cut a medium-rare, and the center of the roast rare.
"There is nothing that makes me happier than sitting around the dinner table and talking until the candles are burned down."
- Madeleine L'Engle
4 Different Recipes to make Beef or Vegan Wellington
8. Vegan Wellington
Impress your guests with this gorgeous Vegan Wellington! The filling is meaty, satisfying and ever-so-tasty! It’s surprisingly easy to make too!
9. Vegan Wellington (Gluten-Free)
This Vegan Wellington is crispy and flaky, hearty and satisfying, and so full of flavor! It's a good source of protein and fiber and is gluten-free too. A seriously satisfying plant-based showstopper!
10. Individual Beef Wellington Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine
Individual Beef Wellington's are the perfect gourmet dinner. Tender filet mignon steaks are wrapped and baked in puff pastry.
11. How to Make Beef Wellington - House of Nash Eats
When it's Christmas dinner and you have family or guests coming over this classic Beef Wellington will be the much-anticipated star of the table! The succulent beef tenderloin roast covered in savory mushroom duxelles and flaky puff pastry is absolutely divine!
7 Amazing Christmas Ham Recipes
12. Orange-Bourbon Glazed Bone-In Spiral Cut Ham | Boulder Locavore®
Orange-Bourbon Glazed Bone-In Spiral Cut Ham (recipe) is easy for large gatherings and holiday meals. Low-temperature roasting makes a moist, tender ham.
13. Best Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham - Little Sunny Kitchen
Perfect, juicy, and flavorful Instant Pot ham with the BEST EVER glaze, a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday feast!
14. Spiral Sliced Ham with Pineapple Cola Glaze - Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen
There’s nothing better than a Spiral Sliced Ham on the dinner table…unless it’s coated with a sweet n sour pineapple cola glaze. This slow-cooked Spiral Ham bakes up nicely in the Crockpot, then finishes in the oven under the broiler.
15. Glazed Ham (Oven and Crock Pot Friendly!) - The Cozy Cook
This Glazed Ham Recipe is brushed with honey butter and baked in the oven or the Crock-Pot before being brushed with a sweet pineapple brown sugar glaze! The ham is juicy and flavorful with a perfectly caramelized top.
16. Easy Instant Pot Ham Recipe (With 3 Glaze Recipes!)
This easy Instant Pot ham recipe makes a terrific holiday meal. Includes three different glaze recipes (one is keto-friendly).
17. Pineapple Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Pineapple Brown Sugar Glazed Ham — sweet pineapple brown sugar glaze over a juicy salty spiral cut ham. A classic holiday ham recipe, perfect for Easter, Christmas, or Sunday supper.
18. Instant Pot Maple Glazed Ham
Instant Pot Maple Glazed Ham with its Caramelized Sweetly Spiced Glaze is a must have for Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving holidays.
7 unique recipes to make a delicious Christmas Turkey
19. Best Ever Turkey Brine Recipe - Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen
The Best Ever Turkey Brine Recipe. Have you been waffling upon the age-old turkey question…to brine or not to brine? Let me tell you, once you start bringing your holiday turkeys, you’ll never have a dry turkey again!
20. Roast Turkey Recipe - The Cozy Cook
This Traditional Roast Turkey Recipe is cooked to the perfect temperature inside and out, with extra crispy brown skin and juicy and flavorful turkey meat! Start it upside down and finish it breast side up for the absolutely perfect result!
21. Instant Pot Turkey - Cooking the Whole Turkey | Bacon is Magic
If you're tired of cooking the turkey for hours, and it ends up dry, this easy Instant Pot whole turkey. This no-fail approach makes a tender and juicy turkey every time.
22. Dry Brine Spatchcock Turkey With Herb Butter | Maple + Mango
This delicious Spatchcock Turkey with Herb Butter is juicy, crispy-skinned, and only takes 90 minutes to cook. Learn how easy it is to spatchcock and dry brine your holiday turkey.
23. Instant Pot Turkey
Make holiday meals easier this year with Instant Pot Turkey. It’s quick, simple, and doesn’t take up needed space in the oven.
24. Instant Pot Turkey Thighs
These Instant pot turkey thighs are a filling, yet easy Christmas dinner to make! Serve with a delicious homemade gravy that everyone will love!
25. Easy Roast Turkey Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen
Cooking a roast turkey is easier than you think! Follow my super simple recipe for a perfectly juicy and tender roast turkey that your whole family will enjoy! No brining or basting is required.
Nontraditional Christmas Dinner Main Course Recipes
26. Easy Christmas Dinner Menu for 6 | Entertaining with Beth
This Easy Christmas Dinner Menu for 6 can be prepped in advance. It’s affordable, it uses basic ingredients and doesn’t require any expensive roasts or seafood!
27. Ratatouille Recipe • Happy Kitchen
Ratatouille Recipe: delicious and spectacular vegan gluten-free dish that will be a star of any table. Healthy, impressive looking and comforting dish.
28. Cranberry Walnut Bacon Stuffed Pork Roll with Brandy Sauce
This cranberry walnut bacon stuffed pork roll with brandy sauce is as delicious as it sounds, and it’s also pretty! So festive — perfect for Christmas dinner.
29. Festive slice - turkey, bacon, stuffing and cranberry pastry - A Mummy Too
A deliciously festive slice - turkey, bacon, stuffing, cranberry, and white sauce in a puff pastry pocket, with a herby cheese crumb.
30. The utterly perfect mini cheeseburgers
Selfmade mini cheeseburgers from start to finish. Homemade patties and buns assembled into perfect mini cheeseburgers.
31. Low Carb Chicken Cordon Bleu with Coconut Coating
A delicious keto low carb chicken cordon bleu with a crisp coconut coating. It’s an easy entree that’s elegant enough to serve on holidays!
32. Slow Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb - Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen
This succulent Slow Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb makes a stunning centerpiece for your Sunday Dinner, Holiday, or Celebration. Seasoned with herbs, citrus, and garlic, this perfectly roasted Greek-style lamb is melt in your mouth delicious!
33. Classic Crown Rib Roast
Crown rib roast with classic seasoning is a delicious way to celebrate Christmas dinner with family. It has a beautiful presentation and slices into thick pork chops everyone will enjoy!
34. The Most Festive Christmas Burgers for Dinner | Platein28
We have the most perfect, fun, and easy Christmas Burgers for you and your kids. Little Rudolph sliders! You won’t forget this festive meal!
35. Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf
A hearty plant-based Christmas dinner idea that will satisfy even meat-eaters! A Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf that mimics the classic meatloaf with no meat, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free! Get all your protein and veggies in this healthy recipe!
36. Baked Lasagna Roll Ups With Marinara Sauce
Our Baked Lasagna Roll Ups With Marinara Sauce recipe, a twist on the classic lasagna, is bursting with three cheeses and an easy homemade sauce.
Don't forget to download your free Christmas Dinner recipe books!
🎁 Have a lovely Christmas Dinner with your loved ones! 🎄
Danielle
Wow! Everything looks amazing, great ideas for the holidays!
Kay
OMG, this is the ultimate collection of Christmas food! I need to try them all out!
Natalie
Delicious collection. I will save this for Holidays and definitely make something from this list. Thanks!
Audrey
Oh my goodness! This is the ultimate list!! I can’t pick just one
Lillian
I love how you hit on such a variety of diets here. There is something for everyone; can't wait to try them out!
Raquel
So many great recipes here! I cannot wait to try the Wellington!
Oscar
This is amazing. So many great recipes. I am looking forward to making some of them.
Jeri
So many great recipes! I will definitely be saving them to try around the holidays!
Katie Youngs
This is such an informative post! I'll be bookmarking this so that I remember to come back to it during the holidays.
Faith
Wow! What a comprehensive list of Christmas recipes. They all look just wonderful!
Addie
This has me so excited for Christmas!
Gina Abernathy
I love all of these dishes. There are so many choices and they look awesome.
Andréa Janssen
After reading this I wish Christmas could be extended for a few weeks ;-). All of the recipes look so awesome, that I almost can't wait for Christmas.
Amy
It's my daughter's birthday in mid-July and we're throwing a Christmas in July party and was looking for ideas for dinner. I think I now have too many options! Love the vegan recipes as I have a few teens coming who are following a vegan lifestyle so that's perfect. Now, time to find a ham!
Gloria
Well, it is a great recipe to put away for the holidays. Lots of great things to make in this collection. Something for everyone here.
Lillian
This is such a well curated list! I love the variety and I can't wait to try both the beef tenderloin dishes and some of the vegan recipes.
Nayomi
Funny enough I've never had beef at Christmas we mostly stick to Duck and Poultry. I love the look of some of those Wellington recipes though