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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Published: Dec 15, 2020 · Modified: Mar 8, 2021 by Cassie

    20 Christmas Main Dishes

    97 shares
    multiple images of Christmas mains with text overlay "delicious main dishes for Christmas Day".

    Looking for inspiration on what main dishes to serve at Christmas lunch or dinner?  I've got you covered.  Choose from a range of delicious classic recipes like Roasted Chicken, Ham or Turkey.  Your guests will love these impressive Christmas mains that are secretly effortless to prepare.   

    multiple images of Christmas mains with text overlay "20 Christmas Mains".

    Tired of the same old, same old and want to do something different for Christmas this year?  I've scoured the internet for the most delicious Christmas Main Dishes that will be perfect for your Christmas lunch or dinner.  

    Whether you're cooking for a small group or feeding a crowd there's something in here for everyone.  Choose from classic and modern mains like Roasted Chicken, Ham or Turkey.  Each dish is full of flavor and will look very impressive on your Christmas table this year. 

    Looking for some side dishes to go with your mains?  Be sure to check out these 30 Christmas Side Dishes and 20+ Easy Christmas Salads.

    Also if you think you'll have a lot of holiday ham leftover I've put together a lift of 25 Leftover Ham Recipes that will be a big help!

    20 Christmas Main Dishes

    1

    Roast Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary

    Roast Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary - a classic oven roasted chicken recipe that is perfect every time.  This baked whole chicken is very easy to prepare and bursting with flavour.  The perfect centrepiece for your Christmas feast.

    2

    Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

    Photo Credit: www.sugarsaltmagic.com

    So easy to make and loaded with flavour, this succulent Slow Cooker Turkey Breast and the easy turkey gravy is the perfect festive centrepiece for a smaller gathering. This holiday dish is perfect if you want less fuss and less leftovers but maximum flavour.

    3

    Slow Roast Leg of Lamb

    Photo Credit: www.recipetineats.com

    This slow roasted leg of lamb is ultra easy and very forgiving. It does take patience, but you'll be rewarded with the most tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb! I made this for Christmas last year and there was rave reviews.

    4

    Greek Roast Chicken

    Bring a taste of the Mediterranean to dinner with this Greek Roast Chicken and Potatoes.  This one pot is filled with Greek flavours like lemon garlic and oregano - a fresh twist on the classic roast.  The chicken is oven roasted to perfection and you'll love the crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. 

    5

    Bourbon Honey Baked Ham

    Photo Credit: thecrumbykitchen.com

    This holiday season you can have normal ham – or you can have Bourbon Honey Baked Ham instead! Sweet and smoky, studded with cloves, and broiled for that delightfully crispy skin, this is one unforgettable main course.

    6

    Orange Cranberry Pork Loin Roast 

    Photo Credit: www.thecookierookie.com

    This Pork Loin Roast recipe is the perfect holiday main dish! This Orange Cranberry Pork Loin Roast is juicy, delicious, and super festive. Add this roasted pork recipe to your Christmas table!

    7

    Easy One Pan Maple Glazed Pork with Apples & Onions

    Photo Credit: thebusybaker.ca

    This Easy One Pan Maple Glazed Pork with Apples and Onions is a delicious and healthy holiday-inspired main dish made in one pan in less than an hour!

    8

    Slow Cooker Orange Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham

    Photo Credit: flavorthemoments.com

    Looking to level up your ham? Try this Orange Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham instead. It's conveniently prepared in the slow cooker, freeing up your oven on the big day!

    9

    Butterflied Roast Chicken with Herbs

    Photo Credit: www.marcellinaincucina.com

    This Butterflied Roast Chicken is bursting with flavour and would make an impressive centrepiece for your Christmas dinner feast.

    10

    Pork Roast With Crackle

    Photo Credit: cafedelites.com

    When it comes to crowd pleasers it's hard to go past a pork roast with delicious crispy crackle. Perfect for Christmas lunch or dinner.

    11

    Slow Roast Turkey

    Photo Credit: www.sprinklesandsprouts.com

    There might not be anything more classic than a juicy and tender Turkey. This delicious Turkey from Sprinkles and Sprouts is slow roasted to perfection!

    12

    Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Garlic, Herbs and Lemon

    Photo Credit: www.daringgourmet.com

    Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Garlic, Herbs and Lemon is a traditional and timeless Christmas main dish. Perfectly crispy, perfectly moist and perfectly flavorful!

    13

    Smoked Pulled Pork

    Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

    Have a unique Christmas feast with this Carolina-style Smoked Pulled Pork recipe. It's made with a pork shoulder (aka Boston butt) in a wood smoker or pellet grill using a homemade, easy barbecue spice rub made from pantry ingredients you already have on hand. 

    14

    Holiday Rosemary Garlic Pork Roast

    Photo Credit: www.mykitchenlove.com

    This crispy skin, bone-in pork roast is the ultimate effortless holiday roast. It's also easy to carve and serve!

    15

    Slow Cooker Corned Beef

    Photo Credit: www.chilipeppermadness.com

    Learn how to make corned beef in your slow cooker for the easiest, most tender corned beef ever. Don't pass corned beef off as only suited for St Patrick's Day, it's perfect for Christmas dinner too!

    16

    Smoked Turkey with Orange Maple Butter

    Photo Credit: bellyrumbles.com

    Smoked turkey is a tasty twist on more traditional turkey recipes. With the skin stuffed with fragrant orange butter and herbs, this is one tasty bird.

    17

    Slow Cooker Ham with Honey Marmalade Mustard Glaze

    Photo Credit: www.goodlifeeats.com

    Free up the oven and cook your ham in the slow cooker. This ham is covered with a honey marmalade mustard glaze - delicious!

    18

    Honey Roast Duck

    Photo Credit: www.hungryhealthyhappy.com

    If you are looking for something a little bit different to serve on Christmas day or a Sunday Roast, then why not try this Honey Roast Duck. Crispy roasted duck with a little sweetness from the honey and orange and a hint of thyme.

    19

    Balsamic Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    Photo Credit: joyfoodsunshine.com

    Another great main you can pull off outside of the oven - Balsamic Slow Cooker Pot Roast! Easy, healthy make-ahead main dish recipe that takes 5 minutes of prep time! 

    20

    Baked Ham with Citrus Glaze

    Photo Credit: www.beyondthechickencoop.com

    Another classic ham recipe that is absolutely irresistible - Baked Ham with Citrus Glaze. The glaze is quick and easy to prepare!

    Christmas main dishes are the centrepiece for the whole meal.  If you're catering for a large crowd you may want to choose at least two or three different mains to wow your guests with.  

    Now that you've browsed through 20 delicious options, the only question is what will you be making for Christmas this year?

    If you’ve tried any of these Christmas Main Dishes I’d love to hear how you enjoyed them! Pop a comment below! 

    You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to keep up to date with more delicious recipes.

    LOOKING FOR MORE CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION?

    • 15 Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas for Christmas Morning
    • Christmas Shortbread Cookies
    • Oreo Truffles
    • Roast Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary
    • OR see all Christmas Recipes 
    « Golden Syrup Cookies
    Air Fryer Brownies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara says

      December 15, 2020 at 10:46 pm

      Oh wow, what an incredible selection of mains for Christmas. Talk about being spoilt for choice! Cornish game hens are something I haven't tried yet. I tell you, I am "game" to do so.

      • Cassie says

        December 16, 2020 at 6:53 am

        I'm curious (or game hahaha) to try them too!

    2. Marcellina says

      December 15, 2020 at 3:56 pm

      This is a complete collection of main dish recipes for Christmas! Thanks for creating this round up, Cassie! I need to up my glazed ham this year so I have my eye on a few of these recipes.

      • Cassie says

        December 16, 2020 at 6:53 am

        We never do a glazed ham so I'm definitely keen to try!

    3. Marie says

      December 15, 2020 at 10:52 am

      Excellent roundup of recipes. So many hare I want to make so I'm definitely pinning this post.

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