Skip to main content
Christmasify
28 Recipes

Christmas Main Courses

Roast turkey, glazed ham, beef Wellington, and show-stopping centrepieces for the Christmas table. Every recipe includes timing guides, temperature charts, and carving instructions.

Cookies Desserts Breads & Cakes Sides & Salads Appetizers Drinks Breakfast
Christmas roast chicken with golden crispy skin and herb butter on a white ceramic platter 120 min Medium

Christmas Roast Chicken with Herb Stuffing
Roast quail for Christmas on a white oval platter with wild mushroom stuffing and thyme 47 min Medium

Roast Quail for Christmas with Herb Butter and Wild Mushroom Stuffing
Christmas baked ziti in a baking dish with golden bubbling mozzarella and marinara sauce 80 min Easy

Christmas Baked Ziti
Sliced Christmas venison loin roast on a white platter, showing a red-pink interior with a dark juniper and herb crust 60 min Medium

Christmas Venison Roast
Moroccan lamb tagine with apricots and almonds in a terracotta dish 150 min Medium

Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds
Whole Christmas roast duck with crispy golden-brown skin on a white serving platter 180 min Medium

Christmas Roast Duck with Crispy Skin
Jamaican braised oxtails in a cast iron pot with butter beans and thyme 210 min Medium

Jamaican Oxtails (Braised Oxtail Stew)
Christmas pork belly with crispy crackling on a white platter, sliced to show layers 215 min Medium

Christmas Pork Belly with Crispy Crackling
Glazed Christmas gammon joint with caramelised honey mustard glaze and clove-studded diamond scoring, freshly carved in a roasting dish 85 min Easy

Air Fryer Gammon for Christmas
Sliced salmon coulibiac with golden brioche crust revealing layers of salmon, mushroom duxelles, and herbed rice on a white platter 135 min Hard

Salmon Coulibiac (Russian Salmon Wellington)
Marry me chicken in a cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a white skillet 35 min Easy

Marry Me Chicken Christmas Recipe
Crispy air fryer roast chicken on a white platter, golden skin with herbs, juices on the plate 70 min Easy

Air Fryer Roast Chicken for Christmas Dinner
Herb-crusted Christmas pork tenderloin sliced into medallions on a white platter, showing juicy interior and garlic rosemary crust 45 min Easy

Herb-Crusted Christmas Pork Tenderloin with Garlic and Rosemary
Christmas enchiladas with red and green chile sauce side by side in a ceramic baking dish with melted cheese 60 min Medium

Christmas Enchiladas with Red and Green Chile Sauce
Whole side of Christmas baked salmon with honey butter glaze, lemon slices, and fresh herbs in a white baking dish 30 min Easy

Christmas Baked Salmon with Honey Butter Glaze
Make-ahead christmas lasagna in a white ceramic baking dish, top layer golden and bubbling with meat ragu and melted mozzarella 120 min Medium

Christmas Lasagna Recipe (Make-Ahead Holiday Comfort)
Sliced pork wellington with mushroom duxelles on a white platter showing golden pastry and pink tenderloin center 75 min Medium

Pork Wellington with Mushroom Duxelles
Authentic Mexican Christmas tamales with pork and red chile filling on a white ceramic platter, corn husks unwrapped to show steamed masa 210 min Hard

Christmas Tamales with Pork and Red Chile
Christmas prime rib roast sliced to show pink interior with herb crust, on white platter 240 min Medium

Christmas Prime Rib Roast
Golden fried Czech Christmas carp fillets on a white plate with lemon wedge and potato salad 40 min Medium

Czech Christmas Carp (Smažený Kapr) — Fried Carp Recipe
Classic Christmas nut roast in a white loaf dish, sliced to show the dense nut and lentil interior 80 min Medium

Classic Christmas Nut Roast
Swedish Christmas meatballs (kottbullar) in cream gravy in a white ceramic bowl 55 min Medium

Swedish Christmas Meatballs (Kottbullar) Recipe
Whole roast goose with crisp golden skin and apple sage stuffing on a white serving platter 255 min Hard

Christmas Roast Goose with Apple and Sage Stuffing
An Italian feast of seven fishes platter with baccala, shrimp, clams, linguine, calamari, mussels, and smoked salmon crostini 210 min Hard

Feast of Seven Fishes: The Complete Italian Christmas Eve Dinner
Sliced classic beef wellington on a white platter showing pink beef tenderloin wrapped in mushroom duxelles and golden puff pastry 90 min Hard

Classic Beef Wellington with Mushroom Duxelles
Herb butter roast turkey with crisp golden skin on a white serving platter 235 min Medium

Herb Butter Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy
Honey-glazed Christmas ham with brown sugar and cloves on a white serving platter 200 min Easy

Honey-Glazed Christmas Ham with Brown Sugar and Mustard
Roast leg of lamb with garlic, rosemary, and lemon on a white serving platter 175 min Medium

Roast Leg of Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary, and Lemon
The Christmasify Kitchen

The Centrepiece of Christmas Dinner

The main course is the moment the Christmas table falls silent. Whether it is a golden roast turkey emerging from the oven, a glistening honey-glazed ham, or a beef Wellington with its pastry cracking to reveal pink, perfectly cooked beef, the centrepiece sets the tone for the entire meal.

For most families, the choice comes down to tradition: British households favour roast turkey or goose, Americans lean towards turkey or glazed ham, while many European families serve roast pork, duck, or beef. The key to a successful main course is confidence - pick one recipe, learn it well, and let the sides and desserts do the supporting work.

For vegetarian and vegan guests, the main course is where creativity matters most. Mushroom Wellington, nut roast with cranberry glaze, stuffed butternut squash, and cauliflower steaks with romesco all make stunning centrepieces that hold their own alongside the turkey.

Every recipe here includes precise timing guides, resting instructions, and temperature charts so your main course arrives at the table exactly as it should - golden, juicy, and ready for carving.

Christmas Main Courses Tips

Expert advice for perfect results every time.

  1. 1

    Take meat out of the fridge early

    Large roasts should sit at room temperature for 1–2 hours before cooking. A cold turkey or ham straight from the fridge will cook unevenly - dry on the outside, raw near the bone.

  2. 2

    Use a meat thermometer

    Guessing doneness by time alone is unreliable. Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, away from the bone. Turkey is done at 74°C (165°F), beef at 55°C (130°F) for medium-rare, pork at 63°C (145°F).

  3. 3

    Rest before carving

    Resting lets juices redistribute through the meat. A turkey needs 30–45 minutes under foil, a beef roast needs 20–30 minutes. The internal temperature will rise 3–5°C during resting, so pull it slightly early.

  4. 4

    Make gravy from the pan drippings

    The best gravy comes from the roasting tin. Deglaze with wine or stock, scraping up all the caramelised bits. Strain, thicken with a flour-butter roux, and season well. It takes 10 minutes and beats any packet gravy.

  5. 5

    Carve against the grain

    Slicing perpendicular to the muscle fibres produces tender, easy-to-chew slices. For turkey, remove each breast whole, then slice across. For beef, identify the grain direction and slice against it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about christmas main courses, answered.

What is the best meat for Christmas dinner?

Roast turkey is the most popular Christmas main course in the UK and US. Glazed ham is a close second, especially in the American South and Australia. Beef Wellington, roast goose, and crown roast of lamb are premium alternatives. Roast pork with crackling is traditional in Scandinavia and parts of Central Europe. The best choice depends on your family's tradition and the number of guests.

How long does it take to cook a Christmas turkey?

For a stuffed turkey at 180°C (350°F): 3–3.5 hours for a 4–5kg bird, 3.5–4 hours for 5–6kg, and 4–4.5 hours for 6–7kg. Unstuffed turkeys cook about 30 minutes faster. Always use a meat thermometer - the thigh should reach 74°C (165°F). Let the turkey rest for 30–45 minutes under foil before carving.

What are good alternatives to turkey for Christmas?

Popular alternatives include glazed ham (feeds a crowd and can be prepped ahead), beef Wellington (impressive but manageable), roast beef rib (simple and classic), crown roast of lamb (elegant for smaller groups), and roast duck or goose (rich and festive). For vegetarian options, try mushroom Wellington, nut roast, or stuffed squash.

Can I prepare the main course ahead of time?

Partially, yes. Beef Wellington can be assembled the night before and refrigerated. Glazed ham can be cooked 2 days ahead and reheated. Turkey is best cooked on the day but can be dry-brined 1–3 days before. Stuffing, rubs, and marinades can all be prepared ahead. Nut roasts and veggie Wellingtons freeze well unbaked for up to a month.

How do I keep turkey moist?

Dry-brine the turkey 1–3 days before cooking by rubbing salt under the skin and refrigerating uncovered. This draws moisture out initially, then it reabsorbs, seasoning the meat deeply. Butter under the skin adds richness. Baste every 45 minutes. Don't overcook - pull it at 72°C and let carryover heat finish the job. Tent with foil if the skin is browning too fast.