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Christmas dinner is one of the most memorable meals of the year, and this collection brings together all the holiday favorites your family loves. Whether you’re planning a show-stopping main dish like prime rib or glazed ham, or searching for the perfect mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, vegetables, and other sides to serve with it, you’ll find the classics right here.
These tried-and-true Christmas dinner recipes are comforting, festive, and guaranteed to bring everyone back for seconds!
Classic Christmas Main Dishes
Christmas dinner deserves a stunning centerpiece, and these traditional mains deliver big flavor with minimal stress.
Slow Cooker Prime Rib
This foolproof slow cooker prime rib is incredibly tender, flavorful, and cooks with almost no hands-on time which is what we need for a perfect for stress-free holidays.
Smoked Prime Rib
Smoky, juicy, and packed with deep flavor, this smoked prime rib brings bold character to your Christmas dinner table.
Instant Pot Prime Rib
Get perfectly tender and evenly cooked prime rib in a fraction of the time with this Instant Pot method. Perfect for cooks with limited oven space.
Roast Turkey
Classic roast turkey with perfectly crisp skin, juicy meat, and simple seasoning that lets the natural flavor shine through.
Slow Cooker Ham
Let the slow cooker do the work while the ham cooks gently into a melt-in-your-mouth centerpiece with minimal effort.
Alternative Holiday Main Dishes
Whether you’re feeding a crowd that wants something different or simply moving beyond turkey and ham, these hearty holiday mains bring bold flavor to the Christmas table.
Smoked Beef Brisket
Perfectly smoked brisket with a flavorful bark and juicy interior that’s a crowd-pleasing alternative to traditional Christmas roasts.
Oven Braised Beef Roast
Slow-baked until fall-apart tender, this braised roast is rich, comforting, and practically makes its own gravy.
Smaller Holiday Poultry
Not hosting a crowd this year? These poultry dishes are perfect for intimate celebrations. Smaller cuts cook faster, make less mess, and still deliver holiday-worthy flavor without leaving excessive leftovers.
Whole Smoked Chicken
Smoked low and slow for juicy meat and crisp skin, this whole chicken is perfect for smaller tables.
Roasted Chicken Thighs
Quick, flavorful, and always juicy, these oven-roasted thighs make a simple yet satisfying holiday entrée.
Jerusalem Herb Chicken Thighs
These tasty chicken thighs are infused with warm Middle Eastern herbs and roasted until perfectly golden and tender. The savory, aromatic seasoning makes them a standout alternative to traditional holiday mains.
Potato Side Dishes
No holiday plate is complete without something warm, creamy, cheesy, or crispy—and these potato dishes are classics for a reason.
Crispy Skin Baked Potatoes
Perfectly fluffy on the inside with crisp skins on the outside, these baked potatoes are a blank canvas for all your favorite toppings.
Loaded Sweet Potatoes
We are copying Texas Roadhouse with these loaded sweet potatoes that feel indulgent but pair beautifully with hearty Christmas mains.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Naturally caramelized and tender, these roasted sweet potatoes are a simple and delicious way to bring brightness and color to the table.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Creamy potatoes baked in a cheesy sauce until bubbling and golden. Comfort food doesn’t get more holiday-perfect!
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Smooth, rich, buttery mashed potatoes—the classic holiday essential that no Christmas dinner is complete without.
Home Fries
Crispy and flavorful skillet potatoes that make a versatile side dish for both brunch and Christmas dinner.
Stuffing, Bread & Carbs
Set the foundation of your Christmas spread with comforting carbs that soak up all that gravy and goodness. Fresh rolls, fluffy bakes, and make-ahead stuffing guarantee no holiday plate leaves the table hungry.
Make Ahead Stuffing
This pan of tender, savory stuffing is packed with herbs and flavor and the make-ahead method frees time on the big day.
Potato Rolls
Soft, fluffy homemade rolls perfect for soaking up gravy, butter, or leftover ham drippings.
Herbed Focaccia
Soft, fluffy, and beautifully golden, this herbed focaccia is topped with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs for bakery-style flavor at home. It’s the perfect bread to serve alongside Christmas dinner
Vegetable Side Dishes
Balance out the rich holiday mains with bright, flavorful vegetable dishes. These sides complement everything on the table while adding color, nutrients, and seasonal flavor to the plate.
Roasted Vegetables
A colorful mix of seasonal vegetables roasted until caramelized and tender. A flavorful and healthy addition to the holiday spread.
Green Bean Casserole
Creamy, cozy, and irresistibly nostalgic, this classic green bean casserole delivers everything you love about the holiday staple—tender beans, savory mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions on top.
Candied Pecan Bacon Brussels Sprouts
These Brussels sprouts are roasted until caramelized, then tossed with smoky bacon and sweet candied pecans for the perfect balance of savory, salty, and sweet. A crowd-pleasing twist on the holiday vegetable.
Brussel Sprouts and Pomegranate Salad
Crisp shaved Brussels sprouts are tossed with juicy pomegranate seeds, bacon, and a bright dressing for a fresh, colorful salad that brings crunch and contrast to the Christmas table.
Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Tender spinach, crunchy bacon, and cottage cheese come together under a creamy homemade poppyseed dressing. This salad is simple, elegant, and a refreshing addition to rich holiday meals.
Christmas dinner doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful. With a few well-chosen recipes and the people you love gathered around the table, even simple dishes feel special. I hope this collection helps you build a holiday menu that’s stress-free, delicious, and full of the comforting flavors we all look forward to all year long. From our kitchen to yours — Merry Christmas and happy cooking!
read more: If you’re looking for ways to start your Christmas morning, check out our Christmas breakfast recipes roundup. If you need a yummy dessert to compliment your Christmas dinner, check our Christmas cookies roundup.