28 Christmas Dinner Ideas: Show-Stopping Mains, Sides & Desserts

Prime rib, beef tenderloin, honey baked ham and more: 28 Christmas dinner ideas with show-stopping mains, festive sides, drinks and desserts.

ByEmma Brooks Hours Hours
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Christmas dinner ideas: garlic herb prime rib, honey baked ham and a vanilla ice cream yule log

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Christmas dinner is the one meal of the year when I go all out, but that does not mean spending the whole day in the kitchen. The trick is choosing one show-stopping main, two or three sides that can share the oven, a fresh salad and a dessert you make ahead. Here are my favorite Christmas dinner ideas to build your menu, from a garlic herb prime rib to a festive yule log.

Show-Stopping Christmas Mains

1
Best Prime Rib with Garlic Herb Crust sliced on a wooden cutting board showing pink tender interior
Best Prime Rib (Garlic Herb Crust)
The ultimate Christmas centerpiece: prime rib with a garlic herb crust.
Check out this recipe
2
Perfectly roasted beef tenderloin roast with golden brown crust sliced on a wooden cutting board
Perfect Beef Tenderloin Roast
A perfect beef tenderloin roast that slices beautifully at the table.
Check out this recipe
3
A beautifully glazed, golden brown Honey Baked Ham, scored and ready for carving, garnished with fresh herbs on a festive platter.
Honey Baked Ham
A sweet, sticky honey baked ham that feeds a crowd.
Check out this recipe
4
Golden roast turkey breast with herb butter on a white platter garnished with fresh herbs and cranberries
Perfect Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter
Prefer turkey? A roast turkey breast with herb butter is perfect for a smaller Christmas.
Check out this recipe
5
A perfectly roasted herb-crusted rack of lamb sliced into chops on a serving platter with fresh rosemary
Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
An elegant herb crusted rack of lamb for a special celebration.
Check out this recipe
6
Roast beef in a pan with red onions ready for the oven
Garlic Butter Herb Roast Beef
Garlic butter herb roast beef, a classic for the holidays.
Check out this recipe
7
Tender braised short ribs in rich red wine sauce on a white plate with fork-tender meat falling off the bone
Braised Short Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone braised short ribs.
Check out this recipe
8
Sliced juicy pork tenderloin roast on a wooden cutting board with fresh herbs
Juicy and Tender Pork Tenderloin Roast
A juicy, tender pork tenderloin roast.
Check out this recipe

Lighter Seafood Mains

9
A beautifully plated slow roasted salmon fillet with caramelized fennel and bright orange slices, garnished with fresh dill.
Slow Roasted Salmon with Fennel and Orange
Slow roasted salmon with fennel and orange, bright and festive.
Check out this recipe
10
Two whole roasted branzino fish on a sheet pan with lemon slices and fresh herbs, drizzled with vibrant citrus pesto.
Roasted Branzino with Citrus Pesto
Roasted branzino with citrus pesto for a Mediterranean-style Christmas.
Check out this recipe

Festive Side Dishes

11
A golden brown casserole dish filled with creamy sliced scalloped potatoes and fresh thyme.
Classic Scalloped Potatoes
Rich, layered scalloped potatoes.
Check out this recipe
12
A golden brown Brussels sprouts gratin in a cast iron skillet with melted cheese and crispy breadcrumbs.
Brussels Sprouts Gratin That Converts Every Skeptic
A cheesy Brussels sprouts gratin that wins over the skeptics.
Check out this recipe
13
Golden brown garlic herb roasted potatoes on a baking sheet garnished with fresh parsley
Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes
Golden garlic herb roasted potatoes.
Check out this recipe
14
A white plate featuring a smooth celery root puree topped with vibrant red balsamic beets and golden pearl onions.
Celery Root Puree with Balsamic Roasted Beets and Pearl Onions
Celery root puree with balsamic roasted beets and pearl onions.
Check out this recipe
15
A bowl of vibrant orange and cream carrot parsnip mash topped with a pat of melting butter and fresh herbs.
Carrot Parsnip Mash
A smooth carrot and parsnip mash.
Check out this recipe
16
Honey glazed carrots in a white serving dish with fresh herbs and melted butter glaze
Honey Glazed Carrots
Honey glazed carrots in about 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
17
Sautéed green beans with French onions served as a side dish
Sautéed Green Beans with French Onions
Sautéed green beans with crispy French onions.
Check out this recipe

Fresh Holiday Salads

18
A platter of sliced orange Fuyu persimmons and white mozzarella rounds with fresh green basil and balsamic glaze.
Persimmon Caprese Salad
Persimmon caprese salad in Christmas colors.
Check out this recipe
19
A large wooden bowl filled with thinly shaved Brussels sprouts, sliced apples, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Cranberries and Apple
Shaved Brussels sprouts salad with crisp apple and cranberries.
Check out this recipe
20
A fresh holiday salad with sliced Honeycrisp apples, toasted pecans, and goat cheese in a large bowl.
Honeycrisp Holiday Salad
A crisp Honeycrisp holiday salad.
Check out this recipe

Christmas Desserts

21
Sliced Vanilla Ice Cream Yule Log served with holiday garnish
Vanilla Ice Cream Yule Log
A vanilla ice cream yule log, the prettiest make-ahead dessert.
Check out this recipe
22
A slice of golden custard pie dusted with nutmeg on a festive plate.
Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie
A Christmas Eve cinnamon vanilla custard pie.
Check out this recipe
23
A festive pink peppermint pie in a chocolate crust topped with crushed candy canes on a holiday table.
Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie
A quick Christmas peppermint pie.
Check out this recipe
24
A beautiful cherry cheesecake cake roll sliced on a white platter with powdered sugar dusting.
Heavenly Cherry Cheesecake Cake Roll
A cherry cheesecake cake roll that looks bakery-perfect.
Check out this recipe

Holiday Drinks

25
Glass of creamy homemade eggnog topped with nutmeg and cinnamon sticks on a festive holiday table
Homemade Eggnog
Homemade eggnog, creamy and nutmeg-spiced.
Check out this recipe
26
A glass pitcher filled with White Christmas Sangria, fresh cranberries, apple slices, and rosemary sprigs.
White Christmas Sangria
A white Christmas sangria for a festive toast.
Check out this recipe
27
A festive Spiced Christmas Margarita in a salt-rimmed glass with rosemary and cranberries.
Spiced Christmas Margarita
A spiced Christmas margarita.
Check out this recipe
28
A steaming mug of the best hot chocolate, topped with fluffy whipped cream and chocolate shavings, ready to be enjoyed.
Best Hot Chocolate
The best hot chocolate for after dinner.
Check out this recipe

How to Plan Christmas Dinner

  • Choose one star: a single impressive main like the prime rib or ham is all you need.
  • Share the oven: pair roasted sides with stovetop sides like the green beans and glazed carrots so everything is ready together.
  • Make dessert ahead: the yule log, cake roll and pies can all be made a day or two before Christmas.
  • Rest the roast: let beef and ham rest 15 to 20 minutes before slicing so the juices stay in the meat.

Christmas Dinner FAQ

How much prime rib do I need per person?

Plan about 1 pound of bone-in prime rib per person, or about 1/2 pound of boneless roast per person. That allows for generous servings with some leftovers.

What can I make ahead for Christmas dinner?

Braised short ribs, desserts, salad dressings and many sides can be prepared one or two days ahead. Roast the main on the day and reheat the sides while it rests.

Looking for more holiday ideas? Try my easy holiday appetizers and Christmas cookies, or browse all Christmas recipes.

More Holiday Recipe Collections

Emma Brooks is the home cook behind The Gentle Bite. After years of juggling long workdays and family dinners, she started sharing the balanced, wholesome recipes she loves to make on busy weeknights, most ready in about 30 minutes with everyday ingredients. Her goal is simple: quick, nourishing meals that feel approachable, with easy swaps for gluten-free, dairy-free and high-protein diets.

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