Christmas is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. The main course is often the centerpiece of the holiday meal, and there are countless options to choose from. In this article, we'll explore some popular Christmas main course recipes from Allrecipes, a trusted online community of home cooks.
Whether you're a traditionalist or looking to try something new, we've got you covered. From classic roasted turkey to succulent prime rib, and from vegetarian options to seafood delights, our roundup of Christmas main course recipes is sure to inspire your holiday cooking.
Classic Christmas Main Course Recipes
These timeless recipes are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. From traditional roasted meats to savory pies, these classic Christmas main course recipes are a great place to start.
Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter
A classic Christmas main course, roasted turkey is a staple of holiday meals. This recipe from Allrecipes adds a delicious twist with a flavorful herb butter.
Ingredients:
- 1 (12-14 pound) whole turkey
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together butter, sage, thyme, and rosemary.
- Rub the herb butter all over the turkey, making sure to get some under the skin as well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast the turkey for about 4-4 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Baked Ham with Honey-Bourbon Glaze
A sweet and savory glaze makes this baked ham a show-stopping Christmas main course.
Ingredients:
- 1 (5-7 pound) bone-in ham
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together honey, bourbon, mustard, brown sugar, and cloves.
- Place the ham in a baking dish and score the fat in a diamond pattern.
- Brush the glaze all over the ham, making sure to get some in the scored lines.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
Prime Rib and Other Red Meat Recipes
If you're a meat lover, these prime rib and red meat recipes are sure to satisfy your Christmas cravings.
Prime Rib with Horseradish Sauce
A classic prime rib recipe with a spicy kick from the horseradish sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 (6-8 pound) prime rib roast
- 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together horseradish, sour cream, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Season the prime rib with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast the prime rib for about 15-20 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare.
- Let the prime rib rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving with horseradish sauce.
Beef Wellington with Mushroom Duxelles
A show-stopping Beef Wellington recipe with a rich mushroom duxelles.
Ingredients:
- 1 (1.5-2 pound) filet mignon
- 1/2 cup mushroom duxelles (see note)
- 1/4 cup puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing pastry)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together mushroom duxelles and filet mignon.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to a large rectangle.
- Place the filet mignon in the center of the pastry rectangle.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with beaten egg.
- Roll the pastry over the filet mignon, starting with one long side.
- Place the Beef Wellington on a baking sheet and brush with remaining egg.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare.
Vegetarian and Vegan Main Course Recipes
If you're looking for a meatless Christmas main course, these vegetarian and vegan recipes are sure to delight.
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Goat Cheese and Herbs
A decadent and flavorful vegetarian main course recipe featuring stuffed portobello mushrooms.
Ingredients:
- 4 large portobello mushrooms
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together goat cheese, parsley, thyme, and garlic.
- Wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp cloth and remove the stems.
- Fill each mushroom cap with the goat cheese mixture.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is heated through.
Lentil and Mushroom Bourguignon
A hearty and comforting vegan main course recipe featuring lentils and mushrooms in a rich French-inspired broth.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups mixed mushrooms (such as cremini, shiitake, and button)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in a little bit of oil until tender.
- Add the garlic, mushrooms, lentils, vegetable broth, tomato paste, thyme, and rosemary.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Seafood Main Course Recipes
If you're a seafood lover, these Christmas main course recipes are sure to impress.
Grilled Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce
A bright and citrusy seafood main course recipe featuring grilled salmon.
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix together lemon juice, dill, garlic, and olive oil.
- Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper to taste.
- Grill the salmon for about 4-6 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Serve with lemon-dill sauce spooned over the top.
Shrimp and Scallop Paella
A hearty and flavorful seafood main course recipe featuring shrimp and scallops in a traditional Spanish paella.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound large scallops
- 2 cups uncooked Arborio rice
- 2 cups mixed seafood broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large paella pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until tender.
- Add the shrimp and scallops and cook until pink and cooked through.
- Add the Arborio rice, seafood broth, diced tomatoes, and smoked paprika.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with lemon wedges and fresh parsley if desired.
Gallery of Christmas Main Course Recipes:
FAQs:
What is the most popular Christmas main course recipe?
+According to Allrecipes, the most popular Christmas main course recipe is roasted turkey with herb butter.
What is a good vegetarian Christmas main course recipe?
+One popular vegetarian Christmas main course recipe is stuffed portobello mushrooms with goat cheese and herbs.
What is a good seafood Christmas main course recipe?
+One popular seafood Christmas main course recipe is grilled salmon with lemon-dill sauce.