36 Christmas Entrees by Meat Type and Vegetarian/Vegan Options

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Celebrate the festive season with a table full of delectable entrees! Whether you’re a meat lover, vegetarian, or vegan, this guide offers a variety of trending Christmas dishes. Dive into these scrumptious recipes, each carefully chosen to delight your taste buds and add a special touch to your holiday feast.

Beef Entrées

#1 Rosemary & Garlic Roast Beef

A centerpiece dish, this ribeye roast beef is roasted with a blend of rosemary and garlic, bringing out a robust, aromatic flavor. The meat is seared and then roasted to achieve a perfect balance of a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior, making it a hit for any festive gathering.

#2 Beef Wellington

This dish is a showstopper, featuring a succulent beef fillet coated with a flavorful mushroom duxelles, then encased in a golden, flaky puff pastry. The combination of the tender beef and the rich, buttery pastry makes it a luxurious and impressive option for a Christmas feast.

#3 Braised Beef Short Ribs

These short ribs are slow-cooked until they are meltingly tender, absorbing the flavors of the red wine and aromatic herbs. The dish is both hearty and elegant, offering a deep, complex flavor profile that’s sure to please any meat lover.

#4 Garlic & Herb Beef Tenderloin

This dish pairs the mild, tender beef tenderloin with a a delicious garlic and herb butter that you put all over the tenderloin before baking. This creates a delightful combination of flavors. The beef is cooked to perfection, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a beautiful crust from the butter.

#5 Garlic Herb Prime Rib

The prime rib is covered in a butter mixture, infusing it with flavor as it roasts to a perfect pink center. The crust is deliciously crisp and savory, making every slice a delectable experience for garlic lovers.

#6 Beef Bourguignon

My husband is not a huge fan of roasts, but he asks for this recipe regularly. The addition of wine to a chuck roast really elevates the flavor and makes this dish a hearty entree to remember!

Turkey Entrées

#7 Turkey Roulade with Sausage Stuffing

A sophisticated take on classic flavors, this turkey roulade is filled with a savory sausage stuffing, making each slice a delightful mix of tender meat and flavorful filling. It’s an elegant dish that’s both visually appealing and deliciously satisfying.

#8 Herb Butter Roasted Turkey

This turkey is basted with a rich, herb-infused butter that imparts moisture and flavor, ensuring every bite is succulent. The combination of herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary provides a traditional Christmas aroma and taste that’s both comforting and festive.

#9 Maple Glazed Turkey with Bacon and Sage Butter

This turkey offers a unique combination of sweet maple and savory bacon, resulting in a juicy and flavor-packed roast. The sage butter adds a layer of aromatic herbiness, making the dish a perfect balance of flavors.

#10 Citrus and Herb Roasted Turkey

The brightness of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, combined with a mix of fresh herbs, gives this turkey a refreshingly light yet deeply flavorful profile. It’s a perfect choice for those looking for a less traditional, more zesty Christmas entrée.

#11 Roast Turkey Breast with Saucy Cranberry Sauce

Take turkey with cranberry sauce to the next level – and make it easier! Just create the cranberry sauce, brown the turkey breasts and bake them in the oven. Done! Your guests will think you were working all day on this delightful dish!

Chicken Entrées

#12 Lemon Rosemary Chicken

This dish features a succulent chicken that’s infused with the bright flavors of lemon and the earthy notes of rosemary, creating a light yet aromatic entrée. It’s a simple yet elegant dish, perfect for those who prefer a milder meat option.

#13 Chicken Cordon Bleu

This traditional dish is made festive with its rich filling of ham and cheese, encased in a crispy, golden breadcrumb coating. The combination of tender chicken, salty ham, and creamy cheese makes every bite a delightful experience.

#14 Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach and Cheese

This entrée is not only visually impressive but also packed with flavor, featuring chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy blend of spinach and cheese. It’s a dish that’s both nutritious and indulgent, perfect for a festive yet healthy option.

#15 Chicken Pot Pie

A heartwarming dish, this pot pie is filled with chunks of tender chicken and a medley of vegetables, all in a rich, creamy sauce. The flaky crust adds a delightful texture, making it a comforting and satisfying meal for a cold Christmas evening.

#16 Moroccan-Spiced Roast Chicken

This chicken is marinated in a blend of Moroccan spices, giving it a bold, exotic flavor that’s both spicy and aromatic. The roasting process ensures the skin is crispy and golden, while the meat remains juicy and flavorful.

Vegan Entrées

#17 Vegan Lentil Loaf

This loaf is a hearty, flavorful alternative to meatloaf, made with a blend of lentils, vegetables, and spices. Topped with a tangy tomato glaze, it’s a satisfying centerpiece that even non-vegans will enjoy.

#18 Stuffed Acorn Squash

The squash is filled with a festive mix of wild rice, cranberries, and nuts, making it not only delicious but also highly nutritious. It’s a visually appealing dish that’s perfect for a vegan Christmas dinner.

#19 Vegan Mushroom Wellington

This dish is a vegan take on the classic Beef Wellington, using mushrooms to create a rich, umami-packed centerpiece that’s wrapped in flaky pastry. It’s an elegant and satisfying option that will impress all your guests.

#20 Vegan Pot Pie

This comforting pie is filled with a variety of vegetables and cooked in a savory vegan gravy, all encased in a flaky, golden vegan pastry. It’s a warm and hearty dish that’s perfect for a cozy Christmas dinner, offering a familiar comfort food experience in a vegan-friendly format.

#21 Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers

Colorful bell peppers are stuffed with a flavorful mixture of quinoa, black beans, and assorted vegetables, seasoned with festive spices. They’re not only visually striking but also packed with nutrients, making them a wholesome and delightful vegan option for a Christmas meal.

Vegetarian Entrées

#22 Stuffed Butternut Squash

This visually stunning dish features butternut squash halves filled with a flavorful mixture of quinoa, cranberries, and pecans, creating a balance of textures and flavors. It’s not only delicious but also makes for a beautiful, colorful presentation on the holiday table.

#23 Wild Mushroom Risotto

This creamy risotto is made with a variety of wild mushrooms, offering a rich and earthy flavor that’s deeply satisfying. Each spoonful is a luxurious experience, perfect for a comforting yet sophisticated vegetarian Christmas meal.

#24 Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

This classic dish is reimagined with layers of savory vegetables and lentils, topped with a creamy mashed potato crust. It’s a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for warming up your festive evening.

#25 Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Large pasta shells stuffed with a creamy mixture of spinach and ricotta, baked in a rich tomato sauce. It’s a dish that combines comfort with a touch of elegance, ideal for a festive vegetarian feast.

#26 Roasted Vegetable Tart

Packed with a variety of seasonal vegetables, this tart is not only nutritious but also bursting with flavors. The crispy pastry base adds a delightful texture, making it a great main dish or a side for any vegetarian spread.

Lamb Entrées

#27 Rosemary and Garlic Leg of Lamb

The leg of lamb is marinated with a mix of garlic and rosemary, creating an aroma that’s both inviting and festive. When roasted, the meat becomes incredibly tender and flavorful, making it a perfect choice for a special Christmas meal.

#28 Lamb Chops with Garlic Mint Sauce

Tender lamb chops are elevated with a refreshing garlic mint sauce, offering a classic combination of flavors. This dish brings both elegance and simplicity to the holiday table, making it a delightful treat for lamb aficionados.

#29 Moroccan Lamb Tagine

This tagine is a fusion of sweet and savory, with tender lamb pieces, dried apricots, and almonds creating a dish that’s rich in flavor and texture. It’s a heartwarming, exotic option that’s sure to impress your guests with its unique blend of spices.

#30 Lamb Shank Osso Buco

This dish transforms the traditional Italian Osso Buco using lamb shanks, resulting in a rich and hearty meal. The lamb is cooked slowly, absorbing the flavors of the herby tomato sauce, and becomes fall-off-the-bone tender, perfect for a luxurious Christmas dinner.

#31 Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Rosemary

These kebabs are marinated with a mix of aromatic spices and rosemary, then grilled to perfection. They offer a smoky, flavorful option that’s great for a more relaxed and interactive Christmas meal, perfect for enjoying with family and friends.

Pork Entrées

#32 Honey Glazed Ham

This classic ham is given a sweet twist with a honey glaze, complemented by the subtle warmth of cloves. The glaze caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating a sticky, sweet coating that makes each slice irresistible.

#33 Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin Roast

This pork loin is roasted with slices of apples and a dusting of cinnamon, creating a delightful combination that’s both sweet and savory. The apples become tender and infused with pork juices, while the cinnamon adds a warm, festive spice to the dish.

#34 Cranberry and Apple Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

This elegant dish features a tender pork tenderloin stuffed with a tart cranberry and crunchy walnut mixture, offering a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. It’s a sophisticated dish that’s visually impressive and tastes as good as it looks.

#35 Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Perfect for a laid-back Christmas meal, this slow cooker pulled pork is tender, flavorful, and great for feeding a crowd. Its ease of preparation makes it a stress-free option that can be served in various ways to suit any festive occasion.

#36 Pork Chops with Mushroom Cream Sauce

These savory pork chops are complemented by a rich and creamy mushroom sauce, making for a luxurious and satisfying dish. The combination of perfectly cooked pork chops and the velvety sauce is a surefire way to impress at any Christmas dinner.

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