Christmas dinner ideas: 40 mains, sides and desserts for every table

The short answer: Looking for Christmas dinner ideas? Start with one main dish, add three or four sides, and finish with one or two desserts.

Below you'll find 40 ideas grouped by course, three sample menus for different crowds, a simple prep timeline and food safety basics, so the big meal feels calm instead of rushed.

Plan the whole menu in one place with the Holiday Season Bundle, and turn it into a store list with the Meal Planner & Grocery List.

Christmas dinner main dishes

1. Roast turkey with herb butter
2. Brown sugar glazed ham
3. Prime rib or standing rib roast
4. Beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce
5. Roast chicken with lemon and garlic
6. Pork loin with apples
7. Baked salmon with dill
8. Cornish hens (one per guest)
9. Lasagna or baked ziti
10. Mushroom wellington (vegetarian)

Christmas dinner side dishes

11. Mashed potatoes
12. Scalloped or au gratin potatoes
13. Stuffing or dressing
14. Green bean casserole
15. Roasted Brussels sprouts
16. Honey glazed carrots
17. Sweet potato casserole
18. Mac and cheese
19. Dinner rolls or biscuits
20. Cranberry sauce
21. Winter salad with pears and pecans
22. Roasted root vegetables

For more, see our full list of Christmas side dishes.

Christmas appetizers and starters

23. Cheese and charcuterie board
24. Shrimp cocktail
25. Stuffed mushrooms
26. Baked brie
27. Caprese skewers
28. Spinach artichoke dip
29. Deviled eggs
30. Pigs in a blanket

Our Christmas appetizers and Christmas charcuterie board guides have more.

Christmas desserts

31. Pecan pie
32. Pumpkin pie
33. Yule log cake
34. Gingerbread cake
35. Cheesecake
36. Bread pudding
37. Christmas cookies
38. Peppermint brownies
39. Trifle
40. Hot cocoa bar

See our Christmas desserts and Christmas cookies lists.

Sample Christmas dinner menus

Cooking for two? See Christmas dinner for two. Watching costs? Read how to host Christmas dinner on a budget.

A simple Christmas dinner prep timeline

• Two weeks before: pick the menu, count guests and write the grocery list. Our Christmas dinner menu planner helps.
• One week before: buy shelf-stable items and thaw a frozen turkey in the fridge (allow about one day for every 4 to 5 pounds).
• Two to three days before: make cranberry sauce, pie crust and any casseroles.
• The day before: chop vegetables, set the table and bake desserts.
• Christmas Day: cook the main dish, warm the sides and enjoy the meal.

Christmas dinner food safety basics

A meat thermometer is the easiest way to know when the main dish is done. FoodSafety.gov's temperature chart lists 165°F for turkey and chicken, 145°F (with a 3-minute rest) for fresh ham, pork and beef roasts, and 140°F for reheating a fully cooked ham.

After the meal, the USDA's leftovers guide says to refrigerate food within two hours and to eat leftovers within three to four days. Shallow containers help food cool faster.

Christmas has been celebrated with a special meal for centuries, as Britannica's history of Christmas explains, so the best menu is simply the one your family looks forward to.

How to choose the right Christmas dinner ideas for your table

The easiest way to pick a menu is to start with the number of guests and the size of your oven. A single oven can usually handle one large roast plus one casserole at a time, so choose sides that can be cooked on the stovetop, in a slow cooker or ahead of time. If you are feeding a crowd, a ham is a smart choice because it is already cooked and only needs to be warmed and glazed.

Next, think about who is coming. If you have picky eaters or young kids, keep at least two plain sides on the table, such as buttered rolls and mashed potatoes. If a guest is vegetarian, make one hearty side, like a mushroom wellington or stuffed squash, that can work as a main. Asking about allergies a week ahead saves stress on the day.

Finally, share the work. Many families ask each guest to bring one dish. Write down who is bringing what so you do not end up with three green bean casseroles and no dessert.