21 Alternative Christmas Dinner Recipes
Sometimes you want something different than the same old turkey and stuffing routine. These 21 alternatives give you everything from fancy restaurant-style dishes to completely different cuisines.
Most of these still feel special and holiday-worthy but will surprise your family in a good way. Some are actually easier than traditional Christmas dinner but look way more impressive.
Honey Glazed Ham with Pineapple
Ham is probably the easiest big holiday roast you can make. The glaze gets all caramelized and sticky while it bakes. The pineapple rings look pretty and add sweetness that cuts through the salt. You can buy a pre-cooked ham so you’re basically just heating it up and adding the glaze. Way less stress than dealing with a whole turkey.
Get the recipe here.
Prime Rib with Herb Crust
This is what fancy steakhouses serve and it’s actually not that hard at home. The herb crust keeps the meat juicy and adds tons of flavor. You need a meat thermometer to get it right but once you know the technique it works every time. More expensive than turkey but feeds a lot of people and feels really special. Serve with horseradish sauce.
Get the recipe here.
Maple Bourbon Glazed Salmon
A whole side of salmon looks impressive and cooks way faster than big roasts. The maple bourbon glaze is sweet and sophisticated. This is perfect for smaller gatherings or when you want something lighter than heavy meat dishes. Fish is healthy too which makes people feel less guilty after all the holiday cookies.
Get the recipe here.
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Cranberries
Pork tenderloin is lean and cooks fast but looks fancy when you butterfly and stuff it. The cranberries add festive color and tartness. You can prep this ahead and just roast when ready. Each tenderloin feeds about 3-4 people so buy multiple ones for bigger groups. Way easier to carve than a big roast.
Get the recipe here.
Beef Wellington
This is definitely the show-off option – beef wrapped in mushrooms and puff pastry. It looks amazing when you slice it but it’s honestly pretty tricky to get right. The pastry can get soggy if you’re not careful. Save this one for when you really want to impress people and have time to practice first. Gordon Ramsay has good videos on how to do it.
Get the recipe here.
Roasted Duck with Orange Glaze
Duck is traditional in lots of countries but not common in America so it feels exotic. The orange glaze is classic French cooking and tastes amazing with the rich duck meat. Duck has more fat than turkey so it stays moist but you gotta deal with rendering all that fat. The skin gets incredibly crispy which is the best part.
Get the recipe here.
Cornish Game Hens with Wild Rice Stuffing
These little individual chickens are so cute and everyone gets their own whole bird. They cook faster than a big turkey and look fancy on the plate. The wild rice stuffing is earthy and feels holiday-appropriate. Kids love having their own tiny chicken. You can prep these ahead and just pop in the oven.
Get the recipe here.
Lobster Thermidor
This is super fancy French cooking that’ll definitely impress people. The lobster gets mixed with cream sauce and baked in the shells. It’s expensive but feels like something from a high-end restaurant. Good for smaller intimate dinners rather than big family gatherings. Serve with champagne and feel really sophisticated.
Get the recipe here.
Rack of Lamb with Rosemary
Lamb is traditional Easter food but works great for Christmas too. The rosemary and garlic coating is simple but tastes amazing. Rack of lamb looks really elegant and restaurant-quality. It’s pricey but cooks fast and you don’t need much per person since it’s so rich. Ask the butcher to french the bones for you.
Get the recipe here.
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms (Vegetarian)
These work great as a main dish for vegetarians or a side for everyone else. You can stuff them with anything – bread crumbs, cheese, nuts, other vegetables. The mushrooms get meaty and satisfying when roasted. Way better than just serving vegetables as an afterthought. These look pretty and feel substantial.
Get the recipe here.
Crown Roast of Pork
This looks incredibly fancy – it’s a pork roast shaped into a crown with the bones sticking up. You usually put paper frills on the bone ends which looks really elegant. The center gets stuffed with rice or bread stuffing. It’s basically a pork chop roast but the presentation is amazing. Your butcher can shape it for you.
Get the recipe here.
Seafood Paella
This Spanish dish is totally different from traditional Christmas food but so good. The saffron rice gets all golden and flavorful from the seafood. You cook it all in one big pan which is fun and social. Everyone eats from the same pan which feels festive. You can add whatever seafood you like or can afford.
Get the recipe here.
Herb-Crusted Leg of Lamb
Leg of lamb is impressive but way easier than people think. The herb crust keeps it flavorful and the leftovers make great sandwiches. Lamb has a stronger flavor than beef or pork so make sure your family likes it first. It’s traditional in lots of countries for holidays. Serve with mint sauce or red wine jus.
Get the recipe here.
Chicken Roulade with Spinach and Feta
This is basically stuffed chicken breast that gets rolled up and sliced. The spiral pattern looks really professional when you cut it. You can make the filling ahead and assemble day-of. The spinach and feta is classic but you can use any filling you want. Way fancier than regular baked chicken.
Get the recipe here.
Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Reduction
Beef tenderloin is the most tender cut and feels really luxurious. The red wine sauce makes it taste like restaurant food. It’s expensive but you don’t need much per person since it’s so rich. This is perfect for adults who want something sophisticated. Cook it to medium-rare for the best texture.
Get the recipe here.
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa
These look beautiful and work great for vegetarians or anyone wanting something lighter. The quinoa stuffing can have nuts, dried fruit, herbs – whatever you like. The squash gets sweet and tender when roasted. Each person gets their own squash half which looks really nice. This feels healthy but still special.
Get the recipe here.
Roasted Goose with Apple Stuffing
Goose is traditional Christmas food in Europe but uncommon here. It’s richer and more flavorful than turkey. The apple stuffing is classic and cuts through the richness. Goose has tons of fat so the skin gets incredibly crispy. It’s harder to find than other birds so you might need to order ahead.
Get the recipe here.
Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken
Stuff chicken breasts with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, herbs, and cheese for Mediterranean flavors. This is lighter than heavy roasts but still feels special. The flavors are bright and different from typical holiday food. You can butterfly whole chickens or just do individual breasts. Serve with roasted vegetables and rice.
Get the recipe here.
Glazed Corned Beef
Corned beef isn’t just for St. Patrick’s Day – a glazed one makes a great Christmas roast. The glaze can be brown sugar, mustard, whatever sounds good. It’s already cured so you just need to cook it through and add the glaze. Way different from turkey but still feels like holiday food. The leftovers make amazing sandwiches.
Get the recipe here.
Vegetarian Nut Roast
This is like stuffing shaped into a loaf that vegetarians can eat as a main dish. Mix nuts, bread crumbs, vegetables, and eggs then bake until firm. It slices like meat and has good flavor from all the nuts and herbs. Way better than just giving vegetarians sides. You can make individual portions or one big loaf.
Get the recipe here.
Asian-Style Whole Fish
A whole steamed or roasted fish is traditional New Year food in many Asian cultures. Steam it with ginger and soy sauce or roast with Asian spices. The presentation is dramatic and the flavors are completely different from typical Christmas food. Good for adventurous families who want to try something totally new. Serve with rice and vegetables.
Get the recipe here.
