christmas dinner ideas

Browse the top 50 most popular best Christmas side dishes recipes for the holidays from potatoes, cheesy casseroles, vegetable sides, fresh salads and more.

50 Best Christmas Side Dishes

potatoes

brussels sprouts

cauliflower

butternut squash

pumpkin

green beans

carrots

flour

butter

milk

Make ahead and store

You can make many of these Christmas side dish recipes ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for up to 3 months, or you can prepare the ingredients and store in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and cook. Check the individual recipes for full make ahead and storing instructions.

How to reheat

Place any leftovers in the air fryer or the oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. If heating from frozen, let it thaw first and then reheat.

The 25 best Christmas mains and entrees for a festive holiday dinner including classic baked ham, roast turkey, whole chicken, rack of lamb, and more.

25 Best Christmas Mains and Entrees

turkey

lamb

chicken

beef

How to make ahead

I would recommend making these main dishes fresh on the day that you are serving them. However, you can prep your ingredients as much as possible so that you have one less thing to worry about. Whether that is chopping vegetables, marinating meat, or preparing glaze. You can store all your prepared ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

How to store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator. Check the individual recipes for full storing instructions. 

How to reheat: To reheat, place leftovers in the air fryer or in the oven at 300F for 10-20 minutes until warmed through. 

The best Christmas dinner ideas include festive finger foods, veggie-heavy sides, unique sweets, joyful drinks, and succulent mains. One of my favorite non-traditional mains are these turkey meatballs!

50+ Best Christmas Dinner Ideas

egg (lightly beaten)

onion (finely chopped)

almond flour

garlic

rosemary

thyme

salt

black pepper

olive oil

chicken broth

Dijon mustard

maple syrup

mayonnaise

extra fresh rosemary and thyme

To a large bowl, add the turkey, egg, onion, almond flour, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together, until fully combined.

Form

Measure out 1 1⁄2 tablespoons of mixture (or use a medium cookie scoop) and roll the mixture between your hands, forming approximately 30 meatballs. Place the meatballs on a plate.

Brown

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add half of the meatballs to the pan and brown on all sides, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the first batch of meatballs to a plate, add another tablespoon of oil to the pan, and repeat with the remaining half of meatballs. Once the second meatballs are cooked, remove them to the plate as well.

Warm

Deglaze the pan by adding the chicken broth, and use a spatula to scrape up any bits off the bottom. Then add the Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and mayonnaise. Whisk everything together and let the sauce simmer until it&#39;s creamy. Add the meatballs back to the pan and warm through. Garnish with additional fresh chopped herbs before serving.

This rack of lamb with a Dijon herb crust will certainly shine at any holiday dinner. Plus, it&#039;s a lot easier to make than it looks! Watch the video below to see how I make this in my kitchen.

Easter Rack of Lamb (Dijon Herb Crust)

thyme leaves

parsley

lemon (zested)

Make the herb crust. In a small bowl, mix the mustard, garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley and lemon zest. Set aside.

Season the lamb. Remove the lamb from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Pat dry with paper towels. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Season both racks generously on all sides with salt and pepper.

Sear the lamb. Heat the oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear the lamb fat-side down for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden. Turn and sear the meat side for 1 to 2 minutes. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may have to sear in batches.

Coat the lamb. Brush the herb mixture evenly over the meat side of both racks (avoid the bones).

Roast the lamb. Arrange the lamb fat-side up in the skillet or on a baking sheet and roast for 18 to 22 minutes for medium-rare (125-130°F). If you&#39;d like a more golden top, you can broil in the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking.

Rest, slice and serve. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice between the bones into individual chops and serve immediately.

We made this recipe for our Easter dinner,  lamb was tender and the crust was absolutely delicious! The Dijon really compliments the lamb.

Delicious! Any mustard will do…just depends on your taste buds!

I made the rack of lamb with the Dijon Herb crust for the first time.  I usually do a leg of lamb for Easter.  It did not disappoint!  The lamb was tender and delicious!  My son told me we can have this for every Easter.

DELICIOUS! My husband absolutely LOVED this recipe from Downshiftology. The flavor from the Dijon mustard made the lamb so yummy! Definitely paired with mashed potatoes which mixes nicely with the lamb juices (resting the lamb is key!). I will definitely make this again.

I did a test run of this recipe for my husband before Easter and it was amazing! I'm so excited to make it again this weekend. Thank you Lisa for the BEST recipes!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVz55NZMIq0

This oven roasted rack of lamb with a Dijon herb crust is a beautiful centerpiece for any holiday dinner. Plus, it's a lot easier to make than it looks!

While I love grilling lamb chops in the summer, I prefer serving up this gorgeous rack of lamb for a statement-making centerpiece holiday dinner. My family absolutely obsesses over it and requests it every year for Easter dinner or Christmas dinner. It presents just as beautifully as prime rib, turkey, or beef tenderloin, but it takes way less time to cook and feels just as special. I also love how savory and earthy lamb tastes, and how tender the meat becomes after roasting. It's truly a special recipe when you're craving a lamb dinner and rarely leaves any leftovers for "seconds." Hope you love it as much as I do! 

🖨  Printable Rack of Lamb Recipe: https://downshiftology.com/recipes/rack-of-lamb-dijon-herb/

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► ORDER MY COOKBOOK!!!
Get 100+ make-ahead and quick-assembly recipes in my BESTSELLING Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook: https://downshiftology.com/cookbook/

► FEATURED IN VIDEO:
1/4 Sheet Pan: https://amzlink.to/az00SbcCRyKNf
Cast Iron Pan: https://amzlink.to/az0DCvxlXWW8x

► ALWAYS IN MY KITCHEN:
Zwilling Chef’s Knife: https://amzlink.to/az0SD5RjTQht8
Knife Set: https://amzlink.to/az0u2jGw4tUeE
Wooden Cutting Board: https://amzlink.to/az0ieuwkGgVIb
Magnetic Measuring Spoons: https://amzlink.to/az0nk4VaMNpfG
Magnetic Measuring Cups: https://amzlink.to/az0XlG2n0IgBI
Garlic Press: https://amzlink.to/az0obf2RUytQX
Anchor Hocking Mixing Bowls: https://amzlink.to/az0KmkGHAB6On
Weck Jars (for food and pantry storage): https://amzlink.to/az0lGVHe17Na6
Vitamix Blender: https://amzlink.to/az0Egyg9u1hCE
All-Clad Stainless Steel Pan and Pot Set: https://amzlink.to/az0dpHqYDrow2
White Le Creuset Dutch Oven: https://amzlink.to/az02a8UtbSJyP
Heavy Duty Sheet Pans: https://amzlink.to/az00fO0jo08J0
Instant Read Thermometer: https://amzlink.to/az0g2OzL8UBwn

For everything else I use in my videos, check out the SHOP page on my website: https://downshiftology.com/shop/

► TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro: Rack of lamb recipe.
00:35 Make the Dijon herb mixture.
01:13 Season and sear the lamb in a hot oven-safe pan. 
02:19 Spread the Dijon herb mixture on the lamb, then roast in the oven.
02:56 Slice the lamb chops apart and place them on a serving platter.
03:35 Taste test, Easter dinner thoughts, and tips. 

► WHAT I'M WEARING
Blouse: https://bit.ly/49P1zLz
Jeans: https://bit.ly/3PNcxpT

The music I use: https://bit.ly/2Ms5nF2 - Great music for YouTubers!

Disclaimer: product links may include affiliate links.
#rackoflamb #lambrecipe #easterlamb #easterdinner #christmaslamb #christmasdinner

RACK OF LAMB with Dijon Herb Crust (Best Easter Lamb Dinner Recipe!)

These pan seared scallops are perfect for a special dinner at home! They&#039;re cooked in a lemon garlic butter sauce and so easy to make. Watch the video below to see how I make this in my kitchen!

Pan Seared Scallops (Lemon Garlic Butter)

avocado oil

sea scallops

kosher salt (to taste)

lemon

parsley (plus extra for garnish)

Prep the scallops. Pat your scallops dry with a paper towel and sprinkle them with kosher salt.

Sear the scallops. Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium high heat. When the oil is shimmering, place your scallops in the pan and sear for approximately 1 ½ to 2 minutes on each side, until they have a golden crust. Remove the scallops to a plate, and repeat with remaining scallops.

Make the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter, minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, and parsley to the pan. Whisk the sauce together in the pan until it&#39;s lightly simmering, then add the scallops back to the pan and spoon the sauce on top.

Serve. Plate your scallops, then drizzle more sauce on top before serving.

Perfect! I absolutely loved this! I will make it again (I expect multiple times) and I highly recommend it. I didn’t have the fresh parsley but made a leftover grilled ramp and porcini risotto side so added some dried parsley/chives to that.

Pan Seared Scallops with lemon garlic butterI wanted to make sure my very exppensiv e scallops came out in the way they should to justify the expense.. They came out perfectly following this recipe.. It will be my go to from. now on

I made these last night - it was the first time I’ve ever made scallops.  I think I went for too much of a golden crust and needed to stop cooking them earlier but ate them anyway because the garlic lemon butter sauce was really good.  Will try again and try not to overcook them.  Thanks Lisa!

This is the best scallop recipe.. the lemon and garlic together enhance the flavour of the scallops!! Absolutely a 5 star dish!!

I just made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious. So simple yet so tasty and rich. Thank you for an amazing recipe! I also make your Greek chicken and it’s in my rotation at my house. Love your recipes! Love, from Texas 💛

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vxST8WqFwk

These pan seared scallops make for the best special dinner at home. They're perfectly tender, finished in a simple lemon garlic butter sauce, and way easier than most people think.

Scallops are seriously one of the easiest recipes to make at home, and yet, they also intimidate a ton of people. Perhaps it's because they're a pricey main dish, like prime rib or beef tenderloin (but of the seafood variety). But here's the big takeaway to remember—scallops don’t need much to shine! Just good butter, a little garlic, and some fresh lemon enhances their naturally sweet and delicate flavor. I also love how they present so beautifully on a dinner plate. Similar to shrimp scampi, they're an elegant, restaurant-worthy meal that's super easy to serve at home. My mom adores this scallops recipe (and requests it for every birthday) and I think you'll love it as well!

🖨  Printable Scallops Recipe: https://downshiftology.com/recipes/pan-seared-scallops-lemon-garlic-butter/

Sign up for weekly emails (never miss a recipe!): https://mailchi.mp/downshiftology/youtube/

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► ORDER MY COOKBOOK!!!
Get 100+ make-ahead and quick-assembly recipes in my NEW Healthy Meal Prep cookbook: https://downshiftology.com/cookbook/

► FEATURED IN VIDEO:
Pan: https://amzn.to/46NinQT

► ALWAYS IN MY KITCHEN:
Zwilling Chef’s Knife: https://amzlink.to/az0SD5RjTQht8
Knife Set: https://amzlink.to/az0u2jGw4tUeE
Wooden Cutting Board: https://amzlink.to/az0ieuwkGgVIb
Magnetic Measuring Spoons: https://amzlink.to/az0nk4VaMNpfG
Magnetic Measuring Cups: https://amzlink.to/az0XlG2n0IgBI
Garlic Press: https://amzlink.to/az0obf2RUytQX
Anchor Hocking Mixing Bowls: https://amzlink.to/az0KmkGHAB6On
Weck Jars (for food and pantry storage): https://amzlink.to/az0lGVHe17Na6
Vitamix Blender: https://amzlink.to/az0Egyg9u1hCE
All-Clad Stainless Steel Pan and Pot Set: https://amzlink.to/az0dpHqYDrow2
White Le Creuset Dutch Oven: https://amzlink.to/az02a8UtbSJyP
Heavy Duty Sheet Pans: https://amzlink.to/az00fO0jo08J0
Instant Read Thermometer: https://amzlink.to/az0g2OzL8UBwn

For everything else I use in my videos, check out the SHOP page on my website: https://downshiftology.com/shop/

► TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro: Perfect pan-seared scallops.
00:42 Prep the scallops (remove side muscle and pat dry).
01:32 Sear the scallops.
02:32 Make the lemon garlic butter sauce.
03:06 Add scallops back to warm through. 
03:34 Garnish and serving tips.
04:07 Taste test, flavor variation, and extra tips.

► WHAT I'M WEARING
Blouse (similar): https://bit.ly/3MA8j70
Jeans: https://bit.ly/3PNcxpT

The music I use: https://bit.ly/2Ms5nF2 - Great music for YouTubers!

Disclaimer: product links may include affiliate links.
#scallops #scallopsrecipe #pansearedscallops

Top 5 christmas dinner ideas recipes from across the web

The most viewed christmas dinner ideas recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

50 Best Christmas Side Dishes

25 Best Christmas Mains and Entrees

50+ Best Christmas Dinner Ideas

Easter Rack of Lamb (Dijon Herb Cru...

Pan Seared Scallops (Lemon Garlic B...

Top 5 christmas dinner ideas recipes from across the web

The most viewed christmas dinner ideas recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

50 Best Christmas Side Dishes

25 Best Christmas Mains and Entrees

50+ Best Christmas Dinner Ideas

Easter Rack of Lamb (Dijon Herb Cru...

Pan Seared Scallops (Lemon Garlic B...

The most viewed christmas dinner ideas recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine