Turkey, Goose, Ham, And 9 Other Meats To Serve For Christmas Dinner

The best part of Christmas day — yes, even better than the presents — is sitting down to dinner with family and friends. This year, when you are deliberating over what to prepare, consider one of these 12 options for the main course that celebrate the special occasion.

You can roast beef tenderloin in a hot oven or grill it this Christmas for a delicious main course. Serve the tender cut of meat with sautéed mushrooms, a red wine reduction, or horseradish sauce for an extra-special touch.

The beauty of brisket is that it can be cooked ahead of time without drying out. Slow-braise this cut of meat until it is "fall apart" tender, and then serve with the reduced braising liquid. 

This bird doesn't get the same attention as the turkey or the chicken, but it is richer in flavor than either. A capon is a male chicken that is gelded, and then fed a special diet. The result is a bird that is tender and best served roasted. Serve with a side of mushroom gravy.

If you are having a smaller party or don't want to bother with roasting a large bird, Cornish game hens are perfect for your Christmas dinner. You can stuff them with flavorful chestnut and rice stuffing or serve them with a simple pan sauce. 

A whole roasted duck is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas. Make sure you end with crisped skin by pre-searing the whole duck in a pan or in a hot oven for 20 minutes before you lower the temperature to gently roast the duck.

Like a dinner straight from A Christmas Carol, enjoy this simple roasted goose for Christmas. Roast your goose with apples and brandy for a traditional Alsatian Christmas recipe that is simple, but well-seasoned with salt, fresh cracked pepper, and cinnamon.

Make a sweet and savory baked ham this Christmas with a maple syrup glaze or try a double-smoked ham with a blackberry-bourbon glaze perfect for bacon-lovers.

This Christmas, roast a leg of lamb, or better yet grill a leg of lamb (if you don't mind the cold). Low and slow with a quick sear at the end will ensure your lamb turns out tender and not over-cooked.

Pork roast is full of flavor and a special addition to your holiday table. Try glazing your pork roast, like with this Maple Syrup Pork Roast recipe that has the same sweet and smoky flavor of a ham, but much less salty.

Nothing is quite as decadent as a prime rib roast. Serve yours with a simple au jus or horseradish sauce for a main course centerpiece no one will be able to turn down. For best results, roast in a 200 degree F oven for four to five hours, until the internal temperature reaches the desired meat temperature, and then rest for 30 minutes. Right before serving, sear in a 500 degrees F oven for 10 minutes. Immediately slice and serve.

If you didn't get your fill of turkey on Thanksgiving, you always have Christmas to test out new techniques. For a more wintry twist, opt for recipes that highlight citrus flavors alongside your roasted bird. 

Venison has a bad reputation for being tough and gamey, and while it is certainly more gamey than your typical filet of beef, venison can be a special and delicious treat if you season and cook it properly. Try grilling venison loin this Christmas for a delicious break from the usual meat you serve.