32 Christmas Mains That Aren’t Ham
32 Christmas Mains That Aren’t Ham
Read Time: 15 mins
32 Christmas Mains That Aren’t Ham
But it’s actually so easy!
Roast of Pork 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crown Roast of Pork with Mushroom Dressing Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It looks so elegant that everyone thinks I spent a lot of time on this roast. But it’s actually so easy! The biggest challenge is to remember to order the crown roast from the meat department ahead of time. —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 pork rib plus stuffing: 404 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate
(7g sugars, 1g fiber), 45g protein. 4/31
(7g sugars, 1g fiber), 45g protein. 4/31 Slow-Cooker Lamb Chops 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Lamb Chops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These slow cooker lamb chops are, without a doubt, the lamb dish we like best. I usually simmer them on low for hours. The aroma is irresistible, and they come out so tender, they practically melt in your mouth! —Sandy McKenzie, Braham, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 2 lamb chops: 201 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 219mg sodium, 5g
carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein
carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. 5/31 Grilled Lobster Tails 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grilled Lobster Tails Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had never made lobster at home until I tried this convenient and deliciously different recipe. It turned out amazing, and has left me with little reason to ever order lobster at a restaurant again. If it’s too cold to grill, place the marinated lobster tails on a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. pan, and broil 5-6 in. from heat until meat is opaque,
5-8 minutes
5-8 minutes. This makes a great “surf” portion of a “Surf & Turf” dinner! —Katie Rush, Kansas City, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 lobster tail: 446 calories, 29g fat (4g saturated fat), 215mg cholesterol, 869mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 43g protein. 6/31 Horseradish-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For the second half of your “surf & turf” holiday extravaganza, wow friends and family with this tender beef in a golden horseradish crust. Roasted garlic
boosts the robust flavor even more
boosts the robust flavor even more. —Laura Bagozzi, Dublin, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked beef: 268 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 119mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 5 lean meat. 7/31 Roasted Veggie Strudel Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Veggie Strudel Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re cooking for vegetarians this holiday, why not pull out the stops with this gorgeous main? Roasted Brussels sprouts and potatoes go so well with bacon and
Brie in my shortcut strudel
Brie in my shortcut strudel. I leave the potato skin on for extra flavor and texture. —Carole Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 532 calories, 35g fat (12g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 1035mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein. 8/31 Orange Pomegranate Salmon 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A colorful, festive salmon dish makes an impressive addition to your holiday table—and it is as delicious as it is beautiful. What will no one guess? How
easy it is to cook
easy it is to cook. I serve this with roasted baby potatoes and asparagus for a showstopping meal that is wonderful for special occasions. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked salmon: 307 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 274mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 fruit. 9/31 Apple & Herb Roasted Turkey 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Apple & Herb Roasted Turkey Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 20 min Servings 14 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe
Her job is to hand Mommy the ingredients—if she doesn’t eat the apples first!
Creator: My daughter loves to help me make this moist roasted turkey with herbs. Her job is to hand Mommy the ingredients—if she doesn’t eat the apples first! —Kimberly Jackson, Gay, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 8 ounces cooked turkey: 626 calories, 31g fat (11g saturated fat), 262mg cholesterol, 222mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 72g protein. 10/31 Standing Rib Roast 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Standing Rib Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This standing rib roast recipe is practically foolproof. Treat
I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions
your family to tender slices of standing rib roast or use the seasoning blend on a different beef roast for a hearty, delicious main dish. I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked beef with about 3 tablespoons jus: 323 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 589mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 37g protein. 11/31 Wild Rice-Stuffed Pork Loin 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re looking for a beautiful,
Watch the eyes go wide when you bring it to the table!
show-stopping main course, it doesn’t get much more impressive that this recipe, which features wild rice and apricot stuffing tucked inside a tender pork roast. Watch the eyes go wide when you bring it to the table! —Kim Rubner, Worthington, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 436 calories, 20g fat (7g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 547mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 41g protein. 12/31 Mushroom-Stuffed Flank Steak Roll 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Mushroom-Stuffed Flank Steak Roll Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From
the Recipe Creator: My daughter and her family, who live in Hong Kong, love to make my flank steak because it reminds them of home. The classic combination of beef and mushrooms, topped with a rich sauce, make this a lovely meal for company. —Ethel Klyasheff, Granite City, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked beef with stuffing: 358 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 1345mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. 13/31 Chicken Cordon Bleu 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the
Recipe Creator: This chicken cordon bleu is a great, fast dinner for two
Recipe Creator: This chicken cordon bleu is a great, fast dinner for two. It’s easy to fix and makes an elegant entree. — Betty Palmesino, Phoenix, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 441 calories, 23g fat (13g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 792mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 46g protein. 14/31 Cornish Game Hens 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Herb-Brined Cornish Game Hens Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 76 hours 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Instead of a turkey or a big roast, why not serve individual Cornish game hens
for the holidays?
for the holidays? They cook in a fraction of the time and they’re guaranteed to impress all your guests. —Shannon Roum, Cudahy, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 592 calories, 39g fat (16g saturated fat), 199mg cholesterol, 474mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 49g protein. 15/31 Stuffed Salmon Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You could get stuffed salmon from a big-box store, but my fillets are loaded with flavor from crab, cream cheese and savory herbs. We love them. —Mary Cokenour, Monticello, Utah Nutrition
Facts: 1 stuffed fillet: 478 calories, 30g fat (8g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 559mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 41g protein. 16/31 Beef Tenderloin with Pomegranate Chutney 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Beef Tenderloin with Pomegranate Chutney Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I want to show family and friends some culinary love, I roast a tenderloin and serve it with a sweet-tart pomegranate and apple chutney. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked meat with 1/4 cup chutney: 381 calories,
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Roasted Veggie Strudel Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Veggie Strudel Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re cooking for vegetarians this holiday, why not pull out the stops with this gorgeous main?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
What will no one guess?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Cornish Game Hens 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Herb-Brined Cornish Game Hens Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 76 hours 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Instead of a turkey or a big roast, why not serve individual Cornish game hens for the holidays?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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