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From turkey and chicken, to standing rib roasts and lamb, these 20 holiday main dish recipes will make sure your celebration is show stopping!
Table of Contents
Holiday Main Dish Recipes!
And the countdown to Turkey Day continues! So, I have a confession.
….I know, again!? I feel like I should change the name of this blog from “No Spoon Necessary” to “Confessions of a Nut Job”.
Anyways, confession: I totally planned on making you a turkey for Thanksgiving. I even played with smaller turkeys in the kitchen and perfected a recipe. It was damn delicious. But, when I went to actually purchase THE Big Bird, cook him and take photos, all I could find at the store were biiiiig ‘ole mama-jama turkeys. We are talking 14-16 pounders. No way were Boy and I going to consume 14 more pounds of turkey. So I scrapped it and decided to do a round up instead. AKA – I decided to spread the love and let some of my food bloggin’ friends help me do the heavy lifting.
Don’t be bummed though, the turkey recipe I developed is stored in my portable robot (aka laptop) and I WILL be bringing it to you next year… even if I have to specially order a smaller turkey weeks in advance.
Now that the cat gobbler is out of the bag, I promise this list of recipes is stellar! And since I felt so guilty about not bringing you the one spectacular turkey recipe I worked so hard on developing, I decided to round up a bunch of holiday (not just Thanksgiving) main dishes for you to choose from! #Winning
I guarantee you will find something below that you and your family will love for the main event. So scroll down and prepare to drool.
…And if you could forgive me for not posting THE turkey recipe while you are at it, I would be forever grateful. 😉
Turkey and Chicken Holiday Recipes
Thanksgiving Turkey Breast Roulade {with Chestnut Cornbread Stuffing & Creamy Gravy} (Pictured Above)
Blueberry & Brie Stuffed Turkey Wellington – Cooks with Cocktails (Pictured Above & Photo Credit)
Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey – Recipe Tin Eats
Perfect Spatchcock Turkey – Flavor the Moments (Pictured Above & Photo Credit)
Perfect Roast Turkey – Culinary Ginger
Herb & Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy – Half Baked Harvest
The Best Simple Roast Turkey & Gravy – Serious Eats
Easy Herb Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey – Pop Sugar
Whole Roasted Chicken with Herbs – Coley Cooks
Easy Turkey with Stuffing & Cranberry Sauce – Bite Me More
Red Meat Holiday Recipes
Herb Crusted Standing Rib Roast with Horseradish Gravy (Pictured Above)
Rack of Lamb with Pomegranate-Coffee Sauce – Floating Kitchen (Pictured Above & Photo Credit)
Brown Sugar Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider-Bourbon Compote (Pictured above)
Blueberry Glazed Ham – Olivia’s Cuisine (Pictured Above and Photo Credit)
Fried Honey Dijon Leg of Lamb – Girl Carnivore (Pictured Above & Photo Credit)
Prime Rib Roast – Hip Foodie Mom (Pictured Above & Photo Credit)
Beef Tenderloin Stuffed with Spinach & Walnuts – i, Food Blogger (Pictured Above & Photo Credit)
Bacon Wrapped Balsamic & Rosemary Beef Tenderloin – The Cookie Writer
Fennel Rack of Lamb – The Culinary Life
Chipotle Pineapple Jerk Glazed Ham – Half Baked Harvest
Slow Cooked Duck with Green Olives & Herbs de Provence – Food and Wine
There you have it OVER TWENTY show stopping main dishes to take your holiday table over the top! Don’t forget to pin this post so you will have it to reference for Christmas and New Years options as well! Until next time, my friends, Cheers – to spreading the culinary love.
-XOXO-
Cheyanne
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
I agree, turkeys are indeed huge, so wouldn’t blame you for not making. I absolutely adore this beautiful roundup. All of these recipes are mouth watering good.
marcie
I hear ya on not making a whole turkey — that’s way too much for 2 people! Luckily I had some help when I made my spatchcock turkey. lol This is a wonderful round-up Cheyanne, and thanks so much for including my turkey! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friend. 🙂
Adina
Great round-up, I am currently searching for ideas for Christmas, as there is no Thanksgiving here (really sad about that, such a wasted opportunity of cooking “big” things). I especially love the blueberry ham.
Thao @ In Good Flavor
My pants suddenly felt tight just looking at all this deliciousness! This is a mouthwatering roundup! Sorry about the turkey, but sometimes the universe has other plans for us. ;( I am certain your turkey recipe is worth waiting for!!
Harriet Emily
I loooooove reading recipe roundups, they always make me so hungry! Everything on this list looks so delicious Cheyanne – I wish I could serve it all up from my screen right now! So many tasty main dishes! Thank you for sharing! Pinned!
Amanda
Blueberry and brie stuffed turkey Wellington?!!!! Are you serious right now?!! Where has this been all my life? These recipes look absolutely wonderful! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes
What a mouthwatering roundup! I love that turkey roulade the most. Thanks for sharing, Cheyanne.
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
That would be turkey overload girl!! Glad you decided against it and instead shared all these delicious recipes. I am dying over here looking at all the yummy photos. Everything looks so good, especially that Fried Honey Dijon Leg of Lamb. Oh. My. Goodness!! We just bought a whole lamb from a local farm and I’m trying that recipe soon 🙂
Meghan | Fox and Briar
It is so hard to find a small turkey! I usually special order a turkey for Thanksgiving just because I don’t want to end up with a giant one. Also high five on doing the work to develop the turkey recipe, next year future Cheyanne will be all “Thanks, past Cheyanne!”.
BUT anyway, this round up is amazing and made my mouth water. Reading your blog right before dinner = stomach growling!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
OH MY! These look absolutely amazing! Such a great round up of scrumptious looking recipes and meals. It’s amazing how quick this year has gone by – cannot believe one of the big holidays is next week! Thanks for sharing, will definitely be trying some of these out! 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
Hey Cheyanne – for future reference, my daughter and I and our two dogs could have come over and helped you and Boy demolish a 14 pounder – just saying 🙂
These recipes and photos are stunning indeed! And I gotta agree with Ashley – this round up doesn’t make it easy to settle on just one! If I don’t “talk” to you between now and Turkey day – Happiest of Thanksgiving to you and your family!
xoxo
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is next week! As much as I wanted to plan ahead this year, it did not happen and now I am trying to finalize my menu. All of these dishes look incredible. It is so difficult to pick which ones to make. Thanks for sharing this roundup!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
Delicious recipe roundup, Cheyanne! I love turkey – so i’m bookmarking a few of these recipes for inspiration ready for Christmas!
Olivia @ Olivia’s Cuisine
Everything looks so delicious!!! But now I wanna make them all! 😀 Is it acceptable to extend Thanksgiving for, let’s say, a month so I can eat something different every day? Please say yes!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
I absolutely love this roundup! Thank you so much for all the wonderful inspiration.
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Turkeys are huge…even the small ones. It’s okay to head a different direction! This roundup of recipes has my mouth watering! Thanks for the great sampling of options!
Kate @ Framed Cooks
Ok, this is a PERFECT holiday roundup, and you’ve reminded me how satisfying it is to spatchcock a chicken! (That’s a verb, right? Right!) Happy countdown to Thanksgiving, my friend!!
Claudia | The Brick kitchen
hahahah you made me laugh with ‘confessions of a nut job’ – sometimes I feel like my ramblings are a bit like that too! And your round up is awesome – so many beautiful centrepiece dishes. I have always been a bit scared of cooking turkey – it seems to be one of those meats that is very easy to overcook/end up a bit dry, and doesn’t last thaat well for leftovers – we tend to gravitate towards lamb, ham and chicken at christmas time (because no thanksgivings around here!).
Tammy Renea@SanPasqualsKitchen
This is roundup royalty!! A tip of the hat to ya! 😀
Ruby @ Ruby & Cake
I am so jealous of your upcoming Turkey day! I love turkey so much – great inspiration coming from these recipe rounds ups x
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
I have to say…turkey is my JAMITY-JAM! I could eat it every.single. day.
BUT that might just change with all these ideas! Seriously, can I just have ALL the holiday main dishes? This roundup rocks my socks girl!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
You girl, have outdone yourself gathering all these treasures for us. Truthfully, the most tantalizing picture is the first, that standing rib roast. The NSN photography staff has outdone themselves. Now I’m super hungry, would love that on my plate tonight. That and a side of Rack of Lamb w/Pomegranate Coffee sauce! Cheers and a Happy pre-Thanksgiving week to you, friend!
Cheyanne Bany
You are always too sweet, Allie!! Thank you so much for always making me smile with your seriously kind comments!! Cheers and Happy pre-Thanksgiving to You and your family! XO
Ashley
haha confessions of a nut job – that made me chuckle 🙂 And don’t feel bad – I didn’t feel like making a turkey this year so I’m just not! And we have family and friends coming! They’ll survive! lol Plus, the side dishes are where it’s at for me anyway! These recipes all look wonderful!
Cheyanne Bany
Glad I could make you chuckle, Ashley! Thanks for understanding and not making me feel bad about the lack of turkey on the blog spot this year! I totally agree.. I’m sure everyone will be fine! Cheers and thanks for the comment love! 🙂
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting
That blueberry & brie stuffed turkey looks like heaven! This round up is a perfect way to share turkey recipes that you live with all of us.. that or you would be making turkey sandwiches for ages! ha!
Cheyanne Bany
Lol, Thank you for that, Johlene! Turkey sammies for ages does NOT sound appealing! Thanks for the kind comment as well! Cheers, my dear! 🙂
Kelly
This is such an amazing roundup, girl! Love all the gorgeous dishes you found for us and don’t worry, we are totally going to be ready for your amazing turkey next year! =)
Cheyanne Bany
Thank you so much for the sweet comment AND the understanding, Kelly! Cheers – to a beautiful weekend with your adorable family! xo
Lindsey
This is such a great round up! I don’t blame you for not making the turkey, once a year is hard enough!! Can’t wait to try some of these <3
Cheyanne Bany
Thank you so much for the comment and the forgiveness, Lindsey! Cheers to a fabulous rest of the week and weekend! <3
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cotted
And that is why I don’t make turkey, they are always way too big. I like leftovers but not that much, lol. I’m drooling over all of these but I have to admit that for me a prime rib roast wins every time. Plus the one above looks amazing. Take care!
Cheyanne Bany
I HEAR ya, Stacey! I like leftovers too, but I don’t want to be eating them for days! Thank you so much for the sweet comment, my dear! Cheers!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom
Oh my, I don’t know which one to drool over first! I want them all! Can I just have them all served to me on one giant table and I’ll just totally pig out?! 😉 Seriously girl, what a super collection of dishes!
Cheyanne Bany
Lol! If you get someone to serve all of these to you on one table, you better invite me over!! 🙂 Thanks so much for the comment, Kathleen! Cheers, doll!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
This is so funny because my parents and I practiced on a big turkey last weekend. This is the problem with food blogging = you’ve all ready eaten all the Holiday dishes before it’s even time for the Holidays! Love this round-up. I mean, we are going to need like 6 Holidays to eat all this stuff. But I’m so down for that.
Cheyanne Bany
I totally hear you on Holiday Food Blogger Problems. By the time each holiday comes around we are already OVER it. 🙂 Thanks so much for the comment, my dear! We could always have a few Friendsgivings and get through this list. 🙂 Cheers, my sweets!
Zainab
I love this collection and that fate made you post it for us!! So helpful for all the dinners coming.
Cheyanne Bany
Love that, Zainab – Fate made me do it! Thanks so much for the comment! Glad this round up can be of help! Cheers, boo!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries
Oh my goodness…I am absolutely drooling over all of these, Cheyanne! Awesome job with this roundup!! Pinned :).
Cheyanne Bany
Thank you so much for the lovely comment and the pin, Annie! Cheers, girlie!! 😉
mira
I never make turkey! But I adore all these recipes! Might try some of them! Love the roundup! Pinned!
Cheyanne Bany
Thank you so much for the sweet comment and the pin, Mira! Cheers, girlfriend!!
Mir
Fantastic choices! Too bad you didn’t want to commit to the 16-pounder. I mean, Chey, come ON. 🙂
Sooooo…where’s dessert? I’ll have to do that round-up for ya!
Cheyanne Bany
Thanks, Mir! You know what? I actually DID commit to a 15 pounder and then I returned it! 🙂 I totally came to my senses after wondering WTF I was going to do with all that turkey. Plus I wasn’t interested in gaining a waddle. lol. You MUST do a dessert round up! I NEED options for that! 🙂 Then again your entire site is a heavenly dessert round up! Thanks so much for the comment, dear! cheers!
annie@ciaochowbambina
This is my kinda post, my friend! You have all the carnivorous bases covered! Love them all. Really. One’s as pretty as the last…. I always look forward to your round-ups! You have excellent taste! 🙂 Cheers, milady! xo
Cheyanne Bany
Hahaha! YES to covering all the carnivorous bases! I’m glad you like my round ups!! That makes me extremely happy! Thank you for the sweet comment, Cheers back at ya milady! 😉 xoxo
Coley | Coley Cooks
Thank you for linking to my little chicken recipe!! These recipes all look amazing. Why can’t Thanksgiving be today? I’m hungry!
Cheyanne Bany
Absolutely my pleasure to link your chicken!! Thanks for the sweet comment! Cheers, Coley!
Janette@culinaryginger
What delicious round-up, I’d love to taste them all. Thank you so much for including my roast turkey.
Cheyanne Bany
Thank YOU for allowing me to include you in the round up and use your beautiful photo, Janette! Cheers to a beautiful day!! 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
Girly, who needs turkey when we can have all these beautiful options! It’s 9:39 am and I’m totally drooling and ready for a meat-fest! Horseradish gravy? Fried Honey Dijon Leg of Lamb? And Olivia’s Blueberry Ham? OMG! The only problem here is where to start and how to choose! I’m totally not waiting for a holiday to make some of these! I may have to flip a coin or throw a dart, but something from this list is happening this weekend! 🙂
Cheyanne Bany
Hahaha! Love you spirit and I totally agree! Give me ALLLL of these on one table and I’d be a very happy girl! I’m glad you don’t want to wait until a holiday to make one of these recipes! It means I did a great job at picking some winners! Easy to do when everyone is so gosh darn talented! Thanks for the comment love, cheers doll! xo
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
oh my gawd, now this is a holiday round-up!!!! Don’t worry about not having a turkey recipe. . like you said, there are plenty out there and this will make us look forward to next year! thanks for the link love and oh my gawd, that Blueberry Glazed Ham!!! I’ve got to try that!
Cheyanne Bany
Thank you so much, Alice! I’m so glad you approve of this round up! My pleasure to include you in the link love!! Cheers, my dear! <3
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet
This roundup is a feast for the eyes and definitely making the carnivore side of me starving! 😛 I LOVE the brown sugar roasted pork tenderloin. NOMS. I could eat that all year round!! XOXO
Cheyanne Bany
Thank you so much for the sweet comment, Lauren! Glad you approve of this round up!! Cheers, doll! XOXO
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Wow! What a round up Cheyanne! I totally understand you not wanting to buy the HUGE turkey! So this round up was a perfect idea! That brown sugar roasted pork tenderloin of yours with the apple cider bourbon compote is a total winner!! Hope you have an awesome weekend and thanks for sharing!
Cheyanne Bany
I’m glad you understand just the two of us not wanting to eat another 14 pounds of turkey! I was preeeetty sure if we did, we would both be walking around going, “beeeee-gaawk”. lol. 🙂 Thanks so much for the sweet comment! Cheers to you and a fabulous weekend, Mary Ann!
Kathryn Doherty
Drooling! What a fantastic round-up of mouth-watering holiday deliciousness! Can we declare every day a holiday so we can eat all this yumminess all the time?! So many great choices and putting me in the spirit! YUM girl!
Kathryn Doherty
P.S. You are totally forgiven! But I am already looking forward to that amazing turkey recipe next year so you better not forget! XO
Cheyanne Bany
OMG, you are a genius, Kathryn! I TOTALLY think we should declare every day a holiday and feast like the queens we are! 😉 Thank you for forgiving me AND the super sweet comment, my dear! Cheers! XO
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
We don’t eat meat, but we will be making meat for our guests this festive season and you have given me so many ideas. I just don’t know which one to pick. So much choice!!
Cheyanne Bany
No meat at all? How did I miss this memo about you?? I totally understand that life choice though, Dannii – I didn’t eat meat for over a decade.. until I went to culinary school and they FORCED me to. Back then I still would cook it though for loved ones, so I’m not surprised you will be making a meat main dish for the holidays! Glad I could help inspire some ideas! Thanks for the comment, girl! Cheers!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice
I don’t blame you for not making a turkey! I haven’t attempted one yet! This is such a great roundup up of main dishes, Cheyanne! Each one looks fantastic and is making me hungry! Pinned and thanks for sharing!
Cheyanne Bany
Lol, well thank you for not blaming me! That makes me feel better! And thank you for the kind comment and pin, Gayle! You are awesome! Cheers, my dear!