15 meat main courses for Christmas
Be prepared and start thinking about what you want to make this Christmas. Feel like serving a meat main course this Christmas? We’re here to help, like handy Christmas elves. From luxurious to simple, these are the 15 tastiest meat main courses for the Christmas table.
1. Classic boeuf bourguignon
A pot of boeuf bourguignon is simmering on the stove while you watch the most cheesy Christmas movie of all time. The Christmas tree lights are on, you’ve put on your tacky Christmas pyjamas and—in your wildest fantasies, anything is possible—it’s snowing. Isn’t this just what Mariah Carey secretly means by ‘All I want for Christmas’? Step one of this amazing Christmas dream is the perfect recipe for boeuf bourguignon, and we have it. So you can already unwrap the first (digital) Christmas present of the year. We’ll keep dreaming of our perfect Christmas.
2. Coq au vin
Drunken chicken in red wine, or coq au vin, is another classic festive Christmas main course. The chicken gets a deep, wintry flavour from its bath of red wine (preferably Pinot Noir), juniper berries, cloves and bay leaf. The longer you marinate the chicken, the stronger the flavour. So preferably make it a day before the festive bustle begins around your table. Tip: delicious with Rijsel-style fried potatoes.
3. Star chef Soenil Bahadoer’s meat pies
In the mood for a luxurious meat main course? Then star chef Soenil Bahadoer’s meat pies are highly recommended. Pie is a fantastic main course anyway if you want to serve meat at Christmas. It’s comfort food, easy to make and still festive; the pastry dish is like a little cake. Soenil’s meat pies may be Surinamese street food, but they’re of star quality and therefore fit perfectly on the Christmas table.
4. Turkey risotto with crispy turkey skin
Christmas without turkey in America is like Wham! without George Michael: incomplete. Here in the Netherlands, it’s somewhat less popular as a meat main course at Christmas. But hey, we can make a Christmas miracle come true. For example, make turkey risotto with crispy turkey skin. Risotto is always a good idea, and this gives the classic Italian dish a festive, Christmassy touch. A fun way to eat turkey—without having to put a gigantic bird in the oven right away.
5. Italian BBQ roulade
For this dish, you’ll need a summer accessory: the barbecue. So go and get it out of the shed. You’ll need to set aside some time (the meat needs to be dry-brined in the fridge for 24 hours, among other things), but then you’ll have an unforgettable main course this Christmas. Roulade is always a crowdpleaser, especially when you slice the rolls at the table. And with this Italian version, you’ll create flavours that every meat-eating Christmas guest is sure to love.
6. Beef Wellington
While you see turkey on many American Christmas tables, Beef Wellington is a common sight in the United Kingdom. Beef Wellington is pink-cooked beef tenderloin in a crispy puff-pastry jacket. It has a real wow factor and is also simply incredibly tasty. Parma ham and seasoned mushrooms contribute to that. This really is a crowd-pleaser—even for the food snob at the Christmas table.
7. Smoked duck with mushrooms and green herb pesto
For anyone who wants to serve an exciting, luxurious and out-of-the-ordinary meat main course this Christmas, we recommend this star dish. Duck smoked on the barbecue with celeriac purée, roasted mushrooms and fresh green herb pesto. Special flavours that are as good a match as Santa Claus and his companion Rudolph. Put on your warmest Christmas jumper, light the coals and ho ho ho, before you know it this dish will be on your table.
8. Marinated pork tenderloin by Sam Stern
A flavourful marinated, juicy pork tenderloin, the tastiest fried green beans and potatoes from the oven. A tasty meat main course doesn’t always have to be very complicated at Christmas. You can marinate the meat for 24 hours if you like. No time for that? No problem. The result will certainly be just as delicious. Funnily enough, this festive dish comes from a book of recipes for one. So if you don’t feel like a table full of guests but do fancy good food, this is your go-to this Christmas.
9. Jamie Oliver’s ribeye
We certainly trust Jamie Oliver as the creator of incomparable Christmas meat main courses. Not only is what he makes always delicious, it’s also easy. His ribeye recipe, for example, contains just five ingredients. Christmas is already expensive and sometimes complicated enough, so this dish feels extra holly jolly to us.
10. The best rendang ever
Christmas is about sharing, and this meat main course is a perfect example. A large pot that everyone can serve themselves the best rendang ever from; you don’t need anything more. Right? Rendang is at its best when you make it at least a day in advance. So be sure to take that into account when planning.
11. Anthony Bourdain’s ossobuco
At my house, it’s on the table every Christmas by default: ossobuco. In fact, for me it isn’t Christmas if I haven’t had ossobuco. The veal shanks are at their best when the meat slides off the bone. With this recipe by Anthony Bourdain, you’re guaranteed to achieve that. Tip: make your own tagliatelle to go with it. Perfect with the flavourful tomato sauce.
12. Super-crispy pork belly
Super-crispy pork belly. Nothing more, nothing less. But believe us: the ‘oohs and aahs’ will come flying at you. To make pork belly truly super crunchy, you need to know a few tricks. They’re in the recipe below.
13. Saltimbocca alla Romana
Crazy about Italian food and want to serve a meat main course this Christmas? Then try making Saltimbocca alla Romana. These are veal cutlets topped with tender, smoked ham and sage leaves. They’re then fried in butter and wine. Is your mouth watering yet? It could easily be on your table this Christmas. You’ll find the best recipe for this Italian classic below.
14. Steak with the famous Le Relais de l’Entrecôte sauce
An excellent steak, crispy fries and the best sauce ever. It sounds so simple, but it’s so delicious. A very good option for Christmas. For the perfect steak, we’ll help you avoid a number of mistakes. That’ll save you a lot of Christmas stress. And that best-ever sauce? You make it according to the recipe from Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, the famous Parisian steak restaurant. It really can’t be compared with any other steak sauce—it’s that good. At least you won’t have to make an expensive trip to Paris during Christmas. We managed to get hold of the recipe and are happy to share it with you.
15. The Frikandellington
If you want to raise some eyebrows (and cause surprise) at Christmas, take on the Frikandellington. Yes, you know: not everyone is waiting for fancy-schmancy food during the holidays. I’d bet there are plenty of people who will breathe a sigh of relief when they smell the deep fryer at Christmas. Think of it as the tacky Christmas jumper among Christmas dishes: the Frikandellington. We’ve accepted those socially by now too.
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