Make your festivities effortless and easy with our best Christmas mains
Christmas is a time for indulgence and joy, and what better way to celebrate than with a table laden with mouth-watering mains? From traditional ham and roast turkey to vegan and vegetarian options, these fuss-free recipes are guaranteed to make hosting your festive feast a breeze.
01
Easy honey-glazed ham
Indulge in the sweet simplicity of this easy honey-glazed ham, ready in just three steps. Its golden, sticky glaze and tender meat served with beetroot relish make it a festive favourite. Ideal for a crowd, it’s not just a dish but a delightful traditional Christmas main, perfect for sandwiches and more leftover ideas.
02
Five-spice-salted pork belly with nectarine and cherry salsa
This five-spice pork belly is a culinary spectacle, combining the aromatic warmth of five spice with a refreshing nectarine and cherry salsa. It's a celebration of contrasting flavours, perfect for a festive table seeking a modern twist. Got leftovers? Check out our ideas here.
03
Grilled prawns with mango salad and sriracha mayo
Light up your Christmas lunch with these succulent grilled prawns, paired with a fresh mango salad and spicy sriracha mayo for a tropical touch. This dish offers a balance of sweet, spicy and smoky flavours, ideal for a traditional Australian seafood festive feast.
04
Roast turkey and cherries with fruit-cake gravy
Transform your Christmas dinner with a roast turkey paired with cherries and a unique fruit-cake gravy. This dish marries the classic with the unconventional, creating a memorable feast that's both rich in flavour and festive spirit. No fruit cake? Use Christmas pudding instead.
05
Lemon myrtle and honey salmon side with shaved fennel salad
This lemon myrtle and honey salmon, served with a delicate shaved fennel salad, brings a splash of Aussie Christmas to the table. Its bright, zesty flavours offer a lighter, yet equally festive, alternative to traditional mains.
06
Roast lamb with honey-glazed carrot salad
Easy to prep, this fuss-free roast lamb recipe is sure to impress. Paired with the sweetness of a honey-glazed carrot salad, finished with crunchy almonds, this one’s a keeper.
07
Grilled chicken with peaches and rocket dressing
Savour the taste of summer with grilled chicken topped with sweet in-season peaches and a peppery rocket dressing, perfect for an outdoor Christmas celebration. You can also use leftover herbs, such as parsley or oregano, in the dressing instead of basil, or swap the baby rocket for baby spinach.
08
Glazed ham grazing board
Create a festive grazing board with glazed ham as the star, surrounded by a variety of cheeses and fruits for an elegant and no-fuss Christmas meal. It's an effortless yet sophisticated way to cater to a crowd, offering a variety of tastes and textures that everyone can enjoy nibbling on throughout the celebration.
09
Vegan pumpkin and sage tart
A vegan delight, this savoury pumpkin and sage tart is packed with flavour. Its creamy filling and flaky crust make it a hearty and satisfying addition to any Christmas spread - proving that festive food can be both diverse and tasty. Looking for a vegetarian alternative? Swap the tofu mixture for free-range eggs, thickened cream and grated parmesan.
10
Grilled beef with jalapeño dressing
Add some zing to your Christmas feast with this grilled beef, enhanced by a spicy jalapeno dressing for those who love a kick. It's perfect for those looking to break away from traditional Christmas fare - and for something quick and easy. It’s ready in under 30 minutes.
11
Roast turkey with citrus butter and pistachio stuffing
Impress with little effort with this show-stopping roast turkey, basted in a vibrant citrus butter that infuses the meat with a refreshing tang. Complementing this is a luxurious pistachio stuffing, rich in texture and taste, offering a delectable crunch with each mouthful. This recipe artfully combines the traditional with a twist, ensuring your festive meal is memorable.
12
Easy apricot-glazed ham
Glazed ham is a festive staple. This recipe uses earthy bay leaves and a sweet apricot glaze, which caramelises and intensifies in flavour while in the oven. The best part about embracing this traditional Christmas main? Plenty of leftovers! Discover ways to makeover your leftover ham here.
13
Seafood platter with mango salsa and horseradish mayo
Whether it’s served as a starter or a main, a sensational seafood platter featuring prawns, lobster and oysters is sure to wow. Take your platter to new heights with a vibrant salsa featuring in-season mango and a horseradish-spiked mayo, perfect for dunking tender prawns into.
14
Sticky glazed tofu roast
Raise a toast to this vegan-inspired roast. Instead of meat, firm tofu is used to take on the bold flavours of an Asian-style marinade that caramelises beautifully while baking. Chunks of roasted peanuts and fresh red chilli tastefully contrast the tofu’s silky texture.
15
Whole roasted barramundi with lemon and harissa
After a new take on seafood? Try your hand at roasting a whole fish instead – it’s easier than you think! This Middle Eastern-inspired marinade has a peppery kick thanks to the harissa, but doesn’t overpower the delicate barramundi. It’s sure to make an impressive Christmas main.
16
Passionfruit glazed ham
Put a tropical twist on your glazed ham with this tasty recipe. Zesty passionfruit brings an instant freshness to this ham, and the ginger and mustard help balance this inventive and mouth-watering glaze.
17
Christmas turkey with gingerbread stuffing
Two festive classics collide to make the ultimate Christmas roast. Ready-made gingerbread combines with breadcrumbs, fragrant thyme sprigs and smoky bacon for a delightfully creative turkey stuffing. And there are plenty of recipes you can make with leftovers the next day.
18
Plant-based Christmas roast with cranberry glaze
Impress your vegan friends and family with this plant-based roast. Toasted pepitas add a satisfying crunch to every mouthful and the cranberry sauce adds a lovely tart flavour. Better yet, all you need is four ingredients, one being the Woolworths Platitude plant-based Christmas roast with cranberry glaze.
19
Roast pork with apple and apricot stuffing
Learn how to make crunchy crackling with this easy succulent roast pork. Think juicy meat complemented by a sweet and fruity apple and apricot stuffing.
20
Steak with red wine jus and golden potatoes
Impress guests with this eye fillet steak served with a luxurious red wine jus and golden, crispy potatoes. This dish is perfect for a sophisticated restaurant-quality meal at home, with minimal fuss.
21
Spicy grilled prawns with roti and cucumber salad
Spice up your festive menu with these spicy grilled prawns, accompanied by soft roti and a refreshing cucumber salad. The cooling cucumber salad pairs perfectly with the chilli kick in these flavour-packed prawns. It's a light yet punchy dish that adds variety to your Christmas spread.
22
Rum and cola glazed ham
Experiment with a unique twist on the classic Christmas ham with this rum and cola-glazed recipe. The rum adds a depth of flavour while the cola provides sweet caramelisation, making it an irresistible main. Paired with roast peaches, this recipe is perfect for a summery Christmas.
23
Barbecued bolar blade with chimichurri
Indulge in the succulence of this barbecued beef bolar blade, complemented by a zesty chimichurri sauce. This dish interplays smoky flavours and herbal freshness, making it a unique and delectable choice for your Christmas barbecue.
24
Baked salmon with truffle mustard
Enjoy a traditional Aussie Christmas with this luxurious baked salmon, elevated with a rich truffle mustard blend. This gourmet dish effortlessly combines simplicity with elegance, offering an impressive yet easy-to-prepare option for your festive gatherings. Can’t get a hold of salmon sides? Use fillets instead.
25
Roast turkey stuffed with cranberries, pecans and thyme
Embrace the festive spirit with this juicy roast turkey filled with a jewelled mix of cranberries, pecans and thyme. This combination delivers a harmony of sweet and savoury flavours, perfectly capturing the essence of Christmas in every bite. Got leftovers? Check out our simple ideas.
26
Mango and chilli-glazed leg of ham
Get the wow factor with this show-stopping glazed leg of ham, where the sweetness of mango perfectly balances the heat of chilli. This vibrant glaze adds an exotic twist, making your Christmas meal both flavoursome and memorable.
27
Pork belly with blackberry & nectarine salsa
Fresh nectarine and tangy blackberry salsa make this juicy pork belly with perfectly crisp crackling sing. You can't go wrong with this stunning centrepiece, which can be prepared with minimal fuss. Seconds please!
28
Balsamic-glazed lamb with green olive tapenade
This balsamic-glazed roast leg of lamb will become the centre of attention this Christmas. Colourful and cooked to perfection, this dish is set to impress. Got leftovers? Make epic lamb wraps with hummus, spinach, tomato and crumbled feta.
29
Dukkah-crusted salmon with greens and lemon butter
Relish the delicate flavours of this dukkah-crusted salmon, served with a side of greens and zesty lemon butter sauce. It's a lighter, flavoursome option that's sure to delight everyone at your Christmas table.
30
Barbecued barramundi with green Thai dressing
A whole charred barramundi receives a Thai-inspired twist with a lime, chilli and coriander drizzle. This dish requires no oven, making it a refreshing choice for a Christmas feast in the hot sun.
31
Barbecued prawn skewers with nectarine salad
Celebrate a traditional Aussie Christmas with barbecued prawn skewers, accompanied by a seasonal nectarine salad. The combination of chargrilled prawns and fresh, juicy nectarines is a delightful nod to summer festivities. On the table in under 30 minutes, you can’t go wrong. For a step-by-step guide, see here.
32
Cheat's roast chicken with spiced sour cherries
Adorned with spiced sour cherries, this recipe offers a hassle-free yet flavour-packed main. It's an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy a Christmas feast with minimal effort. Fresh Australian cherries have floral and spicy notes, and mixed with red wine, give a mulled wine twist to the meal.
33
Maple-glazed ham with rosemary
Set tongues wagging and mouths watering with this spectacular maple-glazed Christmas ham with rosemary. Pair it with roast veggies and vibrant salads. Use leftovers for toasties and omelettes the next day.
34
Lechon
Lechon, a Filipino classic, brings a crispy, succulent roast pork to your Christmas table. Its crispy skin and tender meat make it a festive showstopper, ideal for a grand holiday banquet.
35
Grilled lobster with lime butter and mango salsa
Indulge in this grilled lobster, enhanced with tangy lime butter and sweet mango salsa - ready in just three steps. This luxurious dish combines rich flavours with tropical freshness, ideal for an opulent Christmas treat.
36
Greek-style roast leg of lamb
This impressive garlic roast leg of lamb with crispy golden potatoes and a fresh Greek salad is ready in three easy steps, making it a perfect recipe for any festive occasion with minimal fuss.
38
Chinese five spice-glazed turkey with pancakes
Create an Asian feast to remember this Christmas with succulent turkey breast glazed with an exquisite blend of orange, soy sauce and fragrant Chinese five-spice. No pancakes? Serve with fluffy rice or fresh noodles instead.
39
Honey soy chicken with sesame rice
For another Asian-inspired Christmas feast, make this sticky and satisfying honey soy chicken recipe with sesame seed rice. They'll be back for seconds! An ideal dish for those seeking a break from the traditional turkey.
40
Vegan wellington
This vegan wellington is a feast for the senses and is easy to make. Using a ready made plant-based loaf, layered with spinach, mushrooms and dijon mustard then encased in a flaky pastry, it’s as traditional as it gets. A delightful alternative for vegan guests, ensuring a joyous and inclusive Christmas feast.
41
Roast pork belly with crispy crackling
Whip up this three-ingredient, tender roast pork belly recipe with crispy pork crackling. It's sure to impress your friends and family this Christmas. Follow our pork belly with crispy crackling step-by-step, and serve with mashed potatoes and a selection of fresh salads and sauces.
42
Kaffir lime-glazed ham
Kaffir lime-glazed ham introduces an aromatic twist to the traditional Christmas ham. The unique citrusy flavour of kaffir lime adds an exotic touch to your holiday feast. Got leftovers? Toss in a stir fry or Asian-inspired salad.
43
Tofu wellington with onion gravy
Tofu wellington, accompanied by a rich onion gravy, offers a scrumptious vegan alternative. It's a dish that respects dietary preferences that feeds a crowd with minimal fuss.
44
Orange, maple and thyme glazed ham
Make Christmas extra special with this easy-to-make recipe. This orange and maple glazed ham recipe fuses the aromatic flavours of thyme and mustard and is simple and easy to prep making hosting that bit easier. Got leftovers? Check out our leftover ham tips for ideas.