Oven-baked rack of lamb with rosemary © Ohmyfoodness.nl

10 Christmas main courses that are super festive, from meat to fish and vegetarian

Danique

 

23 December 2025
Last updated: December 23, 2025

The Christmas main course is the showpiece of the evening. And let's be honest, you want everyone to talk about how delicious it was all year long ;-). Will you be the main course chef this year? We understand the stress that comes with it, so we've compiled a list of 10 Christmas main course recipes that are always a hit. From salmon roulade to the classic Beef Wellington. With these dishes, spotted on our favorite food blogs, you're sure to impress. Want to read along? Merry Christmas!

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**Rotterdam is a vibrant city: Rotterdam is a vibrant city** As a child I came there with my parents to shop, as a teenager and in my twenties to club. Now I love coming there for a weekend escape characterized by good food, nice wine bars and that typical Rotterdam down-to-earth attitude. Rotterdam is buzzing with creativity and has a real IT factor. In this mini-guide, I share my favorite hotspots that you'll really want to know. 📌𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 for your next trip to Rotterdam. 𝗖𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗘 ⦁ @parqiet_parkcafe ⦁ @dunerotterdam ⦁ @wollyaandewaterkant ⦁ @nice.neighbourhood 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 ⦁ @morganandmees ⦁ @hotelame ⦁ @roommate_bruno ⦁ @thejameshotelrotterdam 𝗡𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 ⦁ Noord ⦁ Katendrecht ⦁ Dijkzigt (Museum Park) ⦁ Scheepvaartkwartier 𝗗𝗢 ⦁ Take the Watertaxi ⦁ @boijmans ⦁ Walk & unwind at de Kralingse Plas ⦁ @nlfotomuseum ⦁ Visit @stationbergweg 𝗘𝗔𝗧 ⦁ @tresrotterdam ⦁ @barbertarotterdam ⦁ @hinoki_rotterdam ⦁ @barbistroloevetdie ⦁ @oxrotterdam ⦁ @restaurant_rotonde ⦁ On my to-visit list, the new @lioncitybistro 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦 ⦁ @walsjerot_nl ⦁ @cafeverward ⦁ @spikizibar ⦁ @lenselinq 💌What's your favourite spot in Rotterdam? ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Maybe the last weekend with ice and snow ⛄️❄️ Are you cocooning indoors or preferring to go outside? In our Snowy Amsterdam Guide, I share my favorite winter tips for this weekend in the city. Save it – because snow days like this are rare 🥰 Do you have a nice winter tip for Amsterdam? I'm reading along 👀 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #snow #amsterdam #winter snow in amsterdam, things to do winter in amsterdam
I have always been part of the family and have always been proud of my work. NEW DATE AND EVENTS IN AMSTERDAM 🗝️👀 Mark your calendars! Because on January 17 & 18 Hotelnacht is back in Amsterdam with an edition full of health & wellness events and of course legendary parties that you will be talking about all year long. I got a sneak peek at The Art of Balance theme at the luxurious Anantara Krasnapolsky and arranged a similarly special experience for you as a YLBB follower. AND YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: • overnight stay for 2 people in a luxury room on January 17, 2026 • access to the spa & wellness (based on availability via the wellness desk) • pre-dinner cocktail at Bar The Tailor • fully catered chef's dinner • passe-partouts for the Hotelnacht parties • extensive breakfast in the Wintergarden • participation in the unique Ice Experience in the Summergarden of Krasnapolsky 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦: • let us know who you would like to check in with at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky during the Mastercard Hotelnacht • download the Mastercard Hotelnacht app where you can find the See the full program • and check out @hotelnacht and @anantarakrasnapolsky for the latest updates and to get the fun started! The winner will be notified on January 5th via a comment from @hotelnacht that I'll share in my stories. Fingers crossed for you! Love, Anne #hotelnacht #amsterdam #yourlbbcollab #winactie #giveaway
Merry Christmas 🎄❤️ I wish you very happy holidays. Curious what you are going to do today ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ @anne_de_buck PS: who recognizes this Christmas tree? 👀
I hope you enjoy it and have fun! 🎄 Send a message to that one friend you want to grab one with this weekend. 𝗭𝘂𝗶𝗱-𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Royal Christmas Fair – The Hague (until 23 Dec) @royalchristmasfairthehague – Winter Wonder Weeks – Leiden (12–14 & 18–21 Dec) – Green Christmas Market – Rotterdam (12–14 Dec) – Dordrecht December Days Christmas Market – Dordrecht (13–14 Dec) – Rotterdam Harvest Christmas Edition – Rotterdam (13 & 20 Dec) 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Winter Festival Zutphen – Zutphen (14 Dec) 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 – Christmas City Valkenburg – Valkenburg (until 4 Jan) Christmas Market – Delden Christmas Market – Delden (13 Dec) – Dickens Festival – Deventer (13–14 Dec) – (H)onest Christmas Market – Deventer (13–14 Dec) Christmas Market – Museumplein Christmas Market – Amsterdam (until 28 Dec) – Haarlem Christmas Market – Haarlem (12–14 Dec) – Funky Xmas Sunday Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) – Pure Markt Winter Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) 𝗨𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝘁 – Winter Market Molen de Ster – Utrecht (13–14 Dec) – The Utrecht Winter Spectacle – Utrecht (18 Dec–4 Jan) Have fun! Nothing is as much fun as spontaneous plans in December. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊 @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #christmasmarketnetherlands #christmasmarkets2025 christmasmarketamsterdam christmasmarketthehague christmasoutings thingstodointhenetherlands
𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 👀 This is the coolest new hotel for a night away! Meet @viaantwerp , the newest boutique hotel in Antwerp on the border of Zurenborg and Borgerhout (yep, voted 2nd coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out). I recently stayed at this gem and this hotel really has it all: a lively bar with a cozy atmosphere, walls full of creative art, beautiful bright rooms and it's within walking distance of great hotspots. And I haven't even mentioned @mea.antwerp! The delicious restaurant with a chef behind the pans who previously cooked at The Palomar in London. If you know, you know! And now the best news: I can surprise one of you with a dream night away at VIA Antwerp. 💛 𝗪𝗔𝗧 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗨𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗡 • Overnight stay for 2 people • Breakfast included • Chef's dinner at MEA 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦 • Let us know in the comments which friend you would like to stay here with • Of course, also take a look at @viaantwerp & @mea.antwerp to dream away and follow their updates The winner will be notified personally via DM on December 10th. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and will soon share a mini guide with more great tips for Antwerp! 🖤 ​​✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #antwerp #antwerp #zurenborg #antwerpencity #borgerhout

 TIP: Check out other great lists of Christmas recipes here: 9 X amuses, 10 x starters, 10 tips for a vegan Christmas menu & 10 x desserts.

10 delicious Christmas main courses to make yourself

Goose breast with port sauce and blue cheese

This dish is perfect for those who love bold flavors. The combination of rich port sauce and creamy blue cheese makes it extra festive. Tip: use a meat thermometer to get the cooking just right. 
Recipe from Studiokook.nl

Click here for the recipe

Goose breast with port sauce and blue cheese © Studiokook – Demi Hageman

Oven-baked rack of lamb with rosemary 

A dish that looks instantly impressive on the table. The rosemary gives the rack of lamb a wonderfully herby flavor. Serve with a spoonful of cranberry jam for a festive touch. 
Recipe from Ohmyfoodness.nl

Click here for the recipe

Oven-baked rack of lamb with rosemary © Ohmyfoodness.nl

truffle ravioli with mushrooms 

This is one of those dishes where you really don't miss the meat. The combination of creamy truffle ravioli and sautéed mushrooms is pure comfort food. Tip: serve with a drizzle of balsamic crema for that extra festive touch.
Recipe from @Veggilaine

Deer roll with game stock sauce

A classic for those who love game. This roulade of The Predetarian in Amsterdam It's tender, full of flavor, and perfect for a Christmas menu. The game stock sauce makes it perfect.
Recipe from Depredetarier.com

Click here for the recipe

Christmas main course recipes

Deer roll with game stock sauce © The predetarier – James Snoerwang

Pumpkin hasselback with sage

This dish is incredibly versatile. Perfect if you have different dietary requirements at the table. Fill the pumpkin with bacon, brie, or just plain.
Recipe from Paulineskeuken.nl

Click here for the recipe

Pumpkin hasselback with sage © Uitpaulineskeuken.nl

Beef Wellington 

This classic, of course, can't be left off our list of delicious main courses. Can you get it crispy on the outside and medium-rare on the inside?
Recipe from Miljuschka.nl

Click here for the recipe

Christmas main course recipes

Beef Wellington © Miljuschka.nl

Cod in Parma ham with celeriac 

This dish strikes a balance between sweet and salty flavors. The different preparation of the celeriac gives it a nice crunch.
Recipe from Beaufood.nl

Click here for the recipe

Christmas main course recipes

Cod in Parma ham with celeriac ©Beaufood.nl

 | PS: Do you feel like making things easy for yourself this year and ordering takeaway from a good restaurant? Then take a look at a list of restaurants that do make-away in Amsterdam here >>

More Christmas main courses

Irish beef tenderloin in mild curry with langoustines

Surf & Turf with Irish beef tenderloin and langoustines. This dish is guaranteed to impress your guests.
Recipe from Irisbeef.nl

Click here for the recipe

Irish beef tenderloin in mild curry with langoustines ©irisbeef.nl

Salmon roll with red hazelnut pesto 

Looking for a delicious fish-themed recipe this year? This recipe features a salmon-stuffed roulade. Delicious!
Recipe from Francescakookt.nl

Click here for the recipe

Christmas main course recipes

Salmon roll with red hazelnut pesto © Francescakookt.nl

More Christmas main courses

Roasted turkey with cranberry and walnut filling 

In every Christmas movie, you see this dish, the showpiece of the evening: a roasted turkey. Will you be going for the turkey this year?
Recipe from Lindenhoff.nl

Click here for the recipe

Christmas main course recipes

Roasted turkey with cranberry and walnut filling ©Lindenhoff.nl

more Christmas recipe tips

CHRISTMAS MOVIE AFTER DINNER?

With the tips from these lists, you won't have a single evening of boredom this December! From Christmas series to new and classic Christmas movies. Happy binge-watching!

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With love,

Danique

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