7 Meat Ideas to Cook for Christmas Dinner

Key Takeaways

• Different Christmas meat ideas include turkey, ham, roast beef, Beef Wellington, lamb, pork loin, and goose.
• Enhance your flavors with cooking techniques, like wet brines, braises, and marinades.
• Choose your cuts based on your preferred flavors and tenderness. For example, lamb chops are quick and easy, while Prime rib offers rich flavors and a satisfyingly tender texture.

‘Tis the season for flavorful meats on the holiday table! Can’t decide which mouthwatering meat will make the cut? Whether you lean towards the classics or want to break from tradition, these are the best meat ideas for your Christmas dinner.

Turkey

Turkey is the staple meat for a traditional Christmas dinner, especially if it’s roasted whole. You can enhance the flavor of your Christmas meat with these ideas:

• Wet Brine - Soak your turkey in salted water before cooking to boost flavor and moisture retention. Read more on why you should brine your turkey.
• Turkey Roulade (Whole Turkey or Turkey Breasts) - Spread your prepared stuffing over the turkey, roll it tightly, and tie it with kitchen twine. 
• Braise - A flavorful liquid packed with herbs and vegetables will make your turkey much more flavorful and juicy. Check out our 8 ways to cook your Thanksgiving turkey here.

Buy your Thanksgiving turkey online for delivery or pick it up in-store!

Ham

Try a bone-in ham this holiday. The bone helps to retain moisture and distribute heat evenly during cooking for better tenderness and flavor. It also adds a richer, more savory flavor to the meat! You can add a glaze before baking your ham for a deliciously sweet finish, too.

Roast Beef

Choose your cut depending on your desired flavor and tenderness. Popular meat cut ideas for your Christmas dinner include:

• Ribeye Roast (Prime Rib) - Prime is known for its signature rich flavors and tenderness.
• Tenderloin - Tenderloin is prized for its tenderness and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Chuck Roast - This flavorful shoulder cut is perfect for slow cooking methods, like braising or pot roasts.

Check out more of our premium beef cuts here!

Beef Wellington 

Beef Wellington is one of the best meat dishes to serve for Christmas dinner, delivering an elegant presentation and indulgent flavors. Make sure to choose a top-quality, center-cut beef tenderloin for your Wellington. It has a more uniform shape for even cooking and has minimal gristle. 

Lamb

Looking for new meat ideas this Christmas? There are lamb cuts to fit everyone’s family dinner:

• Lamb Chops - Grab a specialty marinade and grill or sear lamb chops for a quick and flavorful dinner.
• Rack of Lamb - This classic dish provides rich and savory flavors and a buttery texture.
• Roast Leg of Lamb - Slow roast your rack for more tender, fall-apart lamb.

Pork Loin

Pork loin offers comforting flavors that are perfect for Christmastime. It also goes well with classic sides, like mashed potatoes and stuffing, too.

Season your pork loin generously with a meat rub or marinade and roast it until it reaches the safe internal temperature of 145°F. Let your pork rest before slicing so its juices can redistribute!

Goose

Goose has a much higher fat count than traditional turkey, which gives it its distinctive, rich, and juicy flavors. Follow these tips to roast your way to a delicious holiday dinner:

• Prick the goose skin all over to make small holes. It allows the fat to render and create a crispy skin.
• Cook your goose to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
• Let your goose rest for 20 minutes to create more tender and flavorful meat.

Get Premium Cuts for Christmas

No matter which meat ideas you prefer for Christmas dinner, Don Peter’s Carniceria has the cuts you need to make your holiday memorable. Our local butcher shop showcases a fine selection of USDA Prime beef, fresh-cut chicken, wild-caught seafood, and more, each of which can be delivered across the USA or customized in-store for your meal. Buy online now, or come visit our Rialto or Whittier, CA locations!