Best Holiday Recipes: Main Dishes

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When it comes to holidays, food is everything! Here are our top holiday favorite dishes: from chicken and turkey to lamb and seafood, we’ve got you covered! Got a large gathering? Make the turkey! Looking for a main dish for a smaller group? Make Cornish hens or a side of salmon. Check out these delicious recipes for the holidays!

When it comes to holidays, food is everything! Here are our top holiday favorite dishes, from chicken and turkey to lamb and seafood, we've got you covered! Got a large gathering? Make the turkey! Looking for a main dish for a smaller group? Make cornish hens or a side of salmon. Check out these delicious recipes for the holidays!


 

Table of Contents

Fish recipes for the holidays

Mediterranean Grilled Branzino Recipe

5 from 29 votes

Mediterranean Grilled Branzino Recipe

This grilled branzino recipe with a Mediterranean twist is a must-try! The fish is marinated with a herb and lemon mixture, then grilled to perfection and topped with a bright tomato herb relish. Trust me, there's a feast of flavors in every bite.
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This grilled branzino recipe with a Mediterranean twist is a must-try! The fish is marinated with a herb and lemon mixture, then grilled to perfection and topped with a bright tomato herb relish. Trust me, there's a feast of flavors in every bite.

Stuffed Fish with Pomegranates and Walnuts – Persian Style

4.88 from 16 votes

Persian Style Branzino Recipe

This delicious branzino recipe with Persian flavors will impress anyone! Learn how to make a whole roasted branzino at home perfectly every time using these tips and notes.
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This stuffed fish is a new way to serve fish! It is stuffed with a delicious pomegranate and walnut mixture and is perfect for any occasion.

Mediterranean marinated salmon

4.70 from 60 votes

Best Salmon Marinade Mediterranean Style

This salmon marinade features bright flavors and doesn't require a long list of ingredients. You can use this marinade for baked or grilled salmon. 
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This salmon marinade features bright flavors and doesn't require a long list of ingredients. You can use this marinade for baked or grilled salmon.

Oven Baked Salmon with Olives and Capers

4.76 from 25 votes

Oven Baked Salmon with Olives and Capers

The best ever oven baked salmon is here! Flaky and moist Alaska salmon with olives and capers on a bed of vegetables is a solid choice for dinner any day of the week.
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The best ever oven baked salmon is here! Flaky and moist Alaska salmon with olives and capers on a bed of vegetables is the best weeknight dinner!

Mediterranean Baked Dijon Salmon Recipe

4.86 from 67 votes

Mediterranean Baked Dijon Salmon Recipe

An easy salmon recipe with so much flavor, this dijon salmon recipe is a family favorite. This baked salmon is juicy, tender and very easy to make. 

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An easy salmon recipe with so much flavor, this dijon salmon recipe is a family favorite. This baked salmon is juicy, tender and very easy to make.

Chicken and turkey holiday recipes

Joojeh Kabab (Persian Saffron Chicken Kebab)

4.75 from 89 votes

Joojeh Kabab (Persian Saffron Chicken Kebab)

Joojeh kabab is a classic chicken kebob recipe from Iran. Chicken pieces are smothered in a delicious saffron chicken kebob marinade and have such delicious flavor thanks to saffron and lemon. 
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Joojeh kabab is a classic chicken kebob recipe from Iran. Chicken pieces are smothered in a delicious saffron chicken kebob marinade and have such delicious flavor thanks to saffron and lemon.

Pomegranate chicken – Persian style (morgh nardooni)

5 from 15 votes

Pomegranate Chicken, Persian Style (Morgh Nardooni)

This pomegranate chicken is tangy and savory with a lot of flavor. Juicy chicken cooked in pomegranate juice makes this Persian classic a family favorite!
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This pomegranate chicken is tangy and savory with a lot of flavor. Juicy chicken cooked in pomegranate juice makes this Persian classic a family favorite!

Herb roasted turkey breast

This herb roasted turkey breast recipe is perfect for a family dinner or your Thanksgiving table. The combination of herbs, butter and lemon results in a delicious and moist turkey breast.

Slow cooker turkey breast

4.67 from 3 votes

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe

This slow cooker turkey breast recipe is a simple method that will always give you juicy and moist turkey breast with minimal preparation. It's perfect for Thanksgiving and the holidays!
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This slow cooker turkey breast recipe is a simple method that will always give you juicy and moist turkey breast with minimal preparation. It's perfect for Thanksgiving and the holidays!

Persian style roasted turkey (No brine)

4.58 from 14 votes

Persian Style Roasted Turkey (No Brine)

Bring a new twist to your Thanksgiving table by making this delicious no-brine Spiced Persian Turkey. It’s juicy, tasty and filled with aromatic spices that will take your Thanksgiving dinner to a whole new world! 
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Bring a new twist to your Thanksgiving table by making this delicious no-brine Spiced Persian Turkey. It's juicy, tasty and filled with aromatic spices that will take your Thanksgiving dinner to a whole new world!

Cranberry orange glazed cornish hen

4.47 from 67 votes

Cranberry Orange Glazed Cornish Hens

These Cranberry Orange Glazed Cornish Hens are perfect for holiday family dinners. The flavors of cranberries and oranges make this festive dinner a winner!
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These Cranberry Orange Glazed Cornish Hens are perfect for holiday family dinners. The flavors of cranberries and oranges make this festive dinner a winner!

EASY BAKED GREEK CHICKEN RECIPE

5 from 7 votes

Easy Baked Greek Chicken Recipe

This baked Greek chicken recipe is a weeknight favorite. Marinated in yogurt, lemon and garlic, this chicken is flavorful in every bite.
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This baked Greek chicken recipe is a weeknight favorite. Marinated in yogurt, lemon and garlic, this chicken is flavorful in every bite.

Garlic lemon cheese stuffed chicken breast

5 from 8 votes

Garlic Lemon Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Cheese stuffed chicken breast makes a delicious dinner that’s low carb and easy. Learn how to make these garlic lemon stuffed chicken breast at home with a few ingredients. 
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Cheese stuffed chicken breast makes a delicious dinner that's low carb and easy. Learn how to make these garlic lemon stuffed chicken breast at home with a few ingredients.

Caprese stuffed chicken breast

5 from 4 votes

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Caprese stuffed chicken breast is easy and packed with flavor. Juicy chicken breast stuffed with cheese, tomatoes and basil makes a delicious meal. 
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Caprese stuffed chicken breast is easy and packed with flavor. Juicy chicken breast stuffed with cheese, tomatoes and basil makes a delicious meal.

Harissa chicken with saffron couscocus

5 from 2 votes

Harissa chicken with Couscous

This delicious harissa chicken is the perfect weeknight meal served with saffron infused couscous. Learn how to make this spicy chicken recipe with a twist. 
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This delicious harissa chicken is the perfect weeknight meal served with saffron infused couscous. Learn how to make this spicy chicken recipe with a twist.

Holiday recipes with lamb and beef

Lamb loin chops

4.75 from 4 votes

Lamb Loin Chops Recipe with Roasted Potatoes

This easy lamb loin chops recipe will be your family’s favorite. Lamb loin chops marinated in olive oil, lemon, paprika and garlic make a delicious dinner for everyone!
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This easy lamb loin chops recipe will be your family's favorite. Lamb loin chops marinated in olive oil, lemon, paprika and garlic make a delicious dinner for everyone!

Best braised lamb shanks

5 from 6 votes

Best Braised Lamb Shanks Recipe

Try the best braised lamb shank recipe ever written! Lamb shanks are slow cooked in a rich spiced sauce until fall-off-the-bone-level fork tender! Serve this restaurant-quality dish with rice, potatoes or even risotto.
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closeup shot of braised lamb shanks.

Steak with garlic and herb sauce

5 from 6 votes

Steak with Garlic Herb Sauce

This perfect grilled steak is easier than you think! With a simple seasoning and a flavorful garlic herb sauce, this steak will be the star of your dinner table.
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This perfect grilled steak is easier than you think! With a simple seasoning and a flavorful garlic herb sauce, this steak will be the star of your dinner table.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make these holiday recipes ahead of time?

You can do some preparation for many of these recipes, however, it’s best to make these dishes fresh so they taste their best.

How should I store the leftovers?

If you have a lot of leftovers, you can give some away to your guests! As for the rest of the leftovers, store them in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

What sides can I serve with these dishes?

You can serve these dishes with garlic mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash, sweet potatoes or oven roasted vegetables.

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Best Holiday Recipes Main Dishes

By Shadi HasanzadeNemati
When it comes to holidays, food is everything! Here are our top holiday favorite dishes, from chicken and turkey to lamb and seafood, we've got you covered! Got a large gathering? Make the turkey! Looking for a main dish for a smaller group? Make cornish hens or a side of salmon. Check out these delicious recipes for the holidays!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6
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Ingredients 

  • Check out each recipe for a complete list of ingredients

Instructions 

  • Make ahead: You can prepare parts of these recipes in advance, but it's best to make the dishes fresh on the day you're going to serve them.
  • Storage: Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can reheat the leftovers in the oven, in a pan or using the microwave.

Notes

  • Check out each recipe for full instructions and important tips. 
  • The recipes are perfect for large or small gatherings. Choose the recipes according to the size of your party. 

Nutrition

Calories: 429kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Shadi HasanzadeNemati

I'm here to show you how to make delicious Persian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food at home. My easy to follow recipes will bring exciting new flavors to your table!

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  4. 5 stars
    I’m just about to plan our holiday dinner party menu and you have so many great recipes for inspiration!! I will definitely be using this guide to pick our main dishes for Christmas coming up!

    Reply

  7. 5 stars
    What a fantastic collection of recipes! My only problem is trying to decide which one to try first! I’m especially intrigued by the Persian Style Pomegranate Chicken. Thanks for the ideas!

    Reply