I’m over turkey, ham, and chicken for Christmas dinner—what other dishes can I make instead?

If you are looking to move away from the usual holiday birds, there are many incredible ways to celebrate the season with a new menu. Breaking away from “turkey, ham, and chicken” allows you to surprise your guests and create a meal they will remember for years to come.

Whether you want something fancy and upscale or a cozy meal that feels like a warm hug, these options provide plenty of variety. Here are ten delicious alternatives to make your holiday dinner truly special, rewritten with helpful details and simple language.

1. Beef Wellington

This is a true “show-stopping centerpiece” for any holiday table. It starts with a very tender piece of beef (the tenderloin). You cover the meat in a savory mushroom mixture called duxelles and wrap it in a buttery puff pastry. When it bakes, the pastry becomes golden and crispy while the meat stays juicy. Since it is a rich dish, it tastes great with a glass of red wine or a side of roasted root vegetables.

2. Roasted Duck with Orange Glaze

If you still want a bird but want something much more flavorful than chicken, roasted duck is a great choice. Duck meat is darker and richer. When you add a “zesty orange glaze,” the sweetness of the fruit cuts through the richness of the meat perfectly. It looks beautiful on a platter and brings a fancy, restaurant-style feel to your home.

3. Vegetarian Nut Roast

For those who do not eat meat, a nut roast is a “hearty and satisfying option.” It is made by mixing chopped nuts, colorful vegetables, and fresh herbs into a loaf shape and baking it until it is firm. To make it feel like a true Christmas meal, serve it with a big scoop of cranberry sauce and plenty of vegetarian gravy. It’s a very filling dish that even meat-eaters will enjoy.

4. Seafood Paella

If you want to try something totally different, a colorful seafood paella is a fun way to “bring a taste of the sea” to your dinner. This is a famous Spanish rice dish. You use saffron to give the rice a beautiful gold color and then load it with shrimp, mussels, and clams. It is a one-pan meal that is perfect for sharing with a big group of friends.

5. Porchetta

Porchetta is a traditional Italian roast that is all about flavor and texture. It is a “savory, fatty, and moist boneless pork roast” that is seasoned with garlic, fennel, and herbs. It is slow-cooked for a long time so that the skin on the outside gets very crunchy while the meat inside stays incredibly soft. It is a heavy, comforting meal that smells amazing while it’s in the oven.

6. Stuffed Squash

This is a “fantastic option for a healthy yet hearty dish” that looks like a piece of art. You can take a butternut or acorn squash and fill the center with a mix of quinoa, dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans. It is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, making it a safe and delicious choice for guests with different dietary needs.

7. Lamb Moussaka

Moussaka is a classic Greek dish that feels like a Mediterranean version of lasagna. It “layers slices of eggplant and lamb” and is finished with a thick, creamy béchamel sauce on top. It is baked until the top is bubbly and brown. It is very easy to serve to a large crowd because you can make it in a big baking dish and cut it into squares.

8. Risotto al Tartufo (Truffle Risotto)

If you want to keep things elegant, truffle risotto is a “creamy, aromatic experience.” This dish uses arborio rice cooked slowly with broth until it is silky. Adding truffle oil or shaved truffles gives it an earthy, expensive flavor. With a generous amount of Parmesan cheese stirred in, it is a very “sophisticated addition” to your holiday spread.

9. Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a “vibrant stew” from France made with fresh summer vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. Even though it is simple, when the vegetables are sliced thin and layered nicely, it looks stunning. It is a lighter, healthy choice that works well as a main dish for vegans or a side dish for others.

10. Baked Salmon with Dill Sauce

For a meal that won’t leave you feeling too full to move, try baked salmon. It is a “lighter option that doesn’t skimp on festivity.” The pink color of the fish looks great with green herbs. When topped with a “creamy dill sauce,” it becomes an elegant meal that provides a nice change from the heavier meats usually served in December.