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Christmas Dinner

Celebrate the holiday season with this festive Christmas dinner recipe featuring a delicious turkey or ham, savory sides, and delightful desserts that will impress your loved ones.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 850
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Protein
  • 12-14 lbs. turkey or ham Choose your preferred main protein.
Herbs
  • 1 bunch fresh rosemary
  • 1 bunch fresh thyme
  • 1 bunch fresh sage
Vegetables
  • 2 cups carrots, chopped
  • 2 cups celery, chopped
  • 2 cups onions, chopped
Gravy Ingredients
  • 1 cup turkey drippings From the roasted turkey.
  • 1/4 cup flour For thickening the gravy.
  • 2 cups chicken broth
Sides (optional)
  • 4 cups mashed potatoes Butter and cream added for richness.
  • 1 casserole green bean casserole Top with crispy fried onions.
  • 1 box stuffing
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce For a burst of flavor.
Dessert Essentials
  • 1 pie pumpkin pie A classic holiday dessert.
  • 1 pie pecan pie Another favorite choice.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
  2. Rinse and dry the turkey, rub it with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and tuck in the herbs.
  3. If using ham, glaze it with brown sugar, honey, and mustard.
Cooking
  1. Chop the veggies into chunks and place them in a roasting pan.
  2. Place the protein on top of the veggies and roast in the oven.
  3. Prepare the gravy while the meat cooks by mixing the drippings with flour and chicken broth.
Side Preparation
  1. Make mashed potatoes with butter and cream, and consider adding roasted garlic.
  2. Prepare green bean casserole with crispy fried onions before serving.
Dessert
  1. Prepare pumpkin or pecan pie ahead of time to save on cooking day.

Notes

Don't stress about timing; letting the turkey rest ensures juiciness. Spice up mashed potatoes with a pinch of nutmeg, and focus on food presentation for a festive touch.