Tired of Your Traditional Holiday Menu? Try These Alternatives to 7 Classic Dishes

Much of the time, the holidays revolve around age-old traditions, especially when it comes to food. Maybe your family is steadfast when it comes to roast turkey with stuffing for all of the winter holidays. Or perhaps you celebrate the season with the Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Whichever main dish usually takes center stage at your gatherings, those traditions can get a little old after a while. If you’re looking to switch up the main dish and bring new life to your holiday meal, look no further. 

This year, we’re breaking from tradition and swapping out the main dish for something new and fresh, but familiar. It’s an easy way to modernize your menu, and we have suggestions for swaps for everything from beef Wellington to roast goose. Each recipe is still a showstopper, and any of them will be a welcome addition to the center of your holiday table, no matter what you’re celebrating.

If You Like Glazed Ham

If a glazed ham is your main dish of choice during the holidays, consider trying out other pork dishes. Large cuts of the meat roast down slowly and become tender and succulent, perfect for any festive occasion. Pair the pork with other seasonal ingredients. Crispy-skinned pork shoulder pairs perfectly with sweet and sticky honey-roasted kumquats, or woodsy herbs like sage, rosemary, or thyme.

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If You Like Standing Rib Roast

A standing roast (or prime rib) is ideal for a special occasion. When dressed to impress with things like potatoes and other roasted vegetables, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. We like to put a modern spin on it by butterflying the meat and cooking it with a spiral of roasted garlic and herbs. Or opt for pork instead—our porchetta-style roast is cooked with a layer of thinly sliced pancetta, which creates a crispy outer skin. Or stuff a roast with a flavorful herb and raisin paste and make a silky gravy with the pan drippings.

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If You Like Beef Wellington

The old-school beef Wellington is packed full of flavor, thanks to layers of beef, cured pork, and mushrooms. Why not try out a new take on the classic? Wrap store-bought puff pastry or your favorite pastry dough around pork tenderloin instead of beef, and experiment with the stuffings as well. You can go with something more traditional like mushrooms, or opt for a sweet and savory apple filling. Potpies may seem old-fashioned, but we think they’re back in style. They’re sort of like a deconstructed Wellington, with the pastry sitting atop all of the lovely, meaty filling.

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If You Like Brisket

• Brisket is one of the most traditional main dishes for many Jewish holidays, including Hanukkah. Beef brisket is a tough cut of meat that breaks down and becomes tender as it braises. Our classic beef stew cooks similarly and mimics many of the same flavors of a classic brisket, thanks to the onions, potatoes, and carrots. Beef braciole, while Italian, is a modern dish worthy of consideration, and can be served over polenta or mashed potatoes.

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If You Like Crown Roast of Lamb

A striking crown roast always looks stunning on any holiday table. If you’re feeding a lot of people, it’s a great idea because it cooks quickly and serves a crowd. Traditionally, the dish is made with a ring of lamb chops, but pork chops work just as well and are an unexpected surprise. You can fill this crown roast with any stuffing you like. Marry new and old traditions by using your favorite classic stuffing, or opt for something more original, like an aromatic chestnut and rye bread mixture; or go gluten-free with a nutty wild rice stuffing.

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If You Like Roast Goose (or Turkey)

Turkey and roast goose are holiday classics, but it can be nice to differentiate the main dish from your Thanksgiving bird. We love to serve individual game hens to guests. These are particularly nice if you have a more intimate gathering. And don’t count out a roast chicken altogether. When spatchcocked and cooked with special-occasion spices like saffron, it will make guests wonder why they haven’t been roasting chicken for the holidays all along. A warm, hearty salad with perfectly rendered duck breasts is also a game changer, especially when paired with seasonal vegetables (like beets) and fresh citrus (like grapefruit).

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If You Like Seafood

Serving a whole fish (or side of fish) is a surefire way to present a stunning centerpiece. If you have a family of fish lovers or pescetarians, seafood is a great as a substitute or a complement to the main dish. A whole side of salmon will feed a lot of folks and it cooks rather quickly, while a whole roasted fish will definitely be a conversation starter and encourage your guests to try new things.

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