14 Holiday Roast Dinner Recipes for the Perfect Feast

The holiday table's centerpiece deserves to shine. From herb-butter turkey to prime rib, these 14 roasts bring the celebration to your table.

Below you’ll find 14 reader-favorite recipes, each with a photo, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions. Save your favorites and enjoy!

1. Herb Butter Roast Turkey

Golden, juicy turkey with crispy herb-butter skin.

Ingredients

• 14 lb turkey
• 1 cup butter
• 2 tbsp sage
• 2 tbsp thyme
• 1 tbsp rosemary
• 1 onion, quartered
• 4 cups chicken broth

Instructions

1. Rub turkey with herb butter.
2. Stuff with onion.
3. Roast at 325°F for 3.5 hours.
4. Baste every 45 minutes.
5. Rest 30 minutes; carve.

2. Prime Rib Roast

Buttery, pink-centered prime rib for special occasions.

Ingredients

• 6 lb prime rib
• 1/4 cup garlic
• 3 tbsp rosemary
• 3 tbsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup beef broth

Instructions

1. Rub roast with garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
2. Sear at 450°F for 20 minutes.
3. Roast at 325°F for 2 hours.
4. Rest 30 minutes.
5. Slice and serve with au jus.

3. Honey Glazed Ham

Sticky-sweet glazed ham with a caramelized crust.

Ingredients

• 8 lb ham
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Dijon
• 20 whole cloves
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Score ham; stud with cloves.
2. Whisk honey, sugar, Dijon, and juice.
3. Brush over ham.
4. Bake at 325°F for 1.5 hours, basting.
5. Rest 15 minutes; slice.

4. Roast Chicken with Herbs

Simple, perfect roast chicken with lemon and thyme.

Ingredients

• 5 lb whole chicken
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 tbsp thyme
• 1 lemon, halved
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Rub chicken with herb butter.
2. Stuff with lemon and garlic.
3. Roast at 425°F for 1 hour 15 minutes.
4. Rest 15 minutes.
5. Carve and serve.

5. Beef Tenderloin Roast

Melt-in-your-mouth tenderloin with a Dijon-herb crust.

Ingredients

• 4 lb beef tenderloin
• 3 tbsp Dijon
• 2 tbsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Rub with Dijon, herbs, and garlic.
2. Sear on all sides.
3. Roast at 400°F for 25 minutes.
4. Rest 15 minutes.
5. Slice thick.

6. Pork Crown Roast

A showstopping crown filled with savory stuffing.

Ingredients

• 6 lb pork crown roast
• 1/4 cup sage
• 1/4 cup thyme
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp sea salt
• 2 cups stuffing

Instructions

1. Rub roast with herb oil.
2. Fill center with stuffing.
3. Roast at 325°F for 2.5 hours.
4. Rest 20 minutes.
5. Carve between ribs.

7. Roast Duck with Orange

Crispy-skinned duck with glossy orange glaze.

Ingredients

• 5 lb duck
• 2 oranges, sliced
• 1 tbsp five-spice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 4 cups water

Instructions

1. Score duck skin.
2. Rub with five-spice and salt.
3. Roast at 350°F for 2 hours.
4. Glaze with honey-soy.
5. Top with orange slices.

8. Leg of Lamb Roast

Tender, rosy lamb with garlic and rosemary.

Ingredients

• 5 lb leg of lamb
• 6 garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 lemon, juiced

Instructions

1. Stud lamb with garlic.
2. Rub with rosemary, oil, and lemon.
3. Roast at 375°F for 1.5 hours.
4. Rest 20 minutes.
5. Slice thin.

9. Stuffed Pork Loin

Juicy pork rolled around cranberry-pecan stuffing.

Ingredients

• 4 lb pork loin
• 2 cups stuffing
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 2 tbsp sage
• 1/4 cup Dijon
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Butterfly pork loin.
2. Spread with stuffing mixture.
3. Roll and tie.
4. Rub with Dijon and oil.
5. Roast at 375°F for 1 hour 15 minutes.

10. Roast Chicken with Citrus

Bright citrus and honey glaze on golden roast chicken.

Ingredients

• 5 lb chicken
• 2 oranges, sliced
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tbsp thyme
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tbsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Rub chicken with honey butter.
2. Layer citrus slices on top.
3. Roast at 425°F for 1 hour 15 minutes.
4. Baste with pan juices.
5. Rest 15 minutes.

11. Standing Rib Roast with Garlic

Classic holiday rib roast with a horseradish-garlic crust.

Ingredients

• 7 lb standing rib roast
• 1/4 cup garlic
• 1/4 cup horseradish
• 3 tbsp thyme
• 3 tbsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 1 cup beef broth

Instructions

1. Rub with garlic, horseradish, and herbs.
2. Roast at 450°F for 20 minutes.
3. Reduce to 325°F; roast 2 hours.
4. Rest 30 minutes.
5. Carve and serve.

12. Maple Glazed Turkey Breast

Sweet maple glaze on juicy roasted turkey breast.

Ingredients

• 6 lb turkey breast
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tbsp sage
• 1 tbsp thyme
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Rub breast with herb butter.
2. Roast at 325°F for 1.5 hours.
3. Brush with maple syrup.
4. Roast 30 more minutes.
5. Rest 20 minutes; slice.

13. Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding

British classic: roast beef and puffy Yorkshire puddings.

Ingredients

• 5 lb beef roast
• 2 cups flour
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup beef drippings
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Roast beef at 375°F for 1.5 hours.
2. Whisk batter; rest 30 minutes.
3. Heat drippings in a muffin tin.
4. Pour in batter; bake at 425°F for 20 minutes.
5. Serve with sliced beef.

14. Herb-Crusted Pork Roast

Crunchy herb crust over juicy, tender pork.

Ingredients

• 4 lb pork roast
• 3 tbsp Dijon
• 2 tbsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp garlic
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Rub pork with Dijon and garlic.
2. Press on herb breadcrumbs.
3. Roast at 375°F for 1 hour 15 minutes.
4. Rest 15 minutes.
5. Slice and serve.