Proteins Perfect for Your Holiday Dinner Table

The holidays are upon us, and that means you may be baking up some holiday classics, hosting holiday guests, and making menus. You may have most of your holiday recipes chosen already. Things like appetizers, side dishes, and desserts, but what about the main course? The centerpiece of the entire dinner table? Here are some proteins that are perfect for your holiday dinner table.

Bacon and Sausage

If you are serving up a big holiday breakfast or brunch, you will want to have a plate of crispy bacon and sausage to serve up as side dishes. Whether you are whipping up a plate of holiday pancakes or waffles or a big batch of ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls, bacon and sausage are the perfect pairings for your holiday breakfast or brunch to give it a savory taste.

Beef Tenderloin

If you really want to wow your holiday guests, roasted beef tenderloin is always a classic and delicious holiday dinner entree option. Savory beef tenderloin with a horseradish sauce is a great holiday recipe that will have guests asking for seconds. It also pairs with all of your holiday side dishes you want to serve up.

Duck

Channel the vibes of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and serve a whole stuffed duck for your holiday meal. Duck is a great option if you are tired of turkey right after the Thanksgiving holiday. Serve roasted duck with an orange sauce or plum sauce for an added layer of holiday flavor.

Pork Loin

If you prefer another type of tenderloin option for the holidays, try a pork loin recipe. If you want to get a little fancy with it, with an added touch, you can even try a stuffed pork loin recipe. You can even take a roasted pork tenderloin and wrap it in crispy bacon pieces for the ultimate holiday feast. Yum!

Scallop

Whether you are hosting the feast of the seven fishes or simply enjoy fresh wild-caught seafood for your holiday spread, seafood is another wonderful option for your holiday table. Shrimp cocktail and bacon-wrapped scallops make for some appetizing appetizers.

Standing Rib Roast

Another perfect protein to really impress your holiday guests would be to serve up a standing rib roast. Essentially the same cut as a prime rib cut, a standing rib roast often refers to the bone-in cut, while prime rib can refer to both bone-in and boneless versions.

Turkey

In case you do not enjoy duck or perhaps you simply cannot get enough of that holiday turkey, opt for another round of roasted turkey. If you need some new holiday turkey recipes, here are a few to try:

• Brined Holiday Turkey
• Dry Brined Turkey
• Heritage Turkey
• Stuffed Turkey

Wellington

Any type of Wellington is another wonderful option for your holiday table. Choose from beef wellington, pork wellington, or try a Paleo, gluten-free, grain-free wellington recipe, which is a great option for all of your gluten-free holiday guests.

No matter what you decide to make for your holiday feast this year, you cannot go wrong. The greatest blessing is to have a holiday table surrounded by family and friends, and what you are serving is just a bonus. Happy holidays, everyone!

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A big thank you to Ashley Martens for sharing these delicious protein ideas for your holiday dinner table!  From beef tenderloin to duck, scallops, and standing rib roast, there’s something to inspire every festive feast. For more holiday cooking tips and recipes, be sure to visit our Discover blog and get inspired for your seasonal celebrations!