Sarra Ina Garten holiday recipes cover every big meal from Thanksgiving through New Year’s with mains that steal the show, sides that practically make themselves ahead of time, and desserts worth saving room for. This collection brings together her best turkey, prime rib, lamb, and seafood alongside classic holiday sides, essential sauces, and festive sweets.
1. Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
Bone-in turkey breast rubbed with garlic, dry mustard, rosemary, sage, thyme, olive oil, and lemon juice, then roasted in white wine until the skin is golden and crackling while the meat stays incredibly moist underneath. The herb paste infuses every slice with savory flavor. About two hours total for a Thanksgiving centerpiece that feeds a crowd without the stress of a whole bird.
2. Standing Rib Roast
Seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and olive oil, then roasted until the outside forms a deeply savory, golden crust and the inside stays perfectly pink. Softened butter rubbed over the roast before cooking helps the herb crust caramelize beautifully. About two hours and forty-five minutes for the most impressive Christmas main you can put on the table.
3. Beef Tenderloin With Gorgonzola Sauce
Roasted beef tenderloin seared in olive oil until golden, then finished in the oven and served with a rich, creamy sauce made from heavy cream, crumbled Gorgonzola, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. The tangy, salty cheese sauce melts over each slice and turns a simple roast into something extraordinary. Done in just 40 minutes for an elegant holiday dinner.
4. Rack of Lamb
Frenched racks brushed with Dijon mustard and rubbed with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and optional breadcrumbs, then roasted until crispy and golden on the outside while the meat stays pink and juicy inside. The mustard holds the herb crust in place and adds a tangy bite to every slice. About 35 minutes total for a stunning main that carves beautifully at the table.
5. Roasted Shrimp With Lemon and Garlic
Jumbo shrimp tossed with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper, then roasted at high heat for just 10 minutes until pink, curled, and slightly caramelized at the edges. A scattering of fresh parsley and lemon wedges finishes them off. Ready in about 20 minutes for the fastest holiday appetizer that always gets finished first.
6. Cheese Ball
Sharp cheddar and cream cheese blended with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, chives, salt, and pepper, then shaped and rolled in chopped pecans or walnuts. The tangy cheddar gives it a savory kick while the nuts add a salty crunch to every cracker scoop. No cooking and ready in about 10 minutes plus chilling for a make-ahead holiday appetizer.
7. Lobster Bisque
Rich, velvety bisque made by simmering lobster shells with carrots, celery, onion, garlic, tomato paste, and white wine, then straining and finishing with heavy cream, butter, and chunks of fresh lobster. The shell stock creates a deep, concentrated seafood flavor you cannot get any other way. About an hour and thirty-five minutes for the most elegant holiday starter.
8. Turkey Gravy
Pan drippings whisked with flour and turkey or chicken stock until smooth and silky, then seasoned with salt, pepper, and an optional splash of Cognac or white wine for depth. The drippings give it a deep, roasted flavor that bottled gravy cannot match. Just 15 minutes from start to finish for the sauce that ties the whole Thanksgiving plate together.
9. Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
Fresh cranberries simmered with sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until the berries burst and the sauce thickens into a glossy, tangy-sweet spread with bright citrus notes. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds a warm, subtle spice. Done in about 20 minutes and tastes even better made a day or two ahead.
10. Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes boiled until soft, then mashed with buttermilk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and fluffy with a slight tang from the buttermilk. Lighter than mashed potatoes made with heavy cream but still rich and silky on the plate. Done in about 35 minutes and pairs with every main on this list.
11. Sweet Potato Casserole
Mashed sweet potatoes whipped with butter, brown sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, eggs, and cinnamon, then topped with a crunchy streusel of flour, brown sugar, cold butter, and chopped pecans baked until golden. The creamy filling underneath contrasts with the crispy, nutty topping in every spoonful. About 55 minutes for a side that bridges Thanksgiving and Christmas tables.
12. Green Beans Almondine
Crisp green beans blanched and sautéed in butter and olive oil with garlic, sliced almonds, lemon zest, and lemon juice until the almonds are toasted and the beans are bright green and tender. Fresh parsley and a final squeeze of lemon finish them off. Done in just 20 minutes for a classic holiday side that looks and tastes elegant.
13. Maple Roasted Carrots
Carrots tossed with olive oil, pure maple syrup, salt, and pepper, then roasted until caramelized and tender with slightly crispy, sticky edges. The maple glaze turns golden in the oven while the natural sweetness of the carrots intensifies. Ready in just 30 minutes for the simplest holiday side on this list.
14. Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes layered with heavy cream, whole milk, garlic, Gruyère, and Parmesan, then baked until bubbling with a golden, cheesy crust on top and tender, creamy layers underneath. A pinch of nutmeg adds a warm, subtle note to the rich custard. About an hour and thirty minutes for a side that always gets finished first.
15. Root Vegetable Gratin
Layered thin slices of sweet potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, parsnips, and turnips baked in a custard of heavy cream, whole milk, and garlic with Gruyère and Parmesan melted on top until golden and bubbling. Every layer is tender and creamy with a crispy, cheesy crust. About an hour and twenty-five minutes for a side that showcases fall and winter root vegetables beautifully.
16. Pumpkin Pie
Flaky homemade crust filled with a silky custard of pumpkin purée, brown sugar, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves baked until just set with a slight wobble in the center. The filling is smooth and warmly spiced without being overpowering. About an hour and twenty-five minutes for the essential Thanksgiving dessert.
17. Chocolate Pecan Pie
Dark corn syrup, sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla poured over a layer of whole pecans and semisweet chocolate chips in a flaky homemade crust, then baked until the filling is set and the top turns glossy and caramelized. The chocolate adds a rich, bittersweet depth to the classic pecan filling. About an hour and twenty minutes for a pie that works at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
18. Pear Tart
Ripe pears sliced thin and fanned over a nutty almond cream filling in a buttery pastry shell, then baked until the edges are golden and the fruit is soft and caramelized. The almond flour filling is creamy and almost like a frangipane that holds everything together. About an hour and twenty minutes for an elegant autumn and winter dessert.
19. Gingerbread Cake
Warm, deeply spiced cake made with dark molasses, buttermilk, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg baked until the crumb is moist and almost sticky with a rich, bittersweet flavor. A dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream is all it needs. Done in about 50 minutes and fills the kitchen with the smell of the holidays.
20. White Chocolate Bark
Dried cranberries, diced apricots, roasted pistachios, and cashews pressed into melted white chocolate and cooled until set, then snapped into rustic pieces. The combination of sweet, tart, salty, and crunchy makes it incredibly addictive. No baking required and ready in about 5 minutes of active work for a homemade holiday gift or cookie platter addition.
