Ready to shake up your holiday table? Ditch the expected and dive into one of the most flavorful Non Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas you'll ever try: Pomegranate Glazed Lamb Chops with a fresh spinach and almond salad. It's surprisingly easy and so delicious!

Delicious Non Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas with Spicy Lamb

Are you starting to feel like your holiday menu is stuck on a loop? Turkey, ham, repeat. While tradition is wonderful, sometimes you just crave something new. Something exciting. Something that makes your family say, “Wow!”

Well, you’ve come to the right place. We are diving headfirst into one of my favorite Non Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas. Get ready for Pomegranate Glazed Lamb Chops. They are festive, flavorful, and much simpler than you might think.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this dish is a showstopper. The glaze on the lamb is this incredible mix of sweet and tangy. The pomegranate molasses gives it a deep, fruity flavor that feels so festive. It’s a real treat for the taste buds.

Plus, it’s one of those Easy Holiday Meals that looks incredibly fancy but comes together in a snap. You spend less time stressing in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holiday cheer with your loved ones. That’s a win in my book.

The colors are just beautiful. The rich, dark glaze on the lamb, the bright green spinach, and the jewel like pomegranate seeds. It’s a feast for the eyes before it even hits the table. This is what Fun Christmas Dinner Ideas are all about.

This recipe is more than just food. It’s about creating new memories. It’s one of those Unique Christmas Dinner Ideas that your family will talk about for years to come. It might just become your new tradition.

Ingredients

For The Lamb Chops

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 garlic clove
¾ teaspoon dry mustard
Twelve 3 ounce lamb chops
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup chopped fresh mint

For The Salad

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 4 ounce bag baby spinach
⅓ cup roughly torn mint leaves
½ red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup pomegranate seeds
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Get The Grill Ready

First things first, let’s get that grill going. You want it on high heat. If you’re using a grill pan indoors, same deal. Let it get nice and hot before the lamb even thinks about touching it. This ensures you get a beautiful char.

Step 2: Whisk Up The Glaze

Now for the magic part. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, pomegranate molasses, and maple syrup. Grate your garlic clove right into the bowl. No need to mince it finely. Add the dry mustard and give it all a good whisk to combine everything.

Set a little bit of this glaze aside. You’ll use it for brushing while the lamb chops are cooking. It’s a key step for building up layers of flavor in these Christmas Meal Ideas Dinner Main Dishes.

Step 3: Grill The Lamb Chops

Take your lamb chops and season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Don’t be shy. Now, brush that glorious glaze all over them. Make sure they are nicely coated.

Time to grill. Place the chops on the hot grill. You’ll probably need to do this in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side. You want them to get well charred and cooked through.

While they are cooking, brush them with that reserved glaze. When you flip them, brush the other side too. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate and tent them with foil to rest. This is a crucial step for juicy meat.

Step 4: Make The Fresh Salad

While the lamb is resting, let’s whip up the salad. This part is super simple. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. This is your simple, fresh vinaigrette.

Toss in the baby spinach, mint leaves, thinly sliced red onion, pomegranate seeds, and toasted almonds. Give it a gentle toss to coat everything in the dressing. The different textures and flavors here are fantastic.

Step 5: Garnish And Serve

Your lamb has rested and it’s time to eat. Garnish the chops with the fresh chopped mint. Serve them immediately with the big, beautiful salad on the side. This is one of those Non Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas that everyone will love.

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How To Store Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers, which I doubt, storing them is easy. Place the lamb chops in an airtight container and they’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The salad is best eaten fresh, as spinach tends to wilt. If you want to plan ahead, you can keep the dressing separate and just toss the salad ingredients together right before serving.

Tips

Want to make this recipe even better? I’ve got a few little tricks up my sleeve. Don’t overcook the lamb. Lamb chops are best served medium rare to medium. A little pink in the middle is what you’re aiming for.

Toasting your almonds is a small step that adds a huge amount of flavor. You can do this in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until they are fragrant. Just watch them closely so they don’t burn.

If you can’t find pomegranate molasses, you could try a good quality balsamic glaze as a substitute. The flavor will be different, but still very delicious. This makes it one of the most adaptable Unique Christmas Dinner Ideas.

You can also make parts of this dish ahead of time. The glaze can be made a day or two in advance. The salad dressing can also be prepared beforehand. This makes holiday cooking for your Easy Holiday Meals a breeze.

Conclusion

So there you have it. A fantastic recipe for one of the most delicious Non Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas around. It’s elegant, it’s flavorful, and it’s a wonderful way to start a new holiday tradition.

Breaking away from the usual menu can be so much fun. I really hope you give these Pomegranate Glazed Lamb Chops a try. Let this be the year you explore some Fun Christmas Dinner Ideas and create new, tasty memories.

Enjoy your holiday feast!

FAQ

Can I Use Another Cut Of Meat?

Absolutely. This glaze would be wonderful on pork chops or even chicken thighs. You would just need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. This makes the recipe very versatile for your Christmas Meal Ideas Dinner Main Dishes.

What Wine Pairs Well With This Dish?

A medium bodied red wine would be a great choice. Something like a Pinot Noir or a Zinfandel would complement the rich flavors of the lamb and the tangy glaze beautifully.

Where Can I Find Pomegranate Molasses?

You can often find it in specialty food stores, Middle Eastern markets, or in the international aisle of larger supermarkets. It’s also readily available to order online if you can’t find it locally.

Is This Recipe Gluten Free?

Yes, as written, this recipe is naturally gluten free. All the ingredients used do not contain gluten, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions. It’s a wonderful choice for your Non Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas.

How Do I Get Pomegranate Seeds Out Easily?

A popular trick is to cut the pomegranate in half, hold it seed side down over a bowl of water, and tap the back of it firmly with a wooden spoon. The seeds will fall right out into the water, and the white pith will float to the top.

About the Author

Mateo Ramirez

November 17, 2025

The symphony of sizzling pans and aromatic spices always drew me in. My path crystallized during an apprenticeship, not in a grand kitchen, but observing a street vendor elevate a simple taco to an art form. The precision, the vibrant colors, the sheer joy on customers' faces from that single bite, I knew then my canvas would be a plate, my medium flavor.