Festive Ideas for Your Christmas Meal, From co*cktails to Entrees (2024)

Festive dishes to feed the whole family!

By Becca Miller, Samantha MacAvoy and Jamie Ballard
Festive Ideas for Your Christmas Meal, From co*cktails to Entrees (1)

Whether you're making Christmas dinner for two or for two dozen, there's no denying it's one of the most special meals of the year. The key to a successful Christmas dinner is planning ahead, especially if you're cooking the whole feast. Luckily, we've rounded up the best Christmas dinner ideas — from healthy Christmas recipes to traditional Christmas foods — so you can have tons of recipes and ideas to choose from!

As you plan your menu, there's a lot to consider. You likely will want to choose a main first, like a turkey, Christmas ham, casserole or other show-stopping dishes. Then, you can compliment your main with Christmas side dishes and holiday appetizers. And of course, you can't forget about sweet Christmas desserts and festive co*cktails to sip on throughout the night! Just make sure that you consider the number of people you will be serving — some recipes may need to be doubled. Lastly, you may want to include a few vegan Christmas dishes or vegetarian Christmas plates for any guests who might be following these diets.

Here, we've collected the best mains, sides, appetizers, desserts, and drinks for your ultimate Christmas dinner. Just bookmark your favorite recipes now so you're ready when Christmas rolls around!

1

Baked Ricotta

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This dish of jammy vegetables and savory ricotta makes for a bright addition to the Christmas dinner table. Serve with some crusty bread for an appetizer that pairs perfectly with any main.

Get the Baked Ricotta recipe.

2

Vegan Pumpkin Risotto with Crispy Sage

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This creamy, savory dish topped with crispy sage makes for a special meal any night, including Christmas. It's also easier than you might guess to bring this decadent dish together.

Get the Vegan Pumpkin Risotto with Crispy Sage recipe.

3

Fig Cornmeal Skillet Cake

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This rustic dessert of fresh figs, cornmeal, and crunchy turbinado sugar makes for a special Christmas dinner dessert.

Get the Fig Cornmeal Skillet Cake recipe.

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4

Roasted Carrots and Red Onions

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These vibrant veggies tossed with a orange and sherry vinegar dressing are a bright and flavorful side that definitely belongs on the dinner table this Christmas.

Get the Roasted Carrots and Red Onions recipe.

5

Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Ham

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Nothing says Christmas like a gorgeous ham. And if it's covered in a tangy-sweet sauce made with bourbon and cherry jam, even better.

Get the Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Ham recipe.

6

Fennel-Crusted Roast Pork With Vegetables

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If you are looking for a showstopper to add to the dinner table, try making this Fennel-Crusted Roast Pork. The crust is made from fennel and coriander seeds for great flavor and aromatics, while the roasted acorn squash adds a little sweetness to the dish.

Get the Fennel-Crusted Roast Pork with Vegetables recipe.

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7

Creamy Potato Soup

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Nothing is more comforting than a bowl of warm soup during the colder months. Make from creamy Yukon gold potatoes, parsnips and other fresh ingredients for a bowl that will warm you right up.

Get the Creamy Potato Soup recipe.

8

Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad

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Add something light and fresh to the Christmas dinner table with a delicious salad. With purple radicchio, endives and parsley, your plate with be bursting with color and flavor.

Get the Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad recipe.

RELATED: 22 Christmas Salads to Complete Any Holiday Dinner Menu

9

Skillet Shrimp and Orzo

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In the mood for seafood? Try making this easy skillet dish that you can make from using some of your pantry ingredients like orzo and canned tomatoes!

Get the Skillet Shrimp and Orzo recipe.

RELATED: 30 Seriously Easy Shrimp Recipes

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10

Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Sausage and Green Beans

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If looking for a quick but delicious dish, try this sheet pan recipe! Instead of boiling gnocchi, try roasting it along with green beans, sausage and kale.

Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage and Green Beans recipe.

RELATED: 18 Easy Sheet Pan Dinners That Make Cleanup a Breeze

11

Delicata Squash Pizza

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This shareable pizza is perfect to add to the dinner table. With provolone, blue cheese and slices of delicata squash, what’s not to love?

Get the Delicata Squash Pizza recipe.

12

Salmon Rillette

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Your dinner guests will love feasting on this Christmas appetizer made with a mix of smoked salmon and salmon poached with white wine and shallot.

Get the Salmon Rillette recipe.

RELATED: 35 Best Finger Food Ideas to Serve at Your Next Party

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13

Aperol Spritz Granita

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You've never had an Aperol Spritz quite like this. Big flakes of citrusy ice are topped with sparkling wine and a sprig of rosemary for an elegant and festive co*cktail.

Get the Aperol Spritz Granita recipe.

RELATED: 30 Totally Delicious Classic co*cktails to Make at Home

14

Honey-and-Balsamic–Glazed Ham

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This sweet-and-salty ham brings together black peppercorns, honey, mustard and balsamic vinegar for an irresistible main dish everyone will enjoy.

Get the Honey-and-Balsamic–Glazed Ham recipe.

15

Coquito

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Love eggnog? Then you'll also love this creamy Puerto Rican drink made with three kinds of milk, warming spices, and a little bit of rum.

Get the Coquito recipe.

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16

Gingerbread Bundt Cake

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There's only one word for this Christmas dessert: showstopping. It's made with plenty of spices for that classic gingerbread flavor and then topped with a sour cream glaze and eye-catching pomegranate seeds.

Get the Gingerbread Bundt Cake recipe.

RELATED: 55 Gingerbread House Ideas That'll Inspire You to Create an Epic Masterpiece

17

Honey Glazed Salmon

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Who needs a centerpiece when you have this gorgeous, bright salmon on the table? Good news: it tastes as good as it looks.

Get the Honey Glazed Salmon recipe.

18

Popovers

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Who needs store-bought rolls when you can make these airy, delicious popovers?

Get the Good Housekeeping's Famous Popovers recipe.

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19

Steak Au Poivre

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For a hearty Christmas dinner, try this steak crusted with peppercorns, pan-fried and served with a creamy sauce.

Get the Steak Au Poivre recipe.

RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy

20

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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If you're looking to keep things simple this Christmas, try this cozy chicken soup topped with puff pastry rounds.

Get the Chicken Pot Pie Soup recipe.

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Festive Ideas for Your Christmas Meal, From co*cktails to Entrees (2024)

FAQs

What alcohol goes with Christmas dinner? ›

Turkey and trimmings

Go for crowd-pleasing styles that won't fight with the food – a good rule of thumb is to go for whites with some richness but not too much oak, and medium-bodied reds that aren't too tannic. Rhône wines are hard to resist at Christmas as their peppery spice is great with wintery food.

What foods and drinks are traditionally served for Christmas dinner? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.

What is the most popular alcohol at Christmas? ›

Top ten Christmas drinks
  • Beer. ...
  • co*cktails. ...
  • Eggnog. ...
  • Gin. ...
  • Mulled wine. ...
  • Rum. ...
  • Hot chocolate. ...
  • Whisky. Rich, warming, and high on the list of festive favourites, whisky is enjoyed all year round, but it really comes into its own at Christmas.
Nov 13, 2023

What drink is often associated with Christmas? ›

One of the most traditional holiday beverages is now featured as an elegant eggnog co*cktail. Rimmed with classic spiced cookies, this dessert beverage makes the perfect finish to your holiday dinner.

What is the best Christmas party liquor? ›

OK, here are five Christmas drinks options, ranked from best to worst…
  • Champagne. There is a reason it's the drinks choice at fashion parties and awards dinners. ...
  • Hot toddy. The whiskey or chosen spirit in a hot toddy isn't good for your skin, but the honey, lemon and spices are. ...
  • Mulled wine. ...
  • Rum and co*ke. ...
  • Bailey's.
Dec 12, 2022

What are the top 10 Christmas foods? ›

From savory roasts to sweet treats, here are ten of the most popular Christmas dishes that are a must-have during the holiday season.
  1. Roasted turkey. No Christmas dinner is complete without roast turkey. ...
  2. Ham. ...
  3. Roast beef. ...
  4. Stuffing. ...
  5. Poultry. ...
  6. Sweet potato casserole. ...
  7. Cranberry sauce. ...
  8. Plum pudding.
Dec 11, 2023

What vegetables do you have on a Christmas dinner? ›

Discover the perfect amounts of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, peas and red cabbage to serve with your roast turkey. Need help planning your Christmas dinner?

What is the most eaten meat on Christmas? ›

Top 5 Traditional Meats For Christmas Dinner
  1. Turkey. Let's admit it, a whole turkey is the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. ...
  2. Beef. Beef often comes to mind when choosing Christmas meats and for good reason. ...
  3. Ham and Gammon. What's Christmas without a joint of ham? ...
  4. Pork. ...
  5. Lamb.

What to bring as a guest to Christmas dinner? ›

– If you don't know the host well, play it safe with flowers, a house plant, a bottle of wine, or a box of boutique chocolates. – If you know the host well, choose a gift you know they will like—a small artwork, a six-pack of their favorite craft beer, or a special Christmas tree ornament.

What is the best Christmas party food? ›

Best Christmas Party Buffet Ideas
  • Shrimp co*cktail. ...
  • Caramel Pull-Apart. ...
  • Stuffed Butternut Squash. ...
  • Charcuterie Tree. ...
  • Tamales. ...
  • Turkey Breast. ...
  • Whipped Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Cake Ball Truffles. Simple cake Ball truffles are the Christmas party food ideas your buffet can't do without.
Nov 28, 2023

What is the most popular Christmas dinner item? ›

Roast potatoes and gravy are the most ubiquitous items on the Christmas dinner, with only around half opting for turkey.

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