Here's Every Recipe You'll Need To Make The Perfect Christmas Dinner (2024)

From apps to sides to mains, we've got you covered.

By Camille Lowder
Here's Every Recipe You'll Need To Make The Perfect Christmas Dinner (1)

Every Christmas, we lament how there are only 25 days to set up our tree, find the perfect gifts for friends and family, and do all the baking we want to do (this is THE year we’re going to make a gingerbread house from scratch, we swear!)...it's a whirlwind of activity that feels like it never stops. Can you relate? If so, let us help take some of the stress off your plate this holiday season—we might not be able to help you wrap all those presents, but we CAN help you figure out what to serve for dinner, whether it's a casual holiday weeknight or the main event. With this irresistible list of family-approved classics, we've got all your Christmas dinners covered. Here are our top 90 picks to round out your holiday spread—apps, sides, and entrées included.

We’re pretty obsessed with apps year-round, but we’ve gotta say, our Christmas-themed ones are some of our best. We’ve included a great mix here of cute, like our pigs in a blanket wreath or our pull-apart Christmas tree; fancy, like our bacon wrapped dates or our crab stuffed mushrooms; and classic, like our sausage balls or our cranberry brie bites. They’re perfect for co*cktail parties, dinner parties, and every occasion in between.

Entrées are important (and we’ve got some incredible ones below), but we’ll admit, a lot of the time we’re really in it for the sides. We’ve included our favorite classics here, like our garlic mashed potatoes, our Ruth’s Chris Steak House sweet potato casserole, our vegetarian mushroom gravy, or our Crockpot green bean casserole. They’re the comfort foods you love, with a little special twist for the holidays.

On to the main event! We’ve got ideas for you here whether you need something quick and easy to get you and your family through your Christmas to-dos, or are looking for something spectacular to impress guests. Ham is classic for Christmas dinner, so we’ve included a number of our favorite recipes here, including our brown sugar pineapple ham and our cherry bourbon glazed ham. Pork, turkey, and spectacular beef dishes are also always impressive, so check out our perfect roast beef, our stuffed pork loin, our turkey roulade, or our beef Wellington for ideas. Want something more low-key? Our chicken spanakopita bake, our pizza casserole, our shepherd’s pie, and our chicken pot pie casserole are all one and done meals that your whole family will love, all season long.

Want even more holiday dinner ideas? Check out our favorite Christmas soups, salads, and sides too. Once you've got those set, check out our favorite holiday co*cktails, cookies, and cakes to fully round out your evening too. Merry Christmas, from all of us to you.

1

Pozole

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Filled with pork shoulder, hominy, and a fair amount of heat, pozole is the cozy comfort food that isn’t shy about its flavor. This is the stew you make when you’re looking to feed (and impress!) a Christmas dinner crowd, or just need a soup that will warm you up in the dead of winter.

Get the Pozole recipe.

2

Fish Pie

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Fish pie is usually seafood in a cream sauce topped with mashed potatoes. For this version, we took inspiration from Greek cuisine (specifically avgolemono soup) and added dill and lemon.

Get the Fish Pie recipe.

3

Antipasto Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

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Nothing says hostess with the most-est like a charming and delicious antipasto Christmas tree. This cheesy appetizer sculpture will help you decorate for your Christmas party and feed your guests all in one fell swoop.

Get the Antipasto Christmas Tree Cheese Ball recipe.

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4

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Boasting a combination of succulent, flavorful meat and shatteringly crisp skin, this impressive bone-in, skin-on roast pork dish has earned its place as the centerpiece of any Christmas dinner spread (but is good enough to make all winter long too).

Get the Puerto Rican Pernil recipe.

5

Baked Feta Bites

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If you love the TikTok-famous baked feta pasta and the delightful sophistication of our cranberry brie bites, then brace yourself: These little appetizers are the culinary revelation that combines the best of both worlds.

Get the Baked Feta Bites recipe.

6

Sausage Roll Wreath

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Every holiday gathering needs a showstopper on the table. That being said, maybe you want something new this holiday season. Enter: this classic British sausage roll with a Christmas–appropriate makeover.

Get the Sausage Roll Wreath recipe.

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7

Chicken & Dumplings

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Shredded chicken and fluffy homemade dumplings (or biscuits, if you like) come together here for the MOST comforting meal ever. Want to make it even easier? Make our instead.

Get the .

8

Dry Brine Turkey

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A holiday meal is not complete until the turkey is on the table. Turkeys are large, so we get it, but they don't have to be intimidating. The one thing you can do to ensure a bird that stays juicy and doesn't dry out in the oven: Brine it!

Get the Dry Brine Turkey recipe.

9

Copycat Honey Baked Ham

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Honey Baked ham is grand, deliciously smoky, and has a signature caramelized crust all over. Sadly, it’s something you have to plan to order in advance and can be a little on the pricey side. If you didn't have time to order a ham, want to save some money, or just try a homemade version of this classic centerpiece, this copycat recipe is for you.

Get the Copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe.

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10

Candied Yams

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For many, candied yams are an indispensable part of the holiday meal, along with mashed potatoes. We agree! Our version gets an added kick from bourbon—we think once you try them, you'll never want yams without it.

Get the Candied Yams recipe.

11

Perfect Prime Rib

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Prime rib, also referred to as standing rib roast, is the beautiful piece of meat we turn to whenever we need a truly show-stopping holiday roast. You'll make your guests think you labored for hours, but it'll be your little secret thatreally your oven did all the work.

Get the Perfect Prime Rib recipe.

12

Baked Brie Wreath

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Honey-glazed melted brie, plus herby crispy pizza dough, is an equation for true happiness. Your friends, family, or colleagues will be ready to dive into this edible wreath once you stroll through the door… after all, you want to eat the cheese while it’s warm and gooey.

Get the Baked Brie Wreath recipe.

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13

Naughty Knots

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Though these cheesy, herby bites of deliciousness may make you feel like you should be written up on the naughty list, we promise that if you make these for your holiday dinner guests, you will be sealed on the good list forever.

Get the Naughty Knots recipe.

14

Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers

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Spinach-artichoke dip is a classic appetizer, but let’s make it a little more festive! Wrapped in puff pastry, the dip can be shaped into cute little Christmas trees and becomes individual apps. The tree gets topped with a little cheese star, as all trees should be.

Get the Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers recipe.

15

Oven-Baked Salmon

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While we have no shortage of creative salmon recipes, there’s a reason this classic and simple version is one of our most popular recipes. Whether you’re looking for a simple, hands-off weeknight dinner or , this is a recipe you’ll want to keep up your sleeve.

Get the Oven-Baked Salmon recipe.

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16

Pigs In A Blanket Wreath

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This adorable holiday app will become an instant legend to all of your family and friends (who doesn't love pigs in a blanket!?). It's a centerpiece worthy of your holiday table—plus one that you can eat, which is the best kind of centerpiece in our opinion.

Get the Pigs In A Blanket Wreath recipe.

17

Stuffed Shells

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Imagine lasagna being turned inside out to form cute pockets stuffed with creamy, garlicky ricotta and cream cheese, which are then slathered in tomato sauce for an impressive dinner with friends or family. That’s the beauty of stuffed shells.

Get the Stuffed Shells recipe.

18

Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples

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In-season vegetables find their way into this healthy, colorful side dish that's perfect for elegant dinner party menus, simple weeknight meals, or paired with richer, holiday spreads.

Get the .

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19

Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs

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With a sweet and tangy glaze made with cranberry sauce and thyme- and sage-speckled turkey meatballs, these are great for serving over fluffy mashed potatoes for a low-key Christmas dinner.

Get the Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs recipe.

20

Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball

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Looking for a stunning Christmas app that comes together in no time? Look no further than the humble cheese ball. They’re a retro idea that we’ve really run with here at Delish, taking them fully into modern times with creative ingredients and decorating methods.

Get the Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball recipe.

Here's Every Recipe You'll Need To Make The Perfect Christmas Dinner (2024)

FAQs

What is the perfect Christmas dinner? ›

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!

What is a traditional Christmas dinner menu? ›

Traditional Christmas foods are very similar to Thanksgiving and consists of roast turkey, turkey stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce and pies such as apple or pumpkin. Other non-traditional main dish favorites are ham, roast beef or lasagna.

What veg 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?

How can I make my Christmas dinner better? ›

To help, we've put these tips together with the help of our expert chefs from our kitchens.
  1. Organisation. ...
  2. Brine your Turkey on Christmas Eve. ...
  3. Have you got the right equipment for the job? ...
  4. Prep your veg the night before. ...
  5. Get your timings for the big day sorted. ...
  6. Keep it fun, get the family involved.

What food is most eaten during Christmas? ›

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 do Italians eat at Christmas? ›

In Southern and Central Italy, baked pasta is a must. In Northern Italy, Lasagne Bolognese and filled pasta like manicotti and ravioli are traditional Christmas fare. Next comes the main event, the meat. Roasted veal, baked chicken, sausages or braised beef are common Natale entrées worth celebrating.

What is the most popular Christmas meat? ›

Turkey is definitely the most traditional meat for Christmas dinner and you can take a look at our wide selection of whole, rolled and diced turkeys here – perfect for your traditional Christmas dinner!

What are 3 food items that are popular for Christmas dinner? ›

Traditional American Christmas dinner food
  • Turkey. A turkey is an inexpensive main meal that will feed a lot of people. ...
  • Stuffing. Stuffing (sometimes called dressing) is another common Christmas dinner food. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. ...
  • Gravy. ...
  • Cranberry sauce. ...
  • Christmas ham. ...
  • Beef tenderloin. ...
  • Rack of lamb.
Dec 10, 2021

What are Christmas Eve foods? ›

Christmas Eve recipes
  • Gratin of fresh & smoked salmon, beetroot, potatoes & dill. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Cauliflower purée. A star rating of 0 out of 5. ...
  • Festive seafood sharing platter. ...
  • Air-fryer beef joint. ...
  • App onlyElote muffins. ...
  • Red velvet brownies. ...
  • Comté & rosemary shortbread. ...
  • Salted caramel crispy Rudolphs.

Does broccoli go on Christmas dinner? ›

Blanched Tenderstem® broccoli with a cranberry and maple butter and toasted almonds. Full of festive flavour and a great accompaniment to roast chicken or turkey, this recipe is a great addition to the Christmas table.

What are the mistakes for Christmas dinner? ›

Join us as we dish up some of the most common Christmas dinner mistakes we hope you'll avoid this holiday season.
  • Forgetting to plan your meal ahead of time. ...
  • Forgetting to cook ahead of time. ...
  • Making new recipes for the first time. ...
  • Not taking allergies and dietary restrictions into account.
Dec 13, 2023

What is traditional Christmas dinner in USA? ›

Traditional American Christmas dinner food. The traditional American Christmas dinner is very similar to a Thanksgiving dinner. It usually includes a stuffed bird (turkey is the most common), with gravy and some classic sides.

What was the most popular main meal at Christmas? ›

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

What is the most common Christmas dinner meat? ›

Pork. Pork is a staple of any Christmas, whether that be a shoulder joint, leg or fillet. With so many different cuts of pork available, there really is something for everyone this Christmas.

What is the most popular meat for Christmas? ›

12 Meats of Christmas
  1. Turkey. Perfectly placed as the Christmas centre piece because it goes with just about everything, turkey was brought over to the UK by Native American traders in the 1520s. ...
  2. Pigs In Blankets. ...
  3. Goose. ...
  4. Capon. ...
  5. Ham. ...
  6. Sausage Meat Stuffing. ...
  7. Venison. ...
  8. Pheasant.
Dec 5, 2022

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