34 Festive Christmas Dinner Recipes for a Holiday to Remember
Christmas dinner is a cherished tradition around the world, often featuring a variety of delicious dishes. In many countries, it centers on a main course, such as roasted turkey, glazed ham, or beef tenderloin, accompanied by side dishes like mashed potatoes, green beans, and stuffing.
Desserts like mince pies and Christmas pudding are also staples. The meal is typically enjoyed with family and friends, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. Each region adds its unique flavors and traditions, making Christmas dinner a special and memorable occasion for all who participate. It’s a time to share love, laughter, and gratitude.
1. Glazed Ham
Glazed ham is a classic holiday dish that’s easy to make and visually appealing. Start by scoring the fat in a diamond pattern and inserting cloves into each diamond. Then, create a glaze using brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and your choice of liquid (such as apple cider, white wine, or even Dr Pepper).
Brush the glaze over the ham every 15-20 minutes while it bakes at 180°C (350°F). The glaze caramelizes, creating a sweet and savory crust. As the ham cooks, its juices mix with the glaze, enhancing the flavor. Let the ham rest for a few minutes before carving to ensure juicy slices. Serve it warm or cold, garnished with fresh herbs for a touch of festivity.
2. Meat Loaf
Meatloaf is a hearty dish perfect for the holidays. One popular recipe combines ground beef with onion soup mix, dried cranberries, and parsley, creating a unique flavor profile. The mixture is shaped into a loaf and simmered with a tangy cranberry sauce.
Alternatively, a classic version involves mixing ground beef with diced onion, garlic, eggs, and breadcrumbs, then baking it with a sweet and savory glaze made from ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Both methods result in a moist and flavorful loaf that’s sure to please.
3. Roasted Chicken with Mushroom and Wine Sauce
This dish combines tender roasted chicken with a rich, mushroom- and wine-based sauce. Season a whole chicken or bone-in pieces with salt and pepper, then roast until golden. While the chicken cooks, prepare the sauce by sautéing sliced mushrooms in olive oil, then adding white wine, chicken stock, and herbs like thyme and basil.
Thicken the sauce with cornstarch for extra richness. The sauce gets its depth from the pan drippings, which are scraped up and incorporated. Serve the chicken smothered in the savory sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. This meal is both comforting and elegant, perfect for a special dinner.
4. Five-Spice Roast Ducks
Five-spice roast duck is a flavorful and aromatic dish inspired by Chinese cuisine. It involves marinating a duck in a mixture of light and dark soy sauce, sugar, and five-spice powder, which includes star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds.
The duck is roasted until the skin is crispy and golden, then served with steamed rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a refreshing twist. This recipe is quicker than traditional Peking duck and offers a delicious twist on holiday meals. The combination of spices creates a warm and inviting aroma that fills the kitchen.
5. Vegan Mushroom Wellington
Vegan mushroom Wellington is a plant-based alternative to traditional meat dishes, perfect for the holidays. It features a filling made from sautéed mushrooms, onions, garlic, and spinach, mixed with rice or lentils and wrapped in vegan puff pastry.
The pastry is brushed with a plant-based egg wash before baking until it is golden brown. This dish is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make, making it an impressive centerpiece for any vegan Christmas dinner. Combining earthy mushrooms and flaky pastry creates a satisfying and savory experience.
6. Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Ham
Cherry bourbon-glazed ham is a mouthwatering twist on traditional glazed ham. It combines the sweetness of cherry preserves with the richness of bourbon, creating a deep, fruity flavor. To make it, start with a spiral-cut ham and lightly cover it with yellow mustard as a binder.
Then, mix cherry preserves, bourbon, maple syrup, and spices to create the glaze. Brush the glaze over the ham during the last stages of baking, allowing it to caramelize and infuse the ham with its sweet and smoky flavors. This dish is perfect for special occasions, offering a unique blend of flavors that will impress your guests.
7. Honey Glazed Salmon
Honey-glazed salmon is a simple yet elegant dish perfect for any occasion. It involves brushing salmon fillets with a mixture of honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice, and baking them until the fish is cooked and the glaze is caramelized.
The sweetness of the honey pairs beautifully with the savory flavor of the salmon, creating a delightful balance of flavors. This recipe is quick to prepare and can be served with various sides, such as roasted vegetables or quinoa, making it a versatile choice for casual and formal dinners.
8. Fennel-crusted Roast Pork with Vegetables
Fennel-crusted roast pork is a flavorful and visually appealing dish perfect for holidays. It involves rubbing a pork loin with fennel seeds, garlic, and herbs, then roasting it with various vegetables, such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, and potatoes.
The fennel adds a unique anise flavor that complements the pork beautifully. As the pork cooks, the vegetables absorb their juices, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. This dish is easy to prepare and offers a delicious twist on traditional roast pork, making it an excellent centerpiece for any dinner gathering.
9. Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables
Beef tenderloin with roasted vegetables is a sophisticated dish that’s both easy to make and visually stunning. It involves seasoning a beef tenderloin with salt, pepper, and herbs like rosemary, then searing it in a skillet before finishing it in the oven.
Meanwhile, root vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, and cauliflower, are tossed in olive oil and roasted until tender. The tender beef and flavorful vegetables combine to create a comforting yet elegant meal, perfect for special occasions. This dish is sure to impress with its simplicity and rich, savory notes.
10. Glazed Cornish Hens
Glazed Cornish hens are a delightful and elegant option for holiday meals. They can be prepared with various glazes, such as apricot, citrus, or bourbon, each offering a unique flavor profile. Season the hens with salt and pepper, then roast them in the oven until golden.
Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by mixing ingredients like apricot jam, orange juice, and honey. Brush the glaze over the hens during the last stages of cooking, allowing it to caramelize and add a sweet, sticky coating 69. This dish is perfect for smaller gatherings, as each guest gets their own beautifully glazed hen.
11. Italian Herb-Crusted Pork Loin
Italian herb-crusted pork loin is a flavorful and aromatic dish for special occasions. It involves rubbing a pork loin with olive oil, garlic, salt, basil, thyme, rosemary, and Italian seasoning. The herbs create a fragrant crust that enhances the pork’s natural flavor.
To prepare, mix the herbs and spices into a paste, then rub it over the entire surface of the pork loin. Roast in the oven until the pork is tender and the crust is golden brown. This dish is easy to prepare and pairs well with roasted vegetables, such as carrots and onions.
12. Lemon Herbed Salmon
Lemon-herbed salmon is a light and refreshing dish that combines the freshness of lemon with the earthy flavors of herbs. It involves topping salmon fillets with olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, basil, and rosemary.
The lemon adds a bright, citrusy flavor, while the herbs provide depth and aroma. Bake the salmon in the oven until it is cooked and flakes easily with a fork. This recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for a healthy dinner. Serve it with steamed vegetables or a salad for a well-rounded meal.
13. Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon
This casserole is a comforting and satisfying side dish that combines the best of broccoli, cauliflower, and bacon. It starts by boiling or steaming the vegetables until they’re tender, then mixing them with a creamy sauce made from cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise.
Crumbled bacon adds a smoky flavor, and cheddar and mozzarella cheese top the dish. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This dish is perfect for family gatherings or potlucks, offering a delicious blend of flavors and textures.
14. Stuffed Butternut Squash
Stuffed butternut squash is a hearty and flavorful dish that makes an excellent centerpiece for any meal. It involves roasting a butternut squash until tender, then filling it with a mixture of cooked quinoa, lentils, spinach, almonds, and cranberries. You can also use sausage, apples, and kale for a savory twist.
The sweetness of the squash pairs beautifully with the earthy filling, creating a satisfying and nutritious meal. This versatile dish can be adapted to suit various dietary preferences, making it perfect for holidays or special occasions 48.
15. Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates
Sautéed green beans with pomegranates are a vibrant and flavorful side dish that adds color to any meal. It involves quickly sautéing green beans in olive oil with garlic and lemon zest until tender but still crisp. Then, toss in pomegranate seeds for a burst of sweetness and freshness.
This easy dish offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. For extra crunch, add almonds or pistachios. It pairs well with roasted meats or serves as a light side dish for a holiday dinner.
16. Triple Mash with Horseradish Bread Crumbs
The triple mash with horseradish bread crumbs is a creative twist on traditional mashed potatoes. It combines Yukon Gold potatoes, parsnips, and rutabaga, offering a rich and varied flavor profile. To prepare, boil the vegetables until tender, then mash with butter and milk.
Meanwhile, toast coarse bread crumbs with olive oil, garlic, and grated horseradish until golden brown. Stir the bread crumbs into the mash for a crunchy, spicy kick. This dish is perfect for special occasions, adding a delightful texture and flavor to any meal. It’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests.
17. Crown Roast of Pork with Mushroom Dressing
Crown pork roast with mushroom dressing is a stunning centerpiece for any holiday dinner. It involves roasting a beautifully presented pork loin crown roast, typically made from 10 to 12 ribs, until tender and juicy. The roast is seasoned with salt and pepper and then baked with a delicious mushroom dressing made from sautéed mushrooms, celery, and cubed bread.
Apricot preserves are brushed over the roast for a sweet glaze. This dish is visually appealing and flavorful, perfect for special occasions. The combination of pork and mushroom dressing creates a savory and satisfying meal that will delight your guests.