The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than by cooking some of the top holiday recipes. Whether you are entertaining friends and family or need a dish to take to a party, we have assembled the BEST holiday recipes just for you!
It’s one of the most exciting times of the year, but we know how much of a challenge it can be to find new and exciting recipes year after year.
Today we’re going to share with you 50 of the best holiday recipes, which will offer ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. We’ll also share some of our top tips for holiday cooking to make this time of year as stress-free and fun as possible. Happy holidays!
What is the Most Popular Holiday Dish?
With so many delicious holiday recipes to choose from, you might be wondering which would be the best choice for you and your family this year. When the population was surveyed about their favorite holiday food, the number one result was roast potatoes. Mashed potatoes came in second place, and turkey took third place.
The holidays are a good time to enjoy indulgent treats you might otherwise neglect to eat throughout the year. As far as sweet treats, you can’t go wrong with holiday cookies, which there are dozens of recipes for online. Make sure you also serve all of your holiday food with some delicious drinks, such as eggnog or hot cocoa.
What Are Some Favorite Holiday Recipes I Can Make?
Even if you don’t consider yourself an excellent chef, there’s no shortage of the meals and snacks you can prepare for the holiday season. Shortly we will share a variety of different holiday recipes, all of which anyone can follow and make.
While holiday cooking does take a little time and effort, it’s well worth it for the final results and the huge smile you’ll see on your family’s face once your hard work is complete. If you don’t know where to start, these are a few of our favorite holiday recipe ideas:
- Holiday sugar cookies
- Mashed potatoes
- Gingerbread man cookies
- Glazed ham
- Apple cider
- Herb-roasted turkey
These are just a few of the classic recipes that you could make, but the sky is the limit when it comes to cooking over the holiday season. Use your imagination and get your whole family involved in the fun to create Christmas memories you’ll always treasure.
What are the Top Ten Christmas Holiday Recipes for Dinner?
Most of the meals we share today could be enjoyed at any time over the holiday season. However, you need to put a little more time and effort into preparing for your Christmas dinner. It’s one of the biggest meals for many families over the holidays, and you’ll want to serve all of the classic dishes that your family and friends will expect from a Christmas meal. Here are the top ten Christmas dinner foods which no Christmas dinner table would be complete without:
- Roast potatoes
- Mashed potatoes
- Turkey
- Bread or rolls
- Stuffing or dressing
- Prime rib
- Roast beef
- Steak
- Chicken
- Roast pork
While you don’t have to include all of these meats on your Christmas dinner table, it’s always good to have a couple of options. If you are catering to vegetarians or vegans, make sure you add a delicious nut roast or something similar to please them on Christmas Day as well. We also recommend adding in a few vegetables to brighten up the table, with carrots and brussels sprouts being a popular option for Christmas dinner.
What are Traditional Holiday Recipes?
Traditional holiday foods vary depending on where in the world you come from. Here in the USA, we are used to eating turkey, roast potatoes, stuffing, and other delicious foods on our Christmas dinner spread. Over in the UK, this is very similar, although you might see more vegetables on the dinner table than we would serve.
The UK is also home to other treats such as mince pies, which have been enjoyed since the 13th century. They are small pies filled with mincemeat and dried fruit and are the ideal after-dinner treat during the holiday season.
Heading over to Sicily and Southern Italy, you’ll find they celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Many Roman Catholics fast during Christmas Eve, and this meal then celebrates the huge amount of fish that can be found in the region.
Many Greeks also fast during the holidays and then have a huge feast to celebrate the end of the fast on Christmas Day. As you can see, these traditions vary between each country, but it’s always fun to eat a few different dishes from around the world to brighten up your holiday spread this year.
What Do You Eat on Christmas Eve?
While Christmas Day is the main day to consider for your holiday recipes and cooking, you might also want to set yourself up for a special meal on Christmas Eve. In our holiday recipes below, you’ll find some excellent dishes that you can enjoy at this time of the year.
Many families serve fish on Christmas Eve, which is linked to the Italian tradition we shared above. You might just want to have a lighter and healthier meal on this night, as you know there’s a lot of food to be had on the following day.
Some families just have a simple buffet of finger food while watching movies and getting ready for Santa Claus to appear in the night. It is a good day to cook fresh cookies with your kids in the kitchen, making for a fun family activity everyone can get involved in.
50 Holiday Recipes to Enjoy This Festive Season
1. German Chocolate Cake Cookies
Enjoy a twist on the classic holiday cookies with these German chocolate cake cookies. Your whole family will enjoy this chocolate treat, which would be ideal for a Christmas party as well.
2. Tangerine Glazed Ham
Ham is one of the most popular meats to serve on Christmas day, especially if you are looking to mix things up from turkey. The tangerine glazed ham recipe shared here is packed with flavor and will go down a treat with your whole family.
3. Cream Cheese Cookies
Another unique twist on classic holiday cookies is this cream cheese cookies recipe. You’ll enjoy the rich flavor of cream cheese, and you can decorate the cookies with any color of frosting.
4. Eggnog Thumbprint Holiday Recipes Cookies
Eggnog isn’t just to be enjoyed as a drink, thanks to this fun eggnog thumbprint cookies recipe. We always recommend making a few batches of cookies over the holiday season to give your family and friends some variety.
5. Whipped Ricotta Spread
While this whipped ricotta spread can be used in the typical manner, you can also consider using it with pasta or vegetables.
6. 1-Hour Dinner Rolls Holiday Recipes
When you are short of time, don’t skip out on making rolls to finish off your holiday meal. These 1-hour dinner rolls require just an hour to make, so there’s no excuse for not adding them to your holiday table.
7. Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache
We often spend so much time on the main course that we forget about dessert. It is one of the most beautiful holiday cheesecakes and will be a good way to finish your Christmas Dinner.
8. Hot Chocolate Holiday Recipes Cookies
Combine two holiday treats with cookies and hot cocoa in these hot chocolate cookies, which would be ideal to leave out for Santa.
9. Crockpot Candy
Put your crockpot to good use this holiday season to create this crockpot candy that will be a huge hit with kids and teens alike.
10. Five Minute Fudge
We all have so much going on during the holiday season, and then the last thing we sometimes want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. Our five-minute fudge is a good option when you are short of time but are looking to wow your family and friends.
11. Italian Ricotta Holiday Recipes Cookies
Italy has inspired some of the best holiday recipes over the years, and these Italian ricotta cookies offer a sophisticated addition to your holiday cookie selection.
12. Red Velvet Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies
Another fun addition to your cookie collection will be these red velvet peppermint thumbprint cookies. They taste just like your favorite cupcake and are the right size for a little pick-me-up.
13. Country Cinnamon Holiday Recipes Apple Dumplings
Country cinnamon apple dumplings can be served for either dessert or dinner, giving you a sweet treat your whole family will enjoy.
14. Toffee Almond Snowballs
These classic toffee almond snowballs will be a good choice to add to your holiday buffet, and they are buttery and tender so the whole family can enjoy them.
15. Asiago Cheese Ball
The Asiago cheese ball appetizer combines roasted garlic and Asiago cheese and is best served with a huge stack of holiday crackers.
16. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Mashed potato is often rated one of the top holiday recipes, and this loaded mashed potato casserole will take this holiday dish to the next level this year.
17. Pumpkin Turtle Cheesecake
Another top option for dessert on Christmas Day, this pumpkin turtle cheesecake will be enjoyed by all of your family and friends.
18. Cranberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake
When you have friends and family over for coffee during the holidays, this cranberry cream cheese pound cake would be the ideal cake to serve while exchanging gifts.
19. Best Sugar Cookies Holiday Recipes
No holiday cookie spread is complete without sugar cookies. Our best sugar cookies recipe will delight kids and adults alike, and kids will love decorating them to fit their personal tastes.
20. Eggnog Sugar Cookie Holiday Recipes Bars
Mix up your cookie plate with these eggnog sugar cookie bars, which are ideal for the whole family to enjoy this holiday season.
21. Chocolate Covered Mint Patties Holiday Recipes
After dinner, a little sweet treat is ideal to serve alongside tea or coffee. These chocolate-covered mint patties are easy to make and will save you from buying overpriced holiday candy.
22. Holiday Recipes Baked Brie Bites
Start off your Christmas dinner in style with these baked brie bites. These delicious bite-sized pieces will melt in your mouth and set you up for a day of feasting.
23. The Best Ever Stuffing
No dinner table would be complete without the best ever stuffing, and this classic recipe will guide you through the process if it’s your first time cooking stuffing.
24. Cranberry Apple Pork Chops Holiday Recipes
Often ranking in the top ten holiday dinner options, cranberry apple pork chops are ideal for the meat-eaters in your family this holiday season.
25. Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
Take your roasted potatoes to the next level by adding the delicious taste of parmesan into the mix.
26. Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket
The beef brisket shared here is cooked in the slow cooker, so you can simply set it and forget it while working on the rest of your holiday recipes.
27. Easy Potato Leek Soup
For a simple appetizer to start off your holiday feast, try out this easy potato leek soup recipe.
28. Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Holiday Recipes
Wow anyone who enters your home with this pull-apart Christmas tree, which is shaped like a Christmas tree. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to create, thanks to the step-by-step instructions shared here.
29. Roasted Parsnips
Roasted parsnips are often served with a classic British Christmas lunch, so take a leaf out of their book and add these to your holiday spread this year.
30. Holiday Recipes Peppermint Bark
Peppermint bark isn’t just a good option for adding to your holiday snacks, as you could also wrap it up and gift it to your friends and family this holiday season.
31. Brandy Milk Punch
If you need a unique drink to wash down all this delicious food, try out this brandy milk punch.
32. Roasted Vegetables with Pecan Crumble
Your holiday recipes need some vegetables added into the mix, and this roasted vegetables with pecan crumble is the ideal dish to add to your holiday table.
33. Christmas Salad Recipe With Pomegranate And Pecans
We often find ourselves eating a lot heavier foods during the holiday season. Lighten things up one day with this Christmas salad recipe with pomegranate and pecans.
34. Hasselback Potatoes
Hasselback potatoes are a good option for anyone who is tired of mashed or roasted potatoes by Christmas.
35. Easy Beef Wellington Holiday Recipes
Your whole family will be delighted when they see a Beef Wellington on the dinner table, and it’s the ideal centerpiece for an alternative holiday meal.
36. Peppermint Bark Holiday Recipes No-Churn Ice Cream
Kids often don’t enjoy many of the dishes that are created for adults over the holidays, but they’ll love it when you serve this peppermint bark no-churn ice cream.
37. Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
Mix things up from your classic apple pie recipe by combining it with the taste of cinnamon roll apple pie.
38. Pumpkin Pie
Over the holidays, you’ll need to make at least one pumpkin pie. Our recipe follows the classic steps to make a dessert your whole family will love.
39. Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad
Brussels sprouts aren’t everyone’s favorite dish, but when they are covered in parmesan in this parmesan brussels sprouts salad, you’ll find that they go down a treat.
40. Apricot-Stuffed Pork Loin
Apricot-stuffed pork loin offers you another entrée option for the meat-eaters in your family who are sick and tired of turkey by now.
41. Citrus-Roasted Salmon
For anyone who is looking for fish-based recipes to try out this holiday season, we suggest having a go at this citrus-roasted salmon dish for a lighter dinner.
42. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is another staple dish on most holiday spreads, and it adds a little color and variety to beige tables.
43. Sweet Potato Casserole with Homemade Marshmallow Holiday Recipes
Even if you served this sweet potato casserole with homemade marshmallow recipe at Thanksgiving, have a go at making the homemade marshmallow from scratch and serve it again this Christmas.
44. Corn Salad with Bacon and Honey
Corn salad with bacon and honey is a luxurious side dish that you’ll want to think about adding to your favorite holiday recipes for many years to come.
45. Roasted Red Potatoes
Mix things up from the typical potato dishes you serve over the holidays and try cooking with roasted red potatoes for a rich and healthy side dish.
46. Sweet Potato Bites
When you are celebrating with a large group over the holiday season, you’ll love adding these sweet potato bites into the mix. They are the ideal bite-sized appetizer for any holiday gathering and look just as good as they taste.
47. Homemade Cornbread
Don’t waste money buying overpriced cornbread at the store this holiday season, and instead, enjoy cooking homemade cornbread it from scratch at home.
48. Holiday Crostini
These holiday crostini come in a variety of different serving options, making for a fun addition to any holiday party.
49. Elegant Turkey Stuffing
Turkey stuffing doesn’t have to look terrible on your dinner table, thanks to this elegant turkey stuffing recipe which will elevate your stuffing this year.
50. Christmas Trifle
Another traditional Christmas dessert we love to prepare over the holiday is Christmas trifle. The recipe here creates a stunning dessert that will look incredible on any dinner table.
FAQs About Holiday Recipes
What Do Americans Eat on Christmas Day?
For most American families, Christmas dinner is very similar to Thanksgiving. You’ll usually have turkey or ham as your main meat dish, and then mashed or roasted potatoes on the side served with stuffing and gravy. Many Jewish families opt to eat Chinese food on this day, and you’ll find a lot of restaurants across the country stay open to offer families a unique way to enjoy Christmas dinner together.
The main difference between Christmas and Thanksgiving is purely the celebratory day the dinners take place on. You may have unique traditions as a family that you do for Christmas, but for many families, Thanksgiving is a day they celebrate more.
What Do the 7 Fishes Represent?
The Feast of the 7 Fishes is a celebration that many Italian families and Roman Catholics celebrate. The number seven is very significant in the Bible and the Roman Catholic Church, representing both the seven sacraments and seven virtues.
However, no one really knows where the seven fishes came from, although it certainly seems to have religious links. This is a good alternative way to serve your Christmas dinner and offer your family something special for Christmas Day.
How Long Does it Take to Prepare Holiday Recipes for Christmas Dinner?
The amount of time you spend in the kitchen this Christmas will depend on the dishes you are opting to cook. Many of the holiday recipes we shared above require very little time and effort, but you’ll want to plan ahead to avoid spending all day cooking. Try to prepare as much as possible in advance, so you don’t spend the whole of Christmas Day in the kitchen.
You can often cook desserts and side dishes the day before and then just warm them up or let them get to room temperature before serving them. Enlist your family and friends to help where possible so that this job isn’t left to just one person. This is especially important to consider if you have a small kitchen, as you may not be able to cook everything in one place.
What Meat Should I Serve on Christmas Day?
If you are looking to create a traditional Christmas Dinner, most families opt for turkey or ham. However, over the years, people have often stepped away from this tradition, adding steak or fish into the mix. Fish is traditionally enjoyed by certain nationalities and religions, and it offers a lighter way to enjoy the celebrations.
If you’ve overdone it before Christmas Day, you might be sick of some of the heavy holiday foods already. We recommend offering your family and friends a good mix of dishes so they can pick and choose the Christmas Dinner that’s right for them this year. Variety is the spice of life, and this is more true than ever before during this celebration.
With so many holiday recipes to choose from, you’ll have no shortage of ways to impress your family and friends this holiday season. We recommend planning out your holiday meals as soon as possible to ensure you have all of the ingredients you need to make your holiday cooking a success. Try to get your family and friends involved in the fun as well, so that you reduce the pressure you put on yourself during this time of year. By cooking all of your meals at home this year, you can ensure you offer your family a hearty and well-balanced Christmas dinner that they’ll remember for many years to come.
Alia @ Everyday Easy Eats says
Love this roundup – everything looks so festive and yummy! I would especially love to try the Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Alia!