Christmas is a time to enjoy family, friends - and good food. Here we have collected 44 Christmas Day dinner ideas to inspire you. Make this Christmas dinner memorable for everyone!
Fun fact: An average American family will prepare 5 - 10 main dishes and sides, plus 2 - 4 desserts for Christmas dinner menu.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways: Christmas Day Dinner Ideas
Here is a simple recipe for a Christmas Day dinner success:
- Versatile Main Courses. Choose from classics like glazed ham and turkey. Or try something unique, like coffee-rubbed roast beef or Greek-inspired chicken thighs.
- Tasty Side Dishes: Balance your meal with comforting sides. like roasted vegetables creamy mashed potatoes, or German-inspired Käsespätzle.
- Light and Fresh Salads: Add a healthy touch with salads like shaved Brussels sprouts or a traditional Greek salad.
- Delightful Appetizers: Start your dinner with crowd-pleasers like cranberry brie pull-apart bread or stuffed mushrooms.
- Easy Desserts: End the meal on a sweet note with treats like Nanaimo bars, cranberry scones, or festive cookies.
- Cozy Drinks: Keep everyone warm with classics like mulled wine, hot cocoa, or spiced apple cider.
- Simple Cooking: These recipes are easy to make. Save your time and reduce stress. Focus on enjoying the holiday with your loved ones.
Now let's dive into the detailed list of Christmas day dinner ideas and recipes:
Classic Christmas Dinner Ideas
We all love a wonderful feast on Christmas. Here are some classic Christmas Day dinner ideas that everyone enjoys:
Pineapple & Honey Glazed Ham (Bone-In)
A classic glazed baked ham with a twist! Sweet, succulent, and full of flavor, this recipe uses pineapple and honey for a sweet and tangy glaze. Bone-in ham is the perfect holiday meal to impress your guests.
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Herb & Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast
Don’t want the hassle of cooking a whole turkey? Or simply feeding a smaller group of people? Learn how to roast turkey breast with a flavorful herb butter this holiday season.
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Creative Christmas Main Course Ideas
Step beyond classics and get inspired by diverse culinary traditions. Dare to explore these unique dishes as your next Christmas Day dinner ideas:
Simple Garlic, Oregano, and Thyme Oven Roast Beef
Classic Italian herbs pack this roast beef with flavor. Serve it with your favorite style of potatoes and a fresh salad. Bonus: Use any leftovers for sandwiches the next day!
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Coffee Rubbed Sirloin Tip Roast
Surprise your family with this unique, tender, juicy, and flavorful sirloin tip roast. A coffee rub adds an unexpected depth of flavor to this meat cut.
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Basil & Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast
Rich, creamy, and cheesy, these chicken breasts are stuffed with basil and cream cheese. For a touch of Christmas luxury, they are then wrapped in prosciutto.
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Greek Marinated Chicken Thighs
These oven-baked chicken thighs are tender and full of Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Marinated in Greek yogurt, lemon, fresh garlic, and our homemade Italian seasoning. Another easy-to-make Christmas Day dinner idea.
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Clay Pot Chicken With Bell Peppers & Broccoli
A simple clay pot chicken recipe that is perfect for busy festive gatherings. Just toss chicken, sweet bell peppers, broccoli, and baby red potatoes in a clay pot and let it work its magic.
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Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon
This salmon is an easy, elegant main course. It is glazed with a brown sugar mixture for a sweet, savory flavor. A quick one pan meal for Christmas night dinner.
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German Meat Fondue (Fleischfondue)
German meat fondue ("fleischfondue" in Germany) is a fun and interactive dining experience. Use a variety of meat to cater to different tastes.
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Authentic Swiss Cheese Fondue
Swiss Cheese Fondue is a fun appetizer or even a full meal. It is best enjoyed with friends and great for socializing on Christmas Eve. Melted creamy Swiss cheese is perfect for dipping bread, fruit, or blanched vegetables.
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Christmas Side Dishes
Here are some Christmas Day dinner ideas for Christmas side dishes. Let's go beyond the classic potatoes to complement your main course.
Rosemary & Garlic Biscuits
Warm and fluffy biscuits biscuits are a must-have Christmas side dish. These are simple to make at home and flavored with rosemary and garlic. The best way to soak up the gravy on any dish!
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Dairy-free cornbread
A delicious and simple cornbread option, perfect for those with dietary restrictions. Another versatile Christmas side dish. Perfect for serving with chili, pulled pork, or to use in stuffing.
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Basmati Rice
Fluffy basmati rice is a simple and popular side dish. Learn to cook the perfect rice on the home stove, every time, with this simple-to-follow guide!
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Wild Rice
Another popular side dish, wild rice is a healthy and delicious grain. Learn how to cook wild rice on the stove, in a rice cooker, or the Instant Pot.
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Whole Baked Sweet Potato
Whole-baked sweet potatoes are a simple, healthy side dish. They're easy to make, warm, and comforting. Top the baked sweet potatoes with a pat of butter, sour cream, and chives. Or, load them with bacon bits, herbs, and cheese for extra flavor. One of the most versatile Christmas side dishes!
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Oven Roasted Baby Carrots
Oven-roasted baby carrots are a simple, healthy side dish. They cook in under 30 minutes and are an easy way to add veggies to any supper.
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Roasted Root Vegetable Medley
A simple and healthy side dish to serve alongside poultry and meats.Season your favorite root vegetables with garlic and herbs and roast them in the oven.We use beet, carrots, parsnips, and sweet potato.
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Homemade potato gnocchi
Soft, fluffy little bites of potato goodness, gnocchi make a great pasta substitute. Learn how to make your own potato gnocchi at home with this step-by-step guide.
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Käsespätzle with Caramelized Onions – The Ultimate Mac & Cheese
An irresistible German-inspired twist on mac and cheese.Soft noodles - spätzle - and caramelized onions loaded with Emental cheese for chewy goodness.
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German Braised Red Cabbage (Rotkohl) with Blueberries & Cloves
German red cabbage or 'rotkohl' makes a delicious side to all roasted meats - not just the bratwurst. This festive version improves on the humble red cabbage with sweet blueberries and warming cloves.
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PEI Mustard Pickles
Mustard pickles are sweet and tangy and add a bit of zip to your Christmas dinner. This classic condiment is popular in Atlantic Canada. They are the perfect to serve with roasted meats and poultry. Mustard pickles are even great as a relish on burgers and sandwiches!
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Christmas Salads
Light Christmas salads offer a healthy balance to heavier holiday dishes. Here are some simple and delicious light salad ideas for your Christmas Day dinner:
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad With A Creamy Black Peppercorn Dressing
This raw Brussels sprout salad is packed with vitamins and minerals. It has a creamy black peppercorn dressing for a delightful and peppery crunch. Dried cranberries, roasted sunflower seeds, and goat cheese on top add extra flavor.
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Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
A Greek salad will add a taste of the Mediterranean to your Christmas table. Simple to make by cutting fresh tomato, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, and olives. Top it up with feta cheese, fresh oregano, and olive oil for a healthy and delicious side.
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Kale Slaw (With A Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing)
A crunchy flavor-packed kale slaw dressed with a creamy lemon and garlic dressing. Perfect as a Christmas side dish to grilled meats, chicken, or even lobster!
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Christmas Appetizers to Delight Your Guests
Christmas appetizers are a great way to start your Christmas dinner. Here are a few ideas for the Christmas Day dinner appetizers:
Warm Brie Crostini with Fresh Apple & Pomegranate
A decadent start to your Christmas feast. Crispy crostini topped with warm brie, sweet apple slices, and tart pomegranate.
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Quinoa and Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
These quinoa and sausage stuffed acorn squash are flavor-packed and healthy. A hearty appetizer to start your Christmas dinner.
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Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushroom Caps
Stuffed mushrooms are perfect as a holiday hors d'oeuvres or a simple appetizer.A delicious and easy-to-make finger food for your Christmas gathering.
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Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread
This cheesy baked appetizer is sure to be a crowd-pleaser over the holidays! The sweet and tangy cranberries and creamy brie add unique flavor to the fresh bread.
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French Onion Soup (Made Easier In The Instant Pot)
A warm and comforting classic, perfect for chilly Christmas nights. The classic French onion soup is easy to make with Instant Pot. The rich beef broth is full of sweet caramelized onions. Topped with cheesy goodness, it looks the par on a fancy restaurant menu - or your Christmas table.
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Christmas Charcuterie Board
Create a professional-looking centerpiece for your Christmas table. Use a mix of meats, cheeses, fruits, and crackers to build your Christmas charcuterie board.
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Easy Christmas Desserts and Sweet Treats
Selection of easy Christmas desserts and sweet treats to end your meal on a sweet note. Easy and simple to make, leaving you more time to enjoy the festivities!
Sweet and Tart Cranberry Scones
Tart cranberries and fluffy scones are a delicious way to celebrate the season. They are just the right combination of sweet and tart. Perfect either to begin your Christmas morning or as a delightful afternoon tea.
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Canadian Nanaimo Bars
A Canadian tradition, Nanaimo Bars are a delicious holiday dessert. Rich and velvety with just the right amount of chocolate. As they are a no-bake dessert, they are an ideal side project while cooking supper in the oven.
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Sugar Candied Almonds
A sweet and crunchy festive treat for kids and adults alike, candied almonds are easy to make at home. A great addition to your Christmas dessert platter all the way from Germany. They are also gluten-free and dairy-free!
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Christmas Cookie Recipes
What would a Christmas be without cookies? Somehow, they always taste better before Christmas.
Save yourself stress on Christmas Day and make them ahead. Let the smell of baked Christmas cookies fill your house with a festive mood.
Traditional Shortbread Recipe
A buttery and melt-in-your-mouth shortbread is a classic Christmas cookie that everyone loves.
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Glazed Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Next try these lemon-glazed shortbread cookies. A tangy citrus glaze brings a delightful twist to the traditional recipe.
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Festive Pastel-Colored Sugar Cookies (Great For Making With Kids)
These simple sugar cookies are perfect for making with kids. Decorate them with colored sugar icing for a fun Christmas activity.
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Chocolate Meringue Cookies
Simple light and airy meringue cookies made with only 5 ingredients. Dipped in dark chocolate, these look great on any holiday sweet tray.
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Vanillekipferl (German Almond Crescent Cookies)
A light shortbread like almond and vanilla cookie, perfect during the holidays. A traditional German Christmas cookie, vanillekipferl are perfect for cookie exchanges!
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Toasted Hazelnut Meringue Kisses
These German Hazelnut Meringue Cookies are light and oh-so delicious! Chopped hazelnuts add texture and a new twist to the classic meringue cookie. And they only take half an hour to make!
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Guilt-free Christmas Treats
If all the butter and sugar is just too much for you, here are a couple of lighter suggestions. With a little creativity, there are healthier options for Christmas treats!
Dark Chocolate Date Balls
No-bake tasty chocolate date balls use dried dates, cocoa powder, and peanut butter. A healthy alternative to truffle balls. Dates add the natural sweetness and dark chocolate antioxidants.
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Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Enjoy these protein-packed peanut butter balls for a satisfying Christmas treat. Packed with chia seeds, hemp protein powder, ground flaxseed, and creamy peanut butter.
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Cozy Christmas Drinks
A few classic winter drinks and warmers. Nothing creates an inviting Christmas atmosphere like the smell of a spicy hot drink.
German Glühwein - German Mulled Wine (Red)
This German mulled wine is a classic Christmas beverage. The perfect sip to spice up chilly winter nights while wrapping or opening Christmas gifts.
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Homemade Mulled Apple Cider
A cozy non-alcoholic version of mulled wine, mulled Apple Cider is easy to make. Great Christmas cheer for the kids in the family.
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Homemade Hazelnut Vanilla Hot Cocoa
Nutty and comforting drink to enjoy on a cold day by everyone. Homemade hot cocoa with real hazelnuts and vanilla to create a festive drink.
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That's a wrap
Christmas is the perfect time to bring loved ones together, and food makes it even more special. Our 44 Christmas Day dinner ideas hope to inspire you to create a festive meal that everyone will enjoy.
From classic dishes like glazed ham and roast turkey to unique options like coffee-rubbed beef and German fondue, there’s something for everyone.
Pair your main dishes with tasty sides, fresh salads, and sweet desserts. Don’t forget the cookies and cozy drinks to finish the night.
This Christmas, make your meals delicious and full of love. All the recipes are easy to follow and perfect for both big gatherings and quiet family dinners.
Choose a few favorites from our Christmas Day dinner ideas, or dare to try something new. Either way, enjoy the celebration and company.
Happy cooking, and Merry Christmas! 🎄
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