Your Christmas dinner menu is done! Fill your holiday table with our five-star ideas for Christmas dinner. We have recipes for everything from traditional turkey to vegan dinners.
In my house, our Thanksgiving dinner menu is down patโwe have the same traditional fare each year. But Christmas? My family likes to experiment on Christmas! Some years we have a traditional turkey dinner. Some years we have nothing but appetizers. Some years, we just head to the movies and have popcorn for dinner!
If you’re looking for new Christmas dinner ideas, we’ve got you covered! We have pulled together all of our family-favorite, five-star Christmas dinner recipes in one spot. Want to have a traditional holiday dinner? You’ll find all the kitchen-tested recipes you need to make a turkey or ham feast. Want to try something different? We’ve got appetizers, vegetarian meals, and even vegan options to serve for Christmas Day. Enjoy!
What can I serve for Christmas instead of turkey?
If youโre a turkey-on-Christmas family, weโve gotcha! We highly, highly recommend you dry brine your turkeyโit really does give the juiciest, most flavorful bird! Or, if you have a smaller party, try our Instant Pot turkey breast (with easy turkey gravy)! But if you arenโt a turkey fan, try one of these:
42+ Family Favorite Ideas for Christmas Dinner
Your Christmas dinner menu is done! Fill your holiday table with our five-star ideas for Christmas dinner. We have recipes for everything from traditional turkey to vegan dinners.
Orange Bourbon Glazed Christmas Ham
This glazed Christmas ham is sweet, spicy, and packed with warming flavor for the holidays. The whole family will be asking for seconds of this main dish!
Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham
Use this amazing ham glaze recipe and your slow cooker to make a juicy, flavorful ham anytime!
Roast Beef Recipe
Cooking tender, melt-in-your-mouth roast beef is easier than you think! This delectable dish is great for holidays, and it takes just a few minutes to prepare.
Bacon and Sriracha Macaroni and Cheese
Combine spicy and smoky flavors into this Bacon Sriracha Mac and Cheese. It's creamy, cheesy, and super delicious!
Sheet Pan Mustard Maple Glazed Salmon with Asparagus and Red Potatoes
Looking for a quick, easy recipe for salmon fillets? Try this sheet pan recipe for Maple Glazed Salmon that is simple but full of flavor.
One Skillet Coffee-Rubbed Steak and Potatoes Dinner
Using a cast iron pan for this One Skillet Coffee-Rubbed Steak and Potatoes Dinner gives the steak a nice sear and the vegetables some crisp and caramelized edges.
Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy
The whole family will love these comforting Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy. And thanks to the Instant Pot, dinner will be ready in 40 minutes!
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
Craving lasagna but don't want to make one? Use your slow cooker! This Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup has all the flavor of a lasagna with a fraction of the work.
Slow Cooker Fall Apart Chicken
Don't want to wait on aย roast chicken? This Slow Cooker Fall Apart Chicken is the easiest way to get tender and moist chicken on the table the whole family will enjoy!
Looking for vegetarian Christmas dinner ideas?
Got you covered there, too! Non-meaty options, ahoy:
Penne Rosa
This copycat recipe for Penne Rosa is a healthy, quick, and super tasty dinner to feed to your family. Add chicken or shrimp or keep it veggie!
Three Cheese Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells
These Three Cheese Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells are the ultimate in Fall comfort food.
Lasagna Rosa
This meatless Lasagna Rosa has a creamy tomato sauce that really sets it apart from your usual lasagna.
Two Ingredient Fresh Pumpkin Pasta
This simple pumpkin pasta with just twoย ingredientsย is a quick and simple, but still delicious, fall dinner.
What about vegan Christmas dinner ideas?
Just because you are plant-based doesnโt mean you canโt have a hearty, festive vegan Christmas dinner. Here are a few of our favorites:
Vegan Meatballs
At last, meatless meatballs that donโt call for any specialty ingredients! These Easy Vegan Meatballs are relatively simple and perfectly meaty, and you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
Vegan Stuffed Shells
These Vegan Stuffed Shells are so easy to put together, and a total crowd-pleaser. Vegans and omnivores alike love them!
Sweet Potato Lentil Shepherdโs Pie
Sweet Potato Lentil Shepherdโs Pie is healthy comfort food epitomized, and the ultimate one pot wonder.
Talk to me about holiday appetizers!
If youโre spending the whole day together, people are going to want things to nibble on! Try some of these:
Christmas Charcuterie Board
This Christmas charcuterie board is always a hit at a holiday party. This charcuterie wreath is simple to make and will impress all your guests!
Spicy Sticky Thai Meatballs
Serve these slow cooker Spicy Sticky Thai Cocktail Meatballs at your next holiday party, on game day, or over a big bed of fluffy white rice.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
These sweet and sour meatballs are the perfect comfort-food appetizer for your holiday parties.
Mozzarella Stuffed Italian Meatballs
These meatballs are packed with Italian flavor and stuffed with ooey, gooey mozzarella cheese. Serve them with your favorite marinara sauce.
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
You'd never guess this creamy and rich Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip is made without dairy! Serve it hot off the stove for a decadent dairy-free appetizer.
Sweet Potato Crostini with Goat Cheese and Pomegranate
Sweet Potato Crostini with Goat Cheese and Pomegranate are ready for primetime, and are sure to be snatched up at your next gathering.
Maple Rosemary Bar Nuts
Maple Rosemary Bar Nuts pull double duty as both the perfect holiday snack and an easy food gift. They are a little salty, a little sweet, a little savory, and totally easy to make.
Parmesan and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
These savory stuffed mushrooms are easy to prepare. Serve them as appetizers during the holidays to be the star of the party.
Rosemary Bacon Wrapped Dates
Holiday appetizers don't get much easier than theseย Rosemary Bacon Wrapped Dates!
Salmon Spinach Artichoke Dip
Salmon Spinach Artichoke Dip is a rich and hearty twist on the classic appetizer. Serve it warm with crackers or veggies for dipping.
Sausage Balls
These sausage balls are a cinch to make, packed with flavor, and a popular party food. This quick and easy recipe will soon become a party favorite.
Cheese Ball
This holiday cheese ball recipe is a delicious, no-fuss appetizer that tastes great with crackers or cruditรฉs.
Toasted Ravioli
Discover the delight of toasted ravioli โ a crunchy, Italian-inspired treat that's oozing with flavor and warmth.
Fried Goat Cheese Recipe
Crispy exterior, creamy interiorโfried goat cheese delights with a perfect blend of textures and a rich, tangy flavor.
And side dishes?
From traditional to more unique, we have a ton of sides to choose from!
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes have a natural sweetness that is the perfect compliment to a savory holiday meal. This easy sweet potato casserole recipe is also a great side dish for ham or chicken.
Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe
You can make these Honey Glazed Carrots with just a few ingredients. They are a healthy savory-sweet side dish to serve with turkey, chicken, ham, or vegetarian dishes.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
By using your slow cooker to make these easy mashed potatoes, you get creamy, flavorful potatoes for any major holiday with barely any effort at all. You might also like our Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes!
Easy Buttery Yeast Rolls
Think working with yeast is scary? It isn't! This recipe for EASY Buttery Yeast Rolls will make you the star of Christmas dinner!
Grain-Free Stuffing
On a specialty diet and afraid youโll have to miss out on the best parts of big holiday dinners? Have no fearโ this Grain-Free Stuffing is grain-free, dairy-free, paleo, and totally delicious.
Roasted Beets with Balsamic Glaze
These bright and colorful Roasted Beets with Balsamic Glaze are a tasty and healthy side dish that will convert even the biggest beet hater.
Perfect Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Perfectly Roasted Brussels Sprouts will convert even the most adamant sprouts-hater. When they are cooked perfectly, sprouts are sweet, a little crisp, and mildly-flavored. Stinky, mushy veggies need not apply!
Butternut Squash Basmati Rice
This quick and easy rice dish is full of Fall flavor! Serve up Butternut Squash Basmati Rice for a weeknight dinner or at the holiday table.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples and Walnuts
This vegan Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples and Walnuts is packed full of healthy, in-season flavorโperfect for the cool weather months!
Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Fresh, crisp green beans and a delectable homemade mushroom cream sauce will make this Green Bean Casserole the hit of your Thanksgiving table! No canned soups needed.
Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
You'll be amazed at how easy it is to make Scalloped Potatoes at home! Our kitchen-tested recipe features layers of tender potatoes in a rich, creamy sauce.
Perfect Instant Pot Applesauce
Instant Pot Applesauce comes together in a snap, taking you from apples to applesauce in just 5 minutes. It is completely customizable to your tastes, too!
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Never roasted cauliflower before? You should! Roasted cauliflower is sweet, hearty, and insanely deliciousโespecially when seasoned with garlic, paprika, and nutty Parmesan cheese.
Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These mashed sweet potatoes straddle the line between sweet and savory. They are the perfect alternative to the sweet potato casseroles normally served for the holidays.
Spinach Pomegranate Salad
This bright and colorful Spinach Pomegranate Salad is packed with flavor, color, and nutrition! Don't miss that clementine vinaigrette, either.
Twice-Baked Potatoes Recipe
Twice baked potatoes are a cheesy, comforting, classic side dish! Easy enough for a weeknight but delicious enough for holidays, you'll love these potatoes.
And to round it all out, dessert!
While you can certainly opt for the classicย Christmas cookiesย spread, you could also consider:
Orange Cranberry Christmas Bundt Cake
Celebrate Christmas with this delicious spiced cake made with cranberries and topped with an orange glaze and sparkling sugared cranberries.