Christmas dinner is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of tradition, togetherness, and the joy of the holiday season. Planning the perfect menu can feel like a lot of pressure, but with the right recipes, you can create a festive feast that will leave your guests raving.
In this unique collection of 25+ best Christmas dinner ideas and recipes, you’ll find inspiration for every course. Whether you’re dreaming of a classic roast with all the trimmings or want to surprise your family with something new and exciting, these recipes offer a mix of timeless favorites and modern twists.
From rich, comforting mains to bright, flavorful sides and show-stopping desserts, each dish is designed to bring warmth and joy to your holiday table.
So, as you plan your Christmas dinner, explore these ideas to craft a meal that’s not just delicious, but truly unforgettable. Get ready to make this holiday season one to remember with a dinner that embodies the spirit of Christmas!
Smoked Turkey Breast
Nothing says Christmas like fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs. After only 20 minutes of hands-on work, sit back and let the smoker infuse your bird with Christmas flavor.
Our Best Ambrosia Ever
Ambrosia’s story goes back further than your grandmother’s table, but you can bring the best version to your table this holiday season. Whether you use ambrosia in dessert or cocktail or enjoy it alone, you can’t go wrong with this class dish.
Cheddar Cheese Shortbread Crackers
For a holiday appetizer like no other, look no further than these cheddar cheese shortbread crackers. For even more festivity, check out the optional addition of pecan and thyme.
Prime Rib With Horseradish Dipping Sauce
Despite its sophisticated ambience, prime rib isn’t actually hard to cook. This recipe will delivers a perfectly cooked and seasoned main course every time.
Grits Dressing
Though cornbread dressing might reign supreme at Thanksgiving, we’re letting this grits-based version head the holiday table this December.
Old-School Green Bean Casserole
This old-school recipe is the definition of “don’t mess with a good thing.” From the frozen French-cut green beans to the crispy fried onion topping, it’s a familiar staple on every Southern table, no matter the occasion.
Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots
During Christmastime, Southerners will cover just about any vegetable with butter, sugar, and a bevy of festive spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These carrots really hammer the holiday spirit home with their bright and colorful demeanor.
Baked Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze
Baked ham is mainly a hands-off main dish. No brining, no marinades. This ham bakes for several hours. Then, you’ll glaze it with a spicy-sweet sauce until the rind is crisp and caramelized.
Baked Brie Bites
There’s no better way to kick off Christmas celebrations than with these melty baked Brie bites. With only five ingredients and 18 minutes of prep, these little stars are topped with a dollop of pepper jelly, flaky sea salt, and a few crunchy toasted pecans for a Southern touch.
Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. If you can also make it ahead before the in-laws come into town, don’t dare forget it. These yeast rolls made their mark in our November 1995 issue and are still one of our favorite holiday staples.
Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions
Enter your most versatile Christmas side. It goes with any main meat dish you’re cooking, but that doesn’t mean it has to be plain, thanks to a tangy glaze of balsamic vinegar, garlic, and butter.
Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Warm roasted broccoli makes macaroni and cheese feel a little more wintry. Plus, it elevates the classic pasta bake from ho-hum to standout status on the holiday spread.
Our Favorite Buttermilk Biscuit
Trust us, we’ve tried hundreds of biscuit recipes. This is the hands-down favorite we keep coming back to. Look at them—they’re practically begging to be perched on the edge of your dinner plate.
Savory Corn Pudding
Naturally one of our sweeter side dishes, corn pudding is a Southern favorite during the holiday season. In this recipe, fresh thyme adds a savory twist that makes it taste fresh and new.
Italian Casserole
This vintage recipe makes an appearance every year, whether made ahead to be served on busy gift-wrapping nights or added to the Christmas dinner menu when feeding a huge crowd (and kids!).
Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites
Is it Christmas in the South without sausage balls? No. No, it’s not. Switch things up with this seasonal twist that incorporates spicy, peppery Mexican-style chorizo sausage and mashed sweet potatoes.
Classic Candied Yams
Don’t call this classic dish outdated, at least before you’ve tasted it. Lightly spiced and oh-so-sweet, these candied yams are about to become a mainstay alongside the sweet potato casserole.
Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler
Cobbler? For dinner? Groundbreaking. What sets this comforting chicken casserole apart is that it’s topped with fluffy homemade biscuits (that happen to have chopped bacon in them).
Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
Free up your oven space, and let these too-easy, too-flavorful collards wow the Christmas crowd. After a simple 15 minutes of prep time, these ham-hocked collard greens finish in your slow cooker.
Bacon-Brussels Sprout-Green Bean Casserole
If it’s topped with fried onions and crispy bacon, is there a Southerner that won’t love it? This casserole is a glorious mashup of two of our favorite vegetables to serve during the holidays: green beans and Brussels sprouts.
Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Burgundy-Mushroom Sauce
Find a prettier main dish, we challenge. These tender spirals of beef filled with creamy spinach and leeks always receive perfect scores on taste and style.
Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole
Why not gussy up a classic Southern sandwich for the holiday season? If it’s from the South, chances are we’re going to try to make a casserole out of it, and this one is (thankfully) quite incredible.
Slow-Cooker Green Beans
Crave the taste of your grandmother’s green beans? This slow-cooker recipe gets you there, with a little extra bacon. We’ll swear up and down that this side dish makes every festive dinner just a little bit better.
The Ultimate Make-Ahead Gravy
Get out your best gravy boat—because this gravy deserves a nice home. Though this recipe takes only one pot and 30 minutes, you can still make it ahead to mark something off your to-do list.
Classic Cranberry Salad
We know you’re already stocking up on those cans of congealed cranberry, but this fresh cranberry salad can fit on the table, too. Filled with pears, pineapple, celery, and pecans, this recipe offers a fresh, crunchy take on the nostalgic dish.
Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie
There’s always room for pot pie. If hosting a large crowd or a potluck-style Christmas meal, look no further than this old-school chicken casserole with a golden, crispy crust.
Herbed Potato Stacks
These stacks make the short list for most adorable side dish and feature a short ingredient list to boot. Baked in a muffin pan, the tiny potato towers get deliciously crispy on the outside, yet creamy and tender on the inside.
Skillet Squash Blossom
At first glance, we’re intrigued. At first bite, we’re sold. Bacon, thyme, and a little maple syrup help make up the squash blossom’s success.
French Onion Soup Casserole
Like we said, we’ll make anything a casserole. Transform your comforting bowl of onion soup into this cheesy, caramelized, layered masterpiece.
Smashed Baby Red Potatoes
Smashed, not mashed. You’ll find something inherently satisfying about smashing these baby red potatoes. Coated in a heavenly garlic-herb butter sauce, these will be an instant hit.
