50+ Best Christmas Dinner Ideas

These Christmas dinner ideas will surely bring a little extra sparkle to your dinner table! You’ll find festive appetizers, colorful holiday sides, stunning holiday mains, and plenty of sweet treats and drinks to bring the joy full circle.

For me, Christmas Day itself is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s a day full of family, friends, and memorable, nostalgic feelings. But come Christmas dinner, we’re all looking forward to a night filled with the best holiday foods. I’m talking slices of meltingly tender prime rib, cheesy stuffed mushrooms, honey-glazed carrots, and festive drinks to keep the party going.

Aside from the classics, though, these Christmas dinner ideas will steer you into some new, exciting directions. Not a turkey or prime rib fan? Swap your main for juicy pork chops or spatchcock chicken. Want to give side dishes an upgrade? Get creative with different mashed, roasted, and sauteed veggies. Looking for a new dessert to impress the crowd? There’s plenty of that here. However you envision your Christmas dinner, plan for the best with a selection from the recipes below!

The Best Classic Christmas Dinner Ideas

There’s no better feeling than cooking up succulent, meaty mains for the holidays. And while they seem intimidating, I’ll show you just how easy they are to make with helpful tips within each recipe. Now the question is: which one will you make this year?

Prime Rib: This garlic-crusted prime rib is my family’s favorite Christmas dinner tradition. And surprisingly, it’s really easy to make! This foolproof recipe comes out perfectly cooked in the center every time. Don’t forget the red wine au jus sauce at the end!

Beef Tenderloin: This is probably the most tender slice of beef I’ve ever had! Just like the prime rib, this beef tenderloin is a no-fail Christmas dinner recipe the whole family will love. Especially paired with my homemade horseradish sauce.

Easy Roasted Turkey: Believe it or not, this roasted turkey doesn’t need any basting or covering. It’s super simple, and you’ll end up with the juiciest, most perfectly cooked turkey every time. And for a different variation, this maple orange glazed spatchcock turkey is wonderful.

Turkey Breast: If you love turkey for the holidays, but have a smaller gathering, this bone-in turkey breast is the perfect size.

Honey Baked Ham: Skip the store-bought ham and make it at home! As long as you’ve got the temperature, time, and this insanely good glaze down, it’s a foolproof holiday centerpiece.

Christmas Dinner Ideas That Aren’t Turkey or Prime Rib

Christmas is a great holiday to get creative with dinner! I’ve got plenty of crowd-pleasing mains including juicy pork chops, braised short ribs, beef brisket, and more!

Slow Cooker Pot Roast: Here’s a nudge to pull out your slow cooker for Christmas! This pot roast is a classic with the most tender chuck roast and perfectly cooked winter vegetables. Just let the slow cooker do all the work while you prep other dishes—such a win!

Filet Mignon: This chunk of meat always makes dinner at home extra special. And the good news is that this recipe always comes out perfectly. You can even add a slab of this herb compound butter on top for restaurant style vibes.

Pork Tenderloin: If you’re not making beef tenderloin, this pork version is runner-up with that delicious honey garlic glaze! This one is a truly a favorite around here (even when it’s not Christmas).

Braised Short Ribs: My family LOVES these braised short ribs. The meat falls right off the bone, and tastes amazing paired with creamy mashed potatoes.

Baked Pork Chops: Don’t forget about pork chops for Christmas dinner! These come out of the oven perfectly juicy and tender, with a delicious spiced seasoning. And if you want to try a more seasonal flavor, these apple cider sage pork chops are amazing.

Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak: For the tastiest steak dinner that won’t break the bank, this juicy and tender seared ribeye hits the spot every time. Slice it up on serve on a platter for everyone to grab!

Meatballs: If your family is going for a classic Italian-themed dinner, these beef meatballs simmered in my homemade marinara sauce are always a hit.

Crab Cakes: These crispy, golden patties are a delicious seafood alternative for your dinner spread! Plus, everyone is obsessed with this homemade tartar sauce I pair with it.

Beef Brisket: If you’re thinking of brisket, this is the oven braised recipe you want to make! It’s incredibly easy and infused with sweet and smoky flavor.

Meatloaf: Nothing beats this classic meatloaf for a nostalgic dinner. But this version has the tastiest glaze on top that always has people coming back for seconds. It’s sure to be a family favorite!

Turkey Meatballs: These turkey meatballs simmered in a maple mustard sauce is one of my top dinner recipes! Tons of people made this for Thanksgiving and absolutely loved it. So, of course, I had to add it to this list of Christmas dinner ideas.

Easy Roast Chicken: You can never go wrong with a beautifully done roast chicken. This one is seasoned with herbs and roasted til juicy and golden.

Shrimp Scampi: Honestly, this shrimp scampi makes for one of the best Christmas dinner recipes. It’s so easy to make, yet so full of flavor, and another great seafood option.

Crab Legs: If you’ve got crab lovers attending dinner, I’ll show you 3 easy ways to cook them! They look amazing served on a giant platter, with a buttery dipping sauce on the side.

Garlic Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops: These lamb chops have a special place on my family’s holiday dinner table. And when you take a bite of them with my mint apple sauce, the combination is heavenly.

Cranberry Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast: With fresh cranberry sauce and melty brie, it’s a true holiday dinner that will shine at the table.

Cranberry Balsamic Ribeye Steak: I love making this cranberry version for an intimate dinner for two! But you can always double the quantity for a larger crowd. It’s so easy, festive, and the steak is cooked perfectly.

Festive Holiday Appetizers Everyone Will Love

Finger foods are a must for the holidays. From rich and creamy dips to deviled eggs every which way, these Christmas appetizers are tried-and-true favorites that always disappear first.

Deviled Eggs: You can never go wrong with a platter of these classic deviled eggs. But if you want to switch it up, try my smoked salmon deviled eggs, spicy deviled eggs, or bacon deviled eggs!

Charcuterie Board: Here’s a nude to get creative and make this charcuterie board! This version has a delicious fall twist to it, but there are plenty of ways to customize it. I’ve got tons of cheese, meat, sauces, and nibble ideas in the post!

Stuffed Mushrooms: It’s always a good idea to make two batches of these because they disappear fast! They’re the perfect bite filled with a cheesy, herby, nutty, and garlicky mixture. And if you love crab, these crab-stuffed mushrooms are equally delicious.

Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce: I serve this baked brie every year for the holidays. It’s incredibly festive and so delicious with the cranberry sauce, crushed pistachios, and fresh herbs.

Pomegranate Guacamole: Give my best ever guacamole recipe a festive twist with pomegranate seeds! It adds a pop of sweetness and a vibrant red touch (aka the perfect red and green combo).

Shrimp Cocktail: Skip the store-bought version. This recipe is so easy and tastes extra fresh with the homemade cocktail sauce.

Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball: Of course, I had to share my mom’s signature recipe here, because it’s that good. This cheeseball has hints of smoked salmon, while covered in a nutty, herby coating for extra crunch and fresh flavors.

Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip: Don’t be fooled by the word healthy because this vegan version tastes just like the real thing!

Fennel Pork Meatballs: Don’t forget that meatballs are a great appetizer option! Just add a toothpick on each one and serve on a platter. I also like to addd fresh herbs on top for a pop of green.

All The Side Dishes To Complete Your Christmas Dinner Menu

A holiday dinner is never complete without side dishes. There’s the classics like creamy mashed potatoes or honey glazed carrots. But when it comes to vegetables, there’s endless ways they can be prepared and served. So here’s a few ideas to give your winter vegetables a new look for Christmas dinner!

Best Mashed Potatoes: Nail down classic mashed potatoes with this recipe. But don’t forget there’s other vegetables you can mash! Try making mashed sweet potato, mashed butternut squash, or mashed cauliflower.

Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts: Give your simple roasted Brussels sprouts a new twist by adding crispy bacon bits and tossing everything with a balsamic glaze.

Honey Glazed Carrots: A plate of these sticky sweet glazed carrots is a perennial winner. Or these sautéed carrots with the best bacon Dijon dressing.

Baked Sweet Potato: This might be one of the easiest sides since all you need to do is plop the potatoes on a sheet pan and bake away. Once you cut them open, slather some butter and sprinkle herbs, it’s quite sensational.

Parmesan Herb Roasted Acorn Squash: Tender roasted squash with lots of herbs and freshly grated parmesan? Yep, we’re all for that here.

Broccoli Parmesan Risotto: Give your classic Italian risotto an extra green twist! It tastes just as delicious and pairs beautifully with any Christmas dinner spread.

Twice Baked Potatoes: Potato skins are loaded with a creamy, cheesy filling dotted with crispy bacon and chives. This one always disappears fast!

Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes: A simple garlic herb seasoning really kicks plain roasted potatoes up a notch (or two or three). For another variation, these smashed potatoes are a crowd favorite! They’re crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and roasted with garlic parmesan goodness.

Green Beans with Shallots and Lemon: I love to make these sautéed green beans for a fresh and easy side. Because honestly, green beans itself are already so delicious!

Winter Salads For Christmas Dinner

Let’s not forget about bountiful winter salads to cleanse the palette in between bites. You can keep it simple or add various textures and flavors for a stunning, wow-worthy salad.

Waldorf Salad: This classic symphony of crisp apples, celery, grapes, and crunchy walnuts, tossed in a tangy-sweet, creamy dressing is always a hit.

Crab Salad: We love this crab salad for Christmas dinner because it looks and sounds fancy, but it’s actually incredibly easy to make!

Broccoli Salad: A giant bowl of this broccoli salad is always welcome, no matter what holiday it is.

Sweet Potato Salad: This is the most delicous combination of roasted sweet potatoes, lentils, red onion, cranberries, and fresh herbs. But the maple mustard tahini dressing it what really ties everything together.

Simple Kale Salad: Make the most of in-season kale and give it a little massage for a super tender salad. Oh, and the garlic infused oil really makes this salad shine.

Roasted Beet and Kale Salad: The vibrant red beets and deep green kale look like Christmas salad in a bowl.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad: Oh yeah, this salad tossed with apples, cranberries, and a lemon vinaigrette may just be the best winter salad ever.

Colorful, Cozy Soup Recipes

Add extra comfort to your Christmas menu with a big pot of soup! Not only will these options add more vegetables to the table, but they’ll warm you up from the inside out.

Split Pea Soup: Even though I typically make this after Christmas with leftover ham, it can easily be made for Christmas day. Just use a ham steak, bacon, or pancetta for that savory pork flavor!

Butternut Squash Soup: Butternut squash soup is always a winter favorite. And this version is velvety smooth and perfectly spiced.

Roasted Cauliflower Soup: If you’re not serving up roasted cauliflower as a side yet – turn it into a soup! Just add loads of garlic and herbs to give it a punch of savoriness.

Sweet Potato Soup: This is my favorite blend of creamy sweet potatoes. carrots, fresh ginger, and a hint of spice. Perfect for sipping on the side with the rest of the dishes.

Best Christmas Cookies

Plates of cookies are a given when it comes to Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Plus, these gluten-free Christmas cookies are super easy to whip up!

No Bake Cookies: Yep, no flour or eggs needed to make these chewy, oat-y, chocolatey cookies!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: If you’re gluten-free, I’ve created the perfect batch of chocolate chip cookies. They’ve got chewy insides with perfectly golden edges. And if you’re vegan, these are the vegan chocolate chip cookies you’ll love!

Oatmeal Cookies: These are dotted with raisins and filled with cinnamon goodness! For another variation, try these banana oatmeal cookies for a healthy twist.

Mint Double Chocolate Cookies: Got mint chocolate lovers? These cookies are rich, decadent, and perfect for drinking with a glass of homemade cashew milk or almond milk.

More Holiday Desserts for Christmas Dinner

There’s always room for dessert, especially when you’ve got so many easy and delicious Christmas desserts to choose from. From decadent cakes to chocolate mousses, these are perfect for enjoying after Christmas dinner!

Apple Crisp: There’s just something special about bites of warm cinnamon apples with a crumbly oat crisp topping. Just don’t forget the vanilla ice cream on top!

Rice Pudding: This is hands down the most comforting dessert to enjoy on a chilly Christmas day! With a dash of cinnamon and raisins, it’s truly a nostalgic Christmas dessert.

Custard: Serve it up warm, drizzled over cake or a fruit crisp, or chill it and top with berries. There’s so many ways to enjoy this creamy custard!

Flourless Chocolate Cake: A deliciously elegant cake with a lightly crackled top, deep chocolate flavor, and fluffy moist texture.

Panna Cotta: A classic Italian custard dessert with macerated strawberries. It’s foolproof and super easy to make!

Chocolate Pots de Creme: This is the most luxurious dessert. Each spoonful is decadently rich and oh, so chocolatey!

Coconut Macaroons: Tis the season for coconut macaroons! They’ve got chewy insides, crisp coconut flakes on the outside, and they’re dipped in chocolate goodness.

Paleo Chocolate Cake: This chocolate cake is a reader favorite – and for good reason. It’s extra moist, super decadent, and layered with a vegan buttercream chocolate frosting.

Spiced Pear Souffle: Make the best of pear season with this soft and airy souffle recipe! It’s a lot easier to make than you think.

Pomegranate Chia Pudding Parfait: Sometimes, a light and fresh dessert is just what you need after a heavy dinner. This one is layered with chia pudding, yogurt, pomegranates, and sliced almonds!

Holiday Drinks & Cocktails

A festive cocktail or drink certainly keeps the merry holiday vibes going! Here are some solid ideas that everyone will love.

Best Hot Chocolate: Oh yeah, a cup of this warm and rich hot chocolate will surely hit the spot. And if you’ve got some leftover Nutella, give this Nutella hot chocolate a try!

Homemade Eggnog: This holiday favorite is made easy with a blender! It’s super easy, not to mention how deliciously creamy and spiced it is.

Classic Red Sangria: A pitcher of sweet red sangria is always a party favorite. Plus, it makes for a beautiful presentation with this pitcher.

White Christmas Sangria: Put a festive spin on your favorite white wine sangria combo with this recipe!

Pomegranate Margarita: For the tequila lovers, this pomegranate cocktail is just what you need.

Classic Margarita: While holidays cocktails come in a variety of flavors and colors, a classic margarita is not to be forgotten either.

Easy Chai Latte: Tis the season for warm chai drinks! This one is simmered on the stovetop with black tea, creamy milk, warming spices, and a hint of sweetness. And if you’re looking for a caffeine-free option, you’ll love this chai spiced coconut milk!

Mexican Hot Chocolate: The perfect hot chocolate choice for a luscious drink that’s not overly sweet and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and chili powder.

Originally published December 2021, but updated to include new recipes and information for your benefit!