How To Make The Best Christmas Dinner Ever
Deck the halls and trim the tree because Santa is coming to town! It’s a great time to make sure you know what you’re making for your Christmas dinner. Maybe you’re new to hosting, looking for new ideas, or just trying to find inspiration, but don’t worry. We’ve got you covered, from appetisers all the way to desserts. We’re sharing Christmas dinner ideas that will leave you feeling festively full and your guests will gasp in amazement. Choose however many of each section you want, then assemble the perfect Christmas dinner. Ready to find your cooking mojo? Let’s go.
Appetisers
Every Christmas meal needs something to snack on before the actual meal. Imagine the house is smelling delicious and everyone is asking, “When is it time to eat? I’m hungry!” That’s when your appetisers come out. They buy you time, allowing your main dishes to continue cooking and preventing grumpy guests.
Stuffed Mushrooms/Peppers
Button mushrooms stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, cream cheese, garlic, and herbs. Stuffed mushrooms are a savoury Christmas appetiser that will keep everyone coming back for more. You could also use the same recipe but substitute bell peppers for the mushrooms.
Cheese & Charcuterie Board
Cut up some different cheeses and cured meats, and arrange crackers, nuts, and fruit on a tray. Be creative in your arrangement and present some jam or fruit dip alongside the board. Kids will enjoy this one because they get to pick what they want!
Deviled Eggs
Boiled eggs with a delicious blend of mayo and mustard. You could get fancy and experiment with different kinds of deviled eggs or keep it simple and classic. Classic deviled eggs can be garnished with paprika for a touch of colour, or you can add ingredients like bacon bits or avocado for a modern twist. Serve them on a decorative platter to make your appetiser spread even more inviting!
Shrimp Cocktail
Serve a dish of spicy cocktail sauce with chilled shrimp. This works great if your guests are fans of seafood.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Tightly wrap delicious prosciutto around fresh asparagus spears, then roast or grill until crispy and perfect. Every bite of these will leave everyone raving, “This is so good; how did you make this?”
Entree
Once your main dishes are ready, then it’s time to bring them out. Remember, you can make as many or as little as you want.
Roast Beef
Roast beef makes for a perfect holiday entree because it’s so tender and juicy. It also pairs well with any side. It’s versatile and will make your house smell incredible.
Honey-Glazed Ham
Honey-glazed ham is a sweet and savoury option. Mix up the glaze with honey, brown sugar, and orange juice and pour it over the ham. Let it bake and enjoy the aroma!
Roast Turkey
The iconic Christmas dinner staple is the roasted turkey. Cover it in butter for a gorgeous colour and your favourite herbs and spices.
Roast Leg of Lamb
Roasted lamb is festive and delicious. Season it with garlic, rosemary, and mint, and serve with a side of mint jelly.
Stuffed Acorn Squash (Vegetarian Option)
Stuffed acorn squash, a seasonally perfect entree, looks as good as it tastes, making it a stunning centerpiece for the best Christmas dinner. Wild rice, cranberries, nuts and vegetables are roasted inside and then served.
Sides
No Christmas meal is complete without the perfect sides to complement the entree with. Again, you can choose as many or as little as you want. Let this be your inspiration for creating the most epic Christmas meal you’ve ever made!
Potatoes
One of the best parts about potatoes is that they are incredibly versatile and can be made in so many ways. For a good side dish to your Christmas entree, you could make baked potatoes, mashed, whipped, or boiled. Add some butter and salt and pepper, and you have yourself an iconic side dish!
Honey-roasted carrots
Slice up some carrots and toss them first in a teaspoon of olive oil and then some honey, salt, and pepper. Then roast them for about 40 minutes, and you’ll be delighted with the outcome. The sweetness pairs nicely with the gentle flavour of the carrots and can go nicely with any entree.
Roasted brusel sprouts
Slice the bottom of the Brussels sprouts and toss them in olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes and voila. Add some bacon or toasted almonds to step the dish up a level.
Stuffing
This traditional side dish is made with bread crumbs, onions, herbs, celery, and broth. You can get very creative making stuffing, so don’t be afraid to try something new! Diced apples, dried fruit, etc. can all be an amazing part of stuffing.
Cranberry Sauce
Made from fresh or frozen cranberries, orange zest, and sugar, cranberry sauce is the perfect side dish for the best Christmas dinner. Its reddish hue further enhances its festive appearance!
Desserts
Now that you’ve completed the main course meal, what’s next? It’s time to bring out the desserts! Christmas desserts can be as simple as cookies from the store, a nut tray, or mini gingerbread houses for everyone to build and decorate. They can also be elaborate and elegant. Choose something that suits you best.
Christmas Dessert Inspiration
- Sugar cookies
- Chocolate Yule Log
- Peppermint Bark
- Cranberry Orange Bread
- Mini Cheesecakes
- Apple Crisp
Drinks
You’re going to need something to wash all this yumminess down! We’re sharing some of our favourite holiday punch ideas.
Christmas Punch
Cranberry juice, ginger ale, and pineapple juice combine with your choice of garnish to make a bubbly and festive drink! Garnish with fresh orange slices and/or fresh cranberries.
Citrus & Cranberry Juice Punch
Combine orange juice with cranberry juice and some club soda, and you have a fantastic Christmas punch! Garnish with mint leaves, orange slices, and/or fresh cranberries.
Get Cooking
Now that we’ve shared all our ideas, it’s time to start planning your best Christmas dinner! Use our guide to help piece together everything from appetisers to entrees, desserts, and even drinks! This ensures you don’t overlook anything and enjoy a well-rounded meal.
