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    Holiday Recipes » Christmas Recipes

    Christmas Menu Planner

    Published: Dec 16, 2021 · Modified: Nov 14, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · Leave a Comment

    grid of 9 images of Christmas dishes with the title Christmas Menu Planner

    Christmas is a wonderful time to spend with your loved ones. It's also a busy time of year that can feel stressful and even overwhelming. The great news is that planning ahead and dividing the work can make the time fun for everyone. 

    This Christmas menu planner simplifies the process of planning your meals so that you can feel prepared to relax and actually enjoy your holiday season. Whether you're planning a traditional menu or want to try something new, you'll find dishes to delight everyone at your table. And not just for Christmas dinner, but for breakfast / brunch, lunch, and snacks, cookies, and cocktails too!

    Christmas Menu Planner Grid of 9 recipe images.
    Jump to:
    • Christmas Mains
    • Potatoes
    • Sides
    • Salads
    • Cookies
    • Pies
    • More Desserts
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Menu 1 - Traditional Christmas Menu
    • Menu 2 - Quick and Easy Christmas Dinner for 4 to 6 People
    • Menu 3 - Romantic Christmas Menu for 2
    • Menu 4 - Southern Christmas Menu
    • Menu 5 - Vegetarian Christmas Menu
    • Menu 6 - Pescatarian Christmas Menu
    • 💬 Comments

    Christmas Mains

    Whether it's a turkey or seafood that takes center stage at your holiday table this year, there's plenty to choose from. From classic dishes like Dry Brine Turkey and Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb to new twists on old favorites like Lasagna with Cottage Cheese, there is something here for every palate.

    • Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with lemon slices in a cast iron skillet
      Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
    • Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb served on a gray oval platter
      Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb
    • pressing a fork into Vegetarian Tamale with Green Chiles and Cheese
      Vegetarian Tamales with Green Chile and Cheese
    • Dry Brine Turkey served on a white oval platter
      Dry Brine Turkey
    • Turkey Roulade with Garlic and Herbs
    • Herb-Roasted-Chicken featured
      Herb Roasted Chicken
    More of Delicious Mains →

    Potatoes

    What would Christmas dinner be without potatoes? Here you'll find great Christmas potato recipes that will help get everyone on board with the holiday spirit! From buttery Fondant Potatoes and Creamy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes to family favorite Cheesy Potatoes to twists on classics like Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes. These dishes are guaranteed to bring out the best in the most cherished root vegetable.

    • Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
    • Brabant Potatoes served on a white oval platter with silver serving spoon
      Brabant Potatoes
    • Fondant Potatoes in a cast iron skillet
      Fondant Potatoes
    • Lyonnaise Potatoes served on a white oval platter
      Lyonnaise Potatoes
    • serving Gratin Dauphinois with a large spoon
      Gratin Dauphinois (Potato Gratin)
    • Italian Roasted Potatoes served on an oval white platter
      Italian Roasted Potatoes
    • Serving Cheesy Potatoes from a white ceramic baking dish with a silver spoon.
      Cheesy Potatoes
    • Mashed Red Potatoes photographed from above featured
      Mashed Red Potatoes
    More Potato Dishes →

    Sides

    Some say that the side dishes at Christmas are what they most look forward to. Maybe you feel that way too? From traditional sides like Cornbread Dressing to quick and easy Turkey Gravy without drippings, you'll find plenty of inspiration for filling out your menu.

    • Turkey Gravy without Drippings in a white ceramic gravy boat.
      Turkey Gravy without Drippings
    • Cornbread Dressing served in a white baking dish.
      Cornbread Dressing
    • Cornbread Pudding served in a white casserole dish with a serving on a small plate beside
      Cornbread Pudding
    • Squeezing lemon over Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower on a white platter.
      Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
    More Sides →

    Salads

    Why not serve something light and refreshing to break up the heavier dishes on the Christmas dinner table? Green salads are a great choice, like my quick and easy Arugula Salad. But great salads can be decadent too, like Shrimp Salad or Crab Salad served as an elegant first course.

    • Shrimp Salad
    • Arugula Salad
      Arugula Salad
    • Champagne Vinaigrette
    • Crab Salad served in light gray ceramic bowls.
      Crab Salad
    More Salads →

    Cookies

    Christmastime would be incomplete without an array of cookies. They're wonderful for snacking and make the perfect edible gift. From classics like Butter Cookies and Gingersnap Cookies to fresh takes on classics like Almond Flour Sugar Cookies, you'll find something for everyone. 

    • Gingersnap Cookies stacked on a white marble board.
      Gingersnap Cookies
    • World Peace Cookies on a white marble board
      World Peace Cookies
    • Almond Flour Sugar Cookies stacked on a white cake plate
      Almond Flour Sugar Cookies
    • Butter Cookies stacked on a marble slab
      Butter Cookies
    More Cookies →

    Pies

    When you think of dessert for Christmas dinner, does pie come to mind? It's what I think of too. There's boozy rich Chocolate Rum Pie for the chocolate lovers (with a classic Lard Pie Crust) and feather light Pumpkin Chiffon Pie, a sophisticated twist on traditional pumpkin pie that is no bake (except for 5 minutes to bake the Gingersnap Crust). A convenient choice when demand is high for oven time!

    • slice of pumpkin chiffon pie on a white plate with whole pie in background.
      Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
    • Gingersnap Crust in a white pie ceramic pie plate.
      Gingersnap Crust
    • Fluting Lard Pie Crust
      Lard Pie Crust
    • Chocolate-Rum-Pie-Slice-Served on black plate square
      Grandma's Chocolate Rum Pie
    More Pies →

    Beyond pie and cookies, there are endless other desserts that are perfect for Christmas, from Chouquettes (French pastry sugar puffs) to Chocolate Panna Cotta. There's even a recipe for Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk that will have you skipping the canned variety for good.

    More Desserts

    • chouquettes served in a cloth lined copper basket
      Homemade Chouquettes
    • Chocolate Panna Cotta served in a glass tumbler
      Chocolate Panna Cotta
    • Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • Champagne-Gummy-Bears_served in a coupe
      Champagne Gummy Bears
    More Desserts →

    Breads

    Pillowy soft Brioche Rolls, buttery Homemade Biscuits with a thousand layers or tender Skillet Cornbread with plenty of crispy edges - which ones will you choose for your Christmas table? 

    • Brioche Roll served on a white plate with butter
      Brioche Dinner Rolls
    • Homemade Biscuits stacked on a white plate
      Homemade Biscuits
    • Sweet Potato Bread loaf and three slices on a cutting board with a knife.
      Sweet Potato Bread
    • Skillet-Cornbread-served-with-butter on a white plate
      Skillet Cornbread
    More Breads →

    Breakfast

    Whether you're after a decadent breakfast for Christmas morning, like Breakfast Quiche with Crispy Breakfast Potatoes or something on the lighter side like Banana Oatmeal Pancakes or a make ahead option like Banana Oatmeal Muffins or Savory Crepes, you'll find inspiring choices here.

    • Breakfast Quiche
    • Breakfast Potatoes
    • Savory Crepes sq
      Savory Crepes
    • Pouring maple syrup over a stack of Banana Oatmeal Pancakes on a white plate.
      Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
    More Breakfast Options →

    Drinks

    Christmas cocktails are a festive way to kick off a fun evening with loved ones. Maybe this year it's a French 75 or a classic Peach Bellini? And don't forget refreshing Non Alcoholic Sangria for those designated drivers.  

    • Peach Bellini cocktails served
      Peach Bellini Recipe
    • Non Alcoholic Sangria
    • French 75 Cocktail
    • Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe
    More Drinks →

    Appetizers and Snacks

    When planning your Christmas menu, don't forget about appetizers and snacks. From classic Sugared Pecans to elegant Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus or rounds of creamy Baked Goat Cheese, you'll want to serve a few inviting nibbles. 

    • Sugared Pecans in a black bowl
      Sugared Pecans
    • Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus arranged on a round platter with lemon wedges
      Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
    • Baked Goat Cheese served on a white plate with artisan crisps and greens
      Baked Goat Cheese
    • Bacon Wrapped Shrimp served on a stainless platter featured
      Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
    More Appetizers →

    Menu 1 - Traditional Christmas Menu

    • Breakfast - Brioche Cinnamon Rolls
    • Cocktail - Boulevardier Cocktail and/or Non-Alcoholic Sangria
    • Appetizer - Bacon Wrapped Scallops or Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
    • Main - Dry Brine Turkey and Turkey Gravy or Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb
    • Sauce - Cranberry Orange Relish
    • Potato - Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes or Mashed Red Potatoes
    • Salad - Wedge Salad
    • Bread - Brioche Rolls
    • Dessert - Chocolate Rum Pie or Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with a Gingersnap Crust

    Menu 2 - Quick and Easy Christmas Dinner for 4 to 6 People

    • Cocktail - Peach Bellini
    • Appetizer - Green Olive Tapenade with Crostini or Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
    • Main - Herb Roasted Chicken or Turkey Roulade for a make ahead option
    • Sauce - Cranberry Orange Relish
    • Potato - Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
    • Vegetable - Lemon Garlic Asparagus
    • Dessert - Apple Crisp

    Menu 3 - Romantic Christmas Menu for 2

    • Cocktail - French 75 Cocktail
    • Appetizer - Crab Salad
    • Main - Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops or Pan Fried Lamb Chops or Duck Confit
    • Potato- Fondant Potatoes or Mashed Red Potatoes
    • Salad - Arugula Salad
    • Dessert - Affogato or Chocolate Panna Cotta

    Menu 4 - Southern Christmas Menu

    • Cocktail - The Last Word Cocktail
    • Appetizer - Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce for dipping and/or Bacon Wrapped Shrimp or Bacon Wrapped Scallops
    • Main - Dry Brine Turkey with Turkey Gravy
    • Sauce - Cranberry Orange Relish
    • Potato- Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes or Brabant Potatoes
    • Sides - Cornbread Dressing or Cornbread Pudding, Shrimp Remoulade, Homemade Biscuits or Brioche Rolls, Roasted Fall Vegetables
    • Dessert - Chocolate Rum Pie with Lard Pie Crust

    Menu 5 - Vegetarian Christmas Menu

    • Cocktail - Peach Bellini and/or Non Alcoholic Sangria or Cucumber Lemon Mint Water
    • Appetizer - Green Olive Tapenade with Crostini and/or a raw vegetable platter
    • Main - Rapini with Raisins and Hazelnuts or Charlie Bird Farro Salad
    • Soup - Delicata Squash Soup
    • Vegetable - Lemon Garlic Asparagus
    • Dessert - Easy Coconut Macaroons or Peach Clafoutis

    Menu 6 - Pescatarian Christmas Menu

    • Cocktail - French 75 Cocktail and/or Non-Alcoholic Sangria
    • Appetizer - Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
    • Main - Salmon Piccata or Slow Roasted Salmon
    • Potato - Italian Roasted Potatoes
    • Salad - Delicata Squash Salad
    • Dessert - Apple Crisp

    More Christmas Recipes

    • Asparagus Quiche photographed from the top.
      Asparagus Quiche
    • Roasted Broccoli and Carrots served in a white ceramic bowl and photographed from the top.
      Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
    • Rosemary Roasted Potatoes on a white platter.
      Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
    • Crepe Cake served on a white ceramic cake plate with one slice cut out.
      Crepe Cake

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