10 Must-Try Christmas Recipes for a Festive Feast

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As the festive season rolls around, it is time to swap our regular meals for Christmas recipes that involve our stomachs as well as our hearts. With the winter winds chiming to the tune of Jingle Bells, it’s the season to put on an apron and whip up a grand feast.

From flavourful main courses and delighting desserts to stimulating beverages, Christmas dinner becomes an opportunity to demonstrate our love through good food and warmth.

In this blog, discover ten festive recipes that capture the holiday spirit. We’ve included a range of mains, sides, desserts, and drinks to enhance your Christmas celebrations. Enjoy these culinary delights and make this holiday season unforgettable!

What are the top 10 Christmas recipes?

A grand Christmas party is the centre stage of our festive celebrations. You’ll find unique twists with global touches like Biryani, Oven-Baked Whole Tandoori Chicken, Slow-cooker Spice-rubbed Turkey Breast, Delicious Christmas Cake and more! Our list of Christmas dishes will spark joy at your Christmas table, so do check them out now!

1. No-baste Cider-glazed Ham

 

The Christmas ham is a festive staple, and the No-baste Cider-glazed Ham offers a delicious twist. With a glaze of apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and cloves, it delivers a perfect sweet and tangy flavour. Plus, the ‘No-baste’ feature lets you enjoy more time celebrating!

Here’s how to prepare it:

• Begin by scoring the top of your ham to allow the glaze to penetrate the meat better.
• Mix apple cider, brown sugar, dijon mustard, and some ground cloves in a saucepan to create your glaze.
• Apply a generous amount of glaze over the scored ham.
• Place the ham in the oven and let it cook until golden brown.
• Halfway through cooking, apply a second coat of glaze.

For an elegant presentation, garnish the ham with baked apple slices and fresh herbs before serving.

Also Read: Artichoke and Parma Ham Salad

2. Oven Baked Whole Tandoori Chicken

 

For a fusion-flavoured Christmas, the Oven Baked Whole Tandoori Chicken is perfect. An Indian classic modified to suit your festive dinner, this recipe brings a spicy twist to your Christmas table.

Here’s how to cook it:

• Blend fresh coriander, garlic, ginger, Indian spices, and yoghurt.
• Coat a whole chicken in the marinade and refrigerate overnight or for 4-5 hours.
• Place the chicken on a wire rack in a pre-heated oven, rotating occasionally for even cooking.
• High heat creates a char similar to tandoor, keeping the meat juicy.
• Allow the chicken to rest before carving.

Lastly, enjoy a festive, exotic main course with mint chutney or fresh lemon.

3. Slow-cooker Spice-rubbed Turkey Breast

 

If simplicity and taste had a festive meeting point, it would be the Slow-cooker Spice-rubbed Turkey Breast. This Christmas turkey recipe streamlines the process, letting your slow cooker do all the work.

The Spice-rubbed Turkey Breast is made as follows:

• First, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a sprinkle of thyme to make the spice rub.
• Thoroughly coat the turkey breast with the spice rub.
• Place the turkey into the slow cooker, cover, and let it cook on low heat for about 5-6 hours.
• Once cooked, transfer the turkey breast to a chopping board and allow it to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

No roasting, no basting—this hassle-free method will let you sit back and enjoy the Christmas Merry while a flavourful feast is prepared almost by itself.

Also Read: Turkey Salad Pita

4. Vegetarian Wellington

 

For those who prefer a meatless main course on their Christmas dinner table, the Vegetarian Wellington is a fantastic option. It celebrates the earthy flavours of mushrooms and lentils wrapped in a golden puff pastry.

Here are the steps to prepare a glorious Vegetarian Wellington:

• Sauté onions, garlic, and fresh thyme until soft and golden.
• Add finely chopped mushrooms and lentils, and continue to sauté until all the moisture has evaporated.
• Roll out the puff pastry and spoon the mushroom-lentil mixture down the centre, leaving enough room at the borders.
• Fold the pastry over the filling, sealing the ends with a little water.
• Brush the Wellington with milk before baking it in a pre-heated oven until the pastry is crisp and golden.

The result is a succulent, flavourful dish that vegetarians and everyone at your table will love!

Also Read: Vegetable Puff

5. Ultimate Roast Potatoes

 

A grand Christmas meal is incomplete without the Ultimate Roast Potatoes. Their crispy golden exteriors, giving way to soft and fluffy potatoes on the inside, speak volumes of comfort and celebration.

Here’s how you can achieve the ultimate roast potatoes:

• Start by parboiling your potatoes in salted water.
• Drain the potatoes and shake them in the colander to rough up their outer layer.
• Heat goose fat or sunflower oil in a roasting pan and add potatoes.
• Turn them over in the fat to ensure they are well-coated, and then roast them in a pre-heated oven.
• Halfway through roasting, sprinkle them with a little semolina or polenta, making them extra crispy.

With a hint of rosemary and a dash of sea salt to season, these straightforward yet delightful roast potatoes will surely be a hit at your Christmas feast.

6. Biryani

 

Drawing inspiration from the aromatic wonders of South Asian cuisine, a flavourful Biryani can bring a fascinating twist to your traditional Christmas dinner. You can opt for classic chicken, tender lamb, succulent prawns, or even a vegetable biryani.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the steps:

• Rinse and soak the rice beforehand.
• Marinate the meat/vegetables with spices.
• Layer the marinated meat/vegetables with half-cooked rice.
• Drizzle saffron-soaked milk, ghee, and fried onions on top.
• Seal the vessel and cook on low heat to allow flavours to meld.

Garnish your biryani with fried onions and boiled eggs before serving, accompanied by raita or salan, for that additional bang of taste.

7. Broccoli and Bacon Salad with Creamy Dressing

 

Add a sprinkle of health to your festive feast with the delicious Broccoli and Bacon Salad with Creamy Dressing.

Here’s an easy way to put it together:

• Steam or blanch bite-sized broccoli florets until they’re bright green and crispy, then allow them to cool.
• Pan-fry crispy bacon cut into small pieces.
• Prepare a creamy dressing by blending mayo, mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Toss the cooled broccoli and crispy bacon together in a dressing bowl.
• Drizzle the creamy dressing generously over the salad and garnish with slivered almonds for an added crunch.

The contrast of crunchy broccoli, smoky bacon, and creamy dressing creates a delightful combination of textures and tastes that everyone at the table will love!

Also Read: Broccoli, Zucchini and Swiss Brown Mushroom Salad

8. Classic Christmas Cake

 

Get into the festive spirit with a moist and rich Classic Christmas cake packed with rum-soaked dried fruits and nuts.

Here’s how to make it:

• Start by soaking dried fruits like raisins, currants, chopped dates, and nuts in your choice of spirit (rum, brandy, or whisky) overnight.
• In a large bowl, add cream butter and brown sugar, eggs, flour, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and almond essence.
• Mix in your soaked fruits and nuts along with the remaining soaking liquid.
• Pour the mixture into a lined cake tin and bake at a low temperature for a lengthy period until the cake is firm yet moist.

Remember to feed the cake regularly with alcohol to keep it mouth-wateringly moist and bursting with flavour until Christmas!

9. Cheat’s Mango Cheesecake Dessert Cups

 

For those moments when you need a dessert fix quickly, Cheat’s Mango Cheesecake Dessert Cups are your go-to recipe.

Here’s how to prepare it:

• Gather ingredients like Cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, whipped cream, mango puree, and crushed graham crackers.
• Beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla, then fold in whipped cream.
• In cups, add crushed graham crackers, followed by the cheesecake mixture and mango puree. Repeat the layers.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Garnish with mango pieces or whipped cream. Enjoy
• The combination of crunchy biscuit, creamy cheesecake, and tangy mango makes these dessert cups the perfect sweet ending to your Christmas dinner.

Also Read: Raspberry Cheesecake

10. Jingle Juice

 

Nothing can beat the festive and flavourful Jingle Juice when it comes to Christmas cheer. This delicious cocktail, bursting with the vibrancy of cranberries and pomegranates, is the perfect way to spread joy and merriment this Christmas season.

To make the Jingle Juice:

• Mix a splash of cranberry juice with pomegranate juice in a shaker.
• Add a shot of your favourite spirit—vodka or gin work beautifully in this recipe—and shake well.
• Pour this festive cocktail over a glass of crushed ice, stir gently, and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
• Enjoy this tangy, refreshing Jingle Juice cocktail as you toast the joyous Christmas celebrations.

Conclusion

Christmas is the season of joy, generosity, family, and food. A delightful Christmas dinner can unite loved ones over shared stories, laughter, and irresistible aromas wafting from the kitchen. And it’s not merely about the main course.

The collection of sumptuous delights, the sides, the desserts, and even the beverages makes each Christmas dinner uniquely charming. So fling aside the holiday stress, put on your festive apron, and whip up a meal that looks good, tastes heavenly, and feels like Christmas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top 10 Christmas Foods?

The top 10 Christmas foods include Roast Turkey, Ham, Christmas Cake, Biryani, Brussels sprouts, Roast Potatoes, Mulled Wine, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, and the iconic Christmas cake. These traditional dishes capture the essence of the festive season and are popular recipes.

What are the classic Christmas dinner dishes?

Classic Christmas dinner dishes span a gamut of flavours and traditions. They include Roast Turkey or Christmas ham, Stuffing, Gravy, Mashed or Roast Potatoes, Profile Colourful Vegetables, Broccoli and bacon salad, Sweet Glazed Carrots, and, for dessert, Christmas Pudding or Mince pies.

What are some traditional Christmas foods around the world?

Traditional Christmas foods vary around the world. In Germany, Stollen is popular, France enjoys Bouche de Noel, Italy savours Panettone, Australia feasts on seafood, and Britain relishes its Christmas pudding. Perhaps the only typical food element is this season’s global love for baking and sweet treats.

Are there any popular vegan or gluten-free Christmas recipes?

Absolutely! Vegan and gluten-free options are now a popular part of Christmas food. Recipes like Vegan Wellington, Gluten-free Mince Pies, Vegan Trifle, and Gluten-free Christmas cake are festive and tasty and cater to dietary preferences without compromising the Christmas spirit.

What are some creative dessert recipes for Christmas parties?

Unleash your creativity with desserts like Pistachio and Pomegranate Pavlova, White Chocolate Tiramisu, Cheat’s Mango Cheesecake, Salted Caramel Yule Log, Almond Croissant Tree, and Chocolate chip Cookie Santa Hats. Not only do these desserts taste amazing, but they also look stunning and amplify the festive mood.

How can you incorporate seasonal ingredients into Christmas recipes?

Incorporating seasonal ingredients into your Christmas dinner offers fresh flavours and adds a touch of local tradition. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger can spice up desserts, while root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and brussels sprouts make great side dishes or additions to your roast.