This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

With tips for planning and preparation, as well as ideas for every course, this collection of Christmas dinner ideas has it all to pull off a fabulous Christmas dinner!

More Collections: Christmas Appetizers, Christmas Desserts, Christmas Side Dishes

Collage of Christmas dinner recipes.

Dinners We Love!

In my family, we always gather together to enjoy dinner on Christmas Eve (Mexican food is always on the Christmas menu).

Christmas day is a little different – usually fewer people, but always a traditional Christmas dinner that we love and want to help you with.

The perfect classic Christmas dinner menu:

I know everyone does things differently, but today I’ve gathered together some of our traditional Christmas dinner ideas, along with helpful dinner planning tips to help you out this season.

White platter with multiple cranberry brie bites.

Christmas Dinner Tips

I’ve included some of our top tips to help things go as smoothly as possible!

PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY MENU IN ADVANCE. First, ask yourself these questions:

  • How many courses do I want to serve? 
  • How many dishes in each course will I need?
  • Which dishes would I appreciate guests bringing, should they offer?
  • What can be cooked on the stove or crock pot, and how many dishes can I realistically cook in the oven? 
Garlic prime rib sliced and served with fresh herbs.

Calculating How Much Youโ€™ll Need

When you start adding extended family it can be a bit harder to estimate.

  • Appetizers. Plan to serve 3-5 appetizer pieces per person.
  • Sides. Plan about 6 ounces of vegetables per person and 4 ounces of veggies per person.
  • Meat dish. Plan on serving each adult 6 to 8 ounces of meat. Children will only need 3-4 ounces.
  • Desserts. For 8 or fewer guests plan for 1 type of dessert.
A crock pot filled with roast beef and potatoes and carrots.

Things to do Ahead of Time

Make the holiday less stressful by using these simple tips and working ahead!

  • Go shopping early. Use your menu as a shopping guide (be sure to print out the recipes in advance to help with this).
  • Plan a cooking schedule. Work backward from your intended serving time.
    • In what order do the items need to be cooked?
    • Can anything go in the oven at the same time?
    • What can be cooked on the stovetop? Crockpot?
    • What can be made ahead of time? Will it need to be reheated?
  • Do as much prep work ahead of time as you can.
Breaded pork chops on a white plate.

Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas

We love all of these recipes for the main dish for Christmas, and we think you will too! Whether Turkey Breast, beef tenderloin, Pot Roast, or Pork Roast, there is sure to be a delicious centerpiece.

1 Crockpot Ham Recipe

Main Course Crockpot Ham Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 41 votes
Get the recipe

2 Easy Prime Rib Recipe

Main Course Easy Prime Rib Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 22 votes
Get the recipe

3 Best Roast Chicken Recipe

Main Course Best Roast Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
Get the recipe

4 Best Pork Chop Recipe

Main Course Best Pork Chop Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 594 votes
Get the recipe

5 Crock Pot Pot Roast

Main Course Crock Pot Pot Roast
Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 120 votes
Get the recipe

6 Easy Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Main Course Easy Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 21 votes
Get the recipe

7 Honey Glazed Ham

Main Course Honey Glazed Ham
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 30 votes
Get the recipe

8 Steak Marinade

Main Course Steak Marinade
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 82 votes
Get the recipe

9 Breaded Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course Breaded Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

10 Roast Turkey Recipe

Main Course Roast Turkey Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 8 votes
Get the recipe

Appetizers

We love to start any celebration with a few munchies to tie people over before the main event. Whip up any of our simple and tasty appetizers!

11 Christmas Charcuterie Board Recipe

Appetizer Christmas Charcuterie Board Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

12 Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe

Appetizer Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 4 votes
Get the recipe

13 Christmas Veggie Tray

Appetizer Christmas Veggie Tray
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

14 Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 132 votes
Get the recipe

15 Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Appetizer Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 15 votes
Get the recipe

16 Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

Appetizer Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 98 votes
Get the recipe

17 Deviled Eggs Recipe

Appetizer Deviled Eggs Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 53 votes
Get the recipe

18 Sausage Balls Recipe

Appetizer, Breakfast Sausage Balls Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 15 votes
Get the recipe

19 Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe

Appetizer Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
Get the recipe

20 Cranberry Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Cranberry Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 9 votes
Get the recipe

Soups and Salads

It’s a good idea to include a few lighter sides in your spreads, and these soups and salads will deliver!

21 Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Soup Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

22 Crockpot Tortellini Soup Recipe

Main Course, Soup Crockpot Tortellini Soup Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 217 votes
Get the recipe

23 Cheesy Potato Soup

Soup Cheesy Potato Soup
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 72 votes
Get the recipe

24 Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Soup Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
Total Time: 32 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 27 votes
Get the recipe

25 Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe

Soup Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 4 votes
Get the recipe

26 Kale Salad Recipe

Salad Kale Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 8 votes
Get the recipe

27 7 Layer Salad Recipe

Salad, Side Dish 7 Layer Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 20 votes
Get the recipe

28 Chicken Caesar Salad

Salad Chicken Caesar Salad
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 21 votes
Get the recipe

29 Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 22 votes
Get the recipe

30 Waldorf Salad Recipe

Salad Waldorf Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 21 votes
Get the recipe

Sides

It’s great to have a few side dish recipes on hand to fill in when you are quickly adding more guests, or to complete your dinner spread! These are some of our favorites.

31 Dinner Rolls Recipe

Bread Dinner Rolls Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 267 votes
Get the recipe

32 Glazed Carrots

Side Dish Glazed Carrots
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 1519 votes
Get the recipe

33 Best Mashed Potatoes

Side Dish Best Mashed Potatoes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 117 votes
Get the recipe

34 Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts on white plate.
Side Dish Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 204 votes
Get the recipe

35 Funeral Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 1263 votes
Get the recipe

36 Twice Baked Potatoes

Side Dish Twice Baked Potatoes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

37 Best Homemade Mac and Cheese

Main Course Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 171 votes
Get the recipe

38 Creamed Corn Recipe

Side Dish Creamed Corn Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 128 votes
Get the recipe

39 Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes

Side Dish Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 128 votes
Get the recipe

40 Easy Green Bean Casserole

Side Dish Easy Green Bean Casserole
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 96 votes
Get the recipe

Drinks

A festive drink takes any celebration to the next level! These holiday drinks look beautiful and taste delicious. They are all non-alcoholic and can be enjoyed by all!

41 Easy Eggnog Recipe

Drinks Easy Eggnog Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 23 votes
Get the recipe

42 Holiday Punch Recipe

Drinks Holiday Punch Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 87 votes
Get the recipe

43 Wassail Recipe

Drinks Wassail Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

44 Shirley Temple Recipe

Drinks Shirley Temple Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

45 Hot Chocolate Recipe

Drinks Hot Chocolate Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

46 Apple Cider Recipe

Drinks Apple Cider Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 73 votes
Get the recipe

47 Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

Drinks Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 25 votes
Get the recipe

48 Peppermint Punch

Drinks Peppermint Punch
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 19 votes
Get the recipe

49 Non Alcoholic Mint Julep

Drinks Non Alcoholic Mint Julep
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 19 votes
Get the recipe

50 Horchata Recipe

Drinks Horchata Recipe
Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 32 votes
Get the recipe

Desserts

Christmas desserts are the perfect ending to a special meal. We love to have a few (or several) to choose from! We’ve rounded up our favorites, good luck choosing!

51 Yule Log Recipe

Dessert Yule Log Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 39 votes
Get the recipe

52 Turtle Cheesecake Recipe

Dessert Turtle Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
5 from 19 votes
Get the recipe

53 Pistachio Dessert Recipe

Dessert Pistachio Dessert Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 18 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 98 votes
Get the recipe

54 Peppermint Chocolate Delight Recipe

Dessert Peppermint Chocolate Delight Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
4.98 from 35 votes
Get the recipe

55 Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

Dessert Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
Get the recipe

56 Crรจme Brรปlรฉe Recipe

Dessert Crรจme Brรปlรฉe Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 8 votes
Get the recipe

57 Buttermilk Pie Recipe

Dessert Buttermilk Pie Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

4.99 from 583 votes
Get the recipe

58 Peppermint Brownie Trifle Recipe

Dessert Peppermint Brownie Trifle Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 9 votes
Get the recipe

59 German Chocolate Cake

Dessert German Chocolate Cake
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 106 votes
Get the recipe

60 Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe

Dessert Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
5 from 18 votes
Get the recipe

Our Go-To Christmas Ham

If you’re anything like us then you have a ham on Christmas Day.

It’s great because it’s typically simple, feeds a lot, and is delicious!

We are sharing our go-to Honey Glazed Christmas Ham recipe because it’s a favorite and is the perfect dinner for the 25th. We hope you love it as much as we do.

Here is the recipe:

Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
5 from 11 votes

BEST Christmas Dinner Ideas

By: Lil’ Luna
Simply place a spiral cut ham in the crock pot, cover with a 5-ingredient glaze, and 4 hours later you'll have a tender and juicy Honey Glazed Ham!
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 4 hours 5 minutes
Total: 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ยฝ cup honey
  • ยฝ cup water
  • 2 TB Dijon mustard
  • 10 whole cloves
  • 1 4-5 pound Sam’s Choice spiral cut ham (cooked)

Instructions 

  • Place cut ham slices into your crock pot.
  • Add brown sugar, honey, water, Dijon mustard, and cloves to a small pot.ย Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Remove cloves from the glaze and pour over ham. Cook on LOW for 4 hours making sure to baste ham with the glaze every hour or so.
  • Serve warm with the glaze poured over the top.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 172kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Sodium: 54mg, Potassium: 52mg, Sugar: 44g, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.


A Perfect Christmas Feast!

Hopefully, this list helps you plan a delicious meal this holiday season! Just remember, as long as you’re with the ones you love, anything you make will be perfect.

Be sure to check out all of our Christmas Recipes.

More Collections: Mexican Christmas Food, Italian Christmas, Christmas Drink Recipes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!