Since December 25 is rapidly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about what to serve for Christmas dinner. But there’s no need to worry; you may pick from many different alternatives here.

Perhaps the main course for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner should be a juicy prime rib roast. Or perhaps the plot involves a heavy selection of appetizers for Christmas dinner: Pimento cheese crackers, onion dip stuffed with Gruyère, and a classic aioli, all made for crudités. How about some samosa tart with that soup? Maybe you’re in the mood for some classic comfort cuisine like lasagna or meatloaf filled with spinach. All of these suggestions are excellent courses for Christmas Day.

Everything you need for a delicious meal is right here.

What Should Be On Christmas Dinner Menu?

A traditional Christmas dinner menu typically includes roasted turkey or ham, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or yams, green beans or brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls. Desserts such as Christmas pudding, fruitcake, or mince pies may also be served. Some families also include additional dishes such as soups, salads, or appetizers. Ultimately, the menu will vary depending on personal preferences and cultural traditions.

Here are a few ideas for a Christmas dinner menu:

1. Roasted Turkey

Roasted turkey with herb butter, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

Here is a recipe for roasted turkey with herb butter, gravy, and cranberry sauce:

Ingredients:

For the turkey:

  • 1 (12-pound) turkey, thawed and giblets removed
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the gravy:

  • Giblets and neck from turkey
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the cranberry sauce:

  • 1 (12-ounce) bag of fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup orange juice

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  2. To make the herb butter, combine the butter, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Loosen the skin on the turkey by gently inserting your fingers between the skin and meat. Spread the herb butter mixture under the skin, covering as much of the meat as possible.
  4. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and season with salt and pepper. Roast the turkey for about 3 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the bird.
  5. While the turkey is roasting, make the gravy. In a large pot, combine the giblets and neck, onion, carrots, and celery. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 1 hour.
  6. Remove the giblets and neck from the pot and strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot. Discard the vegetables.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and a little bit of the strained broth to make a paste. Slowly stir the paste into the pot with the broth and bring it to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. To make the cranberry sauce, in a medium pot, combine the cranberries, sugar, and orange juice. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the cranberries pop and the sauce thickens.
  9. Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. Serve with gravy and cranberry sauce on the side.

This recipe serves 8-10 people, but the ingredients can be increased or decreased depending on the number of guests.

2. Honey-Glazed Ham

Honey-glazed ham with pineapple and cloves, roasted root vegetables, and dinner rolls.

Here is a recipe for honey-glazed ham with pineapple and cloves, roasted root vegetables, and dinner rolls:

Ingredients:

For the ham:

  • 1 (8-pound) bone-in spiral-sliced ham
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 (20-ounce) can of pineapple chunks, drained

For the roasted root vegetables:

  • 2 pounds root vegetables (such as carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the dinner rolls:

  • 2 (1/4-ounce) packages of active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water (110°F to 115°F)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 to 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. To make the glaze for the ham, in a small saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and cloves. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Place the ham in a roasting pan and brush with the glaze. Stud the ham with the pineapple chunks and cloves.
  4. Roast the ham for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Brush the ham with the glaze every 20 minutes.
  5. While the ham is roasting, make the roasted root vegetables. Toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes, or until tender.
  6. To make the dinner rolls, in a large bowl, combine the yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy.
  7. Stir in the butter, eggs, dry milk powder, and salt. Gradually stir in enough flour to make a soft dough.
  8. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  9. Punch down the dough and shape it into 12 rolls. Place the rolls on a greased baking sheet and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  10. Bake the rolls for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
  11. Serve the ham with the roasted root vegetables and dinner rolls on the side.

This recipe serves 8-10 people, but the ingredients can be increased or decreased depending on the number of guests.

3. Beef Tenderloin 

Beef tenderloin with red wine sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Here is a recipe for beef tenderloin with red wine sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans:

Ingredients:

For the beef tenderloin:

  • 2 (2-pound) beef tenderloins
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the red wine sauce:

  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups red wine
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the roasted garlic mashed potatoes:

  • 4 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 head of garlic, roasted
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the green beans:

  • 2 pounds green beans, trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. To prepare the beef tenderloin, brush the tenderloins with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Place the tenderloins on a baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes for rare, 25 minutes for medium-rare, or 30 minutes for medium. Let the beef rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
  4. To make the red wine sauce, in a medium saucepan, combine the beef broth, red wine, onion, and garlic. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by half.
  5. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water. Gradually stir the mixture into the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. To make the roasted garlic mashed potatoes, place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
  8. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash the potatoes with butter, cream, and roasted garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. To prepare the green beans, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the green beans are tender-crisp.
  10. Slice the beef tenderloin and serve with the red wine sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans on the side.

This recipe serves 8-10 people, but the ingredients can be increased or decreased depending on the number of guests.

4. Christmas Buffet

A Christmas buffet can be a great way to accommodate a large number of guests and offer a variety of dishes for everyone to enjoy. 

Here are a few ideas for a Christmas buffet menu:

  • Roast turkey or goose with gravy and cranberry sauce
  • Honey-glazed ham or roasted pork loin with a variety of mustards and relishes
  • Roasted beef tenderloin with red wine sauce
  • Christmas Pudding or fruitcake
  • Roasted root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes
  • Green beans or brussels sprouts with bacon and chestnuts
  • Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
  • Dinner rolls or croissants
  • A variety of salads such as green salad, Caesar salad, or a mixed bean salad
  • Assorted appetizers such as cheese platters, fruit platters, canapés, or shrimp cocktail
  • A variety of desserts such as Christmas cookies, mince pies, or chocolate truffles

You can also add some traditional Christmas buffet dishes such as glogg, gingerbread cookies, Christmas cake or Christmas candies.

It’s important to have a mix of hot and cold dishes, as well as a variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian options.

Also consider any dietary restrictions of your guests, such as gluten-free or vegetarian options.

You can also have a theme for your buffet, like traditional Christmas, Italian Christmas, or Mediterranean Christmas. This can help you to narrow down your menu options and give your buffet a cohesive feel.

5. Seafood Feast

A seafood feast can make a delicious and elegant addition to a Christmas dinner menu. Here are a few ideas for a seafood feast menu:

  • Grilled or poached salmon with a citrus or herb butter sauce
  • Crab legs with drawn butter and lemon wedges
  • Shrimp cocktail with a classic cocktail sauce or a spicy remoulade
  • Lobster tail with garlic butter or lemon herb sauce
  • Oysters on the half shell with a variety of mignonettes
  • Scallops wrapped in bacon or seared scallops with a butter and herb sauce
  • Smoked salmon platter with capers, red onions, and cream cheese
  • Clam chowder or bouillabaisse
  • Seafood risotto or paella
  • Assorted sushi or sashimi platter

You can also serve a variety of side dishes such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or risotto.

Also, you can offer a variety of bread such as focaccia, ciabatta, or baguettes to soak up the delicious sauces and broths.

You can also include a few non-seafood dishes such as roasted chicken or beef tenderloin for your guests who prefer a non-seafood option.

It is also important to have a variety of white and red wine options to complement the seafood dishes.

If you are planning a seafood feast, you should also consider your guests’ allergies and dietary restrictions. If you have guests who have shellfish allergies, you can offer alternatives such as grilled fish or ceviche.

6. Vegetarian Christmas Dinner

A vegetarian Christmas dinner can be a delicious and satisfying alternative to a traditional meat-based menu. Here are a few ideas for a vegetarian Christmas dinner menu:

  • Lentil-stuffed bell peppers or portobello mushrooms
  • Vegetable pot pie or shepherd’s pie
  • Roasted root vegetable Wellington with a puff pastry crust
  • Stuffed squash or pumpkin with wild rice and vegetable filling
  • Vegetable lasagna or eggplant parmesan
  • Grilled or sautéed vegetable platter with a variety of dips and sauces
  • Mushroom gravy or a creamy cauliflower sauce
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans with a balsamic glaze
  • Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
  • Christmas pudding or fruitcake with a brandy or caramel sauce
  • Assorted Christmas cookies or truffles

You can also include some appetizers such as mushroom pâté, bruschetta or vegetable soup.

You can also include a variety of bread such as focaccia, ciabatta, or baguettes to soak up the delicious sauces and broths.

It is also important to consider any dietary restrictions of your guests, such as gluten-free or vegan options.

You can also add a bit of international touch, like Indian or Mexican flavours to make it more interesting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many options for creating a delicious and festive Christmas dinner menu. A traditional Christmas dinner may include a roasted turkey or ham, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or yams, green beans or brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls. 

However, you can also opt for a Christmas buffet, seafood feast or a vegetarian Christmas dinner depending on your preference and your guests’ dietary restrictions.

It’s important to consider a mix of hot and cold dishes, as well as a variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian options. You can also add some traditional Christmas buffet dishes or add a theme to your buffet, like traditional Christmas, Italian Christmas, or Mediterranean Christmas.

Whatever menu you choose, make sure to plan and consider any dietary restrictions of your guests. Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the company of your loved ones during the holidays!

For more ideas, read some articles here at christmas dinner Melbourne. 

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