The morning of Christmas Day is always chaotic. It’s easy to forget about lunch on Christmas Day between unwrapping presents, attending church and making preparations for the holiday feast. If your kids have only eaten candy from their stockings all morning, you should still make sure they have something to eat for lunch on Christmas Day.
Here are some simple, quick, and most importantly tasty options for Christmas lunch.
What Do You Eat For Lunch At Christmas?
Traditional Christmas lunch varies by culture, but some everyday dishes include roasted turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. Some families may also serve seafood, such as lobster, oysters, or other culturally specific dishes. The exact menu for Christmas lunch often reflects regional and personal preferences and is an opportunity for families and friends to gather and enjoy a festive meal together.
Main Course:
1. Roasted Turkey:
Roasted turkey is a popular dish often served as the main course during Christmas lunch. To make a roasted turkey, you will need a whole turkey, salt, pepper, butter, and any additional seasonings or herbs you prefer (such as sage, thyme, and rosemary).
Here is a simple recipe for roasted turkey:
Ingredients:
- 1 whole turkey (thawed)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter
- Optional seasonings (sage, thyme, rosemary, etc.)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Clean and dry the turkey, removing any giblets or packaging.
- Season the turkey inside and out with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings.
- Place the turkey in a roasting pan, breast side up.
- Place slices of butter under the skin of the breast, as well as on top of the skin.
- Cover the turkey with foil, leaving the breast exposed.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 3-4 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey reaches 165°F.
- Remove the foil for the last hour of cooking to brown the skin.
- Once done, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
Enjoy your delicious roasted turkey as a main dish for your Christmas lunch!
2. Honey Glazed Ham:
Honey-glazed ham is a sweet and flavorful addition to any holiday meal, including Christmas lunch. It’s easy to make and can feed a crowd.
Here is a simple recipe for honey-glazed ham:
Ingredients:
- 1 bone-in fully cooked ham (8-10 pounds)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan and make shallow cuts on the surface of the ham.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the honey, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, orange juice, Worcestershire sauce, cloves, and cinnamon.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat until it thickens, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
- Brush the glaze over the ham, making sure to get it into the cuts.
- Bake the ham for 1 hour, or until it’s heated through.
- Baste the ham with the remaining glaze every 20 minutes.
- Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before serving.
This delicious honey-glazed ham is a perfect main dish for your Christmas lunch and can be served with sides such as mashed potatoes, green beans, and stuffing.
3. Beef Tenderloin:
Beef tenderloin is a tender and flavorful cut of beef that is often served as the main dish during special occasions like Christmas lunch. It’s a sophisticated and delicious dish that is sure to impress your guests.
Here is a simple recipe for a beef tenderloin:
Ingredients:
- 1 beef tenderloin (3-4 pounds)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Optional seasonings (garlic, thyme, rosemary, etc.)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Season the tenderloin generously with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat and add olive oil.
- Sear the tenderloin on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the tenderloin to a roasting pan and place it in the preheated oven.
- Roast for 10-15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the tenderloin reaches 130°F for medium-rare.
- Remove the tenderloin from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Slice the tenderloin and serve with your desired sides.
This delicious beef tenderloin is a perfect main dish for your Christmas lunch and can be served with sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and a red wine sauce. Enjoy!
4. Salmon Fillets:
Salmon fillets are a delicious and healthy option for a main dish during Christmas lunch. They’re quick and easy to prepare and can be seasoned and cooked in a variety of ways to suit your taste.
Here is a simple recipe for baked salmon fillets:
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Optional seasonings (dill, garlic, paprika, etc.)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking dish with foil or parchment paper.
- Season the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and any additional seasonings.
- Place the salmon fillets in the baking dish, skin-side down.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve the salmon with your desired sides and garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.
This baked salmon is a perfect main dish for your Christmas lunch and can be served with sides such as roasted vegetables, rice, or a green salad. Enjoy!
Sides:
Here are some popular side dishes that can complement your Christmas lunch main dishes, such as turkey, ham, beef tenderloin, or salmon:
- Mashed potatoes – creamy and comforting, with the option to add garlic, cheese, or herbs.
- Roasted vegetables – such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, or green beans, seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roasted until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Stuffing – made with bread, onions, celery, herbs, and seasonings, baked until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
- Gravy – made from the pan drippings of your main dish, thickened with flour or cornstarch and seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Cranberry sauce – a sweet and tart sauce made from fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, and orange juice.
- Rolls – warm and fluffy dinner rolls, either plain or flavoured with herbs and cheese.
- Salad – a green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette.
These are just a few examples of the many options available. Feel free to mix and match to create a balanced and delicious Christmas lunch spread!
Starters:
Here are some popular starter dishes that can kick off your Christmas lunch:
- Soup – a hearty and comforting soup, such as cream of mushroom, butternut squash, or tomato basil.
- Salad – a mixed greens salad with seasonal ingredients, such as pomegranate, goat cheese, and walnuts.
- Appetizers – bite-sized dishes such as bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, or mini quiches.
- Deviled eggs – boiled eggs filled with a creamy and tangy filling made from egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings.
- Cheese platter – a selection of cheeses, crackers, fruit, and nuts, accompanied by a glass of wine.
- Charcuterie board – cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, and pickled vegetables, perfect for sharing.
- Seafood platter – shrimps, oysters, crab legs, or smoked salmon, served with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Feel free to get creative and personalize your starter options to suit your taste and style. Enjoy!
Desserts:
Here are some popular dessert options that can complete your Christmas lunch:
- Christmas pudding – a traditional British dessert made from dried fruit, spices, and brandy, steamed and served with a hard sauce.
- Gingerbread cookies – soft and chewy cookies flavoured with ginger, cinnamon, and molasses.
- Apple pie – a classic American dessert made with a flaky pastry crust and a sweet and tart apple filling.
- Yule log – a festive cake made from a sponge cake rolled with whipped cream, frosted with chocolate ganache, and decorated with meringue mushrooms.
- Fruitcake – a dense and moist cake made from dried fruit, nuts, and spices, often steeped in brandy or rum.
- Eggnog – a creamy and sweet holiday drink made from eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, often spiked with rum or brandy.
- Hot chocolate – a warm and comforting drink made from cocoa powder, milk, and sugar, topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.
These are just a few examples of the many dessert options available. Feel free to get creative and choose the dessert that best fits your taste and style. Enjoy!
You can also include non-traditional dishes to add a unique touch to your Christmas lunch, such as lasagna, tacos, or sushi rolls. Additionally, consider dietary restrictions or preferences, like vegetarian or gluten-free options, to accommodate all your guests.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many delicious options for a traditional Christmas lunch, from main dishes like roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, beef tenderloin, or salmon fillets, to sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. You can start your meal with soup, salad, appetizers, deviled eggs, a cheese platter, a charcuterie board, or a seafood platter.
And finally, finish the meal with a sweet and festive dessert such as Christmas pudding, gingerbread cookies, apple pie, yule log, fruitcake, eggnog, or hot chocolate. With so many options available, you can create a customized and delicious Christmas lunch that will satisfy everyone’s tastes. Enjoy!
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