The holiday season is synonymous with delicious food and timeless recipes passed down through generations. Christmas dinners, parties, and gatherings wouldn’t be the same without the classics that fill our homes with warmth and joy. From mouthwatering roasted meats to sweet treats, these Christmas recipes have stood the test of time and are perfect for creating lasting memories with your loved ones. Here are 10 classic Christmas recipes everyone should know.
1. Roast Turkey with Herb Butter
A golden, perfectly roasted turkey is the centerpiece of many Christmas dinners. The key to making it truly spectacular is using a herb butter rub for a crispy, flavorful skin and tender meat.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole turkey (12-14 lbs)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 cup chicken broth
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the giblets from the turkey and pat it dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, mix the softened butter with thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Gently loosen the skin of the turkey and rub the herb butter under the skin and over the outside.
- Stuff the cavity with lemon, onion, and any leftover herbs.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Pour chicken broth into the pan.
- Roast the turkey for 13 minutes per pound, basting occasionally with pan drippings. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving.
2. Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Cream
No Christmas feast is complete without mashed potatoes. Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes with a hint of garlic are always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 4 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a large pot, combine the potatoes and garlic. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Drain the potatoes and garlic, then return them to the pot.
- In a saucepan, heat the cream and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.
- Mash the potatoes and garlic until smooth, adding the cream and butter mixture gradually.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
3. Classic Stuffing
Stuffing is a must-have side dish, and this recipe combines the best flavors of sage, onion, and bread to complement the turkey.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of day-old bread, cubed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes until golden.
- In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and celery, cooking until softened.
- Stir in sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread with the onion mixture. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring gently until the bread is moistened.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown on top.
4. Green Bean Almondine
A vibrant and healthy side dish, green bean almondine features crisp green beans paired with a crunchy almond topping.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the green beans for 3-4 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add almonds and toast until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
- Add the green beans to the skillet, tossing to coat in the butter and almonds. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
5. Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce adds a burst of tart and sweet flavor to your Christmas meal.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Zest of 1 orange
Directions:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, cinnamon stick, and orange zest.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick.
- Let the sauce cool before serving.
6. Honey Glazed Carrots
These honey-glazed carrots are a perfect balance of sweet and savory and add a lovely pop of color to the Christmas table.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb baby carrots
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a large pot, steam the carrots for 10-15 minutes until tender.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in honey and cinnamon.
- Add the steamed carrots to the skillet and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve warm.
7. Christmas Ham with Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glaze
A sweet and savory glazed ham is another Christmas tradition. The brown sugar and pineapple glaze add a perfect finish to a tender, juicy ham.
Ingredients:
- 1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked ham
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Place the ham in a roasting pan and score the surface in a diamond pattern.
- In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, and cloves. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until thickened.
- Brush the glaze over the ham and bake for 1.5-2 hours, basting every 30 minutes, until heated through and caramelized.
- Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
8. Pecan Pie
A holiday dessert favorite, pecan pie is rich, sweet, and perfectly nutty.
Ingredients:
- 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 ¼ cups light corn syrup
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the pie crust and top with pecan halves.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until set. Let cool completely before slicing.
9. Eggnog
No Christmas celebration is complete without a glass of rich, creamy eggnog.
Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup rum (optional)
Directions:
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until smooth and pale.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk and cream over medium heat until just simmering. Gradually pour into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
- Return the mixture to the pot and cook over low heat, stirring until it thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nutmeg, and rum if desired. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.
10. Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are a holiday classic, perfect for decorating and sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup colored sugar or sprinkles (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until combined.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Flatten with a fork or your hands.
- Sprinkle with colored sugar or sprinkles.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool before serving.
These classic Christmas recipes are sure to bring joy to your holiday celebrations. Whether you're hosting a large family dinner or enjoying a quiet evening, these dishes will create lasting memories and keep everyone coming back for more. Enjoy the warmth of the season and the delicious meals that make Christmas so special!
Last updated on: December 3, 2024