A Chef’s Christmas Dinner Menu: 18 Elegant Holiday Recipes
Make your Christmas unforgettable with 18 curated holiday dinner recipes from a pro chef—elegant mains, cozy sides, dreamy desserts, and festive drinks.
Easy Holiday Recipes for a Memorable Christmas Dinner Menu
As a chef who loves cooking for a crowd, I’ve pulled together my most-loved holiday recipes—elegant, flavor-packed dishes that always impress yet are simple to put together. Some are holiday classics, others are elevated everyday favorites perfect for festive gatherings.
Holiday cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. With make-ahead tips, smart shortcuts, and chef-tested techniques, these Christmas dinner ideas deliver big flavor without keeping you stuck in the kitchen for hours.
Coming Up in This Christmas Dinner Menu
Crowd-pleasing appetizers: Simple, make-ahead friendly starters— perfect for grazing before dinner.
Show-stopping holiday mains: Elegant roasts, elevated comfort foods, and impressive centerpieces to anchor your Christmas feast.
Festive side dishes: Vibrant vegetables and cozy classics, each designed to complement rich holiday mains without overpowering them.
Chef-level sauces: Easy, flavor-boosting sauces that elevate everything from roast turkey to simple vegetables.
Decadent desserts & drinks: Classic sweets and festive sips to round out your meal.
Pro tips & tricks: Chef-approved strategies—like staging your prep, buffet-style serving, and garnishing that take the stress out of holiday cooking and make everything taste (and look) better.
Christmas dinner FAQs: Straightforward answers to the most common holiday cooking questions, from make-ahead tips to oven scheduling and what to do when things don’t go as planned.
18 Elegant Christmas Dinner Recipes
Festive Appetizers to Start the Celebration
1. Make-Ahead Olive & Cheese Antipasto
This festive antipasto is the ultimate make-ahead appetizer, brimming with savory flavor from olives, salami, cheese, and pickled pepperoncini. Toss it together in minutes, then let it marinate in the fridge—it only gets better with time. A colorful, crowd-pleasing addition to your holiday snack spread.
2. Muffaletta Sandwich Bites
This classic New Orleans muffaletta layers Italian meats, provolone, and homemade olive salad into one big, flavor-packed sandwich. Press and chill overnight, then slice into manageable wedges or squares before serving. Perfect for holiday grazing and cocktail hour!
Show-Stopping Christmas Mains
3. Dry-Brined Roast Turkey Breast
Perfect for an intimate holiday dinner, this roasted turkey breast delivers crisp skin, juicy meat, and rich pan gravy—without the hassle of a whole bird. Ideal for smaller Christmas gatherings when you're cooking for 2 to 4 people.
4. Crispy Duck Breast with Red Wine Pan Sauce
Crispy, golden skin, perfectly rosy meat, and a rich red wine pan sauce to tie it all together. This pan-seared duck breast delivers restaurant-level flavor with surprisingly simple prep, making it an elegant choice for Christmas dinner or New Year’s Eve.
5. Slow-Braised Beef Brisket
Rich, tender, and deeply flavorful, this red wine-braised brisket is made to impress. Cook it the day before so the meat can soak up even more flavor overnight—plus, it’s easier to slice cold and reheat when needed. Cooked ahead and mostly hands-off, it doesn’t get any easier than that!
6. Classic Italian Beef Lasagna with Béchamel
This rich, cheesy lasagna is made the authentic way, featuring two homemade sauces: creamy béchamel and a deeply savory beef Bolognese. It’s a labor of love that’s well worth the effort and truly fit for a special occasion. It feeds a crowd and is guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.
7. French-Inspired Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
This elegant twist on a classic pot pie features a silky homemade velouté, tender rotisserie chicken, and plenty of vegetables—all tucked beneath a golden Gruyère-topped puff pastry crust. Infused with crème fraîche and aromatic herbs, it’s refined yet deeply comforting. Assemble it a day ahead, then just bake and serve.
Vibrant Sides to Complement Your Holiday Table
8. Sumac & Nutmeg Roasted Squash
Warm, cozy, and subtly spiced, this roasted butternut squash is seasoned with fragrant nutmeg and tangy sumac for a festive twist. With cross-hatch detailing that lets the spices sink in, it’s a simple yet stunning Christmas side dish that brings both color and deep flavor to your holiday table.
9. Zesty Make-Ahead Marinated Green Beans
These lemony, herb-packed green beans are the ultimate low-maintenance side—no reheating required. They can be made several days in advance and only get more flavorful as they marinate, making them perfect for holiday meals when your oven and stovetop are already in overdrive. Serve chilled or at room temp, straight from the fridge.
10. Cauliflower, White Bean & Chive Mash
Creamy, flavorful, and comforting, this cauliflower mash combines confit garlic, white beans, and chives for a dairy-free side that rivals classic mashed potatoes. It’s a lighter, plant-based alternative that doesn’t skimp on depth or texture—perfect for holiday tables where you need a crowd-pleasing option for everyone.
11. Roasted & Marinated Mediterranean Veggies
These colorful, Italian-inspired veggies are roasted until caramelized, then marinated in a punchy garlic-herb vinaigrette. Bursting with flavor and designed to be served at room temperature, they’re a vibrant, make-ahead side dish that shines on any holiday table.
Elevated Sauces to Impress
12. Classic Espagnole Brown Sauce
This classic French brown sauce is made from scratch with a deeply flavorful homemade beef stock. It brings gourmet-level flavor to roasts, steaks, and more. Use it as a base for demi-glace or turn it into a Chasseur sauce with mushrooms for a luxurious take on traditional gravy.
13. Velvety Chicken Velouté Sauce
This silky, light sauce is an elevated twist on traditional chicken gravy—made with homemade chicken stock for deep flavor and a delicate finish. Perfect for pot pies, poultry, or fish, it’s an easy make-ahead option that freezes well and can be enhanced with pan drippings right before serving.
14. Easy Immersion Blender Hollandaise
This rich, buttery hollandaise comes together in minutes thanks to one foolproof chef’s trick: using an immersion blender to emulsify the sauce—no whisking required.
Spoon it over Eggs Benedict for a classic Christmas brunch, or turn it into herb-forward Béarnaise for an elegant finish to steak, salmon, or asparagus. Whether it’s a holiday morning or a special dinner, this sauce delivers effortless decadence.
Indulgent Christmas Desserts & Festive Drinks
15. Classic Homemade Pumpkin Pie
For us, it’s just not Christmas without pumpkin pie. This one features a buttery, flaky homemade crust and a perfectly spiced, not-too-sweet filling—a traditional holiday dessert that’s absolutely worth the effort. I’ve made it every year for over a decade and have all the pro chef tips to help you get it right on the first try.
16. Salted Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These rich, chewy cookies are loaded with melty dark chocolate chunks and topped with flaky sea salt for a sophisticated, bakery-style finish. With no mixer or chilling required, they’re easy to whip up and perfect for gifting or treating yourself to a more grown-up holiday cookie.
17. Boozy Aged Eggnog
This elevated take on eggnog is rich, smooth, and generously spiked—with flavor that only gets better over time. Aged for at least three weeks (or up to a year!), the alcohol preserves it safely and adds a delicious complexity you won’t find in anything store-bought. Topped with freshly grated nutmeg for a festive touch, it’s the ultimate holiday cocktail.
18. Smoky Grapefruit Mezcalita
This bright, smoky mezcal cocktail is perfectly balanced with fresh grapefruit and lime, a touch of agave, and a subtle kick from jalapeño. It’s the taste of a sun-drenched escape, crisp and refreshing enough to cut through those rich holiday flavors. Shake it to order or batch it ahead in a pitcher for easy party prep—just pour over ice and dream of warmer weather.
Chef-Tested Tips for Holiday Cooking Success
Plan to cook in stages: The secret to a smooth holiday meal is to do everything you possibly can ahead of time—sauces, sides, desserts, and even simple prep like chopping vegetables. Most veggies hold up well when prepped ahead; just keep peeled potatoes submerged in water to prevent them from oxidizing and turning grey.
Double the sauces: Holiday meals crave moisture. Whether it’s gravy, vinaigrette, or pan sauce, you’ll always wish you had more. Make extra and thank yourself later.
Taste as you go: It’s the golden rule in restaurant kitchens. When cooking in large batches, you’ll likely need more salt than expected, and balancing flavors is just as important. Use ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, honey, citrus zest, or fresh herbs to fine-tune acidity, sweetness, and richness until the flavor really pops.
Serve buffet-style: Easier on the cook and the guests. A buffet keeps food hotter, lets everyone choose what they like, and minimizes the passing and crowding at the table. Line up dishes on a kitchen counter by the stove and let everyone sit where they please.
Garnish like a pro: A handful of chopped herbs, citrus zest, grated parmesan, or a sprinkle of flaky salt adds instant polish. Even rustic dishes look restaurant-ready with the right finishing touch.
Test new recipes before the big day: If you're excited to try something new, give it a trial run a few weeks in advance so you feel confident and calm when it counts. Holiday meals are already a juggling act—save the experiments for less hectic times!
Christmas Dinner FAQs
What can I make ahead to make Christmas dinner stress-free?
To make Christmas dinner stress‑free, focus on dishes you can prep a day (or more) in advance. Many sides, sauces, and desserts in this roundup benefit from resting overnight. Some dishes, like the brisket, green beans, or antipasto, even taste better the next day.
How do I schedule everything and make it work with just one oven?
Start by baking desserts and prepping make-ahead dishes the day before. On the day of, prioritize oven space for what must be roasted—like a whole turkey—then, while it’s resting, finish and reheat sides like vegetables or stuffing. Spread the workload across other appliances when you can, like your stovetop, toaster oven, or air fryer, to free up oven space.
How many dishes should I serve for a small Christmas dinner or holiday gathering?
For a small holiday gathering, plan for about 1–2 appetizers, 1 main, 2–3 sides, and 1 dessert and/or drink. My dry‑brined turkey breast is scaled for 2–4 people and comes with roast vegetables and gravy—just add one more side and a dessert for a complete, yet stress-free holiday menu.
Do I need to make every sauce from scratch?
You don’t need to make every sauce from scratch, but homemade sauces often deliver deeper flavor and better texture. If a recipe feels like too much on the day, elevate a store‑bought sauce with pan drippings, stock, or fresh herbs for a quick upgrade.
Can I swap ingredients in these Christmas dinner recipes?
Yes—all of my recipes include a substitutions section to help you adjust based on what you have or any dietary needs. Easy swaps like different herbs, stocks, or seasonal veggies work well—just be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning to keep flavors balanced.
What if something doesn’t turn out perfectly?
If a dish doesn’t turn out exactly as planned, there are simple fixes: slice overcooked meat thinly and serve with extra sauce drizzled right on top, or brighten up flat-tasting sides with acid or herbs. And remember, Christmas dinner is about gathering with loved ones; small hiccups won’t take away from the celebration.
Did you make one of these easy Christmas dinner recipes?
I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your tips, twists, or favorite dishes from this holiday menu in the comments below.
More Christmas & Holiday Cooking Resources
The 5 French mother sauces guide: Master the essential French sauces—including velouté and Espagnole—to elevate your holiday roasts, sides, and mains with rich, restaurant-quality flavor.
The easiest way to carve a whole chicken (scissor method): Learn how to carve a whole roast chicken using just kitchen scissors—no knife skills required. Perfect for a stress-free Christmas dinner presentation.
How to make homemade broth from scraps: Save money and reduce waste by turning veggie peels and bones into flavorful homemade broth. It’s the perfect base for sauces, soups, or pot pie filling.
How to make pumpkin puree from scratch: Ditch the canned stuff and use this easy method to make smooth, vibrant pumpkin puree—perfect for pies, cookies, or any holiday dessert.
The best kitchen appliances worth splurging on: Upgrade your holiday cooking setup with these chef-approved kitchen appliances and tools—each one tested and loved in my own kitchen.
