Looking for new holiday inspiration? These Christmas recipes are great for traditionalists as well as folks looking to add new dishes to the family table.
In charge of planning Christmas this year? Serve the ultimate holiday spread with these creative and traditional Christmas dishes—like sweet potato casserole and brined turkey.
Our collection of Christmas recipes will make sure you have everything covered, from the main entree course to a delicious Christmas dessert that isn’t just pie. And don’t forget to make sure there’s enough turkey to pass around by checking our guide on how much turkey you need per person.
Total Time: 3 hours, 40 minutes
Main Ingredients: Turkey, honey, rosemary, sage, basil
Level: Easy
When looking for Christmas dinner ideas, it’s always good to start with a classic. The honey, savory herbs and seasonings give this turkey a slightly sweet flavor. It’s a tried-and-true recipe that would be a star on your Christmas table.
Honey and corn syrup blend with savory herbs and seasonings to give my turkey a slightly sweet flavor. My tried-and-true herb turkey recipe never fails to win compliments.
Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Total Time: 45 minutes
Main Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, pancetta, cranberries, pine nuts
Level: Easy
Bring an irresistible take on Brussels sprouts to the family table this Christmas. Sweetness from balsamic vinegar and cranberries are blended with the savory flavors of pancetta and garlic cloves for a delicious side that everyone will want a scoop .
Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Say goodbye to boring vegetables with our contest-winning Brussels sprouts with pancetta recipe. Roasted to crispy perfection, these trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts are tossed with the rich flavors of salty pancetta, tangy balsamic vinegar and earthy toasted pine nuts, making the sprouts anything but ordinary.
Roasting the Brussels sprouts brings out their natural sweetness and adds a delightful char. This is a side that turns skeptics of this healthy vegetable into fans. Whether you aim to impress guests during the holidays or simply want to enjoy a gourmet meal from the comfort of your own home, these Brussels sprouts prove that sometimes the supporting act can steal the show.
Ingredients for Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Brussels sprouts: Freshly halved Brussels sprouts impart a slightly nutty and sweet flavor when roasted in this recipe.
Pancetta: A key element to this recipe, chopped pancetta adds a salty flavor and crispy texture to the side dish. Here are the main differences between pancetta and bacon.
Garlic: Minced garlic, with its mild pungency and sweetness, enhances the overall flavor of the charred Brussels sprouts and salty pancetta.
Balsamic vinegar: A tablespoon of balsamic vinegar adds a tangy sweetness that complements the vegetables in this side dish.
Dried cranberries: Dried cranberries, with their signature sweet and tart flavor, help balance the savory elements that the pancetta and Brussels sprouts impart. They also offer a chewy contrast to the rest of the ingredients.
Pine nuts: Toasted pine nuts offer a rich, nutty flavor and a delightful crunch. Toasting makes the pine nuts more aromatic and adds depth to the dish.
Directions
Step 1: Roast the Brussels sprouts
roasting Brussels sprouts on a pan
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the Brussels sprouts in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Toss the halved sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread out in a single layer and roast for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring halfway through. When done, the sprouts should be lightly charred and tender.
Editor’s Tip: For even roasting, make sure all the Brussels sprouts are similar in size. If some are much larger, cut them into quarters instead of halves.
Step 2: Cook the pancetta
cooking pancetta in a skillet
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped pancetta and cook for four to six minutes. Stir occasionally until the pancetta becomes crisp. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute or until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar.
Step 3: Combine and serve
Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta in a serving bowl with a spoon
In a large bowl, combine the roasted Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries and pancetta mixture. Toss everything together gently to evenly distribute the flavors. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts before serving.
Recipe Variations
Add a citrus zing: Zest a lemon over the finished Brussels sprouts with pancetta for a bright and tangy flavor. You can also squeeze a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice over the top before serving.
Amp up the spice: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper over the Brussels sprouts before roasting for a fiery kick.
Enhance with herbs: Toss in fresh thyme or chopped rosemary before roasting the sprouts for an herbal boost.
Incorporate different nuts: Swap the toasted pine nuts with chopped pecans or walnuts for a different crunch.
Sweeten the dish: Drizzle maple syrup over the sprouts in the last 5 to 10 minutes of roasting for a caramelized finish.
Add cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan or crumbled goat cheese over the finished dish for a creamy tangy element.
How to Store Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Store any leftovers of this side dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors often improve after a day, making these Brussels sprouts with pancetta a great make-ahead recipe.
Can you freeze Brussels sprouts with pancetta?
Yes, this Brussels sprouts side dish freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to two months.
Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta Tips
close up of roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta in a bowl
Can I make Brussels sprouts with pancetta vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap out the pancetta for a plant-based version. You can also add a splash of soy sauce or liquid smoke for a meaty depth of flavor.
What can you serve with Brussels sprouts with pancetta?
This side dish pairs well with roasted meats, such as roasted chicken with rosemary. It also complements holiday meals and can be served alongside well-seasoned turkey, ham, mashed potatoes or stuffing.
How do you prevent Brussels sprouts from becoming mushy?
Roasting at a high temperature of 400°F and not overcrowding the pan will allow the Brussels sprouts to caramelize and become tender without getting mushy. It’s also important to always use fresh Brussels sprouts, as frozen ones will never get as crispy.
What’s the best type of pancetta to use?
You want to use pancetta that has been thinly sliced and is not too fatty. If you can’t find pancetta and want to achieve a similar flavor profile, try thick-cut bacon.
Cranberry-Apple Chutney
Total Time: 50 minutes
Main Ingredients: Cranberries, apples, onion, raisins
Level: Easy
For something that goes beyond canned cranberry sauce, this sweet and savory chutney chock-full of cranberries, apples and onion will be your new go-to. It’s delicious with roast turkey (it’s an excellent spread for day-after sandwiches!) and makes a lively centerpiece on a holiday cheeseboard.
In our house, this chutney is a must-have for our Christmas dinner. It also makes a great appetizer when spooned over cream cheese on Melba rounds.
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Cauliflower au Gratin
Cauliflower au Gratin Recipe photo by Cauliflower au Gratin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Ham, cauliflower, heavy cream, Swiss cheese
Level: Intermediate
For a side dish twist, consider switching cauliflower for potatoes. Ham makes the casserole extra delicious, but if you want to make it vegetarian, just omit and replace it with another vegetable, like asparagus. Don’t like cauliflower? This works with broccoli, too!
Count on this dish to make new vegetable converts. Whenever I serve it, people ask me for the recipe. Sometimes I’ll substitute broccoli for all or half the cauliflower, and the green veggie tastes just as good! —Recipe contributor Jacki Ricci, Ely, Nevada
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German-Style Cabbage and Beans
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Green beans, bacon, onion, red cabbage
Level: Easy
Green beans with slivers of red cabbage is a festive twist on green bean casserole. Crisp bacon and a vinegar-based dressing add a flavorful pop that goes well with turkey and favorite Christmas sides.
This is one of my greatest hits for a potluck dish at church suppers. If you use some red cabbage, it will have very festive colors, light pink with green. It looks so pretty. —Recipe contributor Winifred Winch, Michigan
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Easy No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Exps Ft24 277907 Jr 1004 7
Easy No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe photo by No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
Total Time: 30 minutes + chilling
Main Ingredients: Graham cracker crumbs, cream cheese, canned pumpkin
Level: Easy
This no-bake cheesecake is the perfect dessert to make when you’re running out of oven space on a busy holiday. Requiring no water bath or long bake time, you’ll make a mousse-like filling, set it in a graham cracker crust, and top it with whipped cream.
This creamy, dreamy no-bake pumpkin cheesecake is an easy dessert to pull together the day before Christmas. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Swiss Chard with Onions & Garlic
Swiss Chard with Onions & Garlic Recipe photo by Swiss Chard with Onions & Garlic
Total Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: Onions, Swiss chard, garlic
Level: Easy
When you’re coming up with all the traditionally hearty Christmas dinner ideas, it’s good to keep a few healthy-leaning dishes on the menu. This simple combination of hearty greens and aromatics hits the spot.I like to make this Swiss chard a main dish by serving it with pasta, but it’s also a tasty side dish all on its own. My boys love it and ask for it often. —Recipe contributor Rebekah Chappel, Portales, New Mexico
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Honey Glazed Turkey Exps Tohd24 6767 Leticiaalmeida 09
Honey-Glazed Turkey Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for Honey-Glazed Turkey
Total Time: 4 hours, 10 minutes
Main Ingredients: Turkey, honey, Dijon mustard
Level: Intermediate
Thanks to a honey glaze, this turkey recipe virtually guarantees a mouthwatering bird caramelized to perfection. The sweet-and-savory turkey pairs will with all the classic sides.
Even during the holidays, my husband wouldn’t eat turkey—until I tried this recipe. Now he loves it! The sweet and spicy turkey glaze gives the bird a wonderful flavor. —Recipe contributor Mary Smolka, Spring Grove, Illinois
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Apricot Glazed Cornish Hens Exps Tohon23 7615 P2 Md 05 3b
Apricot-Glazed Cornish Hens Recipe photo by Apricot-Glazed Cornish Hens
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Main Ingredients: Cornish game hens, mushrooms, apricot preserves
Level: Intermediate
Perfect for individual servings, this tasty twist on the conventional turkey is filled with well-seasoned stuffing and then brushed with apricot preserves for a beautiful glaze. It’s the perfect alternative for a hassle-free Christmas meal. Don’t forget to check out our collection of alternatives to turkey for Christmas dinner.
These savory Cornish hens are a tasty twist on the conventional bird. Filled with a well-seasoned stuffing, they make perfect individual servings. —Recipe contributor Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
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Hearty Butternut Squash Soup
Total Time: 1 hour
Main Ingredients: Italian sausage, butternut squash, great northern beans
Level: Easy
With the focus on entrees and sides for the holiday, sometimes it’s easy to overlook Christmas appetizers and starter courses. But don’t! Serve small portions of this comforting combination of squash, sausage, beans and veggies for a great starter.
The comforting combination of squash, meat, beans and veggies makes this my go-to soup in fall. It’s full of freshness. —Recipe contributor Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan