15 Traditional Christmas Dinner Menu

A traditional Christmas dinner brings warmth, nostalgia, and classic flavors that make the holiday season feel extra special.

From the iconic roast turkey to timeless desserts like mince pies, these dishes have been served for generations across many families.

If you’re planning a festive feast this year, this list of 15 traditional Christmas dinner recipes will help you create a complete menu filled with comfort and joy.

1. Roast Turkey

The centerpiece of many Christmas tables, roast turkey is tender on the inside with crispy golden skin.

It pairs beautifully with stuffing and gravy.

Ingredients

• Whole turkey (10–12 lbs)

• ½ cup butter, softened

• 1 onion, halved

• 1 lemon, halved

• Fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage

• Salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).

2. Pat the turkey dry and season inside and out with salt and pepper.

3. Stuff cavity with onion, lemon, and herbs.

4. Rub turkey with butter.

5. Roast for 3–3½ hours, basting occasionally.

6. Let rest 20 minutes before carving.

2. Herb Stuffing (Traditional Bread Stuffing)

A savory blend of bread cubes, onions, celery, and herbs baked until golden and fragrant.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes

• 1 cup butter

• 1 onion, diced

• 3 celery stalks, diced

• 2 tsp poultry seasoning

• 2 cups chicken broth

• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Sauté onion and celery in butter.

2. Mix with bread cubes and seasonings.

3. Pour in broth until moist.

4. Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes.

3. Honey-Glazed Ham

Juicy baked ham coated in a sweet and sticky honey glaze, perfect for guests who prefer ham over turkey.

Ingredients

• 1 spiral-cut ham

• ½ cup honey

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).

2. Whisk honey, sugar, mustard, and vinegar.

3. Brush glaze over ham.

4. Bake for 1½–2 hours, basting every 20 minutes.

4. Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Smooth and buttery mashed potatoes that melt in your mouth—an essential Christmas side dish.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs potatoes, peeled

• 1 stick butter

• 1 cup heavy cream

• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Boil potatoes until soft.

2. Drain and mash.

3. Add butter, cream, salt, and pepper.

4. Mix until creamy.

5. Classic Turkey Gravy

Rich and flavorful gravy made with turkey drippings—perfect to pour over turkey and potatoes.

Ingredients

• Turkey drippings

• 2 tbsp flour

• 2 cups chicken broth

• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Whisk flour into hot drippings.

2. Add broth gradually.

3. Simmer until thickened.

4. Season to taste.

6. Green Bean Casserole

A beloved holiday casserole combining green beans, mushroom soup, and crispy onions.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked green beans

• 1 can cream of mushroom soup

• 1 cup milk

• 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions

• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Mix beans, soup, milk, and half the onions.

2. Transfer to a dish.

3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes.

4. Top with remaining onions and bake 5 minutes more.

7. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Caramelized Brussels sprouts roasted until crispy with a rich nutty flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toss Brussels sprouts with oil, salt, and pepper.

2. Roast at 400°F (205°C) for 25 minutes.

3. Serve warm.

8. Cranberry Sauce

A sweet-tart sauce that balances the richness of turkey and stuffing.

Ingredients

• 12 oz fresh cranberries

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a pot.

2. Simmer 10–12 minutes until berries burst.

3. Cool before serving.

9. Yorkshire Pudding

Light, airy popovers traditionally served with roast meats and gravy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour

• 1 cup milk

• 3 eggs

• Pinch of salt

• Beef drippings or oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Heat oil in muffin tin.

3. Whisk batter and pour into hot tin.

4. Bake 20 minutes until puffed and golden.

Read More: 16 Fun baking recipes for kids

10. Roasted Carrots with Honey

Tender carrots roasted with a touch of honey for natural sweetness.

Ingredients

• 1 lb carrots, sliced

• 2 tbsp honey

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toss carrots with honey, oil, salt, and pepper.

2. Roast at 400°F (205°C) for 20–22 minutes.

3. Serve warm.

11. Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

Soft, fluffy rolls brushed with garlic butter—perfect for mopping up gravy.

Ingredients

• 12 dinner rolls

• ¼ cup melted butter

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• Parsley

Instructions

1. Mix butter and garlic.

2. Brush rolls and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes.

3. Sprinkle with parsley.

12. Traditional Beef Roast

A tender, juicy roast seasoned with herbs—an alternative for non-turkey lovers.

Ingredients

• 3 lb beef roast

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper

• Garlic cloves

• Rosemary and thyme

Instructions

1. Rub roast with oil and seasonings.

2. Roast at 375°F (190°C) for 1½ hours.

3. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

13. Christmas Pudding

A classic British dessert made with dried fruit, warm spices, and brandy.

Ingredients

• Mixed dried fruit

• Brown sugar

• Flour

• Suet or butter

• Eggs

• Brandy

• Spices

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients.

2. Steam in a pudding basin for 2–3 hours.

3. Serve with custard or brandy sauce.

14. Mince Pies

Sweet mini pies filled with spiced fruit mince—an iconic Christmas treat.

Ingredients

• Premade pie crust or homemade pastry

• Jarred or homemade mincemeat filling

• Powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Cut pastry into circles and fit into tart tin.

2. Add mince filling.

3. Add pastry tops and seal.

4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

15. Yule Log Cake (Bûche de Noël)

A festive chocolate sponge cake rolled with cream filling and decorated like a wooden log.

Ingredients

• Chocolate sponge cake

• Whipped cream filling

• Chocolate frosting

• Powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Roll cake with filling inside a towel.

2. Frost with chocolate buttercream.

3. Use a fork to create “bark” texture.

4. Dust with powdered sugar.