Christmas Eve dinner is a beloved holiday tradition for many families. After a busy day of last-minute preparations and gift wrapping, gathering around the table for a delicious meal is the perfect way to ring in the holidays. But if you’re the one hosting Christmas Eve this year, deciding what to make can be a daunting task. Should you keep things casual or go all out with a fancy feast? Does your family prefer classic holiday flavors or more international cuisine? How can you make sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy?
This article will walk through the key considerations for planning your Christmas Eve dinner menu. We’ll cover different meal formats, key dishes to include, creative but easy recipes to try, and tips for accommodating any dietary needs or restrictions. With a thoughtful plan, you can craft a delicious, memorable holiday dinner that will kick off your Christmas celebrations in style.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to some common questions about planning Christmas Eve dinner:
What are popular formats for Christmas Eve dinner?
– Buffet or family-style dinner
– Seated formal dinner
– Heavy appetizers or small plates
What are good main dishes to serve?
– Roasted meats like ham, turkey or prime rib
– Seafood like baked salmon or lobster tails
– Hearty vegetarian entrées
What are other holiday-themed dishes to include?
– Breads, soups and salads
– Classic side dishes like mashed potatoes or roasted veggies
– Holiday cookies and desserts
How can I accommodate guests’ dietary needs?
– Ask guests ahead of time about restrictions
– Offer a balance of meat, seafood and vegetarian options
– Have gluten-free and dairy-free options available
Meal Formats for Christmas Eve Dinner
One of your first decisions will be choosing the right format for your Christmas Eve dinner. This will depend on your guest list size, formality preferences, and how much cooking you want to take on. Here are some of the most popular options:
Buffet or Family-Style Dinner
A casual, serve-yourself buffet or family-style dinner is a great choice for larger gatherings with a mix of adults and children. Set up food stations around your home with a carving station for the main meat entrée, side dishes in serving bowls, breads and salads, and a designated dessert area. This allows people to gather food at their own pace and creates a relaxed atmosphere where people can mingle and fill their plates throughout the evening.
Seated Formal Dinner
For a more elegant, formal affair, arrange your dining room with place settings for each guest and serve courses individually plated. You’ll need a first course like salad or soup, a main entrée with side dishes, and individual desserts. This option works well for a more intimate Christmas Eve with just family or close friends where you want to create a fine dining experience.
Heavy Appetizers or Small Plates
If you don’t want the fuss of a full dinner, consider a spread of heavy appetizers or small plates. Set up bite-sized finger foods like crostini, stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped dates, or mini quiches that can be easily passed around. Round it out with a cheese board, fruit platter, and festive dessert bites. This allows you to still have a feast without all the prep and cleanup of a multi-course meal.
Main Dishes for Christmas Eve Dinner
The centerpiece of your Christmas Eve dinner will be the main course. This should be something substantial enough to anchor the meal. Here are some excellent options to consider:
Roasted Prime Rib or Beef Tenderloin
For many families, prime rib or beef tenderloin is a holiday must-have. The roast beef is nicely festive and gives you juicy, flavorful slices to serve a crowd family-style. Accompany it with horseradish sauce, au jus, and salted crusts or herbs for delicious flavors.
Baked Ham with Pineapple or Cherry Glaze
Nothing says Christmas like a big glazed ham! Choose a bone-in smoked ham and brush it with a sweet glaze of brown sugar, pineapple, or cherry jam as it bakes. Offer slices along with tangy mustard for a classic pairing.
Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
For an easier alternative to a whole turkey, pick up a boneless, skinless turkey breast. Rub it with fresh herbs, butter, and citrus before roasting for moist, savory meat. Carve into slices to serve or add to sandwiches later.
Cider Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin has a festive flair when lacquered with a glossy cider glaze. Brown the pork first before brushing it with a simple sauce of apple cider, maple syrup, mustard, and spices and baking until tender.
Maple Balsamic Salmon
For seafood lovers, a side of salmon is elegant but easy to make. Coat salmon fillets with maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Bake until flaky in the center and glazed on top.
Mushroom and Brie Wellington
For a vegetarian main course, make individual mushroom Wellingtons wrapped in puff pastry. Layer portobello mushrooms with spinach, onions, garlic, and creamy brie cheese and bake in a flaky pastry crust.
Butternut Squash Lasagna
Warm and comforting, a vegetarian lasagna can make a satisfying plant-based entrée. Make it holiday-inspired by using roasted butternut squash in place of ground meat in your favorite lasagna recipe.
| Main Dish | Key Ingredients | Cooking Method |
|---|---|---|
| Roasted Prime Rib | Seasoned prime rib roast, horseradish sauce | Roasted in the oven |
| Glazed Christmas Ham | Bone-in smoked ham, pineapple glaze | Baked with glaze |
| Herb Roasted Turkey Breast | Turkey breast, herb butter, citrus | Roasted in the oven |
| Cider Glazed Pork Tenderloin | Pork tenderloin, apple cider glaze | Seared then baked with glaze |
| Maple Balsamic Salmon | Salmon fillets, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar | Baked with glaze |
| Mushroom Wellington | Mushrooms, spinach, brie, puff pastry | Baked wrapped in pastry |
| Butternut Squash Lasagna | Butternut squash, ricotta, pasta sheets | Assembled and baked |
Holiday Side Dishes and Appetizers
While the main course takes center stage, you’ll want plenty of delicious side dishes and appetizers to round out your Christmas Eve dinner. Stick with traditional holiday favorites or get creative with some new recipes – either way, aim for a festive spread with delicious flavors and textures.
Classic Holiday Side Dishes
You can never go wrong with classic holiday sides like:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon
- Honey glazed carrots
- Green bean casserole
- Creamy mac and cheese
- Cranberry sauce
- Dinner rolls or baguette slices
Festive Salads and Appetizers
Salads and appetizers are great first course options. Opt for festive flavors like:
- Pomegranate spinach salad
- Beet and goat cheese salad
- Charcuterie board with prosciutto and cheese
- Smoked salmon with dill creme fraiche on crostini
- Crab cakes with remoulade sauce
- Bacon wrapped dates
- Corn and blue cheese tartlets
Hearty Holiday Soups
For a comforting start to the meal, ladle up:
- Butternut squash soup
- Loaded potato soup
- Creamy mushroom soup
- Broccoli cheddar soup
- French onion soup
Christmas Cookies and Desserts
Dessert is the sweet ending to a delicious Christmas Eve dinner! Bake classic Christmas cookies like sugar cookies or gingerbread men. Have a station for decorating cookies with frosting and sprinkles. And include showstopping desserts like:
- Yule log
- Peppermint cheesecake
- Eggnog panna cotta
- Cranberry almond tart
- Pumpkin pie
- Apple crumble
For fun, set up a hot chocolate bar so guests can top their mugs with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, crushed candy canes, and other goodies.
Accommodating Dietary Needs and Restrictions
If you’ll have guests with dietary needs like food allergies, intolerances, or preferences like vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, keep those diners in mind when planning your Christmas Eve menu. Here are some tips:
- Ask guests ahead of time to share any dietary restrictions or allergies.
- Include meat, seafood, and vegetarian main dishes to accommodate various diets.
- Prepare some sides and appetizers that are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
- Have gluten-free rolls, crackers, and cookies available.
- Let guests know which dishes contain common allergens like nuts, shellfish, etc.
- Make sure guests have options at each course, not just the main dish.
A little extra effort will ensure all your guests can fully enjoy the delicious Christmas Eve dinner you’ve prepared. Just take care to keep allergen-free dishes separate during prep and provide options they can safely eat.
Putting It All Together
As you start planning your Christmas Eve dinner menu, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose a meal format – buffet, seated dinner, or heavy apps
- Pick crowd-pleasing main dishes with holiday flair
- Include classic and creative sides, salads, and appetizers
- Bake festive Christmas cookies and desserts
- Accommodate guests’ dietary restrictions and allergies
- Set a festive table with holiday dishes, candles, garlands
- Make it a relaxing night of delicious food and quality time together
The most important part of Christmas Eve dinner is gathering loved ones together to celebrate the holidays. With a well-planned menu and joyful spirits, you’re sure to have a memorable feast and kick off Christmas in style.
