20+ Christmas Recipes for a Festive Holiday Feast

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Everything you need to plan your Christmas dinner is right here, including mains, sides and desserts! If you’re looking for knock-out dishes, seasonal classics and a few new ideas to impress your guests, you’ve come to the right place.

A collage of festive dishes including pancakes, cake, roast potatoes, salmon, fruitcake, beef Wellington, pastry wreath, decorated cookies, and a turkey plate with “20+ Delicious Recipes For Your Christmas Feast” written in the center.

Christmas can sometimes feel overwhelming, with more time spent in the kitchen than with family and friends. But if you plan ahead and balance simple dishes with one or two showstoppers, you’ll find yourself celebrating more and struggling less!

This roundup will help you get there, suggesting some delicious main dishes alongside superstar sides and desserts, all achievable within a realistic timeline. (We’ve even got some Gingerbread Salt Dough Ornaments you can make for your tree!)

And don’t worry about the Leftovers, we’ve got you covered there too!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! ✨

Christmas tree-shaped cookies decorated with green and white icing are arranged on a wire rack and rustic table, surrounded by pine branches, red berries, paper stars, and vintage photos.

Christmas Mains (without the Pain)

From golden roast turkey to rib of beef, these mains will bring all the joy of the season right to your table! Bets of all, these recipes are designed to impress without turning you into the kitchen’s exhausted elf. Pick your favorite, plan ahead and let the rest of Christmas revolve happily around the main event. 🎄🍽️

1
A sliced beef Wellington shows layers of flaky golden pastry, mushroom duxelles, and medium-rare cooked beef tenderloin on a white plate, with more slices and side dishes in the background.
Perfect Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington made easy! Juicy beef fillet, garlicky mushroom duxelles, prosciutto and golden puff pastry – a stunning yet simple showstopper for special occasions.
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2
Two seasoned and roasted turkey legs placed side by side on a white oval plate, set against a light green background.
Slow Cooker Turkey Legs
These crockpot turkey legs are dry brined overnight with salt, brown sugar, paprika, garlic, onion, thyme and poultry seasoning, then wrapped in foil and slow cooked until the meat is tender and flavorful.
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3
Table set with roast turkey, potatoes, gravy and vegetables
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
4.41 from 5 votes
This air fryer turkey breast has crispy golden skin and juicy, tender meat – and it cooks in under an hour. Perfect for smaller Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners when you don’t need a whole bird.
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4
A glazed slow cooker gammon sits on a white plate, partially sliced with a serving fork inserted in the top. A few slices of ham are placed beside it. The background is bright and festive, with a red-and-white cloth nearby.
Slow Cooker Gammon
4.70 from 20 votes
Slow Cooker Gammon is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it recipe – tender, flavor-packed ham that practically cooks itself! Whether you’re serving it hot with roasties or slicing it cold for sandwiches, this versatile dish is perfect for easy family dinners, festive spreads, or batch cooking for the week ahead. You could also try my Air Fryer Gammon for equally fabulous results!
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5
Sliced turkey breast with gravy served on a patterned platter, garnished with orange and lemon slices, fresh herbs, and surrounded by whole mandarins. A carving knife and fork rest beside the turkey.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast (Crown)
4.67 from 3 votes
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast (turkey crown) that stays super moist and tender with almost zero effort – plus the best crockpot turkey gravy for holidays.
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6
carved roasted turkey on a platter, gravy and roast potatoes on the side
Spatchcock Turkey Recipe – For Perfect Roast Turkey in Record Time!
Try my easy spatchcock turkey recipe for perfectly roasted turkey that’s on the table in double quick time with juicy tender dark and white meat. Time to break with tradition and raise your turkey roasting game!
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7
A close-up of a cooked rib roast with two bones, featuring a browned, seasoned crust and juicy, medium-rare pink center, served in a white roasting pan with herbs and vegetables.
Slow Cooker Prime Rib
4.38 from 29 votes
This Slow Cooker Prime Rib Roast is one of the easiest and best ways to cook standing rib roast! Minimum effort and maximum flavor – try this recipe for deliciously tender beef cooked to perfection in your crockpot this Christmas. And if you prefer something a bit faster, try my Air Fryer Prime Rib.
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Side Dishes (and Appetizers) to Die For

Your turkey may steal the spotlight, but guests will always look for sides when they go back for seconds. Mix, match and make room on the plate for some cozy classics and fresh twists that pair perfectly with any holiday main.🎄🥔✨

8
A stack of golden-brown pancakes topped with a dollop of cream, black caviare, and finely chopped chives makes an elegant addition to your holiday table—perfect for those seeking festive Christmas recipes.
Mini Blini Pancakes – the Perfect Elegant Appetizer!
4.86 from 7 votes
Russian Blini – these bite-sized pancakes make perfect appetizers! Top with smoked salmon or caviar to add a touch of luxury to your dinner or festive table. Follow my authentic blini recipe and never go back to store bought again!
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9
A hand pulls a flaky, golden piece of puff pastry from a round baked bread filled with melted cheese, with herbs sprinkled on top—a delicious baked camembert recipe.
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
5 from 5 votes
This delicious baked brie in puff pastry, a.k.a brie ‘Tarte Soleil’ is big on WOW factor, simple to make and perfect for sharing!
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10
Close-up of flaky, golden-brown Spinach Feta Puff Pastry Rolls filled with spinach, herbs, and melted cheese, topped with black sesame seeds and stacked on a piece of printed parchment paper.
Spinach Feta Puff Pastry Rolls
These easy Spinach Feta Puff Pastry Rolls are everything you want in an appetizer – crispy, flaky, cheesy and ready in under 30 minutes. Make them in the oven or the air fryer and watch them disappear the second they hit the table.
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11
close up on air fryer roasted potatoes
Perfectly Crisp Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
5 from 1 vote
Air Fryer Roast Potatoes – crisp and crunchy on the outside and super fluffy within, these delicious roasties are so easy and super quick too! So what are you waiting for? Make the BEST EVER roast potatoes in your Air Fryer following my recipe and tips!
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12
A creamy Brussels sprouts casserole topped with crispy bacon bits and chopped chives, served in a white dish with a silver serving spoon.
Creamy Brussel Sprouts With Bacon
These Creamy Brussels Sprouts With Bacon are a deliciously indulgent side dish! Perfect for your festive celebrations and super easy to make – they are my attempt to lure the rest of the family over to the sprouts-loving side!
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13
A golden-brown, baked mashed potato gratin in a rectangular glass dish, featuring layers of thinly sliced potatoes, caramelized onions, and crispy potatoes topped with cheese with crisped edges. A cheese grater and white napkin sit nearby on a light surface.
French Onion Mashed Potato Au Gratin
This Mashed Potato Gratin is comfort food dressed up fancy for the holidays — buttery mash, caramelized onions and crisp, cheesy potatoes baked to perfection. A spectacular potato side dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.
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14
A plate of air fryer roasted carrots garnished with herbs and breadcrumbs, served with a spoon on a white dish against a light blue background.
Maple-Glazed Air Fryer Carrots
Traditional roasted carrots are brought to life in this air fryer recipe with garlic, lemon, thyme, paprika and maple syrup. Ready in under 15 minutes, sweet with a touch of spice, a bit of crunch and definitely family friendly.
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15
wild rice stuffing in a bowl, overhead view
Wild Rice Dressing (Stuffing)
Wild rice dressing with sausage, mushrooms, dried cranberries and pecans. No Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering is complete without this hearty and delicious side dish! This easy wild rice stuffing recipe is naturally gluten-free and packed with fiber.
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Festive Desserts, Cookies & Treats

This collection of desserts and treats is packed with joy-filled favorites and cozy holiday indulgences, perfect for sharing, gifting or sneaking straight from the fridge. 🎄🍰☕

16
A Christmas tree-shaped cake with white frosting, red icing garlands, green and red candies as ornaments, and green sugar sprinkles. A slice is cut out, and a spoon with green sprinkles is beside the cake.
Christmas Tree Cake
This easy Christmas Tree Cake combines soft vanilla sponge, creamy buttercream and a simple cut-out template to do all the hard work for you. Perfect for parties and kids’ decorating sessions, with step-by-step instructions that walk you through baking, carving and icing 🎄🎄🎄
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17
An air fryer gingerbread cake decorated with gingerbread cookies shaped like houses, dusted with powdered sugar, sits on a wooden cake stand. A slice has been cut and placed on a cake server.
Air Fryer Gingerbread Cake
Air Fryer Gingerbread Cake – two layers of soft, spiced gingerbread sponge, filled and topped with fluffy ermine frosting, then wrapped in little gingerbread house cookies. Looks like a Christmas village, bakes in the air fryer. No oven needed!
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18
A layered chocolate trifle in a glass bowl, topped with chocolate shavings, sits on a white surface. Nearby are vintage glasses, a small jug of sauce, an empty bowl, and a few spoons with chocolate pieces scattered around.
Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle
A luxurious no-bake dessert that’s packed with layers of chocolate and Baileys flavor. Great for Christmas, parties, or anytime you want to wow your guests.
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19
Seven square slices of fruitcake with white icing are displayed on a glass cake stand, with two more slices on plates nearby. The cake is filled with colorful dried fruit. Soft, warm lights blur in the background.
Christmas Cake Bites
All the flavor of Christmas cake in one bite! These Christmas Cake Bites are packed with boozy dried fruit, topped with marzipan and icing and cut into dainty squares – perfect for gifting and dessert platters.
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20
Close up on a stack of mince pies.
Frangipane Mince Pies
These homemade Frangipane Mince Pies are sure to be a hit this Christmas! With delicious buttery pastry, mincemeat filling and frangipane topping, these easy easy mince pies are a wonderful variation on the traditional recipe.
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21
A plate of square-cut Stollen Bites dusted with powdered sugar, stacked in a pyramid shape, with warm, blurred holiday lights in the background.
Stollen Bites (No Yeast German Stollen)
5 from 7 votes
My Stollen Bites are quick to make and perfect for sharing! Use my easy no yeast Stollen recipe to bake these irresistible festive treats.
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22
Overhead view of gingebread sheet cake with three squares cut
Gingerbread Cake For a Crowd!
5 from 3 votes
This Gingerbread Traybake Cake is so easy and perfect for the holidays! Soft gingerbread cake with luscious frosting and gingerbread cookies.
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23
Christmas meringue wreath
Christmas Pavlova Wreath
5 from 5 votes
This Christmas Pavlova shaped like a festive wreath is stunning, easy to make and SO delicious! Read my tips on how to create the perfect pavlova wreath and prepare to impress!
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