Welcome to our alphabetical list of Christmas dishes A-Z, where you’ll find all the savory dishes that make Christmas food so special. From hearty roasts to comforting sides and everything in between, this list covers a wide variety of flavors that will inspire your holiday cooking. Whether you’re looking for a traditional favorite or something new to try, you’ll find it here. Be sure to check out the bonus information at the bottom of the page for answers to popular questions like: “What are the top 10 Christmas foods?” “Where did Christmas food traditions come from?” and “What are some traditional Christmas dishes from around the world?” And don’t forget to click for alphabetical lists of Christmas desserts and Christmas drinks for even more festive ideas! Dive into this alphabetical list of Christmas dishes A-Z and make your holiday meal planning easier and more delicious.
A
B
Bacalao a la Vizcaína
Baked Brie
Baked Ham
Barszcz (Borscht)
Beef Wellington
Brussels Sprouts
C
Candied Yams
Cappelletti
Carp
Chestnut Soup
Cranberry Sauce
Creamed Spinach
D
Deviled Eggs
Duck à l’Orange
E
F
Foie Gras
G
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
H
Honey-Glazed Carrots
Honey-Glazed Ham
I
J
K
Köttbullar
L
Lamb Roast
Lasagna
Lobster Bisque
Lutfisk
M
Maple-Glazed Carrots
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Turnips
N
O
Oysters Rockefeller
P
Pavo Trufado de Navidad
Pierogi
Pork Loin with Apples
Pork Roast
Potato Latkes
Prime Rib
Q
Quiche Lorraine
R
Ribbe
Roast Beef
Roast Chicken with Herbs
Roast Duck
Roast Goose
Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Roasted Carrots with Thyme
Roasted Chestnuts
Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Potatoes
Roasted Root Vegetables
S
Scalloped Potatoes
Shepherd’s Pie
Spinach Soufflé
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffing/Dressing
Sweet Potato Casserole
T
Tamales
Turkey Roast
U
V
Vegetable Lasagna
W
Waldorf Salad
Wild Rice Pilaf
Winter Squash Soup
X
Y
Yorkshire Pudding
Z
Here’s a list of the top 10 Christmas dishes that bring festive flavors and comfort to the holiday table.
Roast Turkey: Seasoned to perfection, often served with stuffing and gravy.
Honey-Glazed Ham: A sweet and savory centerpiece with a caramelized crust.
Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and buttery, perfect with gravy.
Stuffing/Dressing: A savory blend of bread, herbs, and sometimes sausage.
Roasted Vegetables: Crisp and caramelized, featuring Brussels sprouts, carrots, and parsnips.
Cranberry Sauce: A sweet-tart accompaniment that balances rich meats.
Green Bean Casserole: A creamy, crunchy casserole with fried onions.
Scalloped Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Prime Rib: Juicy and tender, seasoned and cooked to perfection.
Yorkshire Pudding: A puffy, golden favorite, perfect for soaking up gravy.
These dishes are the heart of any Christmas feast, bringing warmth and tradition to the holiday season.
Christmas food traditions have evolved over the years, influenced by different cultures, religious practices, and historical events. For example, dishes like roast turkey and ham have roots in medieval Europe, where grand feasts were held to celebrate Christ’s birth. Over time, roast meats became a central part of the holiday meal, with turkey becoming popular in the U.S. and ham remaining a favorite in many European countries.
Stuffing is another one with a long history, dating back to ancient Rome, but it became a staple of the Christmas meal in the Middle Ages when it was used to stretch out the meat. Mashed potatoes, on the other hand, are a more modern addition. After potatoes were introduced to Europe in the 18th century, they quickly became a go-to side dish, especially when mashed and paired with gravy.
Some Christmas foods are relatively new—take green bean casserole, for instance. It was invented in the 1950s by someone at the Campbell Soup Company and has become a staple at many American holiday tables. Other dishes, like Christmas pudding, are much older. Originally a savory dish, it evolved into the sweet, rich dessert we know today, becoming a symbol of Christmas in England.
The tradition of the Yule log, which dates back to ancient solstice celebrations, has also evolved. Instead of burning an actual log, we now enjoy a Yule log-shaped cake, symbolizing warmth and light during the darkest time of the year. Gingerbread and fruitcake both have ancient origins, too, dating back to times when spices and dried fruits were used in baking to mark special occasions.
At the heart of all these traditions is the simple joy of gathering around the table with loved ones. Whether the food is centuries old or more recent, it’s all about creating special memories and honoring the season with comforting, festive meals.
Christmas food traditions around the world reflect the unique cultures, climates, and customs of each region. Here are some famous Christmas dishes from various countries:
United Kingdom
-Roast Beef or Turkey: Often the centerpiece of Christmas dinner, served with traditional sides like Yorkshire pudding, Brussels sprouts, and roast potatoes.
Germany
-Weihnachtsgans (Christmas Goose): A roasted goose, usually served with red cabbage and dumplings.
Italy
-Cappelletti: A type of stuffed pasta, often served in broth, popular in regions like Emilia-Romagna during Christmas.
France
-Foie Gras: A luxury dish of duck or goose liver, often served as an appetizer on Christmas Eve.
Sweden
-Julskinka (Christmas Ham): A baked ham, often served cold with mustard and bread.
-Lutfisk: Dried fish reconstituted in a lye solution, commonly eaten with peas, potatoes, and white sauce.
-Köttbullar: Swedish meatballs, typically served with lingonberry sauce.
Poland
-Barszcz (Borscht): A beet soup, often served with sour cream, traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve.
-Carp: Often served as the main dish, particularly in Polish Christmas Eve dinners.
-Pierogi: Dumplings filled with ingredients like cabbage, mushrooms, or potatoes, commonly served at Christmas.
Spain
-Cordero Asado (Roast Lamb): A favorite main dish in many Spanish-speaking countries for Christmas dinner.
-Pavo Trufado de Navidad: Turkey stuffed with truffles, a festive dish often served in Spain.
Mexico
-Bacalao a la Vizcaína: A traditional salted cod dish served with tomato sauce, olives, and spices.
-Tamales: Corn dough filled with meat, cheese, or chilies, wrapped in corn husks and steamed.
Greece
-Roast Lamb: A common Christmas dish, often served with potatoes and vegetables.
Norway
-Ribbe: Pork belly, roasted with crispy crackling, traditionally served with sauerkraut, potatoes, and gravy.
-Lutefisk: A traditional Christmas dish of dried fish reconstituted in lye, typically served with peas, potatoes, and bacon.
These dishes highlight the variety of flavors, ingredients, and customs that make Christmas feasts around the world so special. From sweet pastries to savory roasts, each country brings its own unique touch to the holiday table.