Share some Christmas brunch and dinner recipe ideas.
This year is coming back at full speed and I’m trying to do everything I can to avoid the last minute race. I got an early start on my Christmas shopping – I feel like it’s less of a hit on the budget when you leave things out! – and I try to plan and prepare as much as I can. Last year, I made a ton for Christmas dinner and it felt like a huge treat. I think as moms, we have a lot on our shoulders and the holiday season isn’t as much fun if you’re stressed and overwhelmed.
Christmas brunch and dinner recipes
Since I’ve been brainstorming ideas for Christmas brunch and dinner (both of which are at our house), I thought I’d share some sample recipes if you want to prepare ahead of time! It’s worth mentioning here that I get all the meat for our feasts from Butcher box. They have beef tenderloin, turkeys, salmon and they are all excellent quality.
What am I cooking for Christmas?
Cranberry sauce
Beef fillet with horseradish sauce
Artichoke dip and crackers
A huge cheese board (I take food style seriously when it comes to a cheese board!)
Mashed sweet potatoes
Autumn salad with apples, feta cheese, spiced walnuts and balsamic dressing
Homemade sourdough (prepared and frozen)
Christmas Cookies (I start baking early and just frost everything! We usually make these fingerprint cookies, Mexican wedding cookies, peppermint bark, peanut butter blossomsand sugar cookies)
Mulled wine (THE BEST)
and the famous pilot’s egg.
I’ll prep most of the meal ahead of time, let the Traeger work its magic on the turkey, and just enjoy snacking and time with our friends throughout the day.
More of our holiday recipes are here!
Holiday Recipe Ideas
Breakfast
Nana’s famous egg
This has been one of my favorite holiday brunch dishes for SO long. It’s perfect to serve for any holiday, but I love making it on Christmas Day for a fun treat. Add some fresh pico de gallo salsa and you’ll never eat it any other way.
Nana’s Crème Brûlée French Toast
After Nana’s famous egg dish recipe, you will find the beloved French toast with crème brûlée recipe. It’s the perfect treat after the breakfast casserole. The top is perfectly crispy and creamy and the bottom is a crunchy, caramelized portion. The chef’s kiss!
The most perfect cinnamon rolls
While this recipe it is one night, it’s so, HOWEVER worth the wait. These cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting—they’re truly delicious. Plus, it’s the perfect breakfast treat to eat on Christmas morning as you relax watching everyone open their presents.
Sweet potato waste
This sweet potato hash is easy to make and even easier to enjoy. There are a few different ways to serve this meal on your holiday morning. You can enjoy it on its own or top it with an organic egg with some gravy! Super yummy.
Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese and Turkey Bacon Egg Bake
If you are new here, I love egg dishes. They freeze well, are versatile, and are truly my favorite food! This healthier Christmas breakfast idea is filling and good for you! It’s a great way to really boost protein in a tasty way.
Egg muffins with turkey, cabbage and cheese
Whether you have a bigger spread or even just want something quick and easy, these egg muffins are a crowd pleaser. Plus, something about them being muffins as opposed to squares cut from a plate just makes them cuter. Feel free to add and remove vegetables or meats as you like!
Mediterranean egg bites
These egg bites are just another great addition to your Christmas brunch ideas. They look similar to eggnog muffins, but are another great option to present on holiday mornings. It’s a nice way to have a savory and protein-packed breakfast with a little less meal prep.
Oatmeal apple pie in the oven
This breakfast idea can look like a dessert because of how sweet and flavorful it is, but it’s actually perfectly suited for breakfast. The look of baked oats takes it from a sweet dessert, to an adaptable Christmas brunch recipe.
Lunch/dinner
Mexican style! We usually have enchiladas, rice and beans at my dad’s house.
There’s no harm in sticking to what you know. Enchiladas, rice and beans, are comfort food for me – which makes it perfect to include on the list! The holidays are all about good food and good memories.
If you like Mexican style, try these chicken tacos with homemade tortillas!
If you’re picky about your tortillas like I am (#noshame), then making your own is super easy and totally worth it. These Homemade Tortilla Chicken Tacos are a great main dish for a Christmas Eve dinner or a Christmas Day snack.
Rosemary Salmon with Cranberry Sauce (perfect for a change from turkey!)
If you’re not a huge turkey fan, you can still celebrate the holiday with rosemary salmon and cranberry sauce. It allows you to follow a healthier eating routine during the holidays without feeling like you’re missing out on any of the savory dishes.
Gluten-free filling
You don’t have to miss out on the holiday filling fun if you’re gluten-free, you just need an option that includes it! This recipe is delicious and doesn’t miss any of the flavor you might experience with other gluten-free alternatives.
Green Bean Casserole
A Dairy Free Vegan Green Bean Casserole gluten free, and does it have a creamy mushroom cashew sauce with crispy fried onions? Sign me up. This recipe is so good, I sometimes sneak it out of my Christmas brunch recipe itinerary just to make a regular night!
Mac and Cheese Instant Pot
Sometimes, you just need to pull out the Instant Pot—even more so during the holidays. This mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy and healthier than your typical mac and cheese recipe. It’s a staple when it comes to holiday meals.
Savory Chicken Sausage Bowls with Butternut Squash
This is another recipe that’s good enough to be a legitimate Christmas meal, but relies more on being full of protein and healthier in comparison. Not to mention, who wouldn’t rather eat their dinner out of a bowl of zucchini?
Desserts
Raw chocolate tart
This raw chocolate tart is so good you’ll find yourself with finger marks on your cup when you’re done… (not speaking from personal experience 😉). It’s just a simple mix of ingredients that are ready to eat after an hour in the freezer!
Coconut oil mint bark
“Tis the season for peppermint bark, but specifically, this peppermint bark made with coconut oil. As delicious as it is, I think my favorite part of this dessert is that it takes no time to make. It’s a wonderful Christmas themed treat.
Healthy pumpkin pie
This year, you can enjoy a classic pumpkin pie, without dairy or refined sugar. This alternative uses maple syrup and coconut sugar to naturally sweeten the dessert. Something about knowing you’re consuming healthier ingredients can make a dessert that much better.
Pumpkin Pie Brownies (oh I have to make them again)
If you are new here, be careful when making them, because you common can be stopped. This is one of my favorite desserts—not only is it absolutely delicious, but it also uses healthy fats, protein, skips the refined sugar, and leaves dairy and grains behind.
Paleo Gooey Double Chocolate Cake
This is the most delicious, most brilliant, most chocolatey cake I have ever had. It also happens to be grain free and without eggs. The texture isn’t necessarily cake-like, but it tastes the same. Plus, if it’s basically just nuts and chocolate, it is technically just trail mix, right?
Crispy Almond Butter Truffles
These delightful little desserts taste great in terms of flavor. It’s pretty much everything that’s good and sweet in the world, while remaining sugar-free and gluten-free. What more could we ask for?
Are you cooking this week? What’s on the menu? What is your all-time favorite holiday dessert?
My nana makes a chocolate bomb pie and I also love these cookie bars Madre makes called Grammies. I always say I’ll only have one or two each day and then I have 18239.
It’s also worth mentioning that I FINALLY switched out my bakeware to a non-toxic option and I’m so glad I did in time for all the holiday baking. Check it out here. For many more recipes for every occasion, check out my recipe list.
Good morning and see you later today!
xoxo
Gina
