Christmas dinner represents much more than just something to fill your belly during the holiday season. It’s a reason to pass down old traditions and make new ones, to share a bit about your heritage, and bring together people who don’t necessarily see each other every day.
To inspire your Christmas dinner menu ideas, here are some unique gourmet meals you can try this Christmas and where to turn for help if you could use some expertise in the kitchen.
The Main Meat Dish
In many households, Christmas dinner revolves around meat, with ham being the most traditional main dish. The classic dish is a pineapple-glazed ham, but you can add an interesting twist by wrapping your ham in a puff pastry or serving jerky ham hocks instead.
To switch things up even more, why not serve steak or seafood instead of ham altogether? Grilled sea bass with garlic butter is a great option to satisfy your seafood-loving guests.
The Beloved Side Dishes
When it comes to side dishes, there are so many traditional Christmas dinner ideas for a crowd. Glazed sweet potatoes, buttery mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, and fresh corn often come to mind first.
But you can also cater to the dietary preferences of vegetarian guests by serving cauliflower grain with leeks and cheese or cider-glazed carrots with walnuts. Side dishes are a great way to sneak some healthy fruits and vegetables into your Christmas meal and really show off your creative side.
Alternative, Yet Festive Recipes
Looking for a new way to celebrate Christmas this year with your favorite people? Then consider ditching all the standard traditions and trying something totally different for your menu. Consider making Christmas tacos that feature both red and green chile (if you’re up for some spice) or other red and green touches, such as pomegranate and cilantro. This is a great way to bring your heritage into the holiday and really make it your own.
If you’re from the South (or just love Southern cooking), consider making shrimp and crawfish jambalaya for a New Orleans-style twist on the occasion. Red and green curry dishes with tofu or your meat-of-choice can add an Asian touch and some variety to your menu too.
Fun Ideas to Accompany Your Christmas Dinner Menu
- Pick a cultural theme and stick with it
- Coordinate your decorations with the food you serve
- Check the serving sizes for recipes when preparing for a group
- Test out new recipes before the big day
- Ask guests about dietary restrictions and sensitivities
Get Help Preparing Christmas Dinner
Coming up with Christmas dinner ideas can be a challenge, even for the most experienced at-home chefs who are used to preparing family meals every week. There’s a lot of pressure involved in feeding everyone a memorable meal, and that’s on top of the existing stresses of gift shopping, traveling, and deciding which local events to attend.
If you could use a little help with the cooking this year, contact Household Staffing International to learn about our gourmet chef services. Gourmet chefs are experts in preparing Christmas dinner and other holiday specialties so that you can relax and remember why you love this time of the year. Our gourmet chefs near you are ready to step in and join your household team whenever you need them!