Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas (21 Recipes for the Whole Feast)
These Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas cover the whole feast, from a few appetizers to nibble on while the main is in the oven to the potatoes, veggies and breads that fill the table. There are 21 recipes here, so pick a main, add two or three sides and a bread, and your Christmas dinner is planned.
In Ireland, a traditional Christmas dinner often has both turkey and ham on the table, so you’ll find both here, along with Colcannon and Irish Brown Bread if you want a little Irish touch. Need something sweet for after? My Easy Christmas Desserts has 29 ideas.
Tips for Planning an Easy Christmas Dinner
- Pick one main and build around it: The Glazed Ham With Roasted Carrots starts with a fully cooked ham and roasts a side in the same pan, so it’s the easiest main on this list.
- Let the slow cooker help: The Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs and Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce both cook in the slow cooker, which frees up the stove and oven.
- Keep the appetizers simple: The Smoked Salmon Appetizer needs no oven and takes about 10 minutes, and the Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is just a bit of arranging.
- Plan your oven space: Make the potatoes in the air fryer with the Air Fryer Roast Potatoes so the oven is free for the ham, turkey or lamb.
- Save the quick sides for last: The Creamed Kale is ready in about 20 minutes and the Honey Glazed Carrots are quick too, so make them while the main rests.
Easy Christmas Appetizers
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Rows of cheese, salami, grapes, olives and cherry tomatoes shaped into a tree, with a brie star filled with cranberry sauce on top. There’s no cooking, just arranging, and it looks great on the table as everyone arrives.
Sausage Roll Wreath
Sausage rolls baked in golden puff pastry and shaped into a ring, with cranberry dipping sauce in the middle. Set it out with drinks before dinner.
Smoked Salmon Appetizer
Mini vol au vents filled with dill cream cheese and topped with smoked salmon. No oven needed, and they’re ready in about 10 minutes.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Meatballs simmered in a tangy cranberry sauce in the slow cooker. Leave them on warm and let people help themselves.
Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
A warm, cheesy dip baked until bubbly and golden. Serve it with chips or bread while the main finishes cooking.
Christmas Dinner Main Dishes
Glazed Ham with Roasted Carrots
Ham brushed with a honey, orange marmalade and Dijon glaze, with carrots roasting in the same pan. You get the main and a side in one go.
Baked Ham
Baked ham with a sweet and tangy mustard glaze and a crispy breadcrumb topping. A good pick if you like a ham with a bit of crunch on top.
Roast Turkey
A juicy roast turkey with herb butter and no brining needed. No brine means no big bucket taking up space in the fridge.
Rack of Lamb
Rack of lamb with a crust of fresh herbs, garlic and Dijon mustard. A smart choice for a smaller Christmas dinner that still feels special.
Roast Leg of Lamb
A leg of lamb with a garlic herb crust, roasted until tender. Try it if you want something other than ham or turkey this year.
Christmas Side Dishes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes with plenty of garlic. Every Christmas plate needs a big spoonful.
Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
Crispy roast potatoes with Cajun seasoning, cooked in the air fryer. They crisp up while the oven is busy with the main.
Colcannon
Fluffy mashed potatoes mixed with tender kale and green onions. It’s a classic Irish side dish and a nice change from plain mash.
Honey Glazed Carrots
Carrots coated in a buttery honey and thyme sauce. Quick to make and they add a bit of color to the plate.
Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with bacon and a store-bought balsamic glaze. The bacon and balsamic make these a good one for anyone who thinks they don’t like sprouts.
Creamed Kale
Tender kale in a Parmesan cream sauce, ready in about 20 minutes. A rich green side that goes well next to ham or lamb.
Sourdough Stuffing
Sourdough stuffing with sausage and herbs, baked until golden and crisp on top. It’s just as good with ham as it is with turkey.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Tart cranberries cooked low and slow with fresh orange juice and a hint of cinnamon. Serve it with turkey, ham or the leftovers.
Breads for Christmas Dinner
Homemade Garlic Knots
Soft, garlicky knots that are easy to make at home. Pass a basket around the table with dinner.
Irish Brown Bread
A hearty, rustic Irish bread with a soft texture and nutty flavor. Slice it thin and serve it with butter alongside the smoked salmon.
Cheddar Biscuits
Cheesy, savory biscuits that are ready in about 35 minutes. Bake them while the main rests.
Come cook with us! I share new easy recipes and dinner ideas in my Facebook group, and it’s a friendly spot to see what everyone is making this week. Join the group here.
Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas FAQ
Looking for something sweet to finish? My Easy Christmas Desserts has 29 holiday treats, and my Easy Christmas Cookies Everyone Loves has plenty more for the cookie tin.
