Festive Holiday Recipes for a Delicious Christmas

Weโve gathered our favorite holiday recipes in one spot to help everyone find the right holiday dish for their gatherings.
One of my favorite things about the holidays is getting to spend time in the kitchen cooking for friends and family. There is something enjoyable about taking the time to get a dish just right during a time of year when you know itโs going to be savored.
Whether youโre in charge of making a big holiday dinner or just need to bring a snack over to a friendโs house weโve put together a collection of tasty holiday dishes that are, of course, organized by course.
Appetizers

Our favorite holiday appetizers are ones you can snack on all day long. One of our favorites is this Classic Smoked Salmon Dip made with canned salmon, cream cheese, and a few other ingredients that have a rich slightly smoky flavor that is delicious whether itโs being served on crackers, bagels, or mixed in with scrambled eggs for brunch.
Classic Smoked Salmon Dip
Whites beans, caramelized onions, and garlic are a timeless combination that comes together in this Caramelized Onion & White Bean Dip to create a creamy dip that is especially delicious served on grilled or toasted bread.
Caramelized Onion White Bean Dip
If youโre looking to splurge on something decadent for a small group try this Pan Seared Foie Gras with Caramelized Figs. Itโs a dish that looks amazing as it comes to the table and will impress your guests as the foie melts in their mouths.
Seared Foie Gras With Caramelized Figs
Main Course

The most memorable recipes for the holidays are the show stoppers, the ones that look as good as they taste. And nothing makes a better show stopper than a beautifully done roast that can be carved tableside.
What could feel more like Christmas than a beef roast thatโs been studded with garlic cloves and slow-roasted in the oven until itโs a beautiful, tender, medium-rare. What sets our Roast Beef Recipe apart is how tender and flavorful the meat is with a crisp crust on the outside. The recipe also includes tips on picking the right roast and how to make gravy from the drippings.
Classic Roast Beef Recipe
If youโre more in the mood for a show stopper that updates a traditional holiday dish try firing up the grill and making a Maple Bourbon Glazed Grilled Ham. Using the grill to cook the ham helps to concentrate its flavors adding a touch of smoke to it without drying the ham out. Using a maple bourbon glaze to finish the ham adds a touch of sweetness and a little bite along with a bright sheen and crisp exterior.
Maple Bourbon Glazed Grilled Ham
Side Dishes

What would a holiday feast be without a table filled with side dishes? When it comes to sides our favorite holiday recipes are ones that use color and texture to stand out on the plate, compliment the other dishes being served, and leave people asking for the recipe. It also never hurts if thereโs a little cheese involved.
One recipe that has never failed to please a crowd is our Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole. With a rich creamy texture and just the right amount of cheese its comfort food personified. Our recipe has a few extras that enhance its texture and add a couple of layers of flavor that give it an edge over similar recipes.
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
The simplest risotto has the ability to elevate a meal. This Simple Italian Risotto recipe is as versatile as it is delicious. Itโs the type of dish that can be served with chicken, beef, or pork dishes or on its own. Itโs especially tasty with sauteed or roasted mushrooms.
Simple Italian Risotto
When weโre looking for a dish that has colors that pop and a crisp texture we make Wild Rice with Sauteรฉd Peppers. The nuttiness and crunch of the wild rice provide a contrast with the sweetness and texture of the peppers creating a unique and festive side that stands out in a crowd.
Wild Rice with Sauteed Peppers
Drinks

One of the easiest things to do when it comes to cocktails, especially when youโre having lots of people over is to make a pitcher of Fresh Homemade Sour Mix. Having a pitcher on hand makes it easy to make vodka and whiskey sours to order based on a guestโs preference.
Fresh Homemade Sour Mix
The mix can also be used to make dynamite margaritas, especially if you have a little mezcal in the cupboard.
Desserts

When it comes to holiday dessert recipes, we love ones that can be made ahead of time and have lots of leftovers.
To add a holiday twist to our traditional Apple Crisp Recipe, we add cranberries and a hint of orange for a Cranberry Apple Crisp that has a scrumptious topping with just the right balance of sweetness and texture from the brown sugar and rolled oats.
Cranberry Apple Crisp
A good bread pudding should balance creaminess and texture and never remind one of a brick. Our Bourbon Apple Bread Pudding uses a light challah bread, fresh apples, and a touch of bourbon to create a smooth, slightly savory bread pudding that is perfect around the holidays.
Bourbon Apple Bread Pudding
Soups & Stews
There are times around the holidays, in-between the gatherings with friends and family, where itโs nice to have a hearty soup or stew on hand to warm you up inside and chase the cold away.
The tenderness of lamb and the light flavors in great northern beans come alive when theyโre combined with fresh rosemary, thyme, and a touch of coriander in this Lamb Stew with Great Northern Beans. Itโs one of our favorite recipes to serve to groups of people along with some freshly baked crusty bread.
Lamb Stew with Great Northern Beans
If youโre looking for a soup to have on hand for quick meals during the holidays or as the first course in a bigger meal make a pot of Tuscan White Bean Soup with Italian Sausage. The white beans, homemade Italian sausage, and fresh spinach come together to create a light flavorful soup that is delicious on its own or as a partner to a nice grilled cheese or ham sandwich.
Tuscan White Bean Soup
No matter what youโre celebrating this holiday season, we hope youโve found a holiday dish or two to share with your loved ones.
Mark is an experienced food writer, recipe developer, and photographer who is also Umamiโs publisher and CEO. A passionate cook who loves to cook for friends, he can often be found in the kitchen or by the grill testing new recipes.
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