by Alyssa RiversThis website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my privacy policy.
Putting together a holiday menu is the highlight of the year! Combine the delicious, amazing tastes with all of the beautiful spreads and colors and you have yourself a meal to remember!
A wide variety of options is key to making your holiday menu stand out! I absolutely love packing all of my options in to make it more a feast than a meal! My favorite recipes to include are roasted chicken, this punch and these amazing carrots
How to Put Together a Holiday Menu
I loooooove the holidays for the fact that the FOOD is always incredible! I know that most people have a tradition and cook the same thing every year. But… I love to switch things up and add more every holiday. Creating a feast is probably a more accurate description of holidays around here! So, the way to make the best holiday menu ever is to first come up with your main dish. I love using a roast, ham, or turkey because they are easy to make and feed a lot of people! Next, I make sure to fix up at least a few different sides. A cooked vegetable, a salad and some bread are a great place to start!
Once you pick out your main course and some sides, you should look everything over and make sure that there is a wide variety of options! When it comes to a holiday menu, I say more is always better! I definitely don’t want my guests to be taking small portions and leaving hungry because they are worried there isn’t enough food! Last but not least, you need a mouthwatering dessert to finish it off. You can do cookies, cakes or pies and they will all leave your guests full and satisfied! I have rounded up my very favorite, tried and true holiday menu ideas below to make this super easy for you!
Holiday Menu Tips
Don’t let your holiday menu stress you out! I have put together a few tips to make this process as easy and enjoyable as possible! It will be a hit!
- Grocery shopping: Don’t let the preparation scare you. You can do a lot of your shopping weeks ahead of time! Make your menu and list of non-perishables that you need for your meal. Buy those items a few weeks in advance. That way, when the time comes to cook, you don’t have to grocery shop too!
- Prep some recipes in advance: Another thing to do is find a few meals that you can cook a fews days (or weeks!) in advance and store them in your freezer or fridge. You’ll already be halfway done if you do things this way!
- Delegate: If you have a large group coming to your meal, have everyone bring something. Assign them a category (and even refer them back to this page for ideas!). This takes a bit of the load off of you and it makes your holiday menu that much better!
- Pre-wash your dishes: If you have special dishes that come out only at holiday parties, prepare those by gettting them out and washing them before you need them. Preparation is really the key to success!
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Amazing juicy and perfectly tender turkey breast that slow cooks all day in the crockpot!
Ingredients: turkey breast, salt and pepper , orange juice, whole cranberry sauce, Onion Soup Mix, salt and pepper to taste
Spiced Rub Brown Sugar Pineapple Glazed Ham
Spiced Rub Brown Sugar Pineapple Glazed Ham is coated with a sweet and tangy spiced glaze that caramelizes on the edge of the ham. This will be the star at your holiday dinner table!
Ingredients: boneless, brown sugar, ground coriander, cinnamon, ground cumin, pepper, ground allspice, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce
The Easiest Cranberry Sauce
This cranberry sauce is the perfect mixture of sweet and tart! It's made with fresh cranberries and topped with orange zest to really set it apart!
Ingredients: bag of fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, zest from one orange
Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts
These Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts are crunchy sweet chestnuts, that are enveloped in a savory bacon and marinated in a sweet spicy sauce for the perfect flavor combination.
Ingredients: whole water chestnuts, bacon, brown sugar, sweet chili sauce, mayonnaise
Garlic Butter Herb Prime Rib Recipe
Garlic butter herb prime rib is melt in your mouth tender, cooked to medium-rare perfection, and marbled with fat. The seared garlic butter herb crust is incredible!
Ingredients: bone prime rib, butter, garlic, thyme, oregano, rosemary, salt, pepper
World’s Best Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a classic, tried and true side dish that everyone loves! It's so delicious and creamy that it just might steal the turkey's spot as the star of the show!
Ingredients: butter, garlic, onion, package button mushrooms, fresh green beans, low-sodium chicken broth, can low-sodium cream of mushroom soup, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, crispy onion strings
Caramel Apple Pie
Caramel apple pie is the traditional American dessert, but totally elevated. Sour tart apples are smothered in caramel, it's insanely delicious.
Ingredients: homemade pie crust, granny smith apples, fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, Egg yolk plus 2 tbsp water for egg wash, heavy cream, granulated sugar, light corn syrup, salt, salted butter, vanilla extract
Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs braised in a rich and flavorful cream sauce. The meat is a combination of ground beef, pork, and warm spices.
Ingredients: heavy whipping cream divided, egg, panko breadcrumbs, lean ground pork, grated yellow onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper, lean ground beef, butter, flour, unsalted beef broth, lemon juice, chopped parsley
Autumn Chopped Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
Autumn Chopped Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing is all of your fall salad dreams come true! Crisp chopped apples, pears, romaine lettuce, crunchy pecans, bacon, cranberries and feta cheese combine in a creamy dressing to bring you one unforgettable salad!
Ingredients: romaine lettuce, barlett pear, red apple, thick sliced bacon, dried cranberries, pecans, feta cheese, mayonnaise, 2% milk, sugar, cider vinegar, poppy seeds
Melt in Your Mouth Pot Roast Recipe
Fork-tender, melt-in-your-mouth pot roast with delicate potatoes and sweet carrots in a perfectly seasoned broth. This recipe is super simple but will make you feel like you've spent all day cooking.
Ingredients: olive oil, chuck roast, salt and pepper, large carrots,, baby potatoes, yellow onion,, beef broth, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, garlic,, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper
Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Shortbread Cookies are buttery, melt in your mouth shortbread cookies that get dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint. These cookies make the perfect holiday treat!
Ingredients: butter, sugar, salt, flour, bag semi sweet chocolate chips, peppermint candy canes
Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes, made with roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and gold potatoes, are an easy side dish recipe perfect for dinner!
Ingredients: gold potatoes, beef broth, cream cheese, unsalted butter, roasted garlic, fresh herbs, salt, freshly ground pepper
Winter Pomegranate Orange Quinoa Salad with Creamy Lemon Greek Yogurt Dressing
A mouthwatering winter salad with quinoa, spinach, mandarine oranges, and crunchy pistachios. Topped with a creamy lemon greek yogurt dressing and feta cheese this makes one unforgettable salad!
Ingredients: quinoa, spinach, mandarine oranges, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, crumbled feta cheese, juice from one fresh lemon, apple cider vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, plain Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, salt, freshly ground black pepper
Christmas Punch (Cranberry Orange Punch)
This easy Christmas punch is delicious and so festive! It's the perfect punch to serve at your next gathering… It's for all ages, young and old!
Ingredients: orange juice, cranberry juice, lemon lime soda, orange slices for garnish, real cranberries for garnish
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Soft and chewy cookies that are coated in powdered sugar to make them extra special.
Ingredients: unsalted butter, 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, room temperature, egg, almond extract, orange extract, pkg. white cake mix, sprinkles, powdered sugar
Creamy Parmesan Garlic Brussel Sprouts
Creamy Parmesan Garlic Brussels Sprouts are sautéed in a rich, thick and creamy parmesan sauce with minced garlic cooked until soft and tender. These make the perfect side dish!
Ingredients: brussels sprouts, olive oil, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, cornstarch, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste
Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast
Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast is a savory, sweet and spicy pork roast that is tender to the touch and falls apart with ease.
Ingredients: marinated fresh pork roast, ranch seasonings, au jus gravy mix, butter, pepperoncini peppers
Classic Honey Glazed Ham
This honey-glazed ham is coated with delicious brown sugar and sweet honey glaze! It is tender and juicy and goes with everything which makes it ideal for your holiday meal!
Ingredients: ham, honey, butter, dark corn syrup, brown sugar, whole cloves
The Best Funeral Potatoes
A cheesy potato casserole full of melted cheese, sour cream, onions, and garlic with a crunchy top. This is full of amazing flavor and will be the star of the dinner table!
Ingredients: butter, onion, garlic, 30 ounce bag of frozen, shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed -or- 12 small potatoes parboiled and shredded, 10.5 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, salt, ground pepper, sharp cheddar cheese, crushed cornflake cereal or panko bread crumbs
Easiest Bruschetta Recipe
This bruschetta is easy to make with fresh, ripe Roma tomatoes, shredded mozzarella cheese and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette over top of a French baguette. Bruschetta comes together quickly and easily!
Ingredients: Baguette, Olive Oil, Roma Tomatoes , Mozzarella Cheese , Balsamic Vinaigrette, Olive Oil, Garlic Cloves, Basil, Salt and Pepper , Balsamic Glaze
Homemade Milano Cookies
Homemade Milano Cookies have tender cookies with a nice crunch sandwiched around a layer of rich dark chocolate in the center! They taste even better than the store bought version!
Ingredients: salted butter, at room temperature, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, room temperature, egg white, room temperature, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, dark chocolate, chopped
Best Ever Glazed Carrots
Best Ever Glazed Carrots have the most amazing brown sugar glaze and caramelize as they roast! These carrots are so irresistible and are going to be the star of the table!
Ingredients: carrots, olive oil, butter, brown sugar , garlic cloves, pepper, salt, fresh chopped parsley
Raspberry Baked Brie
Raspberry Baked Brie is the perfect holiday appetizer with just FOUR ingredients. Perfect for Christmas and New Years Eve!
Ingredients: puff pastry, Brie cheese, raspberry preserves, egg
Roasted Cranberry Orange Pork Loin with Green Beans
Roasted Cranberry Orange Pork Tenderloin with Green Beans is such a flavorful and easy meal. The cranberry orange glaze is perfect on top of the pork and green beans. This will be the star of your holiday dinner table!
Ingredients: Smithfield Slow Roasted Golden Rotisserie Marinated Fresh Pork Tenderloin, olive oil, fresh green beans, Salt and pepper, + 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, apple cider vinegar, sweet orange marmalade, whole cranberry sauce, Optional: fresh cranberries and/or rosemary
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Candied Sweet Potatoes are just that, sweet and tender, juicy, bright orange sweet potatoes that will warm your home and melt in your mouth! Only 3 ingredients is all you need!
Ingredients: Large Sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels are and easy wrap your party guests will love with chicken, bacon, cheese and ranch seasoning. They're delicious hot and cold!
Ingredients: chicken breasts, thick cut bacon, of cream cheese, cheddar and jack cheese mix, packet Ranch Seasoning, large tortillas
Christmas Fruit Salad
This easy Christmas fruit salad recipe is loaded with red and green fruit making it the perfect light and healthy addition to your holiday table! With a super simple dressing, it comes together quickly and is sure to be a hit!
Ingredients: pear, red apples, green grapes, red grapes, kiwi, raspberries, pomegranate arils, honey, lime juice, water
French Onion Soup
French Onion Soup is such a classic and SO easy to make! Onions are slowly caramelized until soft and sweet, simmered with beef broth, thyme, and just a touch of sugar. It's topped with a crispy crouton, loads of shredded gruyere cheese and broiled into a crispy, cheesy oblivion. So good!
Ingredients: unsalted butter, sliced onions, garlic cloves, minced, kosher salt, divided, sugar, all-purpose flour, beef broth , thyme, baguette cut into 1-inch pieces, shredded grueyre cheese
Honey Chipotle Pork Roast
Honey Chipotle Pork Roast offers sweet heat along with ease and comfort.
Ingredients: raw honey, chipotle hot sauce, Chipotle puree, cilantro, salt, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, garlic, pork roast
Sparkling Pomegranate Lemonade
Sparkling pomegranate lemonade is the perfect sweet and tangy holiday beverage!
Ingredients: water, full cup white granulated sugar*, ~4-6 large lemons freshly squeezed lemon juice, unsweetened pomegranate-cranberry juice, and ½ cups sparkling lemon-flavored water, Pomegranate, Ice and additional lemons, Fresh mint
I’ve tried several of your recipes. They’re always great! Thank you so much.
I really like the clarity of the recipes and their implementation. The helpful tutorage is great, also.
will try to work my way through all of these, thank you! Wonderful holiday inspiration!