My old fashioned Christmas dinner looks a lot like Grandma's did: a golden roast turkey or a glossy honey ham, a big bowl of mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, cranberry sauce in a glass dish and a pie waiting on the counter. These 30 traditional Christmas dinner recipes cover the whole menu, from the main dish to dessert, so you can plan the entire day from one list.
Grandma's Christmas Table
My grandma always stuck to the old fashioned Christmas classics, and I have such fond memories of seeing the same familiar dishes on her table every holiday season. They're still the recipes our family makes decades later. She did mix in a couple of Danish recipes, since my grandpa was from Denmark, so I've included a few of those too. Otherwise, it was the Christmas classics all the way.
Old-Fashioned Christmas Dinner Main Dishes
1
Old Fashioned Roast Turkey Recipe (Grandmas Easy Recipe)
Make Grandma's roast turkey recipe for a juicy, golden bird that's easy to cook in the oven. Simple herbs, citrus, and a savory rub make this old fashioned turkey perfect for Thanksgiving or holiday dinners.
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2
Old Fashioned Honey Roast Ham (Easy Holiday Recipe)
This old fashioned honey roast ham is tender, buttery, and coated in a sweet honey mustard glaze. An easy classic ham recipe perfect for Easter, Christmas, or Sunday dinner.
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3
Dutch Oven Pot Roast Recipe (With Potatoes and Carrots)
This Dutch oven beef pot roast recipe with potatoes and carrots is tender, juicy, and full of old fashioned flavor. A classic grandma-style comfort food dinner that is easy to make.
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4
Christmas Prime Rib Roast: A Juicy & Tender Holiday Beef Roast!
This Christmas prime rib roast is an elegant main course that truly makes Christmas dinner feel like a special occasion! #bakeitwithlove #roast #primerib #beef #Christmas #holidays
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Classic Christmas Side Dishes - The Ones Everyone Waits For
5
Old Fashioned Homemade Green Bean Casserole (No Canned Soup)
Old-fashioned homemade green bean casserole made from scratch with a creamy sauce, cheddar and crispy fried onions. No canned soup needed.
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6
Grandma's Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe with Bread
Grandma's old fashioned stuffing recipe with bread, onions, sage, and fresh herbs. Simple, easy, and made from scratch for the best Thanksgiving stuffing.
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7
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Sweet Potatoes (not nuts)
Make this easy sweet potato casserole with canned sweet potatoes and marshmallows. A cozy, nut-free holiday side that's quick, creamy, and festive.
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8
Old Fashioned Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
These creamy scalloped potatoes are rich, tender, and baked in a smooth homemade cream sauce. A classic old fashioned side dish inspired by grandma's kitchen and perfect for holidays or Sunday dinner.
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9
Good Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese (Creamy & Easy!)
Grandma's old fashioned mac and cheese is baked to creamy perfection with sharp cheddar, gruyere, and a golden bubbly top. Easy, cozy, and delicious!
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10
Old Fashioned Jiffy Corn Casserole (Original Recipe)
This easy corn casserole with Jiffy mix is creamy, sweet, and simple. A classic old fashioned side dish perfect for holidays, potlucks, and family dinners.
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11
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Tender carrots in a buttery brown sugar glaze add color to the plate and cook right on the stovetop. They're a nice make-ahead side when oven space is tight.
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12
Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls
Soft, buttery homemade dinner rolls are worth the rise time, and there's nothing better for soaking up gravy. Bake them the day before and warm them, wrapped in foil, while the roast rests.
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13
Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes made with butter and evaporated milk taste just like the ones at Grandma's. Let the drained potatoes sit in the hot pot for a minute so they dry out before mashing.
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14
Simple Turkey Gravy from Drippings
Rich homemade gravy made with turkey drippings, flour and broth is what ties the whole plate together. Skim off the fat first, and strain the gravy if any lumps sneak in.
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15
Classic Yorkshire Pudding
These puffy, golden popovers are Britain's classic partner for roast beef and a natural match for prime rib. The secret is smoking-hot fat in the pan before the batter goes in.
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16
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Fresh cranberry sauce with orange zest and a cinnamon stick takes about 20 minutes and tastes so much brighter than canned. It keeps in the fridge for up to a week, so make it early.
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Old Fashioned Christmas Salads and Starters
17
Grandma's Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia is a creamy, fruity, coconut-y salad that has been showing up at holiday dinners for generations. Drain the canned fruit really well so the salad stays thick and fluffy.
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18
Old Fashioned Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
A salty pretzel crust, a sweet cream cheese layer and strawberry Jello on top: this one is half salad, half dessert, and always gone first. Let the Jello cool until it's barely syrupy before pouring it over the cream layer.
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19
5-Minute Cranberry Fluff Salad
Pink, fluffy and festive, cranberry fluff comes together in five minutes, so it's perfect for a busy holiday. Chill it a few hours before serving so the flavors blend.
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20
Original Waldorf Salad
Waldorf salad was first served at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel in the 1890s, and apples, celery, grapes and walnuts in a creamy dressing still make a crisp, fresh side. Toss the apples in the dressing right away so they don't brown.
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21
Classic Deviled Eggs
No holiday spread at Grandma's was complete without a plate of deviled eggs. Make the filling a day ahead and pipe it into the whites right before guests arrive.
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22
Old-Fashioned Relish Tray
A relish tray with pickles, olives, cheese and crunchy vegetables was the original holiday appetizer, and it takes no cooking at all. Set it out while the turkey rests so everyone has something to nibble.
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Grandpa's Danish Christmas Dinner Favorites
23
Brunede Kartofler (Danish Caramelized Potatoes)
Small boiled potatoes rolled in a buttery caramel are a must-have at a Danish Christmas dinner. Boil and peel the potatoes the day before; cold potatoes hold their shape better in the caramel.
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24
Rødkål (Danish Braised Red Cabbage)
Sweet-and-sour braised red cabbage with apple is the classic Danish side for roast pork or duck. It tastes even better made ahead and reheated.
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25
Risalamande (Danish Rice Pudding)
This creamy almond rice pudding with warm cherry sauce is the traditional Danish Christmas dessert. One whole almond is hidden in the bowl, and whoever finds it wins a little prize.
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Vintage Christmas Desserts
26
Grandma's Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie made with canned pumpkin is just as welcome at Christmas as it is at Thanksgiving. Bake it a day ahead; it slices more cleanly once it has chilled.
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27
Red Velvet Bundt Cake
Bright red and topped with cream cheese icing, a red velvet Bundt cake looks festive on the dessert table with zero decorating skills. Grease every ridge of the pan well so it releases cleanly.
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28
Old Fashioned Pecan Pie
Gooey, sweet and loaded with pecans, this classic pie uses a store-bought crust to keep things simple. Cover the crust edges with foil if they brown too quickly.
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29
Mom's Old Fashioned Fruitcake
This fruitcake, packed with dates, candied cherries, pineapple and pecans, might change a few minds about fruitcake. It doesn't need to soak or age, so you can bake it the same week.
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30
Bûche de Noël (Yule Log Cake)
The French Christmas yule log is a rolled chocolate sponge filled with whipped cream and covered in ganache scored to look like bark. Roll the cake while it's still warm so it doesn't crack.
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Old Fashioned Christmas Dinner FAQs
What is served at a traditional Christmas dinner?
A traditional Christmas dinner usually has a roast (turkey, ham or prime rib), potatoes, stuffing, a green vegetable, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce and a pie or cake for dessert. Many families also add one or two dishes from their own heritage.
How much turkey or ham do I need per person?
Plan on about 1 to 1 ½ pounds of whole turkey per person and about ¾ pound of bone-in ham (½ pound boneless) per person. Round up if you want leftovers.
What is a traditional Danish Christmas dinner?
A Danish Christmas dinner is served on Christmas Eve, usually with roast pork or duck, caramelized potatoes, braised red cabbage and gravy, followed by risalamande for dessert.
Which Christmas dinner dishes can I make ahead?
Cranberry sauce, red cabbage, deviled egg filling, Jello salads, pies and dinner rolls can all be made a day or more ahead. That leaves Christmas Day for the roast and anything that needs to come out of the oven hot.
More Old Fashioned Christmas Recipes
- Old Fashioned Christmas Cookies
- Vintage Holiday Punch Recipes
- Vintage Candy Recipes
- Classic Trifle and Layered Desserts
- Old Fashioned Roast Chicken
- Vintage Cakes
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