Traditional And The Best Christmas Dinner Food in America

As you embark on the journey of planning your holiday feasts, you may find yourself pondering the choices for this year's menu. At times, seeking inspiration from the time-honored culinary traditions of others can alleviate your uncertainties. Whether your intentions revolve around crafting a classic American Christmas dinner or embarking on a culinary adventure to explore new horizons, the following suggestions shall kindle your creativity and pave the way for a memorable holiday season.

Classic American Christmas Food Ideas for the Holidays

The customary American Christmas meal bears a striking resemblance to the Thanksgiving feast. Typically, it features a poultry centerpiece, with turkey being the prevailing choice, complemented by rich gravy and a selection of timeless side dishes.

Do you know the history of Christmas? Find out everything in this article:

The history of Christmas

1. Turkey

A turkey serves as a cost-effective centerpiece, capable of satisfying the appetites of numerous guests, rendering it the ideal choice for grand Christmas gatherings. Its affordability and capacity to satiate make it particularly well-suited for expansive holiday feasts. To impart a festive essence to your bird, consider infusing it with a delightful blend of sweet and spicy turkey glaze.

2. Stuffing

Stuffing, or occasionally referred to as dressing, ranks among the customary offerings at Christmas dinners. While pre-packaged stuffing boasts its own merits, for those who seek to elevate their meal to an exceptional level, crafting a homemade version seasoned with the aromatic notes of sage, savory sausage, and the earthy essence of fresh mushrooms is a delightful endeavor.

3. Mashed potatoes

Luscious and velvety, butter-infused mashed potatoes are a perennial cornerstone of American Christmas feasts. Commence by selecting Yukon gold potatoes and incorporate generous quantities of cream and butter, resulting in a luxuriously creamy texture. For those seeking an elevated and refined flavor profile, consider the inclusion of roasted garlic, imparting an added dimension of sophistication.

4. Gravy

Turkey gravy derives its flavors from the succulent drippings produced during the cooking process. Enhance its distinct and delectable taste by introducing a splash of white wine and an abundance of freshly-picked herbs.

5. Cranberry sauce

While numerous individuals opt for canned cranberry sauce, when preparing a special dinner, crafting it from scratch proves far superior. Simply blend a combination of fresh or frozen cranberries with sugar, water, and a medley of spices including cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Allow the mixture to simmer in a saucepan for approximately 30 minutes until it thickens, then ensure it cools before presenting it as a delectable accompaniment to your meal.

The best Christmas food in America

1. Prime rib

As a child, my preferred meat selection was prime rib, also known as the classic bone-in roast beef, primarily because of its succulence compared to turkey. Interestingly, my grandpa would excavate a pit in his backyard, reserving it exclusively for the preparation of prime rib on Thanksgiving and Christmas. He, along with my dad, would embark on a day-long, slow-cooking journey, which unfailingly resulted in a flawlessly prepared dish.

2. Christmas Cornbread

One of the distinctive American Christmas dishes is undoubtedly cornbread. Its unique preparation method has its roots in the southern United States: baking it in a cast iron pan (according to my grandpa, it's the only way to make proper cornbread). Unlike traditional bread made with wheat flour, cornbread is crafted from cornmeal. Although its consistency is akin to bread, it bears a distinctive golden hue and boasts a richer flavor, in my view. To truly embrace the American tradition, when it's piping hot and just out of the oven, we generously drizzle it with either butter, honey, or a combination of both.

3. Biscuits

A significant discrepancy between the UK and the US pertains to the interpretation of the term "biscuit." From an American perspective, a biscuit resembles a fusion of croissant and airy white bread, with an emphasis on its level of sweetness and yeast-based dough. American biscuits, much like croissants, entail a relatively intricate preparation process, and as a result, they are often acquired in canned form rather than being baked from scratch. Naturally, when indulging in these biscuits, they are typically paired with a filling of jam, butter, or a delightful combination of both.

4. Apple pie

While pumpkin pie reigns as the star dessert of Thanksgiving, in my family, the cherished Christmas dessert has always been apple pie. This preference likely stems from the fact that I hail from Oregon, a place where we cultivate our own apples (my grandpa cultivated a whole orchard in the backyard). My grandma dedicated not just days but also extensive effort to prepare our Christmas apple pie. She extended her kindness further by crafting Christmas pies for all our neighbors and close friends. This endeavor involved an immense amount of apple peeling, a task in which I eagerly assisted, wielding a hand apple peeler dating back to the 1920s. I'd persist in peeling apples until my arms could no longer endure, often leaving us with surplus apples, as I aimed to uphold the grandeur of the entire pie-making process. Any excess apples were promptly transformed into applesauce, which is akin to cranberry sauce but with apples, and is also a customary accompaniment at Christmas feasts.

5. Sweet potato casserole

I must confess, sweet potato casserole is undeniably one of the more unusual yet highly favored American Christmas dishes. To prepare it, one peels sweet potatoes and bakes them along with a combination of miniature marshmallows (yes, you read that correctly), butter, brown sugar, and pecans. While this might resemble a dessert, in the United States, it is considered a perfectly acceptable and conventional side dish for a Christmas dinner.

Other American Christmas dinner food ideas

Should you have assumed the role of the Thanksgiving host, you could very well find yourself inundated with an abundance of turkey remnants. In such an instance, you may be inclined to explore a selection of these alternative and favored American Christmas dinner options.

Hold up! Did you know why is it called Christmas? Where did the name come from? Let's find out in this article. 

Why is it called Christmas?

1. Christmas ham

Crafting a honey-glazed spiral ham proves remarkably uncomplicated. Following the Thanksgiving feast, it ranks as one of the favored meat choices for an American Christmas dinner.

2. Beef tenderloin

For those with an affection for meats, a delectable option lies in beef tenderloin. Embark on a culinary journey by creating a savory crust composed of horseradish, an array of spices, and breadcrumbs, then proceed to roast it in the oven for approximately 45 to 55 minutes.

3. Rack of lamb

Given their relatively higher cost, a rack of lamb frequently emerges as the indulgent choice for Americans seeking to celebrate Christmas in style. Delight in the experience by pairing it with a luscious fig-infused sauce and a finishing touch of toasted walnuts.

4. Creamed spinach

An opulent and delectable accompaniment, creamed spinach beautifully complements any of the aforementioned meat options, making it a perennial favorite on festive occasions. Enriched with heavy whipping cream and a generous portion of parmesan cheese, this dish boasts a decadent texture and a flavor that will linger in your memory for weeks to come.

5. Green bean casserole

Green bean casserole, a quintessential American holiday fare, often evokes strong and polarizing reactions from individuals—some embrace it wholeheartedly, while others remain firmly in the opposite camp. Crafted from a harmonious blend of condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, green beans, a subtle hint of soy sauce, and crowned with crispy French fried onions.

American Christmas dessert food

Christmas festivities in America would be incomplete without a touch of sweetness! Let's explore some of the most beloved holiday desserts.

Let's learn 10 interesting facts about Christmas in the article below.

10 intriguing facts about the Christmas season

1. Cookies

During the Christmas season in America, an array of cookies becomes a customary presence. From Snickerdoodles and peanut butter cookies to molasses and sugar cookies, individuals cherish their own personal holiday favorites.

2. Fruitcake

Fruitcake stands as a timeless American Christmas delicacy. Despite the occasional unfavorable reputation, it boasts an inherent deliciousness. You can find numerous commercially produced options readily available, or unleash your creativity by crafting your own.

3. Gingerbread houses

While gingerbread houses are frequently employed more for ornamental purposes than for consumption, this American Christmas custom promises an enjoyable experience for both children and those young at heart.

4. Bourbon balls

Bourbon balls are spirited confections that enjoy enduring popularity during the holiday season. These delectable treats, with their fudgy and nutty character, offer just the perfect hint of bourbon to kickstart your festive merriment on the right note.

5. Pecan tassies

Pecan tassies strike a harmonious balance between a shortbread cookie and a miniature pecan pie, rendering them an ideal delight for the Christmas morning.

American Christmas drinks

A multitude of cherished American Christmas beverages are savored exclusively during the holiday season, which contributes to their exceptional allure.

1. Eggnog

Few things embody the essence of Christmas as perfectly as a serving of eggnog. This velvety and sumptuous beverage can be readily crafted from scratch and could possibly evolve into a cherished new tradition.

2. Hot buttered rum

This warm and spiced libation offers a profound sense of comfort on chilly days. Crafted by blending brown sugar, cinnamon, honey, butter, cloves, and nutmeg, the mixture is further elevated with the inclusion of spiced rum and a simmering addition of water.

3. Wassail

A time-honored American Christmas custom, wassail is frequently enjoyed in the company of loved ones, as carolers venture from one house to another. This warm holiday punch usually combines the flavors of orange and apple juice, seasoned with cloves, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. For those seeking an adult rendition, the addition of brandy or sherry imparts an extra layer of sophistication.

4. Mulled wine

As summer revolves around sangria, winter invites the pleasures of mulled wine—a beverage that arguably reigns supreme during the holiday season. Preparing your own is a straightforward endeavor, involving red wine, brandy, and a symphony of seasonal spices such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice, anise, and vanilla.

5. Mimosas

Mimosas need not be reserved solely for Sunday brunch; they also serve as a splendid means to commence the festivities of Christmas morning. A classic mimosa is crafted by marrying champagne and orange juice, while a festive variation involves the fusion of champagne and a touch of cranberry juice.