With the wealth of different food items available today, there's no reason to stick to traditional Christmas dinner menus that revolve around a turkey or ham. Instead, consider serving something more unique with one of these slightly out of the ordinary Christmas dinner menus. Complement any of the meals with a spiced Christmas beverage.
Middle Eastern Inspired Holiday Menu
Add an exotic twist to your menu with some Middle Eastern influenced dishes. This menu is especially well-received by guests who enjoy trying new foods.
Appetizers
- Start your meal off by serving butternut squash and chickpea soup. Squash is often served at traditional Christmas dinners; the inclusion of chickpeas helps give it a more savory flavor.
- Pair the soup with fresh pita bread and some homemade hummus.
Main Course
- Impress your guests by serving a full leg of lamb for your main course. While lamb is more traditionally associated with Easter dinners, it works well for any holiday meal.
Side Dishes
- Make a savory and complex crock pot ratatouille to serve with the lamb. Using the crock pot makes it simple to prepare ahead of time.
- Put a new twist on the traditional sweet potato casserole and serve up some twice-baked sweet potatoes as a side dish instead.
Dessert
- Finish off your meal with some spicy hot chocolate meringues to cleanse the palate.
Christmas Comfort Foods
Christmas is often about families and the memories you've made together. Consider serving up a menu full of comfort food to help solidify this feeling.
Appetizers
- Serve some stuffed mushrooms with a savory filling to begin your meal. Stuffed mushrooms are a finger food that can help set the tone for the rest of the meal.
- Keep your starters from getting too earthy by serving an heirloom tomato tart as well. This fresh tasting tart can be customized with various cheeses to help make a family favorite.
Main Course
- Beef stroganoff is viewed as a traditional comfort food by many families. Take it up a notch for Christmas by making and serving it in a gourmet style.
Side Dishes
- Serve the stroganoff alongside some individual cheese soufflés. The elegant servings will fit the day, while the flavor and texture will lend themselves toward the spirit of the meal.
- No comfort food-based meal is complete with a serving of mashed potatoes. For a truly appetizing twist, make these loaded mashed potatoes instead of the traditional kind.
- Casseroles are both traditional for Christmas dinners and for comfort food fare. Try this broccoli casserole as a side dish for an unusual addition.
Dessert
- Skip the more traditional apple pie, and serve these apples in puff pastry instead.
Gourmet Menu Ideas
Impress your guests this Christmas with a gourmet menu filled with items they may rarely see outside of restaurants.
Appetizers
- Start your meal off by serving baked brie. This warm, savory starter will have your guests looking forward to the main course. Serve it with some fresh fruit, such as grapes and berries, for sweetness.
- Finish setting the tone for the rest of the meal with steak tartare. Use the highest quality beef you can find for this raw recipe and amaze your guests.
Main Course
- Give the impression that you've spent hours in the kitchen by serving Beef Wellington as your main course. The pastry wrapped beef and mushroom dish is as striking as it is delicious.
Side Dishes
- Lighten up the meal slightly by serving a creamy, wine-rich risotto as a side dish. Consider using a mushroom risotto to complement the flavor of the beef.
- Serve some sautéed Swiss chard for a bright flavor that will enhance the other dishes on the plate.
Dessert
- Give a nod to the season while still retaining your gourmet aspirations by serving pumpkin crème brûlée for dessert.
Spicy Seasonal Menu
Many traditional Christmas dinners are bland or merely savory in taste. Try this spicy menu instead for a more unusual meal.
Appetizers
- Start your meal off with a spicy pumpkin soup. The unusual flavor has a nod toward tradition while setting the tone for the rest of the meal. Help cool it down slightly by serving with fresh sour cream.
Main Course
- Start your main course off with individual duck breasts. Increase the flavor with a sweet and spicy pear mostarda to enhance the dish.
Side Dishes
- While not overly spicy, Spanish rice makes a nice accompaniment to the duck and mostarda.
- Sweeten up the meal a little to add contrast to the spicier dishes with some stewed onions.
Dessert
- Take the heat out of your guests' mouths by serving a cool gelato for dessert.
Create Your Own Holiday Traditions
Unique Christmas dinner menus are a great way to introduce your friends and family to some new holiday traditions. Try starting your own this year by deviating from the norm and serving one of these menus instead.
