Looking to shake things up this holiday season? If you’re tired of the same old dishes and want to surprise your guests, these non-traditional Christmas food ideas are just what you need! I’ve compiled a list of unique and exciting recipes that break away from the usual fare and bring something fresh to your Christmas party.
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Easy Broiled Lobster Tail
Let’s kick things off with a delicious lobster recipe that’s surprisingly easy to make and delivers buttery lobster tails that feel like a luxurious treat for Christmas!
Easy Broiled Lobster Tail
Broiled lobster tail is a decadent, impressive, yet easy-to-make dinner. While not a budget meal, it can be made at home for much cheaper than eating out.
I’m such a huge fan of shrimp, especially when they’re wrapped in bacon and glazed with sweet brown sugar for an irresistible holiday appetizer!
Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
If you’re looking for a delicious holiday appetizer, you’re in luck because I’m sharing the recipe for these delicious Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp.
Mushrooms and bacon together? Well, count me in for this comforting and savory dish!
Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms and Bacon
If you ask us, we should all be eating more polenta. It’s creamy, filling and best of all, versatile—not to mention easier to make than you think. Allow this polenta with roasted mushrooms and bacon to be your starting point.
I fully believe that you could never go wrong with salmon, especially when it’s roasted to with caramelized tomato paste, zesty lemon, and a hint of Iraqi spices!
My Mother-In-Law’s Iraqi Roasted Salmon Recipe
Smothered in onions and caramelized tomato paste, this salmon sings with bright acidity from lemon and heat from Iraqi spices.
I can already tell how filling this dish is just by looking at it, with that rich sauce and those bold spices!
Jamaican Oxtails Recipe
This Jamaican Oxtails Recipe is the perfect Caribbean stew for dinner. Delicious and tender oxtail and butter beans that is cooked to perfection. Make it in the Instant Pot or any electric Pressure Cooker. Stove top and slow cooker instructions also included.
If you’re searching for a nontraditional vegan option for Christmas, give this green bean casserole a try—it’s creamy, savory, and packed with veggies!
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Friends, it’s that time of year to make something cozy and nostalgic and eat one too many servings.
These twice-baked sweet potatoes, stuffed with a blend of creamy garlic butter and sprinkled with lemon zest, are absolutely heavenly and will have you coming back for more!
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
These healthy twice baked sweet potatoes are a delicious side dish! They’re filled with a sweet and savory cashew cream, lemony broccoli, and scallions.
This cranberry-glazed pork loin, slow-cooked to perfection plus onion soup mix, is such a hidden gem and makes for a festive and comforting dish that’s perfect for any special occasion.
Cranberry Pork Loin Crockpot Recipe
Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin is slow-cooked tender pork loin with onion soup mix and whole cranberry sauce.
I can’t forget about bread, and this buttermilk flavor bread with its creamy and pudding-like texture, is simply the best and adds a unique flavor to any meal!
Buttermilk Spoon Bread
Although called a bread, spoon bread has the consistency and taste of a savory pudding. Buttermilk Spoon Bread is a nice cross between a skillet of hot cornbread, a cornmeal soufflé, and cornbread dressing.
This creamy pasta with juicy chicken is a dish that deserves to be on our holiday tables more often, making every special occasion even more delicious.
Chicken Alfredo
This Chicken Alfredo features pasta drenched in an ultra-rich and creamy sauce and topped with juicy strips of seared chicken.
I’m in love with pasta, and this dish, with its rich three-cheese filling stuffed into tender shells and baked to perfection, is another irresistible way to enjoy my favorite comfort food.
Manicotti Recipe
A vegetarian, easy manicotti recipe with three cheeses, a spaghetti sauce, and fresh parsley. Comforting baked pasta recipe in less than an hour!
If you’re craving that comforting vibe, definitely go for this hearty beef stew with red wine, simmered slowly to develop mouthwatering flavors that are perfect for cozying up!
French Beef Stew with Red Wine
Rich, oven-braised French beef stew with red wine, tender meat and Provencal herbs. Serve with crusty bread or noodles for a cozy meal!
This mussel dish in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce is a perfect match with some garlic bread – thinking about it makes me so hungry!
Mussels In Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
These Mussels In Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce recipe is fool proof and can be adapted to your taste. You know you don’t need to pull a muscle with these mussels.
Have you tried chicken crepes yet? If not, you’re missing out big time on these delights filled with creamy béchamel sauce, chicken, and cheese—perfect for brunch or a light lunch!
Savory Chicken Crepes
Chicken crepes are a savory favorite stuffed with béchamel sauce, shredded chicken, melty cheese and served with pesto and balsamic glaze!
I’ll always make space for a salsa recipe, and this tender beef with salsa verde, cooked with minimal prep, is perfect for filling tacos, burritos, and more!
Instant Pot Salsa Verde Beef
Instant Pot salsa verde beef is tender, flavorful beef that can be made with almost no prep. This tasty beef makes a great burrito filling!
Want to try something new for Christmas? Give this Greek-inspired pizza, loaded with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, feta, and olives, a go—it’s a fresh twist for your menu!
20 Minute Greek Pizza
Here’s an easy 20 minute homemade Greek Pizza recipe! It’s loaded with artichokes, roasted red peppers, feta and black olives.
Rice isn’t appreciated enough on holiday tables, so you should definitely include this turkey and rice soup in your spread—it’s a light option with tender turkey, veggies, and a splash of fresh lemon that’s perfect after all those rich dishes.
Turkey and Rice Soup
This easy recipe for homemade Turkey and Rice Soup is the most delicious way to enjoy leftover turkey! Irresistible with a finish of parsley, lemon zest and garlic!
If you’re looking to infuse your Christmas meal with a European touch, Sweet and Sour Cabbage with Bacon is an excellent choice for a non-traditional side dish. Its robust flavors and smoky bacon add a delightful contrast to typical holiday fare, bringing a taste of Eastern Europe to your winter table. This recipe is a must-try for those seeking a unique and flavorful addition to their festive lineup.
Sweet and Sour Cabbage with Bacon
This Sweet and Sour Cabbage recipe is a must-try for anyone who enjoys robust, tangy flavors. It’s simple to prepare and serves as the perfect side to richer main dishes. Why not introduce this delightful dish at your next family dinner or gather friends for a cozy, casual meal? It’s sure to bring smiles and satisfy any palate, especially on those chilly evenings!
If you are craving sweets, I suggest trying this sweet cornbread.
Cornbread with Berries
Enjoy this delightful Cornbread with Berries as a special treat that’s sure to bring smiles and a bit of sweetness to your table! A wonderful addition to your holiday celebrations that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
Laura Bais is the owner of Julie's Cafe Bakery food blog. From a young age, she had a passion for cooking, and at the age of 13, she made her first meal. After finishing high school, she undergraduates in Cultural Studies at the University of Rijeka, and graduates in Journalism at the University of Zagreb. At that time she honed her cooking skills, but also worked in marketing. Since her love for cooking never faded, in 2021 she finally decided to share her recipes with the world. Laura turned her hobby into a career and loves every moment of it. Now she writes about common mistakes in the kitchen and how to avoid them, about adding twists to traditional meals, etc. Her love for trying new foods often leads her to visit restaurants and attempt to recreate the meals at home. She has been featured on F and B Recipes and BOXROX, to name a few.
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