Christmas dishes in the United States
In the United States, Christmas is a time for indulging in rich and comforting foods. One of the most iconic dishes is the classic Christmas ham, glazed with brown sugar and mustard and studded with cloves. Another popular dish is green bean casserole, a creamy and savory side dish made with fresh green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. And of course, no Christmas meal is complete without a slice of pumpkin pie, a sweet and spicy dessert made with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
But there are other lesser-known dishes that are also enjoyed around the country. In the southern states, it's common to serve cornbread dressing, a savory stuffing made with crumbled cornbread, sausage, and sage. In Hawaii, Christmas dinner often includes kalua pig, a slow-cooked pork dish flavored with smoky, salty, and slightly sweet notes. And in Puerto Rico, the centerpiece of the Christmas Eve meal is lechón, a whole roasted pig that is seasoned with garlic, oregano, and sour orange juice.
Easy and Delicious Christmas Ham
Christmas dishes in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the traditional Christmas meal centers around a roasted turkey, served with gravy, stuffing, roasted vegetables, and cranberry sauce. But there are other dishes that are also beloved during the festive season. One of these is mince pies, small pastries filled with spiced fruit and topped with a pastry lid. Another is Christmas pudding, a dense and rich dessert made with dried fruit, suet, and spices, which is often served with brandy butter or custard.
In Scotland, it's common to serve haggis on Christmas day, a savory pudding made with sheep's heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with oatmeal, onions, and spices. In Wales, it's traditional to have a bowl of cawl, a hearty soup made with lamb or beef, root vegetables, and barley. And in Northern Ireland, potato bread is a staple of the Christmas breakfast, served alongside fried eggs, bacon, and sausages.
Christmas dishes in France
In France, Christmas is a time for indulging in rich and decadent foods. One of the most famous dishes is foie gras, a creamy and buttery spread made from the liver of a duck or goose. Another is bûche de Noël, a rolled cake made with sponge cake, chocolate buttercream, and decorated to look like a Yule log. And oysters are often served as a starter, accompanied by a glass of chilled Champagne.
But there are other lesser-known dishes that are also enjoyed around the country. In the south of France, it's traditional to have a big bowl of bouillabaisse, a fish stew made with a variety of seafood, tomatoes, and saffron. In Alsace, a region in the northeast of the country, Christmas dinner often includes choucroute garnie, a hearty dish made with sauerkraut, sausages, and pork. And in Provence, it's common to serve les treize desserts, a selection of thirteen different sweets and fruits, representing Jesus and the twelve apostles.
Christmas dishes in Italy
In Italy, Christmas is a time for gathering with family and sharing a feast of traditional dishes. One of the most iconic dishes is panettone, a sweet and fluffy bread filled with candied fruit and raisins. Another is lasagne, a rich and savory pasta dish made with layers of pasta, tomato sauce, meat, and cheese. And for dessert, there's tiramisu, a creamy and decadent dessert made with layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cheese.
But there are other lesser-known dishes that are also enjoyed around the country. In Naples, it's traditional to serve struffoli, small balls of fried dough coated in honey and sprinkles. In Sicily, Christmas dinner often includes caponata, a sweet and sour eggplant dish made with capers, olives, and tomatoes. And in the northern regions of Italy, it's common to have cotechino con lenticchie, a hearty dish made with sausage and lentils.
Christmas dishes in Germany
In Germany, Christmas is a time for hearty and warming dishes, perfect for the cold winter weather. One of the most famous dishes is stollen, a sweet and dense bread filled with dried fruit, nuts, and marzipan. Another is kartoffelsalat, a potato salad made with bacon, onions, and vinegar. And for dessert, there's lebkuchen, a spicy gingerbread cookie that is often shaped into hearts or stars.
But there are other lesser-known dishes that are also enjoyed around the country. In Bavaria, it's traditional to have a big bowl of sauerkraut, a pickled cabbage dish that is often served with sausages or pork. In the Rhineland, Christmas dinner often includes goose, roasted until crispy and served with red cabbage and dumplings. And in the east of Germany, it's common to have stollenkonfekt, small bite-sized versions of stollen that are perfect for sharing.
Christmas dishes in Russia
In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, and the traditional meal is a lavish affair that lasts for several days. One of the most famous dishes is borscht, a hearty and warming soup made with beets, cabbage, and beef. Another is kholodets, a savory jelly made with meat or fish, served cold with horseradish sauce. And for dessert, there's medovik, a honey cake made with layers of thin and crispy pastry and a sweet and creamy filling.
But there are other lesser-known dishes that are also enjoyed around the country. In Siberia, it's traditional to have a big bowl of pelmeni, small dumplings filled with meat and served with sour cream. In the south of Russia, Christmas dinner often includes shashlik, skewers of marinated meat cooked over an open flame. And in Moscow, it's common to have kutya, a sweet and nutty porridge made with wheat berries, honey, and poppy seeds.
Christmas dishes in Mexico
In Mexico, Christmas is a time for vibrant colors, lively music, and delicious food. One of the most iconic dishes is tamales, small parcels of corn dough filled with meat, vegetables, or cheese, and wrapped in a corn husk. Another is pozole, a hearty and spicy soup made with hominy, pork, and chili peppers. And for dessert, there's buñuelos, deep-fried dough balls dusted with cinnamon sugar.
But there are other lesser-known dishes that are also enjoyed around the country. In Oaxaca, it's traditional to have a big bowl of mole, a rich and complex sauce made with chili peppers, chocolate, and spices, served over chicken or turkey. In the Yucatan, Christmas dinner often includes cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted pork dish flavored with orange juice and achiote paste. And in Mexico City, it's common to have ponche, a hot and fruity punch made with hibiscus flowers, cinnamon, and citrus.
Christmas dishes in Japan
In Japan, Christmas is not a national holiday, but it is still celebrated by many people as a time for exchanging gifts and enjoying a special meal. One of the most famous dishes is fried chicken, often from KFC, which has become a popular tradition in recent years. Another is Christmas cake, a light and fluffy sponge cake decorated with strawberries and whipped cream. And for a savory dish, there's osechi ryori, a selection of traditional Japanese foods served in small bento boxes.
But there are other lesser-known dishes that are also enjoyed around the country. In Hokkaido, it's traditional to have a big bowl of hot pot, a communal dish where everyone cooks their own meat, tofu, and vegetables in a flavorful broth. In Osaka, Christmas dinner often includes takoyaki, small balls of batter filled with octopus and topped with sauce and mayo. And in Kyoto, it's common to have soba noodles, a long and thin noodle made with buckwheat flour, served hot in a broth or cold with dipping sauce.
