{"id":36547,"date":"2025-12-23T19:15:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T03:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iamafoodblog.com\/?p=36547"},"modified":"2025-12-23T19:05:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T03:05:12","slug":"christmas-dinner-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iamafoodblog.com\/christmas-dinner-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"56 Last Minute Christmas Dinner Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you wait too long to plan a Christmas\/Holiday dinner? You don’t have to resort to takeout or delivery, these recipes can all be done in a few hours and taste just as good as turkey.<\/p>\n

Our Best Last Minute Christmas Dinner Ideas<\/h2>\n
\n

\"Beef<\/a><\/p>\n

Beef Tenderloin with a Giant Sauce Board<\/a><\/h2>\n

Like the best steak of your life: melt-in-your-mouth buttery, extremely juicy, and deliciously beefy and satisfying.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

A Hot Pot Christmas Dinner<\/a><\/h2>\n

The absolute best version of Chinese food for Christmas made even better because it’s at home, no pants needed.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Christmas<\/a><\/p>\n

Christmas Paella<\/a><\/h2>\n

The first time we had paella was in London at Christmas, it was so fun. What’s more festive than gathering around a giant paella?<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Real<\/a><\/p>\n

Real Deal Swedish Meatballs<\/a><\/h2>\n

And the same goes for Swedish meatballs, doesn’t it always seem like the nordic countries know how to do Christmas right?<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Cinnamon<\/a><\/p>\n

Cinnamon Rolls<\/a><\/h2>\n

Whatever you do for your mains and sides, cinnamon rolls are the ultimate dessert for your Christmas dinner.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

A Full Gravy Board for Christmas<\/a><\/h2>\n

Because if gravy is the best part of christmas dinner for you, then why not 6 different ones? You can make all these at the same time and have a full smorgasbord.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Super<\/a><\/p>\n

Super Juicy Crock Pot Turkey Breast Christmas Dinner<\/a><\/h2>\n

A turkey that cooks itself perfectly feels a little bit like the future, but a utopian future instead of the weird dystopian one we live in now.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Perfect<\/a><\/p>\n

Perfect Christmas Roast Potatoes<\/a><\/h2>\n

What makes these Christmas potatoes? Nothing, but they’re definitely perfect, just like your Christmas will be.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Brown<\/a><\/p>\n

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies<\/a><\/h2>\n

The question is, do you start with these amazingly soft and crisp chocolate chip cookies, or end with them? Why not both?<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Honey<\/a><\/p>\n

Honey Baked Ham<\/a><\/h2>\n

Honey baked ham like you’ve never had it with the flavors of Chinese bbq char siu honey glaze.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Instant<\/a><\/p>\n

Instant Pot Turkey Christmas Dinner<\/a><\/h2>\n

Pressure cooking is the way to go: juicy, perfect turkey every time, in only 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Christmas<\/a><\/p>\n

Christmas Chicken Shawarma<\/a><\/h2>\n

If you’re bored of turkey, this is a crazy flavor bomb that will make you forget all about plain turkey.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

A Korean BBQ Christmas Dinner<\/a><\/h2>\n

Or go really crazy with a smoky, hyper-flavorful and happily cheerful DIY Christmas Korean BBQ.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Foolproof<\/a><\/p>\n

Foolproof Spatchcock Turkey<\/a><\/h2>\n

But if you’re dead-set on a full turkey, do yourself a favor and spatchcock it for the best whole turkey ever. You can even buy it in parts and put it together like a puzzle.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Hainanese<\/a><\/p>\n

Hainanese Chicken Christmas Dinner<\/a><\/h2>\n

Hainanese chicken and rice is like the ultimate Chinese version of the classic turkey and mashed potatoes Christmas dinner.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The Ultimate Charcuterie Board<\/a><\/h2>\n

The prettiest appetizer, but so over the top you could do it as the main too. A little bit of luxury in a year that definitely needs it.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Air<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Idea: Air Fryer Parm and Thyme Wedge Fries<\/a><\/h2>\n

These air fryer wedge fries taste like an adult version of the frozen wedge fries you might have had as a kid, and what’s better than nostalgic food done right?<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Parmesan<\/a><\/p>\n

Instead of dinner rolls: Parmesan Garlic Knots<\/a><\/h2>\n

Like garlic bread and dinner rolls had a baby who turned out to be Yao Ming. So good and so easy, you’ll never go back to plain dinner rolls.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Air<\/a><\/p>\n

Air Fryer Roasted Brussels Sprouts<\/a><\/h2>\n

Fun fact: If you hated brussels sprouts as a kid, it was a different (worse) varietal. Today’s brussels sprouts are so good, especially when cooked right, like in the air fryer.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Air<\/a><\/p>\n

Air Fryer Chicken Breasts<\/a><\/h2>\n

And while you have the air fryer out, try these juicy perfect-every-time chicken breasts too.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Velveeta<\/a><\/p>\n

Velveeta Mac and Cheese<\/a><\/h2>\n

The most perfect looking mac and cheese ever is also the tastiest. You’ll never look at Velveeta the same way again.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Traditional<\/a><\/p>\n

Traditional Soft German Pretzels<\/a><\/h2>\n

Whenever we get a chance to, we try to visit German christmas markets, and the best part of them are soft pretzels. We can’t have markets this year, but we can still have pretzels!<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Chinese<\/a><\/p>\n

Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)<\/a><\/h2>\n

Go a little crazy for your Christmas dinner main with this super easy Chinese BBQ pork, served up with bao, rice, or on its own.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Air<\/a><\/p>\n

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs<\/a><\/h2>\n

Imagine a huge pile of juicy flavorful lemon pepper chicken thighs in the blink of an eye. Way easier and more cost effective than turkey.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Baked<\/a><\/p>\n

Baked Garlic Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs<\/a><\/h2>\n

And if you don’t have an air fryer, these baked garlic honey mustard chicken thighs are just the thing.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

A Tomahawk Steak for Your Christmas Dinner<\/a><\/h2>\n

But if money is no object, nothing says celebration like a giant tomahawk steak whether traditionally with just salt and pepper, or Vietnamese salad roll like we did here.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Christmas<\/a><\/p>\n

Christmas Barbacoa<\/a><\/h2>\n

If you’ve never had barbacoa as a festive meal, you’re missing out: soft and tender beef coated in a savory red chile sauce, perfect with tacos or Mexican rice.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Takoyaki<\/a><\/p>\n

Takoyaki Dinner Party<\/a><\/h2>\n

The best festive dinners are slow, lingering, communal dinners, like these Japanese octopus balls which are so fun to make and eat.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Full<\/a><\/p>\n

Full English Breakfast<\/a><\/h2>\n

Fun fact: many people have their Christmas dinners on Christmas morning, and if you are one of those people, a Full English is the best “Christmas Dinner” ever.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Salted<\/a><\/p>\n

Salted Egg Yolk Fried Chicken<\/a><\/h2>\n

And even more people have fried chicken for their Christmas dinners. Take it to the next level with these Chinese cured egg yolk fried chicken nuggets.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Side<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Idea: Sour Cream and Onion Pasta Salad<\/a><\/h2>\n

Regular pasta salad can be great, but this sour cream and onion pasta salad based on everyone’s favorite chip flavor is phenomenal.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Salt<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Idea: Salt and Pepper Shrimp<\/a><\/h2>\n

You know this one: the delicious salty peppery shrimp you get from great Cantonese restaurants, now at home, for Christmas.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Shrimp<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Idea: Shrimp Risotto Balls<\/a><\/h2>\n

While you’re on the shrimp train, these shrimp and risosto arancini are super festive and crazy delicious.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Chinese<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Idea: Chinese Cucumber Avocado Salad<\/a><\/h2>\n

For people who hate leafy greens, this hearty salad is all buttery avocados, cool cucumbers, and lots of umami, soy, and black vinegar.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Vietnamese<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Idea: Vietnamese Salt and Garlic Prawns<\/a><\/h2>\n

Crispy roasted prawns loaded up with salt, garlic, and chiles. A flavor bomb of a side dish.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Instant<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Idea: Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes<\/a><\/h2>\n

Perfect mashed potatoes, every time, as fast as possible. You’ll never go back to making mashed potatoes any other way after reading this.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Gochujang<\/a><\/p>\n

Gochujang Honey Roast Chicken Dinner<\/a><\/h2>\n

Slightly spicy, slightly sweet Korean inspired chicken with creamy crispy roast potatoes<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The Potato Snack: 64\u00b0 Eggs, 72\u00b0 Potatoes, Toast<\/a><\/h2>\n

A tiny touch of fine dining at home when you want to bring the extra fancy: perfect eggs, perfect potatoes.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Christmas<\/a><\/p>\n

Christmas Turkey Pot Pie<\/a><\/h2>\n

A creamy and light Christmas-y take on shepherd’s pie with turkey and white sauce and everything nice.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Potato<\/a><\/p>\n

Rolls: Potato Sliders<\/a><\/h2>\n

Definitively, the best bread is potato bread, especially during the holidays. You can use these buns to make tiny Shake Shack burgers even.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Fully<\/a><\/p>\n

Salad Idea: Fully Loaded Baked Potato Salad<\/a><\/h2>\n

The best parts of a fully loaded baked potato and classic potato salad, together at last. Rich and bacon-y and creamy and fluffy, all at the same time.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Roasted<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Idea: Roasted Potatoes with Burrata<\/a><\/h2>\n

The crispy edges and fluffy insides of the roasted potatoes pair perfectly with the creamy burrata.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Mini<\/a><\/p>\n

Mini Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders<\/a><\/h2>\n

There’s nothing better than taking a tray of these tiny slider buns fresh out of the oven to start your dinner.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Rolls:<\/a><\/p>\n

Rolls: No Fail Fluffy Dinner Rolls<\/a><\/h2>\n

But if you have to have the classics, these no-fail extra fluffy dinner rolls are just what you need.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Chicken<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Ideas: Chicken Pot Pie Bow Ties<\/a><\/h2>\n

Pasta salad like you’ve never had: chicken pot pie pasta salad, done up in the instant pot in under 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Creamy<\/a><\/p>\n

Creamy Lobster Pasta<\/a><\/h2>\n

Why stop at a simple pasta salad though, when you can go all out with this creamy lobster pasta. It seems expensive and decadent, but all you need is one lobster to make this pasta.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Mint<\/a><\/p>\n

Dessert: Mint Snowman Marshmallows<\/a><\/h2>\n

These mint snowman marshmallows are the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas morning hot chocolate.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Mini<\/a><\/p>\n

Mini Gingerbread Houses<\/a><\/h2>\n

And so are these tiny gingerbread houses, although you’ll need to order a special mold for them unless you’re really good with a knife.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Honeynut<\/a><\/p>\n

Side Idea: Honeynut Squash<\/a><\/h2>\n

Honeynut squashes are the cuter, tastier, easier to make version of butternut squash. Just roast these and enjoy their sweet squashiness, no worrying about peels or tough fibers.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Mushroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Mushroom Herb Challah Stuffing<\/a><\/h2>\n

Stuffing done right with challah bread, sauteed mushrooms, and lots of thyme and rosemary. This stuffing will make your house smell like Christmas all by itself.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Creamy<\/a><\/p>\n

Creamy Spicy Hatch Green Chile Mac and Cheese<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Velveeta mac up top might be the classic, but this green chile one is our best mac and cheese: a love letter to the Southwest.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Mac<\/a><\/p>\n

Mac and Kimcheese Dolsot Bibim-mac<\/a><\/h2>\n

And this one is our love letter to kimchi and Korean stone bowls. You’ll need to order a stone bowl for this one, but it’s 100% worth it for those crispy bits of pasta and cheese.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Japanese<\/a><\/p>\n

Dessert Idea: Japanese Cotton Cheesecake<\/a><\/h2>\n

People line up for hours for these in the cold and rain, but you can have it right in front of a cozy fire at home instead.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Baked<\/a><\/p>\n

Baked Tonkatsu Christmas Dinner<\/a><\/h2>\n

Shatteringly crispy breaded pork with rice and cabbage and sesame dressing might not sound like a traditional Christmas dinner, but it could the best one you’ve ever tried.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Danish<\/a><\/p>\n

Danish Aebleskiver Pancake Balls<\/a><\/h2>\n

Cereal pancake balls were a thing earlier this strange year. Ring in a more hopeful 2021 with these classic Danish pancake balls that are way easier and tastier to make.<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"Basque<\/a><\/p>\n

Basque Cheesecake<\/a><\/h2>\n

This Basque Cheesecake looks like this year feels, but tastes like heaven underneath that slightly bitter burnt crust. The perfect way to say goodbye to 2020<\/p>\n

View Recipe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last minute dinner ideas that taste like you planned for weeks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":36184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-recipe-2025.php","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[3077,7,20],"tags":[97,127,2322],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n