26 Delicious Christmas Lunch Ideas

Planning a Christmas lunch can feel overwhelming, especially with so many flavors and traditions to consider.

Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or simply preparing something special for your fam

ily, it’s the perfect time to create a festive menu that’s as delicious as it is memorable.

Think vibrant, comforting dishes that bring warmth and joy to the table while celebrating the season’s best ingredients.

From showstopping mains to crowd-pleasing sides and fresh, zesty options, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday.

Pesto Chicken Salad

Pesto chicken salad is a festive twist on a classic, perfect for Christmas lunches or holiday gatherings. Rotisserie chicken, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and almonds are tossed in a vibrant pesto dressing, making it a quick, flavorful, and customizable crowd-pleaser!

Sticky Chicken and Biscuit Sandwiches

Sticky chicken and biscuit sandwiches are a festive blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy Christmas lunches. Crispy chicken tenders coated in a honey, garlic, and hot sauce glaze are tucked into buttery biscuits for an irresistible treat. Easily customizable and simple to make, they’re a delightful twist on the classic chicken and biscuit pairing.

Masters Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

Masters Pimento Cheese Sandwiches bring a touch of Southern charm to your Christmas lunch. Made with sharp cheddar, creamy Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and diced pimentos, this recipe is rich, flavorful, and easy to prepare. Perfect on fluffy white bread or served as a spread with crackers, it’s a festive crowd-pleaser that adds a unique twist to your holiday table.

Leftover Skillet Turkey Pasta

Leftover skillet turkey pasta is a comforting and flavorful way to repurpose holiday leftovers. Sautéed onions, peppers, and mushrooms are seasoned and cooked with white wine and tomatoes to create a rich, savory sauce. Toss in your leftover turkey or chicken and mix it with pasta for an easy, hearty meal. Perfect for a cozy post-Christmas lunch, it’s a delicious way to make the most of your holiday feast.

Spicy Sesame Chicken and Ginger Rice

Spicy sesame chicken and ginger rice is a bold and flavorful addition to your Christmas lunch. Crispy oven-roasted chicken is coated in a sticky soy-pomegranate sauce with a sweet, spicy kick and paired with roasted broccoli over fragrant ginger rice. Quick, easy, and full of festive flavors, it’s a delicious way to elevate your holiday meal.

Pesto Cheese Stuffed Shells

Pesto cheese stuffed shells are a cozy and festive dish, perfect for your Christmas lunch. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with creamy ricotta and basil pesto, then baked in a savory sausage ragu sauce with bubbling cheese on top. Rich, hearty, and easy to prepare, this dish brings comfort and flavor to your holiday table.

Christmas Fruit Salad

This Christmas fruit salad is a vibrant and festive addition to your holiday lunch. Juicy grapes, crisp apples, tangy cranberries, and pops of pomegranate are layered in colorful harmony, topped with a creamy dressing and a crunchy granola-pistachio mix. Quick to prepare and stunning on the table, it’s a delightful way to add sparkle and flavor to your Christmas celebrations.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Loin With Apple & Rice Stuffing

Prosciutto-wrapped pork loin with apple and rice stuffing is a stunning centerpiece for your Christmas lunch. Tender pork is filled with a flavorful blend of grains, sweet apples, fennel, and aromatic herbs, then wrapped in crispy, salty prosciutto. The combination of earthy grains, sharp balsamic, and soft apples creates a perfectly balanced dish that’s both impressive and surprisingly simple to prepare. A memorable addition to your holiday table!

Linguine with Lemon & Tomatoes

Linguine with roasted tomatoes and lemon is a festive, light dish perfect for Christmas lunch. Sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and zesty lemon combine beautifully, with arugula and pine nuts adding a crunchy finish. Simple, elegant, and versatile, it’s a holiday crowd-pleaser.

Festive Recipe for Winter Salad

This festive winter salad is a vibrant and refreshing addition to your Christmas lunch. With winter greens, juicy pears, creamy ricotta, and sweet pomegranate seeds, it’s as stunning as it is delicious. Tossed in a tangy orange-maple vinaigrette, it adds brightness and crunch to your holiday feast.

Cuban Sliders

Cuban sliders are a festive twist on classic ham and cheese, perfect for Christmas lunch. Filled with honey ham, pulled pork, cheese, pickles, and mustard, they deliver all the flavors of a Cuban sandwich in bite-sized form. Topped with a buttery glaze, these crispy, flavorful sliders are a crowd-pleasing holiday treat.

Brussels Sprout Salad

Brussels sprout salad is a crisp and flavorful side, perfect for Christmas lunch. Shaved sprouts are paired with sweet apples, dried cranberries, creamy feta, and crunchy nuts, all tossed in a tangy dressing. Fresh and festive, it’s a versatile dish that stays crisp, making it ideal for holiday meals.

Sausage and Mushroom Pasta Bake

This sausage and mushroom pasta bake is a hearty, festive addition to your Christmas lunch. Rigatoni, vegan Italian sausage, and cremini mushrooms are tossed in a creamy sauce with a splash of Marsala wine, then baked to golden perfection. Comforting and plant-based, it’s a crowd-pleasing holiday dish.

Guacamole Salad

Guacamole salad is a fresh and vibrant side, perfect for adding a light touch to your Christmas lunch. With chunks of avocado, tomato, lime, and shredded lettuce, it’s a salad-style guac that’s as delicious with a fork as it is with chips. Customizable and refreshing, it complements rich holiday dishes beautifully.

Roasted Cranberry Chicken

Roasted cranberry chicken brings festive flavors to the holiday table with its perfect balance of tart and sweet. Juicy, bone-in chicken thighs are marinated in balsamic vinegar, orange zest, and brown sugar, then roasted alongside fresh cranberries. Aromatic herbs like thyme and rosemary enhance the rich flavor, making it an elegant addition to your Christmas feast.

Roasted Butternut Squash

Roasted butternut squash is a festive and flavorful side dish that adds a touch of seasonal sweetness to your Christmas menu. Tossed with cinnamon and maple syrup, the tender, caramelized cubes are both healthy and delicious. Packed with nutrients and easy to prepare, it’s a versatile option that complements mains or enhances salads and soups.

Pesto Caprese Sandwich

A Caprese sandwich transforms the classic Italian salad into a festive and flavorful holiday treat. Fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil are layered with a generous spread of basil pesto between slices of ciabatta or focaccia. Enjoy it warm for a comforting Christmas lunch or serve it cold as a quick and satisfying holiday snack.

Hot Turkey Sandwiches

Hot turkey sandwiches are a delicious way to repurpose holiday leftovers into a cozy and satisfying meal. Tender, beer-simmered turkey breast is seasoned perfectly and served on soft buns or hearty Texas toast. The buttery sauce can be thickened into a rich gravy, adding indulgence to this versatile dish, perfect for casual Christmas gatherings or festive spreads.

Croque Madame

Croque Madame is a decadent French classic, perfect for transforming leftover Christmas ham into a luxurious breakfast or brunch. Layers of ham and melted cheese are nestled between bread, topped with creamy béchamel and a sunny-side-up egg for a rich and golden treat. Comforting and indulgent, it’s an ideal way to savor a cozy festive morning.

CHristmas Roast Duck with Cranberry-Orange Glaze

Christmas roast duck with cranberry-orange glaze is a showstopping centerpiece for an elegant holiday meal. Crispy-skinned and stuffed with rosemary, thyme, and lemon, it’s paired with a tangy, spiced glaze of cranberry and orange juice for a festive touch. This decadent alternative to traditional mains like turkey or ham is perfect for creating a memorable Christmas celebration.

Easy Plum and Ginger Roasted Duck

Roasted duck with plum and ginger glaze is an elegant and flavorful centerpiece for a special Christmas dinner. With crispy skin and a rich, spiced plum sauce, it’s both festive and surprisingly simple to prepare. Roasted to perfection and caramelized with glaze, this dish adds a touch of sophistication to your holiday celebration.

Cozy Chicken Pot Pie

This chicken pot pie is the perfect blend of creamy comfort and festive simplicity. A rich filling of chicken, potatoes, carrots, and peas is nestled under flaky puff pastry for a satisfying holiday dish. With a creamy base made from butter, milk, and broth, it’s customizable and easy to prepare, whether as individual servings or one large pie. Perfect for a cozy Christmas lunch, it’s a classic everyone will love.

Sheet Pan Honey Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Veggies

Add some effortless elegance to your Christmas lunch with this flavorful and easy sheet pan recipe. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are marinated in a honey balsamic glaze with whole grain mustard for a perfectly crisp, golden finish. Paired with your favorite veggies, this dish is as customizable as it is delicious, and the juices double as a rich, savory drizzle. With minimal prep and cleanup, it’s the perfect hands-off meal to enjoy during the busy holiday season.

The Best Vegan Chili

Bring the warmth of the season to your table with a hearty and festive twist on a classic comfort food. This vegan chili is rich, satisfying, and packed with the perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors. Red wine and a touch of chocolate give it a luxurious depth, while a mix of colorful vegetables, beans, and millet add texture and nutrition. Perfect for a cozy Christmas lunch or a holiday gathering, this dish proves that plant-based meals can be both indulgent and comforting.

One Pan Broccoli Cheese Wild Rice Casserole

Elevate your Christmas lunch with a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for the holiday season. This cheesy wild rice casserole combines nutty wild rice, crisp broccoli, and gooey Gruyère for a cozy, flavorful meal. Toasting the rice in butter adds a rich, nutty depth, while the addition of spinach and broccoli keeps it vibrant and hearty. With bubbling cheese and crispy edges fresh from the oven, this dish is like the baked version of broccoli cheddar soup—perfect for sharing around the holiday table.

Oven-Roasted Cranberry-Dijon Glazed Ham

Bring a touch of holiday magic to your Christmas lunch with a beautifully roasted centerpiece that’s bursting with festive flavors. A tangy glaze made from fresh cranberries, Dijon mustard, and a hint of sweetness adds the perfect balance of zing and warmth. Scoring the roast allows the glaze to infuse every bite, creating a dish that’s both easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious. This vibrant and flavorful creation is sure to be the highlight of your holiday feast.

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