15 Alternative Christmas Dinner Recipes
BY Alison Wiebe
Spice up your Christmas feast with new and exciting alternative Christmas dinner recipes for a memorable holiday dinner!
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to start planning your feast! I have gathered some of my favourite recipes that are perfect for your Christmas dinner. From appetizers to mains, cocktails and desserts, there are plenty of options to create the perfect festive feast that include non-traditional Christmas dinner ideas.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a alternative Christmas dinner recipes based on old traditions, try the recipes from my Charles Dickens-inspired Christmas feast featuring a roast goose and plum pudding!
Appetizers
During the busy holiday season I am always looking for ways to simplify my party food prep without sacrificing flavour. These make-ahead Christmas appetizers certainly fit the bill! Prosciutto wrapped figs with goat cheese and Port are the perfect sweet and salty holiday bite, while Salmon rillettes is an easy to prepare and elegant appetizer that packs a punch of flavour.
Entrées
Christmas comes just once a year, so it’s worth a splurge on a premium protein. For a truly show-stopping meal, serve a luxurious Slow Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Shallots and Port. This elegant entrée is served with roasted shallots and a rich Port-infused sauce. If Prime Rib is more your thing, then try it roasted with a garlicky herb crust and a delicious pan gravy. For a poultry alternative, you can’t go wrong with this delicious cider brined roast chicken.
Side Dishes
With its luscious, rich, cheesy cream sauce, potatoes dauphinoise is the perfect decadent side dish for your show-stopping Christmas entrée. Another incredible potato recipe – these gloriously golden duck fat roasted potatoes are an ideal accompaniment for a roast beef dinner. They are crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, .
For a decadent vegetable side, check out this rich and cheesy baked cauliflower. Crispy, salty fried brussels sprouts with a tangy grainy mustard aioli are a unique way to enjoy this ubiquitous holiday vegetable. The humble parsnip is transformed into a delicious and elegant side by roasting them in a sticky cider reduction glaze in these Cider Roasted Parsnips.
Cocktails
Raise a glass of Christmas cheer! With a mulled spice vermouth, tangy cranberry, and sparkling wine, this Spiced Cranberry Sparkler truly is Christmas in a glass. Rosemary Bourbon and Cassis Cocktail combines earthy rosemary and sweet black currant liqueur with bourbon in this festive winter tipple. The subtle flavour of fresh pears is married with warm, spicy aromatics in this Spiced Pear Cocktail.
Desserts
For those who can’t get enough chocolate, try this decadent Chocolate Chestnut Tart. Sweet chestnut-laced cream is swirled on top of a deep, dark chocolate ganache tart. And finally, for a truly seasonal treat, check out these Mini Eggnog Cheesecakes. This diminutive dessert packs a serious punch of holiday flavours, with a gingersnap crust, creamy eggnog filling, and tart cranberry garnish.
