Flavorful Christmas Dinner Recipes for a Large Crowd
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Introduction
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the excitement of gathering family and friends around the dinner table.
There’s something truly magical about sharing a festive meal that warms our hearts and fills our bellies.
When we’re preparing for a large crowd, we want recipes that are not only flavorful but also easy to prepare, allowing us to enjoy the celebration rather than spending all our time in the kitchen.
In this article, we’ll explore a delightful array of Christmas dinner recipes perfect for serving a big group.
Get ready to impress your guests with these crowd-pleasers that will make our holiday gathering truly special!
Roast Prime Rib with Herb Crust
Let’s kick things off with a show-stopping roast prime rib.
This succulent cut of meat is perfect for festive occasions, and it’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
With a flavorful herb crust, it’ll be the centerpiece of our holiday table.
Ingredients
One 5 to 6-pound prime rib roast
Salt and pepper to taste
Three tablespoons olive oil
Four cloves garlic (minced)
One tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped)
One tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped)
One tablespoon Dijon mustard
Two cups beef broth
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat our oven to 450°F (230°C).
This high temperature will help create a delicious crust.
Season the Meat: Generously season the prime rib roast with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and Dijon mustard.
Rub this mixture all over the roast.
Roasting Time: Place the roast bone-side down in a roasting pan.
Roast for 20 minutes at 450°F (230°C) to sear the outside.
Then, reduce the temperature to 325°F (165°C) and continue roasting until it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Rest and Slice: Once it’s done, let the roast rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing.
This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every slice is tender and juicy.
Serve with the pan drippings or a delicious gravy made from the beef broth.
Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Next up, we have a side dish that’s sure to win over even the pickiest eaters—maple-glazed Brussels sprouts!
The sweetness of the maple syrup perfectly complements the natural bitterness of the sprouts, creating a delightful balance of flavors.
Ingredients
Two pounds Brussels sprouts (trimmed and halved)
Four tablespoons olive oil
Half a cup maple syrup
Salt and pepper to taste
One teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Chopped pecans (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Sprouts: Preheat our oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, toss the halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Roast the Sprouts: Spread the Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Roast for about 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are caramelized and tender.
Garnish and Serve: Once they’re done, transfer them to a serving dish and sprinkle with chopped pecans for an added crunch.
These Brussels sprouts are a delightful addition to our Christmas dinner spread!
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
What’s a Christmas dinner without creamy mashed potatoes?
This garlic mashed potato recipe is rich and buttery, making it the perfect comfort food for our gathering.
Ingredients
Five pounds Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and cubed)
One cup heavy cream
Half a cup unsalted butter (melted)
Five cloves garlic (minced)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh chives (for garnish)
Instructions
Boil the Potatoes: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the cubed potatoes.
Cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Sauté the Garlic: In a small pan, melt half the butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Mash and Mix: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
Add the sautéed garlic, remaining melted butter, and heavy cream.
Mash until creamy and smooth.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve: Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh chives.
These potatoes are so good that they’ll disappear quickly!
Herb-Infused Roasted Carrots
Let’s add a pop of color to our Christmas dinner with these herb-infused roasted carrots.
They’re simple to prepare and packed with flavor, making them a perfect side dish for our feast.
Ingredients
Two pounds baby carrots (or sliced regular carrots)
Three tablespoons olive oil
One tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped)
One tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat our oven to 425°F (220°C).
In a large bowl, toss the carrots with olive oil, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Roast the Carrots: Spread the carrots on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly caramelized.
Serving: Once done, transfer the carrots to a serving dish and enjoy their vibrant color and flavor at our holiday gathering!
Cranberry Orange Relish
Now let’s whip up a refreshing cranberry orange relish that adds a zesty kick to our Christmas dinner.
It’s the perfect accompaniment to our hearty dishes and can be made ahead of time.
Ingredients
One bag (12 ounces) fresh cranberries
One orange (zested and juiced)
One cup sugar
Half a cup walnuts (chopped)
A pinch of salt
Instructions
Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, combine fresh cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, sugar, walnuts, and salt.
Pulse: Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped but not pureed.
Taste and adjust sugar if desired.
Chill and Serve: Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
This relish will bring a refreshing contrast to our savory dishes.
Sweet Potato Casserole
For a touch of sweetness, let’s prepare a delightful sweet potato casserole.
Topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, it’s sure to be a hit at our Christmas dinner!
Ingredients
Four cups mashed sweet potatoes (about four large sweet potatoes)
One cup brown sugar
Half a cup milk
One teaspoon vanilla extract
Two eggs
One teaspoon cinnamon
One cup pecans (chopped)
Half a cup flour
Half a cup butter (melted)
Instructions
Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Preheat our oven to 350°F (175°C).
Boil sweet potatoes until tender, then mash in a large bowl.
Mix Ingredients: Add brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, eggs, and cinnamon to the mashed sweet potatoes.
Mix until smooth and creamy.
Prepare the Topping: In another bowl, combine chopped pecans, flour, and melted butter.
Stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Bake: Spread the sweet potato mixture into a greased baking dish.
Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the top.
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until heated through and the topping is golden brown.
Serve: This sweet potato casserole is a delightful addition to our holiday table, combining sweetness with a crunchy topping.
Decadent Chocolate Yule Log Cake
To round off our Christmas feast, let’s indulge in a classic dessert—chocolate yule log cake.
This festive treat is not only delicious but also visually stunning!
Ingredients
For the cake:
Four large eggs
One cup granulated sugar
Half a cup all-purpose flour
One-third cup cocoa powder
One teaspoon baking powder
A pinch of salt
For the filling:
One cup heavy cream
Half a cup powdered sugar
One teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
One cup semisweet chocolate (chopped)
Half a cup heavy cream
Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
Bake the Cake: Preheat our oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, beat eggs and granulated sugar until thick and pale.
Sift in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Fold gently until combined.
Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the batter onto it, spreading it evenly.
Bake for about 15 minutes.
Roll the Cake: Once baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
Turn the cake onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar.
Roll the cake tightly with the towel and let it cool completely.
Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
Unroll the cake and spread the filling evenly on top, then re-roll it.
Make the Frosting: In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream until simmering, then pour it over chopped chocolate in a bowl.
Let it sit for a few minutes before stirring until smooth.
Frost the Cake: Place the rolled cake seam-side down on a serving platter and pour the chocolate frosting over the top.
Dust with powdered sugar to resemble snow.
Serve: Slice and serve this delightful yule log cake at our holiday gathering, and watch everyone’s faces light up with joy!
Conclusion
Creating a memorable Christmas dinner for a large crowd doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
With these flavorful recipes, we can whip up a feast that’s sure to impress our guests and bring everyone together in celebration.
From the succulent roast prime rib to the sweet potato casserole and decadent chocolate yule log cake, each dish contributes to a festive atmosphere filled with joy and love.
So, roll up our sleeves, gather our loved ones, and let’s make this holiday season truly special with a delicious meal that we’ll all remember for years to come!
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