Our Best Holiday Recipes

The holiday season is a time to gather with family and friends, partake in seasonal activities and, of course, eat your favorite comfort foods. But this time of year is also hectic, which can make planning any holiday meal overwhelming. Luckily, we're here to help. These are our favorite recipes for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and New Year's.

Southerners are known for having delicious food on their tables, and the holidays are no exception. This appetizer for hominy fritters with homemade bacon thyme dipping sauce is inspired by hush puppies, which are a Southern staple.

For the Hominy Fritters With Bacon Thyme Dipping Sauce recipe, click here.

Cheese balls are one of those vintage appetizers that no one makes anymore — but should. To make the crowd-pleasing snack, just shape cream cheese, crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese into a ball and serve it with crackers or celery.

For the Crispy Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball recipe, click here.

They might not be a great food to serve at a cookout, but at holiday feasts, deviled eggs are always a hit. This recipe takes just 10 minutes and serves up to 12 people.

For the Easy Deviled Eggs recipe, click here.

One of those dishes Midwesterners always have on their table, potato skins can be served as an appetizer or side dish during the holidays. After scooping out some of the potato's center, load the skins with melted cheese, bacon bits and sour cream.

For the Idaho Potato Skins recipe, click here.

Bring some of grandma's favorite Southern recipes to your holiday table this year. These simple Southern sausage balls require only four ingredients and are ready in 30 minutes. 

For the Sausage Balls recipe, click here.

This pull apart Christmas tree-shaped bread consists of pizza bites that are made with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. It's the perfect snack to make before watching your favorite Christmas movies.

For the Christmas Tree Pull Apart Pizza Bites recipe, click here

This recipe will give your favorite seafood joint some competition. The unexpected combination of shrimp, hot sauce, cilantro and fried onions is one that will delight and surprise your taste buds.

For the Santa Fe Shrimp Cocktails recipe, click here.

If you're looking to finish off a loaf of bread, try making this dijon horseradish roast beef crostini appetizer. Mustard is delicately spread across rye bread and topped with a slice of roast beef, red peppers and parsley.

For the Dijon Horseradish Roast Beef Crostini recipe, click here.

The best part about this creamy carrot soup is that it's one of those comfort foods you can make ahead of time and freeze. The bright colors and seasonal flavors are sure to delight all of your guests.

For the Creamy Carrot Soup recipe, click here.

There are plenty of dishes that can be made using apples, but these bourekas are one of the best around. Puff pastry is stuffed with apple filling and baked until golden brown, then the flaky appetizer is topped with a homemade silan sesame drizzle.

For the Apple Bourekas with Silan Sesame Drizzle recipe, click here.

Served with a tangy marinade made of ketchup, brown sugar and barbecue sauce, these slow cooker porcupine meatballs are a great recipe for New Year's Eve or game day potlucks. And don't worry — this dish is made with ground beef, not porcupine.

For the Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs in a Tangy Sauce recipe, click here.

One of the easiest ways to make dinner at home feel like a restaurant experience is to make a decadent appetizer. This crab fondue needs just five ingredients but one bite will quickly transport you to your favorite restaurant.

For the Crab Fondue recipe, click here.

Buffalo chicken dip is a necessity when it comes to any large get-together, including on holidays. The delicious dip is loaded with melted cheese, shredded chicken, hot sauce and cream cheese ... are you hungry yet?

For the Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe, click here.

Cooking bacon in the oven is one of the best methods for cooking the protein. It crisps up perfectly while retaining all of the flavor. For this recipe, start by wrapping the bacon around your Tater Tots, then bake the snack for 20 minutes.

For the Honey Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots recipe, click here.

To make this quick appetizer, just spread sour cream and bacon bits over cooked pie crust. It's one of the easiest refrigerated pie crust recipes that aren't pie.

For the Easy Bacon-Tomato Appetizers recipe, click here.

These pretzel bites with spicy cheddar dip are one of the best foods to bring to any holiday party. The dish will keep your guests satisfied while they wait for the entrees to hit the table.

For the Pretzel Bites with Spicy Cheddar Dip recipe, click here.

One way to have your kids help out in the kitchen this holiday season is by letting them assist with the finger foods. For these everything bagel pigs in a blanket, let your little one roll the hot dog into the puff pastry.

For the Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket recipe, click here.

Layered with lump crab meat, melted cheese, Old Bay and cream cheese, this hot crab dip is a must-have dish at any holiday gathering. And while it may be tempting to open the oven and see if that cheese has bubbled up, not being patient is one of those bad cooking habits you need to stop.

For the Hot Crab Dip recipe, click here.

No holiday appetizer spread would be complete without this lobster and spinach dip. The magnificent starter dish serves up to 16 people and requires just a few ingredients.

For the Lobster and Spinach Dip recipe, click here.

Ham is one of the most popular meats served during the holiday season, and this orange glazed ham will make you understand why. But be sure to check out this step-by-step guide to cooking the perfect ham before you try this recipe.

For the Orange Glazed Ham recipe, click here.

This spinach lasagna takes inspiration from grandma's cooking techniques with its hearty ingredients, cheesy topping and generous seasonings. It's a great alternative to meat-based dishes if you have vegetarians at your holiday dinner.

For the Easy Spinach Lasagna recipe, click here.

Turkey is no stranger to the holiday season. If you're looking for an easy turkey recipe, this one keeps things classic with simple seasonings and techniques. Just make sure you know how to cook and carve a turkey correctly.

For the Easy Roast Turkey recipe, click here.

This restaurant-worthy dish will really show off your cooking skills this holiday season. Pork chops are crusted with pecans and topped with a colorful and festive apple chutney.

For the Pecan-Crusted Pork Chops with Apple Chutney recipe, click here.

This recipe will give your favorite Italian restaurant a run for its money and is perfect for the Feast of Seven Fishes. Alaskan Pacific cod is dressed up with spicy fennel and tomato sauce, adding some nice heat to an otherwise mild fish.

For the Alaskan Pacific Cod with Spicy Fennel and Tomato Sauce recipe, click here.

If you're hosting an intimate holiday dinner, then pork roast is the ideal protein. It's sophisticated without being too complicated. Take the dish to the next level by stuffing it with capers and sliced fontina cheese and serving it with one of these incredible salad recipes.

For the Fontina & Caper-Stuffed Pork Roast recipe, click here.

This herbed prime rib, which can serve up to 24 people, is a great dish for large family gatherings.

For the Holiday Herbed Prime Rib recipe, click here.

There are plenty of meals you can make in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, but a slow cooker is best when used to make a tough meat like brisket nice and tender. The meat marinates inside the slow cooker for six hours with onion soup mix, Spanish onions, carrots and button mushrooms.

For the Slow Cooker Brisket recipe, click here.

While holidays are all about tradition, it can be fun to mix things up after a while. Add flare to your family holiday gathering with this teriyaki salmon recipe, which uses Japanese-inspired flavors such as soy sauce and ginger.

For the Citrus Teriyaki Salmon recipe, click here.

It's not hard to cook the perfect pasta, but making a great sauce is a different story. This recipe combines goat cheese with garlic and sour cream to make a silky and creamy sauce that your holiday guests will love.

For the Creamy Pesto Pasta recipe, click here.

If you're planning to meal prep this holiday season, this recipe for stuffed jumbo pasta shells can easily be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer. This timeless recipe can serve up to 12 people on the big day.

For the Stuffed Jumbo Pasta Shells recipe, click here.

From the stuffed shells to this restaurant-style eggplant parmesan, your holiday table will be full of vegetarian dinner recipes that are easy to make.

For the Restaurant-Style Eggplant Parmesan recipe, click here.

If you're looking for a great way to use chicken this holiday season, then gumbo is the way to go. This recipe uses boudin rice to complement the flavor profile of this comforting dish.

For the Chicken and Boudin Gumbo recipe, click here.

You don't have to visit your favorite vegan restaurant to have a vegan-friendly Kwanzaa meal. This gumbo recipe uses okra, tomato paste and a variety of seasonings to bring that homestyle flavor without any of the dairy or meat.

For the Vegan File Okra Gumbo recipe, click here.

Another way to get creative this holiday season without taking up too much room in the kitchen is by making this jerk chicken and rice. The best part about this flavorful dish is that it's made using only one pot, so there's no need to dirty up a bunch of dishes.

For the One Pot Caribbean Jerk Chicken and Rice recipe, click here.

Add some Southern flare to your holiday dinner table with this recipe for shrimp creole. It's made with cooked shrimp, onion, celery, bell pepper and a cayenne-based seasoning. This recipe is one of many Creole and Cajun foods that you can make at home.

For the Shrimp Creole recipe, click here.

Easily made in less than an hour, this fried catfish recipe is a great holiday meal for all seafood lovers. Serve with a side of creamy homemade tartar sauce.

For the Fried Catfish with Homemade Tartar Sauce recipe, click here.

A food that's said to be good luck on Jan. 1, pork and sauerkraut is a great way to kick off a new year. Just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and sit back with some Champagne.

For the Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut recipe, click here.

Begin the new year with a boost to your immune system by cooking this slow cooker lentil soup. The aroma in your house is sure to make your stomach growl.

For the Slow Cooker Red Lentil Soup recipe, click here.

A great way to bring a variety of cuisines to your holiday dinner table is by serving this soba noodles recipe. Cod rests on a bed of soba noodles after being cooked in a spicy tomato broth.

For the Cod with Soba Noodles in Spicy Tomato Broth recipe, click here.

If you're hosting a small holiday party and you really want to impress your guests, this pork tenderloin recipe is the perfect option. Wrapped with sliced apple and served with a flavorful shallot and garlic sauce, this recipe feels like something you'd order at an expensive restaurant.

For the Apple and Potato Wrapped Pork Tenderloin recipe, click here.

The holiday season is loaded with all sorts of yummy recipes, but one way to make sure you're getting in your key immune-boosting foods is by adding kale to the dinner table. This kale and apple salad is mixed with a homemade maple mustard dressing, making it perfect for winter.

For the Kale and Apple Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing recipe, click here.

If you're hosting a holiday dinner party on a budget, using your food as decor is the way to go. This take on caprese is remarkably festive thanks to basil, mozzarella cheese and tomatoes arranged in a wreath shape. 

For the Caprese Salad Wreath recipe, click here.

The best part about our favorite holiday foods is that most of the recipes work well with the use of common pantry staples and spices. Just look at these green beans, which are seasoned to perfection with dried rosemary and thyme.

For the Rosemary and Thyme Green Beans recipe, click here.

Holidays can be stressful at times, but one way to make the season better is by chowing down on some of your favorite foods and sticking to the basics, like garlic mashed potatoes.

For the Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe, click here.

Loaded with bacon, cheese and mashed potatoes, this homemade casserole is perfect for holiday potlucks and dinners with the family.

For the Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole recipe, click here.

Amplify the flavor of Brussels sprouts by oven roasting them with perfectly crispy bacon.

For the Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe, click here.

One of the best holiday side dishes around, these roasted sweet potatoes are drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

For the Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe, click here.

One mistake holiday dinner hosts often make is underestimating the amount of food that's needed. Luckily, that won't happen with this classic herb stuffing recipe, which feeds up to 18 people.

For the Classic Herb Stuffing recipe, click here.

Southern-inspired chipotle corn pudding has the consistency of a casserole and the sweet flavor of creamed corn. It's a tasty and quick dish you can make out of cans.

For the Chipotle Corn Pudding recipe, click here.

A recipe you're likely to find in your grandma's cookbook, gelegtes kraut is an old-school German recipe made with sauerkraut and ground pork.

For the Gelegtes Kraut recipe, click here.

There are plenty of ways to work macaroni and cheese into your holiday feast, but this recipe uses cream cheese to give the classic noodle dish a silky texture and casserole-like integrity.

For the Cheese and Macaroni Pie recipe, click here.

Casseroles are more than just a turkey day staple, they're a comfort food perfect for any time of year. This green bean casserole is loaded with fried onions and button mushrooms.

For the Green Bean Casserole recipe, click here.

There are plenty of apple varieties to choose from when it comes to holiday cooking and baking, but for this challah stuffing recipe, you'll want to use apples with a tart bite.

For the Apple Honey Challah Stuffing recipe, click here.

Loaded with important vitamins, carrots are a must-have veggie for any holiday feast. Carrots are the main component of this tzimmes recipe, which also features raisins and chopped dates.

For the Tzimmes recipe, click here.

The holidays are the perfect time to practice your bread making skills and no recipe shows them off more than this incredible challah. The braided bread, which is a staple in Jewish cuisine, can serve up to 60 people.

For the Best Challah Ever recipe, click here.

If you're looking for a way to make your favorite holiday foods slightly healthier, this take on latkes uses cauliflower in place of potatoes. Mixed with bread crumbs, honey and turmeric, this recipe is just one of many trendy ways to elevate cauliflower.

For the Cauliflower Patties recipe, click here.

Frying food at home has never been easier than it is with this recipe for salmon stuffed potato pancakes. If you want the dish to be a bit heartier, use up to a fourth-cup of batter and increase the frying time by a few minutes.

For the Silver Dollar Smoked Salmon Stuffed Potato Pancakes recipe, click here.

Of course there are plenty of soups and stews that you can make in an Instant Pot, but did you know that the kitchen appliance can also make applesauce? This recipe calls for just five ingredients and is ready in 35 minutes.

For the Instant Pot Applesauce recipe, click here.

A variety of potato recipes is a must during holiday dinners. But sometimes the best recipes keep things simple, like this traditional recipe for latkes.

For the Classic Potato Latkes recipe, click here.

But, if you're tired of the same old same old, this latke recipe uses sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. Serve the side dish with harissa yogurt.

For the Sweet Potato Latkes with Harissa Yogurt recipe, click here.

A grocery store item with a long shelf life, black-eyed peas are a common holiday side dish in the South. Cook the beans in your Instant Pot — like this recipe does — to save room on your stovetop and speed up the process.

For the Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas recipe, click here.

How to cook corn is a popular search query among Americans, but instead of boiling or grilling corn, you should consider roasting the veggie. This recipe keeps things simple by coating the corn with salted butter and thyme.

For the Oven Roasted Corn recipe, click here.

When you're doing your annual holiday grocery shopping, don't forget to pick up collard greens. This recipe keeps the soul food staple simple with bacon, onion and chicken stock.

For the Collard Greens With Bacon recipe, click here.

If you're a guest during Thanksgiving, make sure you don't come empty-handed. This recipe for ginger-spiced mashed sweet potatoes is the ideal flavor-packed dish to bring to a holiday feast.

For the Ginger Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe, click here.

Cornbread is one of those side dishes that every Southerner eats during Christmas. This recipe sticks to traditional techniques and uses pantry staple ingredients like eggs, butter, corn kernels and yellow cornmeal.

For the Traditional Cornbread recipe, click here.

This rich and delicate kugel uses the light versions of cottage cheese and sour cream to render a delicious and slightly healthier version of the timeless dish.

For the Lukshen Cheese Kugel recipe, click here.

This lemon olive oil ice cream is the perfect treat to end your Hanukkah feast and turn lemons into something other than lemonade. The dessert honors olive oil, a celebrated part of Hanukkah.

For the Lemon Olive Oil Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Sufganiyot, a traditional Jewish dessert, can be filled with custard, lemon curd and more, but in this recipe, the fried doughnuts are filled with jam.

For the Sufganiyot recipe, click here.

This eggnog cream cheese pie is a no-bake dessert, which is a great option around the holidays if you're running out of room in your oven.

For the Eggnog Cream Cheese Pie recipe, click here.

While molasses isn't the most creative ingredient to bake into your cookies, it's a recipe you can't skip during the holidays. Make sure to nab one of these chewy cookies when they're fresh out of the oven — they're sure to be gone in no time.

For the Molasses Spice Cookies recipe, click here.

You have to make room on your holiday dinner table for some iconic pies, like this sweet potato pie, which is a must-have across the South.

For the Sweet Potato Pie recipe, click here.

This pear and cranberry crumble pie is both sweet and tart on your palette. The blend of fruity flavors is cut with the sweetness of brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice, giving it that classic holiday flare.

For the Pear and Cranberry Crumble Pie recipe, click here.

If you crave sweets at the end of a big meal, then this chocolate chess pie is a must-have at your holiday feast. This recipe is also a great way to use up any eggs in your fridge.

For the Chocolate Chess Pie recipe, click here.

Pecan pie is elevated by the addition of a rich chocolatey base. This Southern dessert is one of many incredible pies to serve during the holiday season.

For the Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe, click here.

Chopped walnuts and sugar are mixed together and spread across dough in this family cookbook recipe for a Hungarian nut roll. The recipe uses a lot of pantry staples, so if you're running low, keep this handy guide for baking substitutions at the ready.

For the Hungarian Nut Roll recipe, click here.

Gingerbread cookies are so adorable that sometimes you even feel a little guilty for eating them. When using your cookie cutter, be sure to coat everything in flour. This makes working with the dough easier and is a genius hack that every baker should know.

For the Gingerbread Men Cookies recipe, click here.

In this holiday dessert recipe, biscotti — a traditional Italian cookie — is dipped in a milk chocolate hot cocoa glaze and coated with crushed peppermint.

For the Peppermint Biscotti recipe, click here.

Cinnamon rolls might be one of the most iconic breakfast foods in America, but they're also a great breakfast or dessert to serve around the holidays.

For the Buttery Cinnamon Rolls recipe, click here.

Laying cookies out for Santa Claus is a tradition for many who celebrate Christmas. Give the big guy in red a delightful surprise this year with these Santa-shaped sugar cookies. Don't forget to add his whipped cream beard at the end to finish off one of our best cookie recipes ever.

For the Santa Sugar Cookies recipe, click here.

Served as dessert or for a delicious snack, these eggnog popcorn balls are a creative treat to add to your holiday spread this year. To make the snack, popcorn is tossed with eggnog extract and marshmallows.

For the Eggnog Popcorn Balls recipe, click here.

There are plenty of cherry desserts to choose from during the holidays, but this tart cherry cheesecake is one of the best around.

For the No-Bake Montmorency Tart Cherry Cheesecake recipe, click here.

For this peppermint fudge cake, chocolate cake is flavored with crushed peppermint candy and buttercream frosting before being topped with peppermint ganache. It'll give the best chocolate shop in your state a run for its money.

For the Peppermint Fudge Cake recipe, click here.

This recipe will be a fun activity for you and your kids. The buttercream frosted cake is topped with sparkly, colorful sugar cones. The arrangement is meant to mimic a winter wonderland.

For the Rainbow Trees Cake recipe, click here.

Hot cocoa muddy buddies is a simple dessert — cereal is coated in milk chocolate and tossed with sugar and hot cocoa mix for fantastical flavors of the winter season.

For the Hot Cocoa Muddy Buddies recipe, click here.

If you're kicking your holiday celebrations off with brunch, then no spread is complete without the perfect classic bloody mary.

For the Perfect Bloody Mary recipe, click here.

The flavor of this apple cider mimosa will remind you of a great day at the apple orchard. An ode to chilly weather, this drink features apple cider, pumpkin spice and prosecco.

For the Apple Cider Mimosa recipe, click here.

Made with just three ingredients, this apple twist on a cranberry vodka is the easiest thing you'll make all holiday season. You just need apple-flavored vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice.

For the Apple Smash recipe, click here.

There are plenty of pumpkin cocktail recipes that are great for the holidays, but this take on a white Russian is one of the best. Infused with pumpkin pie spice extract, this is the perfect nightcap after a big dinner.

For the Pumpkin Pie Spice White Russian recipe, click here.

If you want to sip on a delicious drink during the holiday season but you're skipping the alcohol this year, mocktail recipes are a great alternative. This recipe for a virgin sparkling sangria is made with a variety of juices, cinnamon sticks, sliced apples and oranges.

For the Sparkling Sangria Mocktail recipe, click here.

Moscow mules are one of the cocktails that never go out of style. This recipe adds a twist to the timeless drink by mixing ginger beer with caramel-flavored vodka and apple cider.

For the Caramel Apple Cider Mule recipe, click here.

Turn some of your favorite holiday desserts into a cocktail like this pecan pie martini does. The combination of Irish cream liqueur and pecan pie-flavored vodka creates a rich and sweet beverage that's reminiscent of a delicious pie.

For the Pecan Pie Martini recipe, click here.

Sure, tea is great for settling the stomach, but it's also an ideal ingredient for cocktails. This spiked chai tea recipe calls for Bailey's apple pie, nutmeg and cardamom bitters.

For the Apple of my Chai recipe, click here.

There are plenty of Irish foods you should include on your holiday table this year, but as far as drinks are concerned, Irish coffee is a must. The after-dinner beverage is made with hot coffee, Irish cream and Irish whiskey.

For the Irish Coffee recipe, click here.

Muddled raspberries give this classy cocktail a beautiful reddish tint, making it perfect to serve around the holidays. Top the fruit with ice, lemon juice, ginger syrup, club soda, bitters and whiskey.

For Buchanan's Raspberry Buck recipe, click here.

If you don't want to wait until after dinner to enjoy a cocktail, this ginger highball goes perfectly with dinner. The simple combination of whisky and ginger ale creates an elegant and light holiday drink.

For the Johnnie Walker Ginger Highball recipe, click here.

Although there probably won't be any large New Year celebrations this year, you can still spend the holiday in style with some glamorous cocktails. This Bosc pear fizz cocktail is a light refreshing drink that's made with gin, pear syrup, lemon juice and club soda.

For the Bosc Pear Fizz recipe, click here.

If you're not ready to let go of fall when the winter holidays roll around, this cocktail is a great way to hold on to those autumnal flavors. Made with Glendullan, apple cider, lemon juice and cinnamon syrup, this cocktail is rife with the sweet and tart flavors of fall.

For the Autumnal Glendullan recipe, click here.

The best cocktail to serve alongside some yummy desserts is this spiked hot cider, which is made with rye whiskey, apple cider, lime juice and simple syrup.

For the Sagamore Cider recipe, click here.

Comforting homemade soups aren't the only way to warm up this winter. This hot rye toddy cocktail will keep you toasty for the entirety of the holiday season.

For the Hot Rye Toddy recipe, click here.

How to make a Manhattan is a popular search query. Luckily, we're here to help. Made with rye whiskey, bitters and sweet vermouth, this Manhattan recipe keeps the timeless cocktail classic.

For the Manhattan recipe, click here.

While cocktails are a great thing to have at your holiday get-together, nothing gets you all cozy and filled with the holiday spirit quite like a mug of hot cocoa. This recipe uses milk chocolate as well as cocoa powder and milk to get a rich and creamy drink. And if you need something sweet to dunk in the hot chocolate, here are 50 of our best Christmas cookie recipes.

For the World's Best Hot Chocolate recipe, click here.

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