Christmas, a time for joy, family, and delectable culinary traditions, holds a special place in the hearts and stomachs of people across the United States. From hearty breakfasts to lavish dinners and sweet treats, the foods we savor during this festive season tell a tale of our diverse cultural heritage and regional influences.
Regional Christmas Cuisine: A Culinary Journey
New England
The Christmas tables of New England are adorned with dishes steeped in the region’s European roots. Roasted goose, a centerpiece of many holiday meals, is a nod to the region’s colonial past. Eggnog, a creamy and festive beverage, warms the spirits, while mince pies, filled with sweet dried fruit, and traditional British-style Christmas pudding add a touch of Old World charm.
Mid-Atlantic
The Mid-Atlantic region boasts a delectable array of Christmas fare. Crab cakes, a Maryland specialty, take center stage, while oysters, biscuits, and country ham pie further south add to the culinary repertoire. Shoofly pie, with its molasses-rich filling, and Smith Island Cake, a multi-layered delight, are beloved desserts that grace many Mid-Atlantic tables.
Midwest
In the Midwest, comfort food takes center stage on Christmas Day. Casseroles, such as green bean casserole, cheesy broccoli casserole, and Tater Tot casserole, are ubiquitous, while cheese balls add a touch of savory indulgence. Scandinavian influences are evident in dishes like Swedish meatballs, lutefisk, and mashed rutabaga and turnips. Kringles, buttery and flaky Danish pastries filled with fruit and nuts, are a popular sweet treat.
South
Southern Christmas cuisine is renowned for its hearty and flavorful dishes. Ham, particularly country ham, is a common main course, accompanied by sides such as mac & cheese and cornbread. Lechon, a spit-roasted pig, is a popular choice in Latin American and Spanish Southern households. Rice, a staple of Southern cuisine, makes an appearance on Christmas tables, while shrimp and other Gulf seafood are not uncommon on the Gulf Coast. Pumpkin and pecan pies are beloved Southern Christmas desserts.
Southwest
The Southwest brings a vibrant blend of Mexican and American influences to its Christmas culinary traditions. Tamales, a Mesoamerican delicacy made with corn dough and fillings, are a popular Christmas dish in Texas and other parts of the Southwest. Corn roasted in its husk, empanadas, and dishes adorned with red & green chile add a touch of Southwestern flair. Biscochitos, crisp New Mexican butter cookies flavored with cinnamon and anise, are a sweet treat that embodies the region’s unique flavors.
Nationwide Christmas Delights: A Culinary Tapestry
While each region has its own culinary traditions, certain Christmas foods are enjoyed across the nation.
Breakfast
Christmas mornings often begin with a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon and other breakfast meats, toast or biscuits.
Dinner
Christmas dinner often resembles Thanksgiving dinner, with turkey as a popular main course. However, other options include ham, prime rib, pork shoulder or loin, and goose. Popular side dishes include mashed potatoes & gravy, dinner rolls, corn, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and roasted vegetables.
Desserts
Christmas cookies, often butter cookies stamped into Christmas-inspired shapes and decorated with icing, are a ubiquitous treat throughout the season. Mince pies, gingerbread cookies, Bûche de Noël (rolled chocolate cakes meant to resemble the Christmas Yule log), panettone (a sweet, fluffy bread popular amongst Italian families), and fruitcake are other beloved Christmas desserts.
The culinary traditions of Christmas in America are as diverse as the nation itself, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultural influences and regional flavors. From the roasted goose of New England to the tamales of the Southwest, and the nationwide favorites like turkey and Christmas cookies, the foods we share during this festive season create cherished memories and embody the spirit of Christmas.
Spreading baked brie on small toasts with apples and pomegranate seeds tastes amazing. It’s gooey, creamy, and slightly funky. I have to beat my younger brother to the brie wheel at my house in order to get some for myself. Your app spread will be elevated with this easy, festive tart made with the star of the cheese tray.
When I was younger, I didn’t understand my mom’s constant resistance to making thumbprint cookies. The greatest mess was created by rolling the dough between your hands, placing your thumb in the center, and dusting with powdered sugar. I can understand why she didn’t want to continue scraping sugar out of the grout on the countertops a week later now that I have to clean my own kitchen. Although they aren’t among my top five cookie selections, they are still worthwhile.
When we don’t pull out my great-grandmother’s cutout cookies, Christmas just isn’t at my house. Known for requiring “between 2 and 12 cups of flour, or until the dough looks right,” this recipe nearly broke my stand mixer when I attempted to make it one year. Avoid my mistake and try this recipe, which has been approved by the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, for nearly success.
The real star of my table is the sticky toffee; don’t bring me the figgy pudding. This is a British export that is served warm and moist, with a large dollop of fresh whipped cream on top and a rich toffee-pecan sauce drizzled over. This is a great way to incorporate Charles Dickens’ writing into your dessert table.
I look forward to stuffing season all year, but I didn’t truly fall in love with it until I started making my own. You’ll see what I mean if you get rid of the box and tear your own bread, chop some vegetables, and add some fresh herbs. Every year, I’m tempted to eat this traditional side dish instead of turkey instead.
Why are popular Christmas traditions roasted chestnuts, savory smoked ham, fruity cakes, specialty cookies, and eggnog? These iconic foods are staples of holiday menus, deeply embedded in the holiday’s culture, and, while they are prepared differently at different latitudes, typically consumed only during this time of year.
Traditional Christmas Foods
FAQ
What does America eat on Christmas Day?
What are Americans’ favorite Christmas foods?
Specifically, these 32 dishes, ranked from basically intolerable to straight-up divine. According to a 2020 survey by YouGov, Americans’ top five favorite Christmas foods are roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, turkey, bread or rolls and stuffing or dressing. At the bottom of the list, you’ll find cabbage, goose, turnips, plantains and tofu.
Which country eats the best Christmas food?
The grandeur of a roasted turkey reigns supreme in the United States, while roast goose and Christmas pudding reign supreme in the United Kingdom. The delicious choice of international Christmas delicacies includes Italy’s Panettone, Germany’s Stollen, and Japan’s KFC.
What are the best Christmas treats?
Sugar cookies are another favorite holiday treat. They’re cute, festive, and wonderfully crunchy, buttery, and sweet. Plus, making and decorating them is half the fun! You can use whatever Christmas cookie cutters you like and adorn them with different colors of frosting. Easy peasy. 8. Roast Turkey
What to eat for Christmas brunch?
Banketstaaf (Dutch Christmas Log) This Dutch pastry with almonds is one of my favorite things to make for holiday brunch. There’s yummy almond paste and orange zest in the middle. That’s enrobed in crispy, flaky pastry, then baked until golden. Use frozen puff pastry to make the prep quick, and feel free to add a thin layer of raspberry jam too.