Best Christmas recipes of 2024: mains, sides, drinks and dessert

Don’t panic. Christmas may be creeping up, but we have the recipes to plan your festive menu. We have all your bases covered, from easy Christmas recipes to mains of pork and ham, turkey, lamb, or seafood – and the salads and sides to go with it.

If you’re looking after the main event, turn to our utterly delicious glazed ham recipes primed for lunch or Christmas dinner. Prefer a golden roast turkey? We have roasted whole birds served with cranberry as well as a stuffed turkey roll and a turkey involtini dish for faster Christmas cooks. Plus, plenty of fish and seafood recipes typical of an Australian holiday feast.

Festive salads and sides don’t get overlooked, either. Because as we know, a good salad or potato bake can easily outshine the main event.

To finish your feasting on a (sugar) high, our showstopping dessert recipes have you sorted. As for drinks, there are plenty of Christmas cocktails to keep the party going.

Best Christmas recipes for the ultimate festive feast in 2024

Date, gingerbread and yoghurt naked layer cake with burnt orange caramel — Gingerbread layer cake topped with figs *(Credits: Ben Dearnley)*

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Amaretto and cherry-glazed ham with pistachio and herb crust *(Credits: Alicia Taylor)*

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A large plate of figs with burrata, garnished with pomegranate arils and fennel sprigs — Fig, pomegranate and burrata salad with Sherry vinaigrette *(Credits: Con Poulos)*

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Best Christmas desserts for Christmas Day - white chocolate, raspberry and pistachio semifreddo — White chocolate, raspberry and pistachio semifreddo *(Credits: Brett Stevens)*

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Traditional Christmas pudding with Pedro Ximénez and brown sugar and fig ice-cream *(Credits: Chris Chen)*

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The Gourmet Traveller Team

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.

Best Christmas recipes for the ultimate festive feast in 2024

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