Here’s a snapshot of the most popular Christmas meal foods from 2025 — from classic holiday centerpieces to beloved sides and festive desserts that people served on holiday tables this season
Mains and centerpieces
The traditional turkey still holds a place of honor at many Christmas dinners, often roasted and paired with stuffing and gravy, though preferences have been shifting. In the United States, grocery and search data showed a big spike in orders for ribeye roasts, prime rib, and beef tenderloin as alternative holiday centerpieces in 2025, with premium beef roasts trending even more than turkey for some families. Ham remains another favorite classic main, often glazed with sweet or fruity glazes. Turkey, ham, and beef together represent the core of many American holiday meals.
Traditional accompaniments and sides
Sides are a huge part of the Christmas feast. Mashed potatoes and gravy are nearly universal, offering that creamy comfort to go with the meat. Roast potatoes — prized for their crispy exterior and fluffy interior — were even ranked among the top Christmas food beats for 2025 in some surveys. Other traditional accompaniments include stuffing or dressing, cranberry sauce, green beans, and mac and cheese. These classics help round out the meal and provide variety for guests’ tastes.
Regional and global traditions
Around the world, Christmas dinners look wonderfully diverse. In parts of Europe and North America, roast poultry, ham, or beef dominate, often with cultural twists. In Finland, for example, the traditional joulupöytä includes Christmas ham alongside casseroles and salads. In Poland, Christmas Eve (Wigilia) features beetroot soup (barszcz) with tiny dumplings. In Latin America, dishes like hallaca — corn dough stuffed with meat and seasonings — are holiday mainstays. Elsewhere, Italian panettone, German stollen, and seafood spreads like Italy’s Feast of the Seven Fishes take center stage.
Desserts and festive treats
Desserts are where sweet traditions shine. Cocoa-rich bûche de Noël (Yule log cake), fruit-filled panettone, and rich plum pudding were among the globally beloved holiday sweets featured in seasonal celebrations. Many households also enjoy gingerbread cookies, fruitcakes, or pies after the main meal, tying together festive flavors with cherished memories.
Trends & shifts in 2025
While longstanding classics remain beloved, 2025 saw some trends toward premium meats, quicker-to-prepare main courses, and a broader mix of global flavors making their way onto holiday tables. People increasingly blend tradition with convenience and personal taste — meaning menus might feature everything from ribeye roasts and glazed ham to family-favorite pasta dishes or seafood spreads depending on cultural background and crowd size.
