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    Home » Christmas

    5 Seriously Good Recipes to Level up Your Christmas Dinner This Year

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 18, 2025 · Published December 18, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    Christmas is almost upon us, and with just a week left it's definitely time to start planning that Christmas dinner. Maybe you've already got a set plan you've followed for years and years - or maybe you have no idea what to make. Either way, I think you should add at least one of these recipes to your menu! Or why not all of them?!

    The Starter: Baked Brie

    A baked brie with bread.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This cheesy, creamy, crunchy, salty and sweet appetizer is a must for Christmas dinner at my house. Add whatever nuts, seeds and berries you like - for the holidays I love this combo of pumpkin seeds, almonds and dried cranberries. And you know what? You can make it in the air fryer as well!

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    The Main Event: Duck With Orange Sauce

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    I've made this recipe for years and every year it's either Christmas dinner or NYE dinner. You might be intimated to cook duck, but don't be! It's actually quite easy, you just need to know a few simple tricks. The orange sauce is the very best part of this dish - it's so sweet and tangy and just perfect.

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    The Veggie Side: Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

    brussel sprouts with bacon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Brussels are a given for many Christmas dinners and I used to hate them - before I added bacon. This version is so delicious with crunchy bacon, perfectly cooked brussels sprouts and a nice sweet and tangy vinaigrette mixed in.

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    The Potato Side 1: Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

    Air fryer hasselback potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Hasselback potatoes are a big deal in my family and we make them for ANY special occasion. I took our classic version and turned it into an air fryer dish - and it's even better, easier, and faster for it. Trust me, it's a keeper!

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    The Potato Side 2: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    If slicing hasselback potatoes is not on your holiday bingo card, then maybe this cheesy mash is. With two kinds of cheese this is any cheese lover's dream side!

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    More Christmas Recipes

    • White chocolate peppermint cookies.
      28 Adorable Christmas Cookies That Bring Instant Holiday Cheer
    • Hot chocolate cookie cups.
      24 Christmas Cookie Designs So Adorable You’ll Want to Make Them All
    • Mini cheese balls.
      12 Cheese Balls So Good They’ll Disappear Before Dinner Even Starts
    • Cranberry white chocolate muffins.
      Cranberry White Chocolate Muffins

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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