The World's Palette

A Palette of Cultures, Travel, and Lifestyle

10 Easy Holiday Recipes to Wow Your Guests

Easy holiday recipes that look impressive but are simple to make, perfect for festive gatherings. From mini beef Wellingtons to spiced hot chocolate, find dishes everyone will love!

A festive table spread showcasing easy holiday recipes, including roast chicken, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and fig salad, perfect for celebrations.

The holiday season is a time for indulging, celebrating, and enjoying the company of loved ones. But let’s be honest, who has the time for complicated recipes with endless prep? Enter easy holiday recipes—the lifesavers of the festive season! Whether you’re hosting a gathering in the UK or the USA, these dishes will make everyone smile. Your kitchen will stay organised and calm.

1. Cranberry Brie Bites

A tray of cranberry brie bites (easy holiday recipes) garnished with fresh rosemary, a festive appetizer for holiday gatherings.

If you’ve ever thought about impressing guests with minimal effort, this recipe is for you. Perfectly flaky puff pastry, creamy brie, and a dollop of tangy cranberry sauce come together to create a festive appetiser.

Recipe Tip: Bake these in a mini muffin tin for the perfect bite-sized treat.

Ingredients:
Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut puff pastry into small squares and place them in a greased mini muffin tin.
  3. Add a cube of brie to each square, followed by a teaspoon of cranberry sauce.
  4. Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden brown.
  5. Garnish with rosemary and serve warm.

2. Classic Roast Chicken with Herb Butter

One of the easy holiday recipes, a golden roast chicken with crispy skin, garnished with rosemary and thyme, served on a holiday table.

Turkey may be the star of Christmas dinner, but a juicy roast chicken is perfect for smaller gatherings. Smothered with herb butter, it roasts to golden perfection in under two hours.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a bowl, combine the softened butter, rosemary, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  3. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Gently loosen the skin of the chicken and spread the herb butter underneath.
  4. Stuff the cavity with the halved lemon, halved orange, and smashed garlic.
  5. Rub the skin of the chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  6. Roast the chicken in the oven for 1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
  7. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.

3. Honey-Glazed Carrots with Thyme

A plate of vibrant honey-glazed carrots garnished with fresh thyme, a colourful side dish for easy holiday recipes.

Side dishes don’t have to be boring, and these honey-glazed carrots prove it. The sweetness of the honey combined with fresh thyme makes them irresistible.

Ingredients:
Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss carrots with honey, olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  3. Spread on a baking tray and roast for 20–25 minutes until caramelised.

4. Mulled Wine Poached Pears

Poached pears in a mulled wine reduction, served in a bowl with cinnamon sticks and star anise for garnish. One of the easy holiday recipes.

Desserts often steal the show, and this one is no exception. Poached in spiced mulled wine, these pears are a stunning end to any holiday meal.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and orange zest and juice.
  2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Add the pears to the saucepan and cover. Let the pears cook for 25-30 minutes, or until tender.
  4. Remove the pears and continue to simmer the liquid for an additional 10 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Serve the pears with the reduced wine syrup, garnished with a cinnamon stick or orange peel.

5. Loaded Sweet Potato Skins

Crispy sweet potato skins loaded with melted cheese, sour cream, and green onions, served as a holiday snack.

These are perfect for a casual holiday get-together. Baked sweet potato halves loaded with sour cream, cheese, and bacon (or veggie toppings) are always a hit.

Ingredients:

Instructions:


6. Fig and Goat Cheese Salad

Easy holiday recipes, vibrant salad with fresh figs, crumbled goat cheese, mixed greens, and walnuts, dressed with balsamic vinaigrette.
Photography by Gayle McLeod

Holiday meals can get heavy, so a light and refreshing salad is a great addition. Figs, goat cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze make this salad both festive and sophisticated.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, toss the mixed greens with the walnuts and figs.
  2. Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over the salad.
  3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve as a light side or starter.

7. Mini Beef Wellingtons

Mini beef Wellingtons with golden puff pastry, served on a wooden platter as an elegant one of the easy holiday recipes appetiser.

These bite-sized versions of the classic British dish are as delicious as they are adorable. Perfectly seared beef, mushroom duxelles, and flaky pastry combine for a mouthwatering appetiser.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Sear the beef tenderloin steaks in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. Brush with Dijon mustard, then let them cool.
  3. Sauté the mushrooms in a pan until softened, and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into squares large enough to wrap each steak.
  5. Place a spoonful of the mushroom mixture on each pastry square, then top with the beef.
  6. Fold the pastry over the beef and seal the edges. Brush with the beaten egg.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and the beef reaches your desired level of doneness.

8. Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels

Chocolate-dipped pretzels sprinkled with festive toppings like sea salt and red sprinkles, perfect for holiday treats and easy holiday recipes.

When you need a quick dessert that looks festive, these pretzels are your answer. Dip them in chocolate, sprinkle them with festive toppings, and voila—instant holiday cheer.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between.
  2. Dip the pretzels into the melted chocolate, then place them on parchment paper.
  3. Sprinkle with festive toppings, if desired, and allow the chocolate to set before serving.

9. Holiday Spiced Hot Chocolate

Whether you’re in snowy Scotland or chilly Boston, nothing beats a cup of spiced hot chocolate by the fire.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat.
  2. Stir in the cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Whisk until smooth and heated through.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Why It Works: This easy holiday recipe gives your classic hot chocolate a festive twist. It makes it the perfect drink for holiday parties.


10. No-Bake Cheesecake Jars

Individual no-bake cheesecake jars with graham cracker crust and creamy filling, topped with fresh berries. Easy holiday recipes

Cheesecake in a jar is not only adorable but also incredibly easy to make. Top with berries or crushed gingerbread for a festive touch.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter.
  3. Layer the cheesecake mixture and graham cracker crumbs into small jars or glasses.
  4. Chill for at least 2 hours, then top with fresh berries or fruit compote before serving.

Why It Works: These individual portions make serving dessert a breeze, especially at larger gatherings.


Why You Should Try These Easy Holiday Recipes at Home

Making easy holiday recipes at home isn’t just a money-saver; it’s a chance to create something personal and meaningful. Plus, it gives you full control over ingredients, making it easier to cater to dietary needs and preferences.


Cooking Equipment Recommendations

To make these recipes even easier, consider investing in some key cooking tools:

These tools aren’t just for the holidays—they’ll be handy year-round. For future affiliate links, you’ll find them conveniently listed here!


For more quick and easy recipes, check out our post on Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners. These are simple, healthy meals for busy families and individuals.

Final Thoughts

These easy holiday recipes work whether you’re hosting a dinner for two. They are also ideal for a feast for twenty. They prove that great food can be simple. You can create delightful meals for any occasion. Add your own twists, involve your loved ones, and enjoy the process—it’s the holidays, after all!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *