Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the whole season.
It's cozy, a little magical, and usually a lot more relaxed than Christmas Day. These easy Christmas Eve dinner ideas are lighter and quicker than a big holiday feast, but they still feel special, from garlic butter shrimp scampi to a glossy blood orange salmon.
Most come together in 30 minutes or less, so you can spend more time with your people and less time in the kitchen.
The 10 Christmas Eve recipes
To start
Roasted Garlic Crab Dip
Warm, creamy, and loaded with lump crab and sweet roasted garlic. Mix it the day before and bake it when everyone arrives.
Crispy Coconut Shrimp with Bang Bang Sauce
Golden, crunchy, and restaurant-worthy, with a homemade bang bang sauce. Ready in 20 minutes.
Cranberry Orange Sangria
A festive big-batch drink that mixes up in 10 minutes and can be made up to a day ahead.
Christmas Eve dinners
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
Juicy shrimp in a buttery garlic, white wine, and lemon sauce over pasta, ready in 25 minutes.
Blood Orange Salmon
Pan seared salmon with a sweet and tangy blood orange glaze, perfect while blood oranges are in season. Ready in 20 minutes.
Pesto Crusted Salmon
Bright homemade pesto and a crispy panko crust make this feel elegant, but it takes just 22 minutes.
Baked Blackened Salmon
Smoky and Cajun-inspired, baked in just 18 minutes.
Bison Spaghetti Bolognese
Slow-simmered with red wine, tomatoes, and fresh basil. Make it ahead, and it only gets better.
Creamy Poblano Shrimp
Smoky, creamy, and mild, made in one skillet in 30 minutes and served over rice.
Teriyaki Salmon Noodles
Salmon, broccoli, and noodles in a glossy homemade teriyaki sauce, ready in 30 minutes.
Tips for an easy Christmas Eve
- Keep it simple: pick one dinner, one appetizer, and a festive drink.
- Prep ahead: mix the crab dip and sangria, or make the bolognese earlier in the day.
- Save the big feast for Christmas Day: a lighter seafood dinner on Christmas Eve is a cozy tradition.
FAQs
Many families serve seafood on Christmas Eve, like shrimp scampi or salmon. A cozy pasta like bolognese is another favorite.
Blood orange salmon (20 minutes), blackened salmon (18 minutes), and shrimp scampi (25 minutes) all feel special and come together fast.
You can make the crab dip and sangria a day ahead, and the bolognese tastes even better reheated.
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