No holiday meal planning is complete without leaning on memories of Christmas at Grandma’s house. We all know that they’re the best in the business. Who do you call when you’re trying to make cocktail meatballs for a Christmas party? Who knows just how much alcohol goes into the eggnog? And finally, whose kitchen are you raiding when in need of a sweet tooth fix of homemade sprinkle cookies? Exactly.
Our Southern grandmothers have kept our family and friends full every holiday, and for that, we’re forever grateful. From holiday appetizers to classic Christmas treats, these recipes would make Grandma proud.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
To this day, my friend Ray makes this recipe every year to celebrate the memory of his sweet mother, who made them every holiday season.
Van Chaplin; Styling: Sissy Lamerton
Many a Southerner’s first time tasting this interesting Christmas concoction occurs nowhere else but at Grandma’s after supper. Recreate that memory with just five ingredients and the option to add liquor.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Colorful jello, creamy cream cheese, and crunchy pretzels will delight guests of all ages. This nostalgic dessert is festive and aesthetic yet simple to make.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
Cocktail meatballs could be the unofficial holiday appetizer sponsor of the last 50 years, and we’ll be darned if they don’t deserve it. This recipe nixes the usual grape jelly and chili sauce and uses jellied cranberry sauce and hot jalapeño pepper jelly instead.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
The kids would always stick out their tongues at this classic Christmas dip, but it remains a crowd-pleaser nonetheless. Elegant yet easy, this recipe is straight from the kitchen of an award-winning Birmingham seafood chef but can be on your holiday table in just 20 minutes.
Southern Living
Married to the longtime Editor of Southern Living, Mrs. Floyd was known in Birmingham and beyond for her classic Southern divinity recipe.
Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Sweet and crunchy, this fast-fix snack mix it great for Christmas Eve grazing. It also doubles a “reindeer food.”
Photography: Caitlin Bensel Food Styling: Ali Ramee Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland
Whether your grandmother went traditional or fell into Cajun ways with tons of spice, sausage balls are a staple in any home during the holidays. Using Bisquick ensures a fluffy texture, just like Nana used to make them.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Similar to oyster crackers, these saltines are doused in seasonings and left to marinate to soak up all the flavor.
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
This New Orleans favorite is a welcome guest at any holiday dessert table. These treats are as rich as their history and so good that we can’t resist whipping them up year-round.
Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This 13×9 recipe is a quintessential holiday appetizer if we’ve ever seen one. The mini-baked sandwiches on the holiday table almost always feature the same flavor combo of butter, poppyseeds, Dijon mustard, and Hawaiian rolls. Oh, and more butter.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
A cousin of the holiday favorite, eggnog, milk punch goes back even further in history. The “Triple B” name comes from three ingredients used to make this super creamy cocktail: bourbon, brandy, and buttermilk, oh my!
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Delightfully humble, this sweet and buttery toffee is made with saltine crackers for a surprising savory crunch.
VICTOR PROTASIO; PROP STYLING: GINNY BRANCH STELLING; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL
You can’t escape the holiday season without a few casserole dishes of this all-time classic—and we’re not mad about it. Call us hostages to green beans with just a bit of snap and crispy shallots.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee Montiel
My grandmother always had a soup like this simmering on the stove just in case somebody got tired of snacking and wanted a hot meal with no fuss.
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Nana always knows how to glaze a ham properly—especially using pineapple, which complements the saltiness in the most scrumptious way. Say “so long” to commercial glaze packets and dress your holiday ham with bourbon-brown sugar alongside tangy, tropical chutney.
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Always a favorite around the holidays, these anything-goes cookies explode with festive flavors courtesy of ingredients like Christmas M&Ms, pretzels, and marshmallows. Santa will happily gobble up a plate of these fun-filled cookies, and so will all your holiday guests.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
Raise your hand if appetizer time before the family Christmas dinner consists of elder family members shucking oysters outside. Us too. Here’s a dish worthy of all that hard work.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell
Some Southern households serve this Hanukkah staple like it’s going out of business—and one taste will tell you why. Fried potatoes? You can never go wrong.
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
With good reason, this vintage citrus salad will never leave the recipe box. Even though Thanksgiving has passed, we’re thankful for riffs like this that make ambrosia even more delicious with creamy yogurt, juicy fruit, and crunchy coconut chips.
William Dickey
This holiday season, forgo canned pasta sauce for something a little more special, but no need to fear the hassle of a homemade sauce. This recipe delivers a big pot of spaghetti that requires no messy pans and has all the comforting, feel-good flavor.
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis
Why wait until New Year’s to serve up this Southern side? It’s too good to wait. This tempting recipe is reminiscent of many of the classics.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
Any trip to Stuckey’s meant snagging one of these indulgently sweet nougat treats—and the best grandmothers knew how to whip up a batch, too. With this recipe, the torch is passed for delicious results for generations to come.
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
One of the most beloved holiday traditions was to break out your fanciest main course on Christmas Eve, which brings us to this perfected basic: beef tenderloin with a crusty coating. Simple for first-time holiday hosts but decadent as ever, this entrée is dressed in herbs to impress.
Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Anna Hampton
A throwback to end all throwbacks, fruitcake cannot be topped as one of the most divisive Christmas dishes ever. Ask your grandmother what her secret ingredient is and odds are she’ll say: more booze.
Jennifer Davick
This pecan pie recipe reminds us why it’s our favorite holiday dessert. The secret to a pie so good it’s positively deadly is to bake it in a cast-iron skillet—trust us.
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Deviled eggs are a classic addition to any holiday appetizer spread, and we’ve got making them down to a science. Follow this recipe closely for savory starters that are perfectly cooked with a yolk that’s not too runny or dry.
Dotdash Meredith
This creamy cheese spread is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at your holiday gathering. Our straightforward recipe uses two types of cheeses and is so good, it will be hard to resist as it waits in your fridge for the guests to arrive.
Robbie Caponetto; Prop Styling: Mary Beth Wetzel; Food Styling: Pam Lolley
A batch of any Southern grandmother’s cheese straws won’t last long, so grab a handful while you can and enjoy the crispy, cheesy kick. Sometimes, the simplest treats make the biggest impression.
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Whether you grew up with the jiggly stuff that came straight out of a can or not, we can attest that this cranberry sauce is better than store-bought. Grandma would be proud you spent the extra time.
Southern Living
A festive take on a classic crowd-pleaser, these hors d’oeuvres are elevated by winter cranberry and a crunchy crust, all in a bite-sized package. Each miniature baked brie truly has it all: melty cheese, seasonal homemade sauce, nuts, and flaky pastry.
Emily Laurae/Southern Living
This is an occasion-worthy gravy that tastes amazing paired with everything from your fancy Christmas dinner main to pork chops on a night of tree decorating. Gravy can make or break a meal and this one promises to satisfy.
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Fluffy and buttery, this creamy potato dish is much more than an excuse to eat gravy. That having been said, these rich potatoes still pair beautifully with our ultimate make-ahead gravy.
Brittany Conerly, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Don’t dare tell your mother or grandmother that cornbread dressing is only for Thanksgiving. Their tender hearts can’t take it. Make sure to dry out your cornbread first, and you’ll know what they mean.
Becky Luigart-Stayner
This tried-and-true recipe has stood the test of time. The nutty wild rice base compliments a rich filling of cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and Cheddar cheese.
Emily Laurae
Granny’s sure to have a roll of slice-and-bakes ready to go in the freezer, should the need for a Christmas cookie strike. These sweet treats also make an excellent host gift in a festive holiday tin.
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
Mark our words: This recipe is the most perfect rendition of classic Christmas fudge in existence. Box them up to gift to family and friends who will be asking for your recipe in no time.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
Pinwheels seem to be a skill that grandmothers know inherently, especially when filled with a cream cheese mixture. An upscale twist on Buffalo wings, these snacks will fly off the platter.
JAMES RANSOM
Flavored with a secret-recipe Pickapeppa sauce, this savory snack mix doubles as an appetizer and a conversation starter.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This classic, comforting casserole is probably stashed in your grandmother’s freezer right now, just waiting for company to come for a visit.