In the South, Christmas season revolves around family, time-honored traditions, and the kitchen. We can’t think about our childhood Christmas memories without landing on our favorite holiday meals and treats that make appearances year after year—and are passed down generation to generation. From mouthwatering roasts to perfect pound cakes, our Christmas recipes are too good to forget. At Southern Living, we’ve featured some of the very best holiday recipes that deserve to be spotlighted yet again.
Credit: Jennifer Causey
Originally from our November 1982 issue, this bright retro salad still deserves a spot on your Christmas buffet today. It’s not only pretty, but it’s a refreshing option to heavy holiday sides.
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Once a classic side for Christmas Eve, glazed carrots offer the sweetness that sweet potato casserole does on Thanksgiving. Carrots, meet your special-occasion makeover.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Apple pie might be a traditional Christmas dessert, but this creative version submitted by Eugenia W. Bell of Lexington, Kentucky is anything but ordinary. It gets a spiced twist from bourbon-infused raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, apricot preserves, and toasted pecans or walnuts.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland
The not-so-secret ingredient to the best meatballs is grape jelly. Make sure to have a crock of these slow-cooker meatballs ready for hungry guests when they arrive—they’ll go fast.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
With a glistening ham residing at the head of the holiday table, you’re already off to a good start. It pairs well with any side Mama wants to serve. Bonus—all you have to do is glaze and heat.
Credit: Alison Miksch
Following British tradition, the earliest custard pies were recorded as puddings in historic cookbooks. We added a festive ambrosial note with orange marmalade, crushed pineapple, and coconut custard.
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis
You’ll never go back to store-bought once you try this rich and sweet version. Omit the bourbon if you’d like—the vanilla and nutmeg provide all the flavor you need.
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
The name of this festive Christmas cake is literally translated as “yule log.” Trust us—everyone gets excited when they see this dessert.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
We might be serving hearty roasts and casserole-happy sideboards, but there’s always room for rolls at Christmas, and they make your home smell incredible.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
“It was the signal that Christmas really was coming when this heavenly smell filled the kitchen,” said Susan Houston of Tucker, Georgia. She submitted this family recipe with hopes it would spread that same Christmas joy to others.
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Will Dickey, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Wake up on Christmas morning to this delicious treat that’s packed with flavor and topped with a delectably sweet pistachio drizzle.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Crisp, cheesy, and buttery, these crackers are as nice on a holiday spread as they are wrapped up for a friend. Just add a bottle of wine or some homemade preserves to make a stack of these crackers gift-ready.
Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Greet your guests with a glass of nostalgic cheer. The seasonal fruit makes this the perfect festive sip.
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Southerners know that any classic dressing recipe starts with skillet cornbread. As far as we’re concerned, it goes with any Christmas main.
Credit: Hector M Sanchez
This pretty vintage jewel of a dish just wants to be on the Christmas sideboard. And this cranberry rendition tastes great! The congealed salads of the 1960s deserve some love, and they sure are conversation-starters.
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith
Who says a stuffed beef tenderloin is a thing of the past? This one is well worth the effort and will make a big impression on your holiday table.
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman
Everyone from the kids to the grandparents will be grabbing for these simple, but oh-so-yummy nibbles.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
High on style, low on effort. This chocolate trifle looks decadent and fancy enough for the holiday spread but takes only five store-bought ingredients. (They never have to know.)
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Is there a world where this doesn’t belong on the list? From the frozen French-cut green beans to the crispy fried onion topping, it’s a familiar staple on every Southern holiday table.
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
If Aunt Barb said she loved this casserole once, she said it a million times. This recipe is always a favorite among the Southern crowd.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Were they sent from heaven? Perhaps. Do they capture the holiday spirit with both the fluffiness of a biscuit and the yeasty flavor of a dinner roll? Definitely.
Credit: Emily Laurae / Southern Living
This is what Christmas smells like. Top with softly-whipped cream, and enjoy this elegantly classic holiday dessert.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
A beloved Texas tradition, this classic Czech pastry gets a spicy Southern kick from a combo of smoky Conecuh sausage and sharp Cheddar cheese.
Credit: Greg DuPree
You’ll know it when you see that familiar topping of Saltines. Whether you call it oyster dressing, oyster pie, or even scalloped oysters, oyster casserole is right at home on any Southerner’s Christmas table.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Change up traditional cornbread dressing with this equally-Southern side dish, or here’s an even better idea—serve both.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Rum balls, rum balls, how we love thee. It’s not a Christmas party in the South without some form of tipsy treat. Originally from our December 1993 issue, this boozy confection is also a perfect gift.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Put this bubbling-hot throwback dip out for a Christmas appetizer, and watch everyone swoop in.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Can there ever be enough cozy, old-fashioned sides at holiday dinners? We say no. This creamy dish pairs well with green bean casserole and any main dish.
Credit: Alison Miksch
There’s no Christmas pie more traditional (or divisive) than classic mincemeat pie. It’s time to bring back this flavor-filled, holiday-spiced classic.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Sprinkles might get more attention, but nothing tastes as much like Christmas as these irresistible cookies. Make everyone happy and bring these classic holiday crinkles to your cookie swap.
Dining and Cooking