31 Delicious Things You Should Eat In December

Introduction

As the year winds down and festivities fill the air, December offers the perfect opportunity to savor comforting classics and discover new favorites. Whether you’re embracing the flavors of the season, hosting family gatherings, or searching for soothing dishes for chilly evenings, this curated list of 31 delicious things to eat in December is your ticket to a month brimming with variety and delight. Planning your December meals with this collection ensures every day is packed with something vibrant, festive, and full of flavor.

Why December Deserves a Culinary Celebration

December’s bounty shines with hearty stews, spiced baked goods, and vibrant winter produce. From cozy breakfasts to festive desserts, these dishes bring people together and set the stage for unforgettable moments around your table. Use this guide to craft warming weeknight dinners, crowd-pleasing treats, and nutritious lunches that energize the whole family. No matter your mood or schedule, you’ll find something delicious for every day of the month.

31 Delicious Things to Eat in December

Here’s your ultimate December bucket list with a mix of seasonal specialties, global comfort foods, and dishes that will add sparkle to your table:

1. **Classic Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables**
2. **Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts**
3. **Creamy Butternut Squash Soup**
4. **Spiced Gingerbread Cookies**
5. **Slow-Cooker Beef Stew**
6. **Eggnog French Toast**
7. **Cranberry Orange Scones**
8. **Stuffed Acorn Squash**
9. **Herbed Pork Loin Roast**
10. **Peppermint Hot Chocolate**
11. **Swedish Meatballs**
12. **Sweet Potato Gratin**
13. **Holiday Sugar Cookies**
14. **Chicken and Dumplings**
15. **Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce**
16. **Potato Latkes**
17. **Cauliflower Cheese Casserole**
18. **Roasted Salmon with Dill**
19. **Mushroom Risotto**
20. **Apple Cider-Braised Pork**
21. **Sticky Toffee Pudding**
22. **Moroccan-Spiced Chickpeas**
23. **Baked Mac and Cheese**
24. **Fennel & Citrus Salad**
25. **Classic Beef Wellington**
26. **Chocolate Peppermint Bark**
27. **Butterscotch Blondies**
28. **Pomegranate Winter Salad**
29. **Mulled Wine or Spiced Cider**
30. **Braised Lamb Shanks**
31. **Cinnamon Rolls**

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this entire December bucket list to automatically generate a comprehensive, organized shopping list—perfectly sorted by grocery store section for easy and efficient meal prep all month long.

Smart Strategies for Enjoying December’s Delights

– **Batch cook hearty mains** like stew or risotto on weekends to enjoy through the week.
– **Swap in seasonal produce** to maximize freshness and savings—think root vegetables, citrus, and winter greens.
– **Freeze extra portions** of soups, casseroles, and cookie dough for effortless weeknight meals.
– **Mix festive with functional**: alternate indulgent dishes like cinnamon rolls or sticky toffee pudding with wholesome salads and roasted veggies.

Instructions: How to Make the Most of Your December Meals

1. Plan your week: Choose a few recipes from the list for each week, balancing mains, sides, treats, and beverages.
2. Prep ingredients: Review your shopping list and batch prep vegetables, meats, or doughs to cut down on daily cooking time.
3. Rotate flavors: Spice up classics with seasonal herbs and spices; try swapping in gingerbread spices for cookies or adding citrus zest to salads and desserts.
4. Share the joy: Bake extra holiday treats to share with neighbors and friends—a sweet way to spread cheer!

Weekly Meal Planning

With 31 curated dishes ready to inspire each day, December meal planning becomes simple and exciting. Save and schedule your favorites for each week, and CookifyAI will automatically generate a smart shopping list—consolidating overlapping ingredients and organizing your groceries by store section.

**Benefits of Automated Meal Planning:**
– Combines ingredient totals across all planned meals for time-saving efficiency
– Prevents duplicate purchases and runs to the store
– Helps you balance variety and nutrition across the week
– Reduces food waste by tracking what you need for every recipe

Pro tip: As you pick your “must-eats” for the month, schedule your meals to see how common ingredients—like eggs or root veggies—add up, letting you shop smarter and prep with confidence.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep and cook times will vary by recipe. Plan for:
– Quick breakfasts/snacks (like scones or bark): 15–30 minutes
– Robust mains (like stew or roast): 1–2 hours (some hands-off)
– Showstoppers (like Wellington or bread pudding): Up to 2.5 hours
Most dishes can be prepped ahead or batch-cooked to streamline your December.

Conclusion

With this list of 31 delicious things to eat in December, every day is a new reason to gather, celebrate, and savor the best of the season. Strategic meal planning means you’ll never be caught scrambling for holiday recipes or missing a key ingredient—so you can focus on what really matters: enjoying great food with the people you love.