20 of the Best Recipes to Cook in December
Introduction
December is a month rich with culinary traditions, festive flavors, and comforting dishes. Whether you’re hosting holiday gatherings, cozying up with family, or simply looking to make weeknight dinners more special, these 20 standout recipes will bring warmth and excitement to your table all month long. Each recipe celebrates seasonal ingredients, classic comforts, and easy-to-find staples—making December cooking enjoyable, stress-free, and exceptionally delicious.
December’s Most Craveable Recipes
From festive mains to celebratory sides and indulgent desserts, these recipes showcase the flavors of winter: think creamy root vegetables, hearty grains, warming spices, and more. There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re seeking holiday showstoppers or simple meals for busy nights. Planning ahead with these recipes ensures you spend less time stressing and more time enjoying the holiday spirit.
Why You’ll Love Cooking These in December
December cooking is all about bringing people together over memorable meals. These recipes aren’t just crowd-pleasers—they’re practical for busy schedules and adaptable for special diets. By choosing dishes that balance comfort, flavor, and simplicity, you make every meal an occasion, transforming ordinary dinners and gatherings into festive, home-cooked celebrations.
20 of the Best Recipes to Cook in December
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save all your chosen recipes to instantly create an organized shopping list sorted by store section—perfect for streamlined grocery trips and effortless meal planning.
Instructions
- Choose your meals: Select from this list of 20 recipes based on your week’s needs, tastes, and upcoming events.
- For each recipe, gather ingredients and prep according to instructions. Consider batch-prepping staples like roasted vegetables or cooked grains to use in multiple meals.
- Plan dishes that share ingredients to minimize waste and simplify your shopping—like pairing roasted butternut squash in both a salad and a soup.
- Balance hearty mains with lighter sides and include at least one festive dessert for a well-rounded December menu.
- Prep in advance on weekends—soups, pies, and casseroles all reheat beautifully for busy weeknights.
Weekly Meal Planning
These recipes are ideal for creating a flexible December meal plan. Mix and match based on your schedule, dietary needs, and festive gatherings. Save and schedule meals to efficiently consolidate ingredients and manage your holiday grocery list.
**Planning Benefits:**
- Automatically aggregates total ingredient amounts across recipes
- Organizes shopping lists by store sections for stress-free trips
- Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten items
- Makes meal prep and party planning much easier
Pro tip: When you schedule these recipes for the week, CookifyAI combines ingredient totals—so if you need carrots for two dishes, your list reflects the overall quantity required, helping reduce food waste.
Estimated Prep and Cook Times
– Prep time per recipe: 10–30 minutes
– Cook time per recipe: 20–90 minutes
– Batch prep time: ~2 hours for 3–4 recipes
– Total time varies based on selection—use CookifyAI to plan according to your schedule!
Recap: Make December Meals Easy and Memorable
With these 20 December recipes, you can savor new flavors, honor holiday classics, and simplify your grocery planning. Rely on this curated list—and CookifyAI’s smart meal planning tools—to make December cooking joyful and stress-free. Happy holidays!