20 of the Best Recipes to Cook in December
Introduction
December is the perfect month to discover new recipes brimming with warmth, comfort, and festive flair. Whether you’re planning meals for holiday gatherings or weeknight family dinners, these 20 standout recipes capture the best flavors of the season—from hearty mains and vibrant sides to cozy desserts guaranteed to delight any crowd.
Why These December Recipes Stand Out
These recipes are thoughtfully curated to bring plenty of flavor and variety to your December table. Expect a mix of traditional holiday favorites and creative dishes ideal for chilly nights and celebratory feasts. Each dish is simple to prepare, uses seasonal ingredients, and is perfect for both accommodating guests or making easy weeknight meals.
Winter Comforts and Festive Flavors
The magic of December cooking lies in bold spices, slow-cooked textures, and dishes that evoke coziness and togetherness. From creamy soups to sweet holiday treats, these recipes make your kitchen the centerpiece of the season.
20 of the Best Recipes to Cook in December
Here’s a rundown of the most delicious recipes to try this month. Each one can be prepped in advance, doubled for a crowd, and included in any meal plan:
1. Classic Beef Stew
2. Creamy Potato Leek Soup
3. Butternut Squash Risotto
4. Roasted Vegetable Medley with Herbs
5. Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken
6. Garlic Butter Green Beans
7. Sweet Potato Casserole
8. Baked Salmon with Citrus and Dill
9. Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip
10. Maple-Glazed Carrots
11. Peppermint Chocolate Brownies
12. Stuffed Mushrooms
13. Holiday Roast Turkey Breast
14. Cranberry Relish
15. Gingerbread Cookies
16. Mulled Apple Cider
17. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
18. Creamy Mac and Cheese
19. Festive Bread Pudding
20. Eggnog Pancakes
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this collection to instantly generate an organized shopping list for all 20 recipes, grouped by grocery store section for easy, efficient meal prep throughout December.
Instructions
For each recipe, follow the basic steps below. For detailed instructions, visit each recipe link individually (or save them to your meal plan for easy, consolidated directions):
1. **Classic Beef Stew:** Brown beef chunks, add vegetables and aromatics, pour in broth and simmer until tender.
2. **Potato Leek Soup:** Sauté leeks, add potatoes and broth, cook until soft, blend, and stir in cream for richness.
3. **Butternut Squash Risotto:** Sauté squash and onions, add rice and cook with wine, ladle in broth gradually, and finish with parmesan.
4. **Roasted Vegetable Medley:** Toss chopped veggies with oil and herbs, roast until caramelized.
5. **Oven-Baked Chicken:** Season chicken, bake until crisp and golden.
6. **Garlic Butter Green Beans:** Sauté green beans in butter and garlic until just tender.
7. **Sweet Potato Casserole:** Mash cooked sweet potatoes with sugar and butter, top with pecans, and bake.
8. **Baked Salmon:** Arrange salmon with citrus slices, drizzle with oil and dill, and bake.
9. **Spinach Artichoke Dip:** Combine, bake until bubbly, and serve warm.
10. **Maple-Glazed Carrots:** Roast carrots with maple syrup and butter.
11. **Peppermint Brownies:** Make brownie batter, stir in peppermint extract, bake and frost.
12. **Stuffed Mushrooms:** Fill mushroom caps with cheese mixture, bake until golden.
13. **Roast Turkey Breast:** Rub with herbs and roast until juicy.
14. **Cranberry Relish:** Blend cranberries with orange and sugar—no cooking required!
15. **Gingerbread Cookies:** Mix dough, cut shapes, bake and decorate.
16. **Mulled Apple Cider:** Simmer cider with spices for a festive drink.
17. **Roasted Brussels Sprouts:** Roast sprouts and bacon, drizzle with balsamic.
18. **Mac and Cheese:** Make cheese sauce, mix with pasta, and bake.
19. **Bread Pudding:** Soak bread in custard, bake, serve warm.
20. **Eggnog Pancakes:** Make batter with eggnog, cook pancakes until fluffy.
Weekly Meal Planning
Adding these recipes into your weekly meal planner streamlines December cooking. Save and schedule your favorite recipes to automatically combine ingredients, cut down on multiple grocery store trips, and avoid missing any essentials.
Planning Benefits:
– Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all chosen recipes
– Consolidates overlapping items (like eggs or butter) to prevent overbuying
– Organizes grocery lists by store section for maximum efficiency
– Simplifies busy holiday weeks so you focus more on enjoying the season
Pro Tip: Schedule recipes in advance—your shopping list will update instantly, saving you stress and reducing food waste during this busy month.
Cook and Prep Times
Most recipes take between 20 and 60 minutes, so you can mix quick weeknight meals with longer, rewarding weekend projects. Total time for a week’s worth of dinner and treats: roughly 5-7 hours (excluding marinating, chilling, or rise times).
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Use these 20 top picks to infuse every December day with delicious, memorable meals—all while keeping your kitchen time easy and organized!