27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December
Introduction
December’s chill brings the perfect excuse to gather around the table for heartwarming, flavor-packed meals. Whether you’re planning festive family dinners, cozy nights in, or prepping for celebratory gatherings, these 27 really good recipes will make December delicious, varied, and memorable. Expect holiday classics, easy weeknight wonders, and indulgent treats, all thoughtfully selected to inspire your meal planning and keep kitchen stress low as the season’s pace picks up.
Why Make These 27 December Recipes?
December is a month filled with special occasions and comforting indoor moments. This curated list combines beloved crowd-pleasers and unique twists on seasonal favorites—ensuring you’ll find something for every event, dietary preference, and craving. You’ll discover multiple recipes you’ll want to revisit for years to come, making your December cooking more flavorful, fun, and effortless.
Signature December Dishes for Every Occasion
From cozy soups and hearty casseroles to show-stopping mains and festive desserts, this collection is your go-to December menu. Whether it’s a creamy chicken pot pie after a day outdoors, a roasted vegetable platter for a holiday feast, or spiced gingerbread and peppermint treats for dessert—these recipes deliver the rich flavors and comforting vibes you crave during the most wonderful time of the year.
Make Ahead Tips for Busy December Days
December can be hectic! Many of these recipes are designed for easy meal prep or batch cooking—think slow cooker stews, casseroles you can reheat, and desserts that taste better after a day or two. Plan your week’s dinners, prep some crowd-pleasing appetizers for impromptu gatherings, or bake ahead so your cookie tins are always full.
Festive Serving Suggestions
Elevate these dishes with thoughtful accompaniments: serve creamy gratins with herbaceous green salads, pair slow-roasted meats with tangy cranberry sauce, or top off sweet treats with a dollop of spiced whipped cream. Family-style serving and mix-and-match sides mean everyone finds a favorite at your December table.
Nutritional Info & Portion Planning
These 27 recipes offer balance: hearty comfort food options, lighter veggie-forward picks, and a mix of indulgent and wholesome treats. Serving sizes and nutritional content vary across this collection, so you can tailor portions to fit your household’s needs and satisfy every appetite.
27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December
[ingredients]
Here’s a sample of must-have ingredients found throughout these 27 December recipes:
– Root vegetables (carrots, potatoes, parsnips)
– Fresh and dried herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme)
– Seasonal fruit (apples, cranberries, pears)
– Chicken, beef, or plant-based proteins
– Pantry staples (broth, flour, rice, beans, pasta)
– Holiday baking essentials (spices, chocolate, nuts, molasses)
– Dairy (cream, butter, cheeses)
– Hearty greens (kale, spinach)
– Eggs
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe collection to instantly generate a master shopping list with all ingredients organized by store section—a huge time-saver for busy December shopping and meal planning!

Instructions
Each recipe comes with step-by-step directions tailored to make your cooking experience seamless, even when entertaining a crowd or prepping ahead for a packed week.
Here’s how to make the most of this collection:
- Pick recipes tailored to your occasions—weekday dinners, casual brunches, festive parties, or cozy snacks.
- Consolidate ingredients for weeklong planning, noting which recipes can be made ahead or frozen.
- Prep foundational basics (chopping veggies, mixing doughs, marinating proteins) in advance to streamline mealtime.
- Serve each dish as described, or mix-and-match sides and mains for flexible meal combos.
- Use the included serving and reheating tips to ensure each meal tastes its best, even as leftovers.
Weekly Meal Planning
Planning out your December cooking is simple when you use smart tools. Save and schedule these recipes to create a foolproof calendar for the month—days for indulging, leftovers, and parties are all accounted for.
Planning Benefits:
– Generates total ingredient amounts for all your chosen recipes—no duplicate purchases or missing essentials
– Organizes each shopping list by grocery section, saving you time in store and at home
– Syncs with your meal calendar for easy, stress-free weekly and holiday meal planning
Pro tip: Schedule multiple recipes for one week to see shared ingredients. For example, if both your December stew and holiday cookies use butter and eggs, your shopping list reflects the total quantity needed—so you stock up once and avoid extra trips.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10–45 minutes (per recipe)
Cook Time: 15–120 minutes (per recipe; many options for slow cooker or hands-off roasting)
Total Time: 30–150 minutes, depending on the recipe complexity and batch size—perfect for everything from quick weeknight meals to leisurely weekend projects!
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Bring warmth and variety to your table with these 27 really good December recipes—your key to good food, good company, and a smooth holiday season.




