50 Christmas Buffet Ideas The Whole Family Will Love

Clone of RX_1708_Vintage Christmas Recipes_Crown Pork Roast with Cranberry Pecan Stuffing

Hector Manuel Sanchez

‘Tis the season to spend time with your loved ones and dig into delicious food. To cater to our ever-growing families, Southern Christmas dinners often end up bearing more resemblance to a buffet line than a traditional sit-down meal. And let’s be honest—an assembly line is the most effective way to get a taste of each dish in a timely manner. Christmas buffets allow for a range of offerings, which is ideal for the picky eaters of the group. Christmas buffets have all the classic dishes from Savory Sweet Potato Casserole to Twice-Baked Potatoes, but with a couple Southern additions such as Spiced Pumpkin Grits or Macaroni Pie. Whether you’re celebrating on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, these are crowd favorite recipes that are simply irresistible. Calories don’t count on Christmas, so spend the holiday with great food and even better company.

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Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Savory and sweet—how can that be? If we had our guess, it would be from the perfect medley of marshmallows and parmesan herb topping.

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Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce

This tenderloin is the perfect buffet addition. Just grab a slice and dress it with its creamy sauce.

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Macaroni Pie

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Macaroni Pie

This dish is something everyone will love, especially the kids!

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Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Easy as pie, this potato-filled dish is our new favorite holiday recipe.

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Broccoli-Cheese Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Broccoli is a fan-favorite vegetable, but when it’s mixed with cheese it becomes the ultimate dish.

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Old-School Squash Casserole

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole

Holiday guests will crave this cheesy and crunchy casserole.

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Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad

When it's cold outside, we’ll use any excuse to add pumpkin to our dishes.

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Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries

Warm and filling, this farro salad is all we need on Christmas Eve.

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Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

Photo: Linda Puglies; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

This holiday staple is elevated with crispy leeks as a topping.

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Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder

Everyone will be begging for this tangy and savory pork recipe.

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Sweet Potato Biscuits

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Sweet Potato Biscuits

We’ll take our biscuits with butter and honey please.

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Okra and Rice Casserole

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Okra and Rice Casserole

Okra belongs at every Southern meal, no matter the season.

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Deviled Egg-Potato Salad

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Deviled Egg-Potato Salad

It’s not a true Southern meal without deviled eggs.

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Cranberry-Apple Tartlets

Linda Pugliese

Recipe: Cranberry-Apple Tartlets

Break up Christmas dinner with something tart and sweet.

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Festive Cranberry-Walnut Salad

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Festive Cranberry-Walnut Salad

Cool down with this berry-filled congealed salad.

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Crispy Potatoes

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Crispy Potatoes

All-purpose potato, like russet, Yukon gold, red, or fingerling, are all good choices for this crowd-favorite potato dish.

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Beer-Braised Pot Roast

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Beer-Braised Pot Roast

This deliciously savory pot roast is packed with flavor from the dark stout beer and beef stock.

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Potato Bread

Katrin Ray Shumakov

Recipe: Potato Bread

Best served slathered with homemade jam or butter.

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Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

Hearty and filling, this festive winter salad is just what your Christmas spread needs.

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Twice-Baked Potatoes

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Twice-Baked Potatoes

Filled with all the good stuff—these baked potatoes are stuffed with cheese, bacon, and green onions.

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Cornflake Wreath Christmas Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: Cornflake Wreath Christmas Cookies

Wreaths aren’t just meant for hanging on your front door.

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes

You’ll certainly get your sweet tooth filled with this loaded sweet potato casserole.

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Christmas Snow Salad

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Christmas Snow Salad

It wouldn't be a holiday spread without a colorful congealed salad or two.

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Easy Skillet Apple Pie

Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Easy Skillet Apple Pie

Apple pie is a quintessentially Southern treat, and a trusty cast-iron skillet takes the timeless dessert to the next level.

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Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Southern Living

Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

It’s simply not a holiday meal without classic mashed potatoes.

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Apple Pie Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Apple Pie Cookies

These sugary cookies are almost better than an actual apple pie.

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Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

Nothing warms us up quite like a classic pot pie.

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Gingerbread Cheesecake with Lemon-Ginger Glaze

Southern Living

Recipe: Gingerbread Cheesecake with Lemon-Ginger Glaze

This tangy cheesecake is oh-so rich.

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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

A vegetable side so delicious that it will convert even the pickiest eaters.

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Chocolate-Peppermint Swirl Sandwich Cookies

Victor Protasio

Recipe: Chocolate-Peppermint Swirl Sandwich Cookies

These holiday cookies are so irresistible, you won’t want to share. Good thing each one has two sides.

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Corn Pudding Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Corn Pudding Casserole

This creamy corn dish can be made with fresh or frozen corn.

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Pecan Pie Brownies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pecan Pie Brownies

This dessert combines our two favorite things: pecans and brownies.

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Mini Pumpkin Pies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Pies

Top off these bite-sized pies with some whipped cream.

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French Onion Puff Pastry Bites

Photo: Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

Recipe: French Onion Puff Pastry Bites

These flaky, pastry bites will have your guests coming back for more.

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Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

Switch up the usual sweet potato casserole by using thinly sliced potatoes for a crispier texture.

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Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies

These savory pot pies are the perfect bite-sized treat.

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Cornmeal Popovers

Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Cornmeal Popovers

Meet our Southern take on classic popovers.

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Au Gratin Potato Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: Au Gratin Potato Casserole

With a crunchy cornflake top, this casserole simply can’t be beat.

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Skillet Turkey Meatballs

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Skillet Turkey Meatballs

Whether you dish them out on a homemade roll or eat them right out of the skillet, they're sure to disappear quickly.

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Praline Mini Cakes

Southern Living

Recipe: Praline Mini Cakes

These mini cakes are the perfect bite-sized treat after your Christmas meal.

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Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

These bundles of asparagus stems are the perfect mixture of smoky and savory.

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Roasted Carrots with Spiced Pecans and Sorghum

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke, Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Roasted Carrots with Spiced Pecans and Sorghum

Get your veggie fill in with these well-seasoned, roasted carrots.

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Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Fennel

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Fennel Recipe

Just like Mama makes it, this cornbread will melt in your mouth.

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Cranberry Sauce

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

It’s not a Christmas feast without a side of cranberry sauce.

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Cranberry-Pecan Stuffing

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Cranberry-Pecan Stuffing

Make-ahead cranberry, pecan, and pork sausage stuffing is just what our Christmas spread needs.

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Smoked Gouda and Andouille Grits

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Smoked Gouda and Andouille Grits

Loaded grits is the perfect addition to any Southern holiday spread.

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50 Christmas Buffet Recipes The Whole Family Will Love

1 of 51

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

2 of 51

Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce

3 of 51

Macaroni Pie

4 of 51

Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

5 of 51

Broccoli-Cheese Casserole

6 of 51

Old-School Squash Casserole

7 of 51

Roasted Pumpkin-and-Baby Kale Salad

8 of 51

Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries

9 of 51

Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

10 of 51

Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder

11 of 51

Sweet Potato Biscuits

12 of 51

Okra and Rice Casserole

13 of 51

Deviled Egg-Potato Salad

14 of 51

Cranberry-Apple Tartlets

15 of 51

Festive Cranberry-Walnut Salad

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Crispy Potatoes

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Beer-Braised Pot Roast

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Potato Bread

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Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

20 of 51

Twice-Baked Potatoes

21 of 51

Cornflake Wreath Christmas Cookies

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes

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Christmas Snow Salad

24 of 51

Easy Skillet Apple Pie

25 of 51

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

26 of 51

Apple Pie Cookies

27 of 51

Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

28 of 51

Gingerbread Cheesecake with Lemon-Ginger Glaze

29 of 51

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

30 of 51

Chocolate-Peppermint Swirl Sandwich Cookies

31 of 51

Corn Pudding Casserole

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Pecan Pie Brownies

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Mini Pumpkin Pies

34 of 51

French Onion Puff Pastry Bites

35 of 51

Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

36 of 51

Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies

37 of 51

Cornmeal Popovers

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Au Gratin Potato Casserole

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