57 Festive Christmas in July Dinner Ideas

Grilled Huli Huli Turkey Drumsticks

I’m never one to do things traditionally, so when it came time to hosting the holidays, I went in a completely tropical direction. Borrowing my favorite Hawaiian chicken recipe, I substituted turkey legs and have never looked back. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California

Start your meal with these tasty Christmas in July appetizers. Get extra festive by putting up beach holiday decor and playing Hallmark’s Christmas in July movies in the background.

Strawberry Lime Pretzel Salad

I gave a classic summer salad a holiday twist by making green, white and red layers. The combination of salty, sweet, creamy and fruity is always a hit! —Renee Conneally, Northville, Michigan

Learn exactly how to host an epic Christmas in July party.

Festive Tossed Salad with Feta

I serve this colorful salad when we have guests over for dinner because it goes with just about any main entree and is a snap to toss together with packaged greens. Dried cranberries and feta cheese add a delightful touch. —Kate Hilts, Fairbanks, Alaska

Keep the party going with these Christmas in July cocktails, too.

Spinach Shrimp Fettuccine

I experimented for a couple of years before perfecting this colorful dish, and everyone raves about it. It is easy and light, and it fits into my busy schedule. —Kristin Walker, Suffolk, Virginia

Frozen Christmas Salad

My mom’s use of red and green cherries to decorate dishes at Christmastime inspired me to create this holiday dessert mold. It’s cool, creamy and fun to serve guests. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas. If you enjoyed this, then you must check out our collection of Christmas salad recipes.

Still hungry? Dig in to our best Christmas in July cookies.

Christmas Day Chicken

I've been fixing this delicious chicken for Christmas dinner for over 10 years. It's convenient since you refrigerate it overnight, then simply coat with crumbs and bake. It comes out crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. —Marcia Larson, Batavia, Illinois

Duo Tater Bake

I made this creamy and comforting potato dish for the holidays and it was a winner with my family. They said to be sure to include it at every holiday dinner. It’s a keeper! —Joan McCulloch, Abbotsford, British Columbia

Contest-Winning Holiday Glazed Ham

I like to serve this juicy, mouthwatering ham with mashed potatoes and colorful vegetables. The apricot glaze is delicious, and the pineapple and cloves assure a truly lovely presentation. —Diane Freeman, Falkland, British Columbia

Christmas Broccoli Salad

What could be more Christmasy than a red and green dish? Plus, once people taste this crisp lightly dressed salad, I never have to worry about leftovers.

Flank Steak Pinwheels

The secret to these pretty flank steak pinwheels lies in their butterfly treatment. Because the steaks are flattened, marinade isn’t need. Instead, they’re filled with a colorful stuffing of red pepper and spinach and draped with a flavorful, homemade blue cheese sauce. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cranberry Ambrosia Salad

My paternal grandmother used to make this for Christmas dinner. I'm not sure how many batches she made since there were nearly 50 aunts, uncles and cousins in our family. I still make the recipe in memory of her, and it's still as good as I remember. —Janet Hurley, Shell Rock, Iowa

Holiday Potato Bake

I have made this at Christmas for the past several years; my family requests this dish all the time, even when it’s not a holiday! Happy, cherished family memories. —Vickie West, Long Beach, California

Pesto Star Bread

I was excited to work with the Taste of Home Test Kitchen to make a savory version of my Christmas Star Twisted Bread. Pesto bread is perfect for the holidays (but it's a showstopper at any time of the year). —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Holiday Lettuce Salad

Light with a hint of sweetness, this lettuce salad recipe will make everyone excited to eat their fruits and vegetables. —Bryan Braack, Eldridge, Iowa

Festive Meat Loaf Pinwheel

Dress up basic meat loaf for a special occasion dinner when company is visiting. This crowd-sized pinwheel features deli ham, Swiss cheese and a homemade tomato sauce. —Vera Sullivan, Amity, Oregon

BBQ Turkey

I don’t remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it’s the best holiday turkey I’ve ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana

Caprese Salad

My husband and I love Caprese salad, but not the high prices we pay for it in restaurants. Here, we created our own version which tastes incredibly close, if not better, than any restaurant version we've tried. —Melissa Pearson, Sandy, Utah

Roast Spiced Chicken

Ever have a worn index card recipe from your mother with food stains covering the words? Spiced chicken has been in our family more than 50 years. —Cindy Kanwar, Blacklick, OH

Christmas Eve Confetti Pasta

This easy Christmas dinner has become a holiday tradition in our home. All the prep is done before we attend Christmas Eve service. On returning, I just boil water and saute. It's so colorful with a tossed salad and garlic bread — and always gets raves! — Ellen Fiore, Ridgewood, New Jersey

Mushroom Pork Tenderloin

This moist pork tenderloin in a savory gravy is the best you’ll ever taste. Prepared with canned soups, it couldn’t be easier to assemble. —Donna Hughes, Rochester, New Hampshire

Christmas Morning Popovers

Popovers have been a Christmas morning tradition in my family for 30 years. I get up early to make the popovers, then wake the family to begin opening gifts. When the popovers are ready, I serve them with lots of butter and assorted jams. My father-in-law began the tradition. —Sue A. Jurack

Elegant Cranberry Pear Salad

This salad recipe, with its combination of fresh ingredients and crunchy walnuts, is quick to make yet looks very classy. —Irene Fenlason, Helena, Montana

Chicken with Florentine Sauce

Here is my very favorite chicken Florentine recipe. A creamy topping and pretty presentation make it elegant enough for company, but it’s also fast to fix on busy weeknights! —Julie Fitzgerald, St Louis, Missouri

Garlic Herbed Beef Tenderloin

You don't need much seasoning to add flavor to this tender beef roast. The mild blend of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington

Triple-Cheese Broccoli Puff

This rich-tasting side is a must for our Christmas morning menu. Like any puffy souffle, it settles a bit after you remove the dish from the oven, but the pretty golden top is very attractive. I often toss in some cubed ham for protein. —Maryellen Hays, Wolcottville, Indiana

Holiday Herb-Cheese Rolls

These low-fat hot rolls are flavored with garlic, dill and cheese—they’re yummy even without butter! Or stuff with your favorite fixings for mini sandwiches. —NANCY BOYD, MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA

Texas Pecan Rice

For a special holiday side dish, I dressed up an old recipe to give it a little more Texas character. Everyone loved the savory flavor and crunchy pecans. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TX

Wild Rice with Dried Blueberries

I love the combination of rice and fruit, so this is a go-to holiday side dish at my house. I toss in mushrooms and toasted almonds to enhance the flavor. You can also include dried cherries or cranberries if you like. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas

Chive Smashed Potatoes

No need to peel the potatoes—in fact, this is the only way we make mashed potatoes anymore. They’re chunky, tasty and attractive. And the flavored cream cheese is a delightful twist! —Beverly Norris, Evanston, Wyoming

Slow-Cooker Citrus Carrots

These carrots are yummy and so simple to make. The recipe is from my mom, who tweaked it a bit to suit her taste. You can make this dish a day in advance and refrigerate it until needed. Then just reheat it before serving! —Julie Puderbaugh, Berwick, Pennsylvania

Easy Peasy Biscuits

I love that I can make these biscuits and have enough left over to freeze for another meal. They're a healthier version of a classic American staple. —Amanda West, Shelbyville, Tennessee

Turkey Spinach Salad with Maple Dressing

My husband and I love to hike in New England. The maple syrup in Vermont is wonderful, and we always bring some home to extend the vacation spirit. This recipe I created reminds us of those lovely days. —Jessica Gerschitz, Jericho, New York

Spiced Pear Risotto

We love risotto and are always in search of fun and different ways to prepare it. I like to serve this fruity version with pork tenderloin.—Kim Berto, Port Orchard, Washington

Green Beans with Pomegranate Seeds

These green beans with pomegranate seeds are one of the simplest dishes to make. I made them for Rosh Hashanah this year and they were a hit. Nobody believed there were just 5 ingredients! —Dalya Rubin, Boca Raton, Florida

Apricot Salad

Colorful gelatin salad adds a spot of brightness to any table. It blends well with this holiday feast. We children didn't know if it should be a salad or dessert, with its smooth texture and delicate flavor.—Fae Fisher, Callao, Virginia

Ramen Noodle Cranberry Coleslaw

The deep red of the cranberries and red cabbage makes this a perfect fit for a Christmas spread. Adults and children love this dish, and I’m often asked to bring it to potlucks and other big dinners. Refrigerate any leftovers—it’ll still taste great for a day or two, if you can keep people out of it that long! —Cornelia Cree, Waynesville, North Carolina

Pomegranate Splash Salad

The sparkling pomegranate gems make this salad irresistibly beautiful. My family loves it at holiday gatherings when pomegranates are in season. Even the children can't get enough of this antioxidant-rich delight. —Emily Jamison, Champaign, Illinois

Horseradish-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin

Wow friends and family with this tender beef encased in a golden horseradish crust. Roasted garlic boosts the robust flavor even more. —Laura Bagozzi, Dublin, Ohio

Parmesan Scones

The addition of onions gives these scones a nice bite. You can even stir in some basil or oregano if you like. —Jolie Stinson, Marion, Indiana

Cod with Sweet Peppers

This quick and delicious recipe is a long-time family favorite. I like to use three or four different-colored peppers for an extra-pretty presentation. Then serve with couscous or brown rice to round out the meal. —Judy Grebetz, Racine, Wisconsin.

Green Bean Bundles

I found this recipe in a rural newspaper years ago and have made it often. The bean bundles are excellent with chicken or beef. Sometimes I'll arrange them around a mound of wild rice to make an appetizing side dish. —Virginia Stadler, Nokesville, Virginia

Coconut-Bourbon Sweet Potatoes

What is it about sweet potatoes that unnerve some people? For those who firmly state they hate a yam because of the color or texture, the rich addition of coconut, bourbon and spices might just win them over. —Rebecca Anderson, Driftwood, Texas

Eggplant Rollatini

Want to learn how to cook eggplant? Here's where to start. These authentic eggplant roll-ups may take some time to prepare, but the end result is restaurant-quality. Your family will request this recipe time and again. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

Makeover Creamed Corn

This healthy creamed corn has all the rich feel and flavor of the original, but only about half the calories and about a third of the saturated fat. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

My family and friends love the warm and inviting flavors of the luscious citrus butter, smooth cream cheese, sweet dates, fresh sage and toasted pecans that surround and capture the deliciousness of sweet potato in every bite of this side. —Brenda Watts, Gaffney, South Carolina

Southern Cornbread Dressing

This recipe, one of my favorite holiday side dishes, makes a lot. It's perfect for company, even though it started as a way to stretch the food we had for our large family. —Margaret E. Kendall, McConnelsville, Ohio

Turkey and Apple Arugula Salad

This satisfying salad proves that turkey can be enjoyed outside of the holidays. Peppery salad greens, sweet grapes and rich walnuts combine to create a flavor sensation. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Sicilian Mac & Cheese

To give our mac and cheese a Sicilian touch, we mix sausage, basil and fennel with three cheeses for an incredibly comforting casserole. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California

Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad

Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional “fluff” salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

My family loves gravy, so I can never have enough of this make-ahead turkey gravy recipe on hand for a holiday dinner. The base is prepared with turkey wings and can be prepped in advance. —Linda Fitzsimmons, Fort Edward, New York