23 Christmas Food Gifts for Your Friends Without a Sweet Tooth

Forget cookies and candies—these homemade snacks, spreads and condiments are the perfect Christmas gifts for a savory food lover in your life.

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1/23

Cranberry Honey Butter

Total Time 10 min
Servings 24 servings
From the Recipe Creator: If you are traveling to a friend's or loved one's for the holidays, bring them something even better than a bottle of wine—this easy to whip up treat! —Arisa Cupp, Sherwood, Oregon
Nutrition Facts: 1 tablespoon: 75 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 71mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.

Check-Whether you’re looking for something funny, something thoughtful or something romantic, we’ve also rounded up the best Christmas gifts for your boyfriend.

2/23

Pear Jam

Total Time 30 min
Servings 6 half-pints
Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 78 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 20g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.

3/23

Dr Pepper Barbecue Sauce

Total Time 40 min
Servings 1 cup
From the Recipe Creator: My family is stationed in Italy with my husband, Lt. William Robert Blackman. William grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and I’m from Texas, so the dish that spells "home" for us is a good ol' barbecue. I have my own recipe for barbecue sauce that we like to pour all over sliced brisket. Eating it reminds us of weekend barbecues with our families. —Tina Blackman, Naples, Italy
Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 60 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
4/23

Cheese Crispies

Total Time 35 min
Servings 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: For years I’ve taken these crispy, crunchy snacks to work. They get high marks from everybody in the teachers lounge. —Eileen Ball, Cornelius, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts: 1 cracker: 87 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 92mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
5/23

Roasted Cheddar Herb Almonds

Total Time 30 min
Servings 2 cups
From the Recipe Creator: I prepared these one Christmas for my son, who was on a low-carb diet. I was afraid he'd be disappointed because he couldn't eat holiday cookies, but these made up for it—he loved them! Save a handful to chop and sprinkle over a green salad or pasta. —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 264 calories, 23g fat (4g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 298mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein.
6/23

Taco Seasoning Mix

Total Time 10 min
Servings 4 servings per batch
From the Recipe Creator: Create your own zippy taco seasoning for spicing up Mexican dishes. It's handy and less expensive than buying envelopes of prepared mix from the store. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 teaspoons: 200 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 873mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
7/23

Jalapeno Jelly

Total Time 30 min
Servings 7 half-pints
From the Recipe Creator: A jar of this sweet and spicy jelly is always warmly appreciated. To add an extra southwestern accent, I trim the lid with a snappy bandanna print fabric. —Lori McMullen, Victoria, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 92 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
8/23

Freezer Cucumber Pickles

Total Time 20 min
Servings 10 pints
From the Recipe Creator: When I first started to make these crunchy and satisfying freezer pickles, I wasn't sure if the method would actually work. To my surprise, they came out perfect! Now I make enough to take them to picnics or give as gifts to friends and neighbors. —Connie Goense, Pembroke Pine, Florida
9/23

Hearty Pasta Soup Mix

Total Time 1 hour 30 min
Servings 14 servings (3-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: Warm up loved ones on frosty winter nights with a gift of this hearty, stick-to-the-ribs soup mix. Packed in pretty glass jars, it looks just as good as it tastes! Be sure to include preparation instructions and a list of additional ingredients needed with your gift card. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 173 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 613mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein.

Bonus: Check out more soup gift baskets they can warm themselves up with on these cold winter days.

10/23

Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)

Total Time 40 min
Servings 3 pints
From the Recipe Creator: If you love spicy food like we do, then these tasty candied jalapenos—also known as cowboy candy—are for you! You can save the syrup to baste roasted chicken or grilled salmon, or mix it into salad dressings. Jars of this dynamite condiment make a great gift. —Rita Ladany, Edison, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 10 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
11/23

Rosemary Walnuts

Total Time 20 min
Servings 2 cups
From the Recipe Creator: My Aunt Mary started making this recipe years ago. Each time we visited, she would have a batch ready for us. The use of cayenne adds an unexpected zing to the savory combo of rosemary and walnuts. When you need a good housewarming or hostess gift, double the batch and save half for yourself. —Renee Ciancio, New Bern, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 166 calories, 17g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 118mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat.
12/23

Mild Salsa Recipe for Canning

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 10 pints
From the Recipe Creator: I got this salsa recipe from my sister, and my children and I have been making batches of it ever since. We pair pint jars with packages of tortilla chips for zesty Christmas gifts. When the kids give this present to their teachers, they can truthfully say they helped make it. —Pamela Lundstrum, Bird Island, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 14 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 182mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
13/23

Christmas Pickles

Total Time 35 min
Servings 6-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator: A dear family friend made these pickles for decades. I've adapted the recipe a bit over the years, but in my heart they are still “Dr. Rhodes’ pickles.” These morsels are delicious any time of year, but the green, red and white hues of the pickles, cherries and onions make them ideal for Christmas gift-giving—and it's a tasty twist on the classic Christmas pickle tradition. —Patricia Martin, Shelby
Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 99 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
14/23

Paprika Dry Rub

Total Time 10 min
Servings about 1-3/4 cups
From the Recipe Creator: A friend gave me the recipe for this delicious dry rub. I love the tongue-tingling punch it gives poultry. —Jackie Kohn, Duluth, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 tablespoon: 30 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2110mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
15/23

Barbecue Sauce with Mustard

Total Time 15 min
Servings 4 cups
From the Recipe Creator: Say no to ho-hum barbecue. Add some zing to chicken or pork with our sauce. —Charlie and Ruthie Knote, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 60 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 251mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
16/23

Pickled Green Beans

Total Time 30 min
Servings 4 pints
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe produces zippy little pickled green beans, preserving my veggies for months to come ... if they last that long. I crank up the heat a bit with cayenne pepper. —Marisa McClellan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts: 8 green beans: 9 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 83mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Free food.
17/23

Spicy Pecans N Cranberries

Total Time 25 min
Servings about 4 cups
From the Recipe Creator: Spice up a holiday party with these well-seasoned nuts or keep a batch in the freezer to give as last-minute presents. — Rene Dalrymple, Hansville, Washington
Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 189 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 83mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein.
18/23

Giardiniera

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 10 pints
From the Recipe Creator: Sweet and tangy, this Italian condiment is packed with peppers, cauliflower, carrots and other crisp-tender veggies. It’s perfect to offer alongside pickles or olives on a relish tray. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 74 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 323mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
19/23

Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix

Total Time 5 min
Servings 5 cups
From the Recipe Creator: A filling blend of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried fruit keeps you healthy by the handful. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington
Nutrition Facts: 1/3 cup: 336 calories, 25g fat (6g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein.
20/23

Sweet-Hot Asian Dipping Sauce

Total Time 50 min
Servings 6 half-pints
From the Recipe Creator: This Asian-inspired sauce is a delicious egg roll dipping sauce, but it can also be used for veggies or to make a sweet-tangy vinaigrette. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 54 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 75mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
21/23

Cranberry Orange Vinegar

Total Time 10 min
Servings 6 cups
From the Recipe Creator: I enjoy making an assortment of vinegars but this is a favorite. The longer the cranberries and oranges sit in the vinegar, the more intensely flavored it becomes.— Kathy Rairigh, Milford, Indiana
Nutrition Facts: 1 tablespoon: 9 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
22/23

Cranberry Ketchup

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 1-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe was handed down to me from my mother. It may sound like a strange combination of flavors, but once you try it, you won’t want to go back to regular ketchup. —Jerome Wiese, Bemidji, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 tablespoon: 35 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 148mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.
23/23

Homemade Hot Sauce

Total Time 55 min
Servings 5 half-pints
From the Recipe Creator: I created this spicy recipe one day using what I had available from my garden: hot peppers, carrots, onions and garlic. The carrots make this recipe stand out. —Carolyn Wheel, Fairfax, Vermont
Nutrition Facts: 1 teaspoon: 3 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.

Up next, take a look at these Christmas gift baskets for your friends and family.