20 of the Best Recipes to Cook in December

Introduction

December is the month of cozy evenings, festive celebrations, and joyful gatherings. Whether you’re hosting holiday parties, planning family dinners, or simply seeking comfort after a chilly day, having a lineup of tried-and-true seasonal recipes makes the month truly magical. This handpicked collection of the 20 best recipes to cook in December features a flavorful mix of hearty mains, festive sides, and irresistible desserts all designed to bring warmth, cheer, and simplicity to your kitchen.

Why These Recipes are Perfect for December

December’s best recipes lean into rich flavors, seasonal produce, and dishes that invite sharing. These recipes are crowd-pleasers that harness winter favorites like root vegetables, citrus fruits, and wholesome grains, making them perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to special holiday feasts. Enjoy the diversity and comfort of these dishes, guaranteed to fill your home with delightful aromas and happy memories.

20 Must-Try Recipes for December

Below you’ll find 20 of the best seasonal recipes to cook in December. Each recipe is chosen to maximize flavor while keeping things approachable for home cooks, and perfect for meal planning and entertaining.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save these recipes to automatically generate a consolidated shopping list with all ingredients organized by store section for the ultimate stress-free December meal prep and planning.

Instructions

For each featured recipe, follow the easy steps below:

1. Classic Beef Stew: Brown beef, sauté aromatics, add veggies and broth, simmer until tender.
2. Roasted Winter Vegetable Medley: Chop vegetables, toss with olive oil and rosemary, roast at 425°F until golden and tender.
3. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup: Sauté onions and garlic, add squash and broth, simmer and blend until smooth, stir in cream.
4. Citrus and Pomegranate Salad: Toss greens, citrus, pomegranate, feta, and walnuts with vinaigrette.
5. Savory Chicken Pot Pie: Cook chicken and veggies in creamy sauce, transfer to crust, bake until golden.
6. Garlic & Herb Roasted Prime Rib: Season roast, rub with herbed butter, roast until desired doneness.
7. Cranberry Glazed Pork Loin: Sear loin, top with cranberry-orange glaze, roast until cooked through.
8. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes: Layer potatoes and cheese, pour over cream, bake until bubbly and browned.
9. Festive Stuffed Mushrooms: Mix stuffing, fill mushroom caps, bake until golden.
10. Classic Lasagna: Layer cooked noodles with meat sauce and cheeses, bake until bubbly.
11. Spiced Mulled Wine: Simmer wine with spices and citrus, serve warm.
12. Maple Roasted Carrots: Toss carrots in maple butter, roast at 400°F until caramelized.
13. Crispy Skillet Chicken Thighs: Season and brown thighs in skillet, finish in oven until cooked through.
14. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili: Sauté veggies, add beans and tomatoes, simmer until thickened.
15. Herbed Wild Rice Pilaf: Sauté aromatics, add rice and broth, simmer and finish with herbs and almonds.
16. Gingerbread Cookies: Mix dough, roll and cut shapes, bake and decorate as desired.
17. Peppermint Chocolate Bark: Melt chocolates, layer and swirl together, top with crushed peppermints, chill and break into pieces.
18. Classic Bread Pudding: Cube bread, mix with custard, bake until golden and set.
19. Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder: Brown pork, braise with cider, apples, and onions until fork tender.
20. Baked Brie with Cranberries: Wrap Brie in puff pastry with cranberries and pecans, bake until golden.

Weekly Meal Planning

These December recipes shine brightest when incorporated into your weekly meal plans. Save and schedule your favorites to efficiently plan out festive dinners, impromptu gatherings, and cozy nights in. CookifyAI helps you generate smart, consolidated shopping lists across all your chosen recipes—saving you time, reducing stress, and minimizing wasted ingredients.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically totals ingredient amounts for multiple recipes.
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store section.
• Eliminates duplicate purchases and forgotten items.
• Keeps your December meals on track with less effort.

Pro tip: Schedule several recipes at once to instantly see overlapping ingredients—for example, if multiple recipes use heavy cream, your shopping list will total what you’ll need for the whole week!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Times: 10–30 minutes per recipe
Cook Times: 20–180 minutes per recipe (depending on dish)
Total Time: Varies by recipe; most main dishes and sides can be made in under 1 hour, while slow-cooked or roasted entrées may take longer.

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Make your December delicious and stress-free by enjoying these 20 unbeatable recipes—each one designed for comfort, celebration, and maximum flavor. Happy cooking!