Your Holiday Hosting Recipe Guide

Here to help you be the host with the most

If there’s one thing we love more than eating all the festive food throughout the holiday season, it’s hosting a party where we get to make and serve that delicious food! In the spirit of celebration, we’ve gathered some of our favorite recipes perfect for your next holiday get-together with family or friends.

To Drink

We love a good party drink, especially when you can make it ahead of time. Instead of prepping individual drinks, try large-format cocktails like sangria pitchers, batched espresso martinis and more.

Check out our recipes for easy holiday drinks for entertaining.

Heading to a party? Use our Holiday Party Wine Guide to help you select a bottle to gift to your host.

Appetizers

From dips to tapas and the best finger foods, skip the sit-down dinner and opt for a spread of appetizers.

Hot Honey Halloumi
Recipe inspired by Ema
Simple and satisfying, grill up a brick of this tangy cheese from Cyprus, then drizzle with hot honey for a flavorful kick.

Cocktail Sauce
Recipe inspired by RPM Seafood
Pair this elegant sauce, made with horseradish, Worcestershire Sauce, celery, scallions and citrus, with your favorite chilled seafood.

Joe’s Seafood Mustard Sauce
Recipe inspired by Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Impress your guests by cracking open some stone crabs to enjoy with this legendary accompaniment.

Try your hand at hosting your own raw bar at home with tips from Shaw’s Crab House!

Smoked Salmon Crostini
Recipe inspired by The Oakville Grill & Cellar
Effortlessly elevate your next gathering with this appetizer that combines savory flavors and crisp textures.

Spicy Hummus
Recipe inspired by Ema
Add some crudité or simply spread on a cracker and your guests won’t be able to get enough of this dreamy spread.

Kale and Artichoke Fondue
Recipe inspired by Wildfire
We love this warm dip on cold and snowy winter nights and it’s great with bread or chips.

Deviled Eggs
Recipe inspired by Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Spice up the classic deviled egg with a touch of paprika.

Garlic Butter Escargot Puffs
Recipe inspired by Mon Ami Gabi – Las Vegas
This decadent, French-inspired app is easy to make and will impress your guests.

Truffled Garlic Bread
Recipe inspired by RPM Italian
This a luxurious riff on the classic, setting the mood for a festive night.

Spanish Charcuterie Cones
Recipe inspired by Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba
These are not just fun to eat, they are fun to make and easy to customize to your heart’s desire.

Caña de Cabra Pintxo
Recipe inspired by Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Take your crostini to the Iberian peninsula in this pintxo that is perfect with a glass of Cava or any of your favorite sparkling wines.

For another Pintxo, try the Butternut Squash Jam & Caña de Cabra Pintxo recipe.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Recipe inspired by Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba
A bite-sized tapa that’s a little bit salty and a little bit sweet, with just the right amount of crunch? Yes, please!

For an Italian twist, try N’duja Stuffed Dates inspired by Osteria Via Stato.

Prosciutto Bruschetta
Recipe inspired by RPM Italian
The perfect app includes a truffle ricotta mixture topped with prosciutto on top of a crispy baguette.

A Chef’s Favorite Latkes
Recipe inspired by Summer House
Whether hosting a Hanukkah party, or simply a lover of good latkes, a latke table spread is always a fun idea. Chef Ben Goodnick shares four ways to top your latkes from savory to sweet.

Japanese Fried Chicken
Recipe inspired by Miru at The St. Regis Chicago
Surprise your guests with this popular Japanese holiday dish. Executive Chef Hisanobu Osaka of Miru at The St. Regis Chicago shares his recipe for Japanese Fried Chicken with tobanjan aioli so you and yours can enjoy double-fried, perfectly crispy chicken thighs this holiday season.

Baked Brie En Croûte
Recipe by Mon Ami Gabi
Creamy and rich brie comes together with bright and tart apricot jam and crunchy of the almonds for a perfect bite.

Dessert

After all that holiday prep, keep dessert simple and go for some cookies. We know a certain someone in a big, red coat loves them. Chef Yasmin from Beatrix shares two great recipes.

Tall, Dark & Handsome Cake
Recipe inspired by Beatrix
If you’re in search of a gluten-free dessert recipe, look no further—this divine, must-try flourless chocolate cake is the one!

Best Hanukkah Cookies Ever
Recipe inspired by Beatrix
Make these delicious Hanukkah butter cookies and decorate them how you please!

Raspberry Pie
Recipe inspired by Shaw’s Crab House
Prefer a slice of pie to cookies? Try this pie recipe inspired by the Shaw’s staple that has been on the menu for around 20 years.

 

For more recipe inspiration, browse our library of Lettuce recipes.