Traditional Christmas Foods Across America

Published on December 19th, 2022
Updated on November 20th, 2025

In this article

Traditional Christmas Foods By Region
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Midwest
South
Southwest
Nationwide

REGION BY REGION, THESE ARE WHAT’S ON OUR CHRISTMAS TABLES

Perini Ranch Steakhouse’s Mesquite Smoked Peppered Beef Tenderloin

Every family celebrates Christmas with its own special food traditions. From cozy Christmas morning breakfasts to festive holiday dinners, the dishes we serve often reflect where we live, how we were raised, and the flavors passed down through generations. Some Christmas foods are deeply regional, while others appear on holiday tables from coast to coast.

Traditional Christmas Foods By Region

New England
Mid-Atlantic
Midwest
South
Southwest
Nationwide

New England

New England Christmas food traditions are anchored in the foods brought over by the region’s earliest European settlers. Roasted goose remains more common here than in most other regions, and holiday tables often feature classics like eggnog, mince pies (small pies filled with sweet dried fruit), and traditional British-style Christmas pudding.

Mid-Atlantic

In the Mid-Atlantic, seafood takes center stage during the holidays. Crab cakes are a festive favorite, and oysters also appear on many Christmas menus. Farther south in the region, biscuits and country ham pie are popular additions. For dessert, iconic treats like shoofly pie and the multi-layered Smith Island Cake help round out the celebration.

Midwest

In the Midwest, Christmas dinners lean into comfort food classics. Casseroles, especially green bean casserole, cheesy broccoli casserole, and Tater Tot casserole, are holiday staples, often served alongside festive cheese balls. Scandinavian traditions also influence many Midwestern Christmas tables, bringing dishes like Swedish meatballs, lutefisk, and mashed rutabaga or turnips into the mix. For dessert, kringles, a buttery, flaky Danish pastry filled with fruit and nuts, are a beloved regional favorite.

South

In the South, ham—particularly salty, flavorful country ham—is one of the most popular Christmas main dishes. It’s often served with classic Southern sides like mac and cheese and cornbread. In many Latin American and Spanish-influenced Southern households, lechon (a whole spit-roasted pig) takes center stage. Rice dishes are also common, and on the Gulf Coast, shrimp and other local seafood frequently appear on holiday menus. For dessert, pumpkin pie and pecan pie are iconic Southern Christmas treats.

Read More: Types of Ham: Explained

Southwest

The Southwest’s Christmas food traditions are heavily shaped by Mexican and New Mexican influences, and many of these flavors have become essential to the region’s holiday celebrations. Tamales are one of the most popular Christmas dishes in Texas and across the Southwest, often served alongside corn roasted in its husk, savory empanadas, and dishes topped with vibrant red and green chiles. For dessert, biscochitos, a crisp New Mexican butter cookie flavored with cinnamon and anise, are a beloved holiday treat and a true regional classic.

Nationwide

Even though every region has some traditional Christmas foods to call their own, far more Christmas foods are universally enjoyed across America. There’s no single “official” Christmas breakfast, but most families start the day with a hearty spread, think eggs, bacon or other breakfast meats, and toast or warm biscuits.

Mother’s Restaurant’s “World’s Best” Baked Ham

Christmas dinner often looks a lot like Thanksgiving, but turkey isn’t the only star of the show. Many families serve baked ham, prime rib, pork shoulder or loin, and sometimes even goose. Popular side dishes include mashed potatoes with gravy, dinner rolls, corn, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and a variety of roasted vegetables.

Dessert is where Christmas nostalgia really shines. Butter cookies decorated with festive icing are enjoyed all season long, along with gingerbread cookies, mince pies, Bûche de Noël (a rolled chocolate cake shaped like a Yule log), and panettone, a favorite among Italian families. And of course, no list would be complete without the timeless holiday classic: fruitcake.

Eilenberger's Bakery World Famous Fruitcake

If you’re still looking for Christmas food inspiration, look no further than Goldbelly’s wide variety of Christmas dinners, Christmas side dishes, and Christmas desserts, along with plenty of incredible Christmas food gifts!

Shop America’s Best Christmas Foods