There is something truly magical about gathering around a festive table brimming with savory, sweet, and vibrant dishes that speak of warmth and celebration. Our Super Easy Christmas Menu with Festive Brie, Juicy Turkey, Glazed Ham, Baked Salmon, Cheesy Potato Bake, Salad, and Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe brings together all the holiday classics with a simple, approachable twist that anyone can master. Each dish is crafted to fill your home with enticing aromas and your guests with joy, combining rich flavors and textures that make Christmas dinner a memorable feast without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward but play crucial roles in delivering the deep, comforting flavors and festive colors that make this menu shine. From the creamy Brie to the juicy turkey and the decadent chocolate fudge cake, every element balances beautifully.
- Festive Brie: A rich, creamy cheese perfect for starting the celebration with crackers for a delightful contrast.
- Turkey Breast: Slow-cooked to juicy perfection, this is the star protein that brings savory depth and tradition to your meal.
- Ham (Brown Sugar or Maple Glazed): Adds a sweet, caramelized glaze that complements the savory proteins and makes the feast extra special.
- Salmon: Baked with just the right seasoning to keep it tender and flavorful, offering a lighter alternative on the table.
- Cheesy Potato Bake or Lemon Potato Salad: These creamy or tangy sides add comforting texture and can be made ahead for ease.
- Salads and Greens: Garden-fresh leafies or vibrant cherry tomatoes with basil, paired with simple dressings like balsamic, french, or italian for brightness.
- Store-Bought Bread and Olive Oil or Butter: For dipping and rounding out the meal with ease and taste.
- Chocolate Fudge Cake: A rich, indulgent dessert to end the feast with a sweet celebration.
How to Make Super Easy Christmas Menu with Festive Brie, Juicy Turkey, Glazed Ham, Baked Salmon, Cheesy Potato Bake, Salad, and Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Festive Brie
Begin the celebration with a quick and elegant creamy Brie paired with crunchy crackers. This appetizer is all about simplicity and flavor, offering a rich, melt-in-your-mouth softness that pairs beautifully with the crispness of your choice crackers.
Step 2: Cook the Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
The turkey breast is the soul of your Christmas menu. Season and place it in a slow cooker to transform into a tender and juicy masterpiece. The slow cooking method makes it foolproof, keeping the meat moist and full of flavor while you focus on other dishes.
Step 3: Glaze the Ham
Choose between brown sugar or maple glaze to coat your ham generously before baking. As it roasts, the sugars caramelize beautifully, creating the irresistible sweet crust that caramel lovers dream about on the holiday table.
Step 4: Bake the Christmas Salmon
While the turkey and ham are cooking, gently season and bake the salmon. This lighter protein adds a lovely contrast and is so easy to prepare – a must-have for guests who prefer something less traditional but equally tasty.
Step 5: Make the Cheesy Potato Bake or Lemon Potato Salad
The cheesy potato bake is a creamy, golden layer of comfort, perfect hot from the oven. Alternatively, for a refreshing make-ahead side, the lemon potato salad combines zest and tang, brightening up the whole spread.
Step 6: Toss the Salad
Select your favorite greens or halved cherry tomatoes with torn basil and dress simply with balsamic, french, or italian dressing. This brings freshness, crunch, and a pop of color to balance the richness of the other dishes.
Step 7: Warm the Bread and Prepare Dips
Warm some store-bought bread and offer butter or olive oil for dipping. This classic pairing adds comfort and lets diners create little bites throughout the meal to keep their palate excited.
Step 8: Bake the Easy Chocolate Fudge Cake
End your feast with a luscious, fudgy chocolate cake. It’s easy to make ahead and perfect for those who want a rich, sweet finale to their Christmas celebration, leaving everyone utterly satisfied.
Step 9: Final Touches and Presentation
Arrange your dishes thoughtfully on the table, ensuring each color and texture complements the other. Serve the festive Brie with crackers upfront and set your warm mains, vibrant salads, and dessert in visually appealing clusters to invite a joyful and relaxed dining experience.
How to Serve Super Easy Christmas Menu with Festive Brie, Juicy Turkey, Glazed Ham, Baked Salmon, Cheesy Potato Bake, Salad, and Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme on the turkey and ham add a burst of aroma and color, while lemon zest on the salmon brightens every bite. Don’t forget a sprinkle of cracked black pepper and a handful of toasted nuts or cranberries on the salad for extra texture and festive flair.
Side Dishes
The cheesy potato bake or lemon potato salad pairs beautifully with the meats, providing comforting carbs or a refreshing, tangy alternative. Including the wild rice salad alongside leafy greens ensures variety and keeps the plate balanced and exciting.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the festive Brie on a wooden board alongside a variety of crackers and some seasonal fruit like figs or grapes for a rustic charm. Use large platters to showcase the turkey and ham, carved in thick, juicy slices. Individual salad servings in clear glasses or bowls can look elegant and keep things neat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the big meal, pack leftovers in airtight containers and refrigerate promptly. Meats like turkey and ham stay moist and flavorful for up to four days, while the potato bake and salad can last a couple of days if stored well.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover turkey, ham, and baked salmon for up to three months to enjoy another day. For best quality, freeze the potato bake and chocolate fudge cake separately wrapped in foil or plastic wrap to retain moisture and texture.
Reheating
For moist and tender reheating, warm the turkey and ham covered with foil in a low oven. Gently reheat the potato bake to keep its cheesy creaminess intact. Surfacing your chocolate fudge cake out of the fridge a little before serving lets it soften naturally to rich perfection.
FAQs
Can I prepare this Super Easy Christmas Menu for a smaller group?
Absolutely! The recipes can be scaled down easily. Just adjust the quantities proportionally, and you’ll still get all the festive flavors without overwhelming portions.
What if someone doesn’t eat pork—can I skip the ham?
Yes! The juicy turkey breast and baked salmon provide excellent alternatives. You can also add an extra side salad or some roasted vegetables to fill out the menu.
Can I make any of these dishes completely ahead of time?
Definitely. The cheesy potato bake and lemon potato salad both hold up well made a day ahead. The chocolate fudge cake is best when baked earlier, allowing flavors to deepen for the ultimate indulgence.
Do I need special equipment to cook the turkey?
The slow cooker method is very friendly and requires minimal equipment. Just toss in your seasoned turkey breast and let it work its magic while you prepare other dishes.
Is the menu suitable for children?
For sure! The flavors are straightforward and comforting. Kids will especially love the cheesy potatoes and chocolate fudge cake, while the turkey is tender and easy to eat.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like the joy of sharing a hearty, love-filled meal, and this Super Easy Christmas Menu with Festive Brie, Juicy Turkey, Glazed Ham, Baked Salmon, Cheesy Potato Bake, Salad, and Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe truly brings the heart of holiday tradition to your table with ease and flavor. Whether you’re hosting family, friends, or simply celebrating your own way, I can’t wait for you to try this delightful spread and create new favorite moments around the Christmas table.
Print
Super Easy Christmas Menu with Festive Brie, Juicy Turkey, Glazed Ham, Baked Salmon, Cheesy Potato Bake, Salad, and Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 180 minutes
- Cook Time: 720 minutes
- Total Time: 900 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8 to 10 people
- Category: Holiday Menu
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holidays with this Super Easy Christmas Menu featuring a delightful mix of appetizers, main courses, and sides perfect for entertaining 8 or more guests. Highlights include a 3 Minute Festive Brie appetizer, juicy slow cooker turkey breast with gravy, your choice of brown sugar or maple glazed ham, or a Christmas baked salmon. Complement these with creamy cheesy potato bake or a refreshing lemon potato salad, wild rice salad, a fresh side salad with dressing options, bread with butter or olive oil, and finish with a rich easy chocolate fudge cake for dessert.
Ingredients
Appetizers
- 1 wheel Brie cheese (for 3 Minute Festive Brie)
- Crackers for dipping, as needed
Main Course
- Turkey breast (approx. 4-6 lbs) for slow cooking
- Brown sugar (for glazed ham)
- Maple syrup (for glazed ham)
- Ham (8 lbs) for glazing
- Salmon fillet (around 3-4 lbs) for Christmas baked salmon
Sides
- Potatoes (4 lbs) for cheesy potato bake or lemon potato salad
- Cream (1 cup) and cheese (2 cups shredded) for potato bake
- Fresh lemons (2) for lemon potato salad
- Wild rice (2 cups uncooked)
- Mixed salad greens or leafy greens (for side salad)
- Cherry tomatoes (2 cups, halved)
- Fresh basil leaves (1/2 cup, torn)
Dressings
- Balsamic dressing, store-bought or homemade (1/2 cup)
- French dressing, store-bought or homemade (1/2 cup)
- Italian dressing, store-bought or homemade (1/2 cup)
Bread and Dipping
- Store-bought bread (1 loaf or equivalent rolls)
- Butter or olive oil for dipping (1/2 cup)
Dessert
- Ingredients for Easy Chocolate Fudge Cake (flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, butter, baking powder, milk, vanilla extract as per your preferred recipe)
Instructions
- Prepare 3 Minute Festive Brie: Arrange the Brie cheese on a serving platter and serve with crackers for dipping. This simple appetizer can be prepared just before serving for freshness.
- Cook Turkey Breast: Place the turkey breast in a slow cooker with your preferred seasonings and cook on low for 6-8 hours until tender. Prepare and heat gravy to serve alongside.
- Glaze Ham: Choose either the brown sugar glaze or maple glaze. For brown sugar glaze, mix brown sugar with mustard and vinegar; for maple glaze, combine maple syrup with mustard and spices. Brush over ham and bake in the oven until heated through and caramelized, approximately 1-2 hours depending on size.
- Prepare Christmas Baked Salmon (optional): Season salmon with herbs, lemon, and olive oil. Bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes until cooked through.
- Make Potato Side: Choose between cheesy potato bake or lemon potato salad. For cheesy bake, layer sliced potatoes with cream and cheese, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour. For lemon potato salad, boil potatoes until tender, cool, then toss with lemon juice, herbs, and dressing.
- Cook Wild Rice Salad: Cook wild rice according to package instructions, cool, and combine with diced vegetables and a light dressing.
- Prepare Side Salad: Toss leafy greens, halved cherry tomatoes, and torn basil with your choice of balsamic, French, or Italian dressing.
- Set Bread and Dipping: Place store-bought bread on the table with butter or olive oil for guests to dip.
- Serve Dessert: Prepare your easy chocolate fudge cake according to preferred recipe and serve as the final course.
Notes
- Slow cooker cooking times may vary depending on the size of the turkey breast; always ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Both ham glaze options can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until needed.
- The potato side dishes can be made a day ahead, refrigerated, and reheated or served cold (in the case of potato salad).
- Wild rice salad is versatile and can include nuts or dried fruits for added texture.
- Choose dressings based on personal preference or guest dietary needs.
- Chocolate fudge cake can be baked a day in advance and stored properly to maintain freshness.
