Everyone remembers a festive Christmas dinner. And who can forget about waking up to Christmas brunch? But what about those hours in between when your busy opening gifts, attending church services, or putting the finishing touches on your Christmas cookie plate? It’s easy to miss out on that afternoon lunch. Luckily, we’ve rounded up some quick and easy Christmas lunch ideas to keep your family fueled up for anything the holiday has in store. Read on for some of our favorite sandwiches, winter soup recipes, and crowd-pleasing Christmas casseroles that can feed all your out-of-town guests.
Ahead, you'll find plenty of festive recipes, like honey-glazed ham sliders, pumpkin chili, and sausage and kale quiche. Most of these easy lunch recipes are quick to whip up or completely hands-free, so you can go on to finish prepping your holiday pies. Think 15-minute paninis, slow cooker potato soup, and make-ahead sausage casseroles that you can pop in the microwave. If a full lunch course isn't your thing, consider a few bite-sized snacks for grazing on throughout the day, like cocktail meatballs or Christmas deviled eggs that might just become a new Christmas tradition. No matter which recipe you choose, these easy ideas will ensure that Christmas lunch is never forgotten!
1
Country Gravy
Caitlin Bensel
Whether you serve it with chicken fried steak or biscuits, there's something so comforting about a creamy country gravy. For a fun twist on a classic, try using seasoned salt instead of regular salt.
If you made a big ham for Christmas Eve, use the leftovers for this comforting casserole. It's hearty, cheesy, and slightly spiced from the poblano pepper.
A make-ahead salad that you can stash in the fridge is an easy way to prepare lunch on the holidays. Just leave the cheese, bacon, and almonds on the side until you’re ready to serve so they stay nice and crunchy.
Smoky and sweet—this recipe is the perfect side dish for just about anything! You can add a couple of fried eggs on top or serve it alongside some slices of steak.
These sliders are piled high with melty cheese, salty ham, and a sweet-and-tangy honey mustard spread. They’re just the right size to fuel you up without ruining your appetite for dinner.
If the weather outside is frightful, you’ll be glad you made this cozy potato soup! Sprinkle on some crispy bacon bits and shredded cheese, and your family will be happy, too!
Slice up this pizza roll to keep your family and friends satisfied throughout the day. It's easily shareable, cheesy, and great for dipping in marinara sauce.
A classic reuben combines corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread. It’s cooked on a griddle so the cheese gets nice and melty.
These boneless chicken pieces are seasoned with buttermilk and pickle juice, then dredged and fried for a decadent lunch. You can serve them up with gravy or turn them into fried chicken sandwiches!
Refreshing, light, and crunchy—this salad will change any notions you may have had previously about Brussels sprouts! When shaved into a slaw-like salad and tossed with sweet cranberries and toasted almonds, it's a seasonal delight.
After staying up late eating a plate full of cookies, this veggie-packed soup will be a nice change of pace. It has ten different vegetables and you can even swap in veggies based on your preferences.
If a glazed ham was on your Christmas Eve dinner menu, you might want to consider using any leftovers to make this quick ham sandwich! Of course, you can also use honey ham from the deli, too.
Quiche is a great option for a holiday lunch because it can easily be made in advance and served at room temperature. In fact, it can be kept in your refrigerator for up to three days.