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Corned Beef

[heart_this] · · 4 Comments

Last Updated July 31st, 2024 at 08:32 am by Lisa

Make the best Corned Beef with a delicious spice crust, and juicy fork-tender slices. An Irish tradition especially for St. Patrick's Day!

This baked corned beef is an easy recipe and is braised to make it perfectly cooked. Pair it with classic sides like roasted cabbage wedges, glazed carrots, rosemary baby gold potatoes, and horseradish cream sauce.

We usually make a traditional corned beef meal one time of year, but now this great dinner will become a family favorite...

A large white oval platter with corned beef brisket sliced with sauce, beer, and side dishes.

Table of contents

Best Corned Beef Recipe

When it comes to making a corned beef dinner, there are a few things to consider. Create the best corned brisket, and make it a complete meal with delicious sides. The two most important tips are to pick the right meat cut of beef and follow my tips on how to prepare it using a braising technique.

Now, these tips will make a big difference in your recipe. Use a good brisket like a flat cut coated in mustard and spices, then pour the stout or beef broth around it in a roasting pan around it. Bake in this slow method of cooking for 45 minutes to 1 hour per pound. You will have the best brisket to serve for dinner or on Reuben sandwiches. Here are the ingredients you will need...

  • flat-cut corned beef brisket
  • Guinness dark beer (or 16 ounce pint)
  • cups of water
  • Dijon mustard
  • pickling spice (beef seasoning)
  1. Make homemade pickling spice. Set aside.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Unwrap the beef, and rinse under cool water to remove the extra salty brine taste. Pat dry. Discard the spice packet if using homemade.
  4. Place the whole brisket in a large roasting pan or baking dish fat cap side up.
  5. Brush ¼ Dijon mustard on top of the beef, and sprinkle 3 tablespoons spice mix (or seasoning packet) over the entire brisket.
  6. Pour the dark stout beer around the meat (or swap in beef stock or beef broth). Add enough water so the cooking liquid comes up around to 1 inch high on the side of the meat.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes per pound or about 3 hours. Check a small piece and ensure it is fork-tender. The internal temperature should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Discard the contents of the pan.
  8. Check at 1 ½ hours and add another cup of water (or stout or beef stock) to the roasting pan if getting low.
  9. Carefully move the cooked beef on a cutting board when cool enough to handle.
  10. Slice meat at a 90-degree angle against the grain of the meat (or perpendicular) into ¼-inch slices.
  11. Arrange the cooked beef on a warm platter with root vegetables like roasted cabbage steaks, glazed carrots, and roasted potatoes. And serve with horseradish cream sauce, butter, and a Guinness stout beer!

What Is The Best Cut of Meat?

Let's be honest. A lot of people are not corned beef fans. Why? I think it's because we buy the wrong cuts of meat at the butcher shop or grocery store in the United States.

There are two different brisket cuts:

  • flat cut <<<<<< hint: BUY THIS ONE!
  • point cut

What is the corning of a beef brisket? Well, the only difference is the beef goes through a processing technique of brining it with salt water at the meat packing company.

At stores, you will see packages labeled brisket, and here is the deal, in my opinion, a flat cut is the only way to go.

Almost every cut comes with a spice packet, you can use that one or make your own spice mix so its super fresh and flavorful...

PRO TIP: There are lots of recipes that say you can use either one. But I actually tested both cuts at the same time using this oven-baked recipe, and the choice was clear. THE FLAT CUT WINS hands down as the best cut of meat, the best choice of brisket, and is the preferred cut for baking.

Point Cut VS. Flat Cut - Which Is Better?

Corned beef comes from a less tender beef cut called the brisket. It is a tough cut of meat located in the chest muscle just above the front legs. Unlike some other beef cuts, you can see the lines of visible muscle fibers, but it is still a high-quality cut of meat. There are two different cuts to choose from at the store, so the first thing to consider is what types of meat are best?

Brisket typically requires a long, braised moist cooking method. It can be cooked on top of the stove in a large dutch oven, in a large pan in the oven, in a slow cooker, or pressure cooker, instant pot corned beef method with the instant pot on high pressure.

BUT, there are downsides to those methods. Like taste, texture, and more. This recipe is a braised oven baked recipe, and really only works with a flat cut brisket, my personal preference and recommendation.

Point Cut

The Point Cut has a pointed shape, you can see the lines of the muscle fibers.

  • $.20 less expensive per pound than flat cut
  • more wide bands of fat marbling
  • substantial thick fat cap layer all over, higher fat content
  • chewy bite and tough cut of beef when baked
  • cooks better in a crock pot over a long cooking time, or cooked in an instant pot pressure cooker
  • use for corned beef hash
  • Reubens diced small or sliced thin

Flat Cut

A Flat Cut is typically a pretty big piece of meat with a thick layer of fat on top of the brisket. It will generally be a rectangular shape, and quite thick.

  • so tender, shreds with a fork even when baked
  • less fat, leaner cut, more lean meat
  • flavorful cut
  • easy to slice
  • better presentation
  • best cut of brisket for corned beef perfection
  • is also great to use for hash or Reuben sandwiches

Cuts of brisket have a knobby point cut overlapping the rectangular flat cut brisket. The point cut has more marbling, while the flat cut is lean.

Why Is The Beef Pink?

Commercial corned beef starts out as beef brisket and is brine-cured. The salt brine solution is what makes it "corned". That curing process is where it gets its vibrant pink color due to the sodium nitrate additive. It contributes to the sodium content but mainly functions as a preservative for processed meats.

PRO TIP: Do not add any additional salt like pink curing salt, kosher salt, or table salt. The brine adds quite enough saltiness!

Long slices of corned beef brisket on a wood cutting board with a silver carving set.

Why Oven Bake Corned Beef Brisket?

Most traditional recipes call for boiled corn beef and cabbage, and there are even stovetop methods. But once you oven-bake it, and pair it with some horseradish sauce, it might just be your favorite way to make it, and you will never boil it again!

There are advantages to each of the different methods to make the best corned beef recipes, but with most requiring a lengthy cook time at a simmer, I decided baking was the way to go because I want that crust on top!

The traditional way or cooking process of hours at a low simmer in a crock pot has been around for a long time. Some recipes are done in the instant pot, but with that, you don't get the nice delicious crust and the fat side doesn't cook down, and you have to cut it off. For best results, buy a good corned beef cut, and bake it!

  • Oven baking is the easiest way to cook this cut in less time.
  • Baking reduces the fat layer and gives a nice exterior crust as the beef cooks.
  • Baking packs in the beef flavor, and cooks your perfect corned beef as tender as can be.
  • With just a little bit of time, it's a good idea put together a dry rub mixture of whole pickling spices that adds really good flavor, and there are so many uses for this mix in your cooking.
  • The spices on top of the good cut of meat add flavor and pretty color.
  • Oven cooking is an easy way to present the dish for dinner with all the yummy sides.
  • The next day I made a "New York style deli sandwich" complete with toasted bread, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing, thin slices of corned beef, and melted swiss cheese!! It was incredible and the most delicious way to enjoy leftovers.
An entire corned beef dinner with sliced beef brisket, roasted cabbage, candied carrots, and roasted potatoes, horseradish cream sauce and glasses of beer.

When Is Corned Beef Done?

The best way to know if your brisket is fully cooked is to slice off a small piece and make sure it is tender to chew. That is a good indication of doneness, as it will still be pink in color after cooking, due to nitrite in the curing process.

Allow the brisket to stand for about 20 minutes after removing it from the heat. This makes it easier to slice, and it is best sliced across the grain of the meat.

The cooking times in this recipe are for the majority of the brisket cuts and based on beef that is not frozen at the time of cooking.

Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a good meat thermometer. Use a good wireless meat thermometer with probes or check with an instant-read meat thermometer, before removing meat from the oven.

How To Make Spice Packet?

This seasoning packet recipe will take the place of the one that comes in a typical corned beef cut of meat. Toss out those dull little packets, and make your own spice recipe!

You will need 2-3 tablespoons for a 3-4 lb brisket. The packets that come with the meat can wildly vary in size from 1 tablespoon to 4, and might not be as fresh as what home cooks can put together.

Homemade Pickling Spices Recipe

This recipe calls for whole spices, and prefer the way it looks. But you can absolutely make ground spices with these seasoning mix ingredients in a spice grinder, spice mill, or mortar and pestle if you wish.

1 tablespoon coriander seeds (toast coriander seeds to add flavor)
½ cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon dill seed
1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
5 dry bay leaves (crush the bay leaf)
1 teaspoon black peppercorns - pink, white, or mixed whole peppercorns all work! You can also use fresh ground black pepper.
1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds

Mix in a small bowl. It will store at room temperature in small glass jar or airtight container for 3-4 months in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Check your spices as some have a shorter shelf, use good fresh spices for maximum flavor!

Pickling spice inside the one tablespoon measure of a set of vintage aluminum measuring spoons.

Spice Variations And Uses

2-star anise seeds, 8 whole cloves, 4 juniper berries, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, or 2 cardamom pods.
Homemade Pickling Spice is an excellent versatile spice mix and general seasoning. They can also be used in Pickled Eggs, and to make Quick Refrigerator Dill Homemade Pickles. This spice mix not only adds characteristic flavor to pickles, but also adds complex flavor to braised stews, beans, and rice dishes.

For meat stews, you can tie the pickling spices into a piece of cheesecloth tied with a long piece of butcher string and braise in the pot or slow cooker until the meat is deliciously tender.

A white ceramic bowl filled with pickling spice and some in a tablespoon on a kitchen counter.

Make Ahead Tips

It is best to cook it in advance and chill it the day before serving. Chilled beef is easier to cut into nice slices and reheat in smaller portions for dinner.

It also allows you to easily prepare thin deli meat slices for use on Reuben sandwiches with rye bread!

Corned Beef FAQ

What is corned beef?


The term “corned” comes from meat preservation. Before refrigeration, in Anglo-Saxon times, meat was dry-cured in coarse salt "corns" as they were called because they were the size of a kernel of corn and were referred to as “corns of salt”. The term corned has been in the Oxford English Dictionary as early as 888 AD.

In colonial America, it is likely that Irish immigrants brought the method to cure beef cuts in stoneware crocks, and covered them with rock salt to America. It was rubbed into the beef to keep it from spoiling and in order to preserve it longer due to lack of refrigeration.

Today the technique of brining involves the use of saltwater. Meat companies no longer use a dry salt cure method, but the name "corned beef" is still used, rather than "brined" or "pickled" beef.

Where does corned beef come from?


Both English and Irish people have served up corned beef for centuries. Around the area of Cork, Ireland on the Irish coast, they were great producers of this popular meal from the 1600s up until 1825.

Through numerous wars, including World War I, and World War II, fresh meat was rationed. Conveniently canned, it could be easily shipped worldwide.

Today, it remains popular as an ingredient in a variety of regional dishes and as a common part of modern field rations of various armed forces around the world.

What can I make with leftover corned beef?

Well, there are so many things! Start the day with homemade corned beef hash for breakfast, for lunch make sandwiches, and for dinner whip up a low carb keto dinner. It is great on roasted potato nachos with melted cheddar.

The next day put together a deli-style Reuben sandwich on toasted bread with melted swiss, and for dinner bake up a cheesy casserole of Reuben mac and cheese with large chunks of meat. Roll up some crispy egg rolls with diced brisket and sauerkraut.

Bake and serve on sliders with swiss cheese. Top hot baked potatoes with diced meat, melted cheddar cheese, sauerkraut, and 1,000 island dressing.

More St Patrick's Day Recipes

Green food is a St. Patrick’s Day tradition for the luck of the Irish! 💚🍀 An all-Green Snack Board is a super fun twist and a better way to celebrate with fresh vegetables, fruit, and a magical clean dip.

Dishes that go with your cooked brisket beef dinner on St. Patty's day can be these Roasted Cabbage Steaks with golden crispy edges from the olive oil, and some root vegetables like Glazed Carrots, Mashed Potatoes, Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, or Red Potatoes. Cheddar Irish Bread or Brown Soda Bread or Dinner Rolls would be amazing too! Happy St. Patrick's Day.... 🍀🍀🍀

Serve some lucky Green Cocktails, or cheeky Green Jello Shots & Jigglers. Begin the day with a Green Smoothie and end the day with a delicious Irish Coffee complete with lucky green shamrock sprinkles and real edible gold flakes, just like a pot of gold!

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A white platter with sliced corned beef brisket with silver carving set and sauce.
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Baked Corned Beef Brisket Recipe

Make the best Corned Beef with a delicious spice crust, and juicy fork-tender slices. An Irish tradition especially for St. Patrick's Day! This is an easy recipe and it is braised to cook it perfectly. Pair it with classic sides like roasted cabbage wedges, glazed carrots, rosemary baby gold potatoes, and horseradish cream sauce.
Course Dinner & Main Dishes
Cuisine American, Irish
Keyword baked corned beef brisket recipe, corned beef, flat cut corned beef recipe, irish corned beef brisket recipe, point cut corned beef recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 314kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Make homemade pickling spice. Set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Unwrap the beef brisket, and rinse the raw corned beef under cool water several times to remove the salty brine taste. Some recipes call to boil the meat to reduce the excess salt content, but rinsing it well does the job. Pat dry. Discard the spice packet if using homemade.
  • Place the whole brisket in a large roasting pan or baking dish fat cap side up.
  • Brush ¼ Dijon mustard on top of the meat and after you coat the meat, sprinkle 3 tablespoons spices (or seasoning packet) over the entire brisket.
  • Pour the dark stout beer around the beef (or swap in beef stock or beef broth). Add enough water so the cooking liquid comes up around to 1 inch high on the side of the meat.
  • Place brisket in preheated oven and bake 45 minutes per pound or about 3 hours. Check a small piece and ensure it is fork tender. The internal temperature of the meat should be 145 degrees f. Discard the contents of the pan, the pan juices render out the salty taste and have small particles of corned beef fat.
  • Check at 1 ½ hours and add another cup of water (or stout or beef stock) to the roasting pan if getting low.
  • Carefully move the cooked brisket on a cutting board when cool enough to handle.
  • Slice at a 90 degree angle against the grain of the meat (or perpendicular) into ¼ inch slices.
  • Arrange the larger pieces of sliced corned beef on a warm platter with root vegetables like roasted cabbage steaks, glazed carrots, and roasted potatoes. And serve with horseradish cream sauce, Irish soda bread butter, and a Guinness stout beer!
  • Any leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Place it sliced and well wrapped in plastic wrap or a sealed container. Use cooked-ahead or leftovers within 3 to 4 days for food safety. Reheat leftovers to 165 °F internal temperature of the meat as measured with a meat thermometer.

Video

Notes

How To Tell If Done?

Corned beef may still be pink in color after cooking, due to nitrite in the curing process. The best way to know if your brisket is cooked is to slice off a small piece and make sure it is tender to chew.
Allow the brisket to stand for about 20 minutes after removing it from the heat. This makes it easier to slice, and it is best sliced across the grain of the meat.

Leftover Ideas

Leftovers can be covered with aluminum foil and kept in the fridge. The next day put together deli-style Reuben sandwiches (corned beef sandwiches) on toasted bread with melted swiss, and for dinner bake up a cheesy casserole of Reuben mac and cheese. Roll up some crispy egg rolls with diced brisket and sauerkraut. Make sliders with swiss cheese and sauerkraut. Top hot baked potatoes with diced meat, melted cheddar cheese, sauerkraut, and 1,000 island dressing.

Top Cooking Tips

  • Do not add any additional salt like pink salt, kosher salt, or table salt. The brine adds quite enough saltiness!
  • The cooking times in this recipe are based on beef that is not frozen at the time of cooking.
  • Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a meat thermometer before removing meat from the oven.

Make It Ahead

Cook in advance, and chill the day before serving. Chilled beef is easier to cut into nice slices and reheat in smaller portions for dinner.
It also allows you to easily prepare thin deli meat slices for use on Reuben sandwiches with rye bread, thousand island dressing, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. 

Corned Brisket Seasoning Mix 

1 tablespoon coriander seed
½ cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon dill seed
1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
5 dry bay leaves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns (pink, white, or mixed whole peppercorns all work!)
2 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds
Mix in a small bowl. It will store at room temperature in a small glass jar or airtight container for 3-4 months.

Optional Variations & Additions

2 star anise, 8 whole cloves, 4 juniper berries, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, or 2 cardamon pods.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 1900mg | Potassium: 460mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 3mg

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

[heart_this] · · 26 Comments

Last Updated May 17th, 2026 at 10:06 am by Lisa

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes are creamy smooth, buttery, fluffy, and melt in your mouth. There are five reheating methods here plus tips on how to keep them warm for dinner, or holiday meals like Thanksgiving when you have several things cooking in the oven.

We all want that creamy classic buttery warm goodness, right? No one wants mashed potatoes that are gummy, lumpy, and cold.

Today we will master one of the most popular side dishes in America with easy tips and techniques to make the best mashed potatoes. And any dish that you can have ready to go for dinner or entertaining is always a winner...

TRUE CONFESSION: For many years, I didn't make mashed potatoes, as in I didn't want to make them at all...and if I did, I was never happy with how they turned out.

My Sister-In-Law  Krisztina makes the most perfectly creamy mashed potatoes ever, and mine seemed sticky and lumpy-not what you want. I had almost given up until I learned a couple of neat tricks from a Chef and my cooking mentor in a professional cooking school.

I became determined to master this "simple" dish, and made them over and over until I loved how they turned out. So I bought two 15 pound bags of potatoes and got to work.

Table of Contents

How To Make Mashed Potatoes

With a couple of easy techniques, you can make a large batch for hungry friends and family ahead. Use my favorite methods, and the best tips here to freeze and or reheat them perfectly every time.

The last thing you want to be doing on a big day like a holiday is cooking in a rush to get dishes ready. Over the years, I have created some of the best methods to make hot, creamy mashed potatoes over-the-top good. Let's make them, here is what you need.

  • russet potatoes
  • sea salt
  • black pepper
  • salted butter
  • heavy cream (whipping cream or half and half)
  • cream cheese (optional-read on for more swaps)

Heavy Cream: You can use any dairy product; heavy cream, half and half, whipping cream, or heavy whipping cream. Even hot milk works fine if that is what you have in a pinch. Add a little extra cream or additional milk ¼ cup at a time, give a good stir, then see if is the creamy texture you want.

First, in a large pot or big Dutch oven, fill ½ way with cold water and add ½ teaspoon sea salt.

Peel and slice the potatoes into 1" pieces. Put the cut potato pieces into the pot of water as you peel and slice so they don't turn brown.

Be sure water covers the potatoes by 2 inches, and bring to a boil on medium-high heat.

Cook the potatoes for 25 minutes in boiling water, uncovered, or until the potatoes are soft and fork-tender. They should easily break apart by smashing with a fork on a plate.

Drain well in a colander to remove the extra liquid. Discard the water.

Hold the potato ricer over a large empty pot, load the ricer full in batches, using a large spoon, and press all the potato pieces into the large pot.

Or, place your drained hot potatoes back in the pot once drained and mash with a potato masher. If you want an airy fluffy, creamy texture in your mashed potatoes, the ricer really works in a short amount of time!

PRO TIP: A masher will work, but it never gets all the little lumps out completely. The key is to get them well mashed before adding the cream and butter mixture.

In a small saucepan, add the butter, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Stir and don't boil, once those ingredients are melted together you can add the cream cheese if you desire. It makes them super duper creamy!

Pour the creamy butter sauce all over the well-mashed potatoes, and mix well with a large spatula.

Transfer to an oven-safe casserole dish (spray for easier cleanup) and cover with the lid of the dish or a large piece of aluminum foil. Keep in a warm oven or place in the refrigerator until ready to reheat up to 2 days.

PRO TIP: A potato ricer presses the potatoes through a screen with holes and creates a smooth consistency with no lumps. If you really want airy fluffy mashed potatoes, the ricer is the way to go. A masher or mixer will work, but it never gets all the little lumps out completely. 

A large white spatula inside a white bowl filled with fluffy mashed potatoes.

Flavor Variations And Additions

There are lots of garlic fans out there that love roasted garlic or garlic powder in their mashed potatoes. You can also mix in some onion powder for extra flavor.

Chicken Stock: Some people cook their potatoes in Homemade Chicken Stock, I find using water is fine but some people love this method to add flavor.

Mashed Potato Toppings

So many people love a make-ahead gravy or even a giblet gravy to ladle on hot potatoes, but you can add grated parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, extra butter, or a sprinkle of green onions. I really love homemade Herb Butter, try my recipe!

Square pieces of butter melting on hot mashed potatoes in a white casserole dish.

Mashed Potato Top Tips

  • Food processors and hand mixers, can't get all the lumps out and make them a gummy texture. Not smooth and fluffy like an inexpensive ricer can.
  • Never mix lumpy potatoes with more cream or butter, it becomes almost impossible to get the lumps out at that stage!
  • Never use potato flakes and expect the best flavor and texture. Good quality ingredients are always worth it...
The side of a white casserole dish with a large spoon scooping out a serving of mashed potatoes.

5 Ways To Reheat Mashed Potatoes And Keep Them Warm!

You have come to the right place Next time you need to reheat and keep your taters warm. Years ago my hairdresser asked me what is the best way, and it was such a good question! But here is the deal, there is no one simple short answer, there are lots of hacks to use!

These are the five different methods I have used over the years. Choose the easiest way to warm potatoes in your kitchen for the best results.

Some people are lucky enough to have a warming drawer in their kitchen. But most of us home cooks don't have that fancy luxury, but not to worry here are some great ways to keep your prepared mashed potatoes nice a warm when oven space is in demand.

The best part is you can also use these same techniques to warm sauces, casseroles, side dishes, appetizers or hot gravy to top your company-worthy spuds. These will also hold them at the perfect temperature for your gathering.

❶ Oven Method & Microwave Reheating

Clean-up is so much easier if you spray your baking dish with a non-stick spray like coconut oil before you add the mashed potatoes to the bottom of the dish.

Microwave: Reheating in a microwave is the fastest way if you need to reheat mashed potatoes quickly. Put the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of liquid like milk or cream, and gently stir. Then heat at half power for 2-3 minutes. Time will depend on how big a dish of potatoes you are warming up.

Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, cover mashed potatoes with heavy foil in an oven-safe dish to keep them from drying out, and reheat at 375 for 30-40 minutes. One advantage is this is the most hands-free way to reheat potatoes to get them ready to serve, the downside is it takes up valuable oven space.

❷ Slow Cooker (Crock Pot) Reheat Method

Did you ever hear how to reheat mashed potatoes in a crock pot or slow cooker? The best way is to load them in your slow cooker insert, and mix in a splash of heavy cream, a splash of milk, or a bit of butter to keep them moist ahead of time. Then turn the heat to medium-low heat setting and put the lid on. Give them a quick stir every 15 minutes until hot. You can add warm water in a pinch, but the cream adds better flavor and a creamy texture. Butter also works.

You can use any kind of crockpot, the key is once they are warm keep them on a low setting so they don't dry out. You can leave them this way for at least a couple of hours, and up to 3-4 hours. Some models will have a warm setting too, which is a nice feature. I like to set up a nice buffet area, and let people go back to serve themselves seconds for holidays and parties!

❸ Stovetop Pan Of Water

If you make your cooked potatoes ahead the day before, you can also place cold mashed potatoes in a double-gallon zip lock bags. Put one inside of the other-and yes they are food safe per the manufacturers. Seal well, and keep refrigerated for up to 2 days. Then when ready to eat them, place carefully in a pan of water on a low simmer. This method is called a water bath bain-marie or sous vide cooking method. A double boiler will work well too if you have one of those.

Or place the mashed potatoes in a heat-safe large bowl (like a stainless steel or glass heatproof bowl) over a pot of simmering water on low heat, to reheat and keep warm on the stove.

❹ Heating Pad

Reheat the potatoes in the method you choose and keep them hot on a regular household heating pad covered with a pretty towel, and keep the heat at a low-medium heat or high heat. This idea is great for buffets during the holidays and keeps dishes warm all during your gathering.

❺ Warming Trays

Warming Trays are a great way to free up space in your oven, keep food warm, and set up a nice buffet for hot food on busy holidays, family dinner, and parties. They come in different sizes and usually can hold large casserole dishes. There is usually a temperature setting dial to adjust, so it's a nice hands-off way to keep food warm without it taking up kitchen stove space.

By the way, the warming tray in the picture was my parents. It was a wedding gift to them in 1960. It still works perfectly to keep a number of foods warm at parties. I took it to my cousin's house for Christmas one year, and he loved it. He found one just like it at a garage sale!

How To Reheat Frozen Mashed Potatoes

A great option is to make your mashed potato dish ahead, and use several of these tips on how to master the freezing process.

PRO TIP: The easiest most low-effort technique is to freeze your mashed potatoes right in the casserole dish. Thaw them for a few hours in the refrigerator, overnight is best, then you are ready to heat them in the oven the next day.

How to freeze homemade mashed potatoes?


Easy Casserole Dish Method: Freeze your mashed potatoes right in the dish. You can remove the potatoes and wrap really well in plastic wrap and foil until ready to use. Then, unwrap, defrost, and reheat.
Individual Servings: Use a large ice cream scoop and freeze on a rimmed baking sheet pan in 1-cup portions. Then once frozen, put in a resealable plastic bag freezer-safe or airtight container and use them within 2 months.
Creative Portion Ideas: Alternatively, you can freeze leftover potatoes in silicone molds or slice a pan of leftovers into individual portions and freeze them, then break the frozen mashed potato cubes into a container or freezer bag.
Vacuum Packing: Home Vacuum sealers are also great kitchen tools, that keep freezer burn and ice crystals away from frozen foods. It is not a very time-consuming method and saves you money in the long run. They preserve the flavor and taste of frozen sweet potatoes, meats and so much more.

More Side Dishes

This mashed potatoes recipe is a tasty side dish for the family dinner table, potlucks, and holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving dinner, and Easter.

For more great tasty side dish ideas try my Roasted Vegetables, Pineapple-Orange Cranberry Sauce, Sausage Stuffing, or this Sweet Potatoes Casserole. These are all Thanksgiving staples and classic holiday dinner ideas...

More Potato Recipes

Smashed Potatoes served with melted herb butter are one of the most heavenly potato recipes. These crispy potatoes are a perfect side dish for a family dinner, romantic date nights, holidays, or a dinner party.

Bake your Hash Browns in muffin tins and skip the frying on your stovetop altogether. And no messy stovetop to clean! This simple recipe is so popular for holidays or any special occasion.

Wondering what to do with leftover mashed potatoes and other holiday dishes? After the holidays, try this Leftover Turkey Recipe for a new recipe for shepherd's pie! Use turkey leftovers, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and more from Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas.

Tater Tot Casserole is an easy breakfast recipe that takes 15 minutes to prep and bakes golden brown in just 50 minutes.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A white casserole dish filled with mashed potatoes and squares of melted butter on top.
Print

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Reheated 5 Ways

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes are creamy smooth, buttery, fluffy, and melt in your mouth. There are five reheating methods here plus tips on how to keep them warm for dinner, or holiday meals like Thanksgiving. We all want that creamy classic buttery warm goodness, and this recipe will help you master one of the most popular side dishes in America.
Course Side Dishes & Vegetables
Cuisine American
Keyword creamy mashed potatoes, how to freeze mashed potatoes, how to reheat mashed potatoes, mashed potato recipe, mashed potatoes, reheated mashed potatoes, warm mashed potatoes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 462kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 5 lbs russet potatoes - peeled and sliced into 1" pieces (6-7 large potatoes)
  • 2 ½ teaspoons sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup salted butter
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream - heated (whipping cream or half and half)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large pot, fill ½ way with cold water and add ½ teaspoon sea salt.
  • Peel and slice the potatoes into 1" pieces. Put the cut potato pieces into the large pot of water as you peel and slice so they don't turn brown.
  • Be sure water covers the potatoes by 2 inches, bring to a boil on medium-high heat.
  • Cook the potatoes for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and fork tender. They should easily break apart by smashing a piece with a fork on a small plate.
  • Once cooked, drain well in a colander to remove the extra liquid. Discard the water.
  • Hold the potato ricer over a large empty pot, and load the ricer full in batches using a large spoon, and press all the potato pieces into the same large pot. Or, place your drained potatoes back in the pot once drained and mash with a potato masher. If you want airy fluffy creamy mashed potatoes, the ricer really works!
    Again, the masher will work, but it never gets all the little lumps out completely. Whichever way you mash your potatoes, the most important thing is to get them mashed well before adding the cream and butter mixture for a smooth creamy texture.
  • In a small sauce pan, add the butter, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Stir and don't boil, once those ingredients are melted together you can add the cream cheese if you desire. It makes the mashed potatoes super creamy!
  • Pour the creamy butter sauce all over the well mashed potatoes, and mix well with a large spatula.
  • Spray an oven-safe casserole dish with nonstick spray (for easier cleanup), transfer the creamy potatoes in and cover with the lid of the dish or a large piece of aluminum foil. Keep in a warm oven or place in the refrigerator until ready to reheat for up to 2 days.

5 Ways to reheat and keep mashed potatoes warm

  • Reheat in the microwave: Put the cold potatoes in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of liquid like milk or cream, and gently stir. Then heat at half power for 2-3 minutes. Time will depend on how big a dish of potatoes you are warming up.
    Reheat in the oven: cover mashed potatoes with foil and reheat at 375 for 30-40 minutes.
  • Reheat in a slow cooker on medium low, add them to your slow cooker and mix in a little more cream and butter to keep them moist. Stir every 15 minutes until hot. Keep the temperature on low setting.
  • Place in a double gallon zip lock bag (put one inside of the other), seal well and place carefully in a pan of water on low simmer.
  • Place mashed potatoes in a heat-safe bowl over a pot of water to reheat and keep warm on the stove.
  • Reheat the potatoes in a method you choose and keep hot on an electric warming tray or a heating pad covered with a pretty towel. This works great for holidays and parties, or family dinner.

Video

Notes

Potato Ricer

Presses the potatoes through a screen with holes and creates a smooth consistency with no lumps. If you really want airy fluffy mashed potatoes, the ricer is the way to go. A masher or mixer will work, but it never gets all the little lumps out completely. 

Heavy Cream

 You can use any dairy product; heavy cream, half and half, whipping cream, or heavy whipping cream. Even hot milk works fine if that is what you have in a pinch. Add a little extra cream or additional milk ¼ cup at a time, give a good stir, then see if is the creamy texture you want.

Mashed Potato Top Tips

    • Food processors and hand mixers, can't get all the lumps out and make them a gummy texture in my experience. Not smooth and fluffy like an inexpensive ricer can.
    • Never mix lumpy potatoes with more cream or butter, it becomes almost impossible to get the lumps out at that stage!
    • Never use potato flakes and expect the best flavor and texture. Good quality ingredients are always worth it.

Flavor Variations And Additions

There are lots of garlic fans out there that love roasted garlic or garlic powder in their mashed potatoes. You can also mix in some onion powder for extra flavor.
Chicken Stock: Some people cook their potatoes in Chicken Stock, I find using water is fine but some people love this method to add flavor.

Mashed Potato Toppings

So many people love a make-ahead gravy or even a giblet gravy to ladle on hot potatoes, but you can add grated parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, extra butter, or a sprinkle of green onions. I really love homemade Herb Butter, try my recipe!

Nutrition

Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 760mg | Potassium: 1008mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1116IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2mg

Preserved Lemons

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Last Updated April 4th, 2024 at 01:11 pm by Lisa

Preserved lemons add an incredible fresh intense "lemony" flavor with a mild tartness to a variety of dishes. Follow this easy simple recipe and step-by-step tutorial to make them the traditional way, or a superfast method to make quick preserved lemons in much less time, just 30 minutes!

Then grab your jar and try one of the 25 ways to use preserved lemon rinds on roast chicken, grilled fish, or mix or into stews, pasta, and salad dressings...

A tall clamp jar filled with preserved lemons, bay leaves, and a brown paper tag.

Table of Contents

How To Make Preserved Lemons

Lemons are a staple in my kitchen, and I almost always have a large bowl of them year-round. I use both lemon zest and fresh lemon juice in many of my recipes to add brightness and that citrus punch. 

When you preserve whole lemons, they take on an extra "lemony" punch that a squeeze can't quite match. I learned how to preserve them at a cooking demonstration, and came home and made them the next day. The first time I tasted them on a chicken dish, it was next level deliciousness!

Plus, when your lemon tree is bursting with fresh lemons, or a friend offers you a bag, this is a great way to use them up...

First, What Are Preserved Lemons?

Preserved Lemons are made with an ancient food preservation method, and are also known as country lemons, pickled lemons, leems, or lemon pickles. Both the lemon pulp and lemon peel rind are edible. They each add a mildly tart taste of intense lemon flavor to a variety of dishes.

Diced, halved, or quartered lemons are pickled in a brine of water, lemon juice, and salt. Some recipes call for other spices, and not all include oil. The pickle is allowed to ferment at room temperature and is then refrigerated. Now that we have that covered let's get into the details of how to make these citrus wonders, there are two ways...

Preserved Lemon Recipes

Preserved Lemons Ingredients

  • 12 lemons Seedless, or Meyer Lemons preferred
  • ½ cup coarse kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 fresh bay leaves optional

Quick Preservation Method

The hardest part is to wait at least three weeks before the preserved lemons are ready to use in your cooking. To speed up the process, try the quick method, otherwise, go with the traditional way and wait a few weeks. Then use the rind in all kinds of dishes in your cooking!

Since these take 3 to 4 weeks to fully cure this is a fast way to make them quickly for recipes in a smaller quantity. This alternative method has just 30 minutes of active prep time.

Wash 3 lemons well, and cut into quarters of lemon wedges. In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of kosher sea salt. Over high heat, bring to a boil, then turn it down to a low simmer and cook for 30 minutes until the liquid reduces down to half to ½ cup.

The lemon's texture will soften and the rind becomes tender. Let the contents cool. In a clean glass jar, add the lemons and pour the cooked lemons' juice liquid on top. Be sure to cover the lemons all the way with their own juices. Add more juice to cover if needed. These can be made ahead and stored in small jars in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Cut lemons in a blue bowl sliced and salted to make preserved lemons.

Traditional Preservation Method

Traditional preserved lemons take 3 to 4 weeks to cure. They gain a wonderful flavor and consistency. Food preserving is worth the wait!

  1. Using a paring knife, on a cutting board, cut off the stems and ½" of lemon ends. Slice a deep slit down each lemon lengthwise down but keep attached at the bottom into quarters.
  2. Open each lemon on a plate, sprinkle coarse sea salt generously over each open lemon, and push it down into the crevices.
  3. Place a tablespoon of salt and the bay leaves in a clean mason jar. Next, add the salted lemons into the quart jar. It's fine if you have to pack them in, as they will shrink smaller.
  4. Juice the remaining lemons using a hand juicer and completely cover the cut ones in the jar with additional juice. Pour any salt or juice from the plate into the jar. 
  5. Important: Leave one inch of headspace from the top of the jar. Be sure all the lemons are pushed down into the juice brine, or they will spoil. I like to use glass weights which are called a fermentation weight. These hold down the contents in the glass jar under the top of the brine mixture of salt and a significant amount of juice that comes out as you fill the jar. Let your jar sit lightly covered with a clean towel or cheesecloth at room temperature for a day.
  6. The next day, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the lemons and their juice. Close up your jar. This will help keep them sealed while they preserve. After 3 days, put them in the refrigerator allowing them to cure for 3-4 weeks - do not leave at room temperature the entire 3 weeks.
  7. Preserved lemons last up to six months in the fridge.
  8. When you use some of them, start with a new clean jar. Place new cut and salted lemons on the bottom of the jar, and add the already preserved ones back on top. And add a new bay leaf or two or any seasonings you wish. This makes it easier to get to the uppermost lemons that are ready for cooking. Then pour the reserved lemon juice from the prior batch into the new jar. You can add the juice on top if you need more liquid.
Using a lemon juicer to add lemon juice into the clamp jar.

Cooking With Preserved Lemon Rind

  1. Remove the salt-preserved lemons from the salty brine, and the best thing is to quickly rinse off the excess salt so the intense lemon flavor comes through.
  2. They may be finely diced, chopped into tiny bits, sliced, or mashed, as the recipe requires. Thin skin rinds gain a natural mild sweetness and may be used with or without the pulp.
  3. Another way to use them is to scrape the pulp and add in stews, sauces, or brush on roast chicken or lamb. Or chop up the entire lemon and mix in rice dishes, risotto, or couscous.

PRO TIP: When you use some of them, start a new clean jar. Place new salted lemons on the bottom, and add the already preserved lemons back on top. This makes it easier to get the lemons ready for cooking.

Flavor Variations

Try different flavors by adding spices to the preserved lemons like vanilla beans, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon sticks, or red or black peppercorns.  Or add in some coriander seeds, small amounts of red pepper flakes,

A pile of bright yellow lemons in a pile ready to make lemon recipes.

What Kind Of Lemons Are Best To Use?

Any kind of lemon and even limes can be preserved. Meyer lemons will result in a sweeter flavor, and their thinner skins are wonderful.

Over 30 varieties of lemon varieties are found all over the world. In the United States, the five most common types of regular lemons found in a grocery store are Lisbon, Eureka, Meyer, and Bearss, per USCitrus.com.

Most of the kinds of lemons you see in stores are Lisbon and are thicker-skinned lemons. Ponderosa lemons were originally called American Wonder Lemons and got the name as they can be quite large lemons.

Meyer lemons are my absolute favorites! They are smaller, much sweeter, very juicy, thin-skinned lemons. They have a slight orangish color tint, and zest beautifully.

What is the food history of preserved lemons?

People have preserved lemons for many centuries and perhaps thousands of years. It remains a practical way method to preserve a large number of lemons that ripen all at once, to use all year long, and transport to places far from where they grow.

Cultures all over the world use this method, lemon pickle is a popular dinner table condiment in the cuisines of Indian subcontinent , North African cuisine Moroccan cooking, and also found in 18th-century English cuisine.

Close up of a jar of preserved lemons with a brown paper tag on it that says preserved lemons.

How To Cook With Pickled Lemons

Remove the salt-preserved lemons from the salty brine, and the best thing is to quickly rinse off the excess salt so the intense lemon flavor comes through. You want to taste the natural mild sweetness and not the salt.

The lemons may be finely diced, chopped into tiny bits, sliced, or mashed, as the recipe requires.

25+ Preserved Lemon Recipes

Try your Preserved Lemons in these delicious recipes. One of my favorite ways to use them is in vinaigrette salad dressings.

They are often combined in various ways in Middle Eastern cuisine and African dishes, and with olives, artichokes, seafood, veal, chicken, rice, and couscous. Lemon pickle recipes in Indian cuisine call for lemons or limes, Carom spice seeds, red chili powder, salt, and no oil.

  • a classic ingredient in Moroccan chicken tagine
  • season roast chicken under the skin
  • Meyer lemon salad dressing
  • top grilled fish dishes
  • put small pieces in dill lemon sauces
  • add to dill caper aioli with fish dishes
  • simmer in chicken, lamb, or beef stews
  • roasted or grilled fingerling potatoes
  • top roasted vegetables
  • mix lemon hummus in a food processor
  • stir some into a cocktail sauce with horseradish
  • smear onto steamed or grilled artichokes
  • add some to Greek tzatziki with Gyros
  • mix some of the citrus pulp and liquid in bloody marys
  • mix chopped into green salads
  • toss into grain salads like wild rice or quinoa salad
  • add to parmesan lemon vinaigrette dressings
  • dice finely, and add to chicken noodle soup for unique flavor!
  • add to a chicken pasta dish
  • saute into vegetable stir-fries
  • add some pulp into lemon dill butter
  • stir into chicken gravy sauces
  • top on cabbage steaks
  • mix finely chopped into couscous
  • use to make lemon olive tapenade

More Lemon Recipes

Put this Parmesan Lemon Vinaigrette recipe together in minutes with real lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and parmesan cheese. Shake in a jar, whisk in a bowl, either way, it elevates any green salad into something special. Calling all you olive lovers!

This delightfully fresh Meyer Lemon Olive Tapenade is an anchovy free recipe and the perfect addition to cheese boards with crackers and golden crostini toasts.

Hello, lemon fans! 🍋🍋🍋 There are over 15 Lemon Recipes here for you to try, for family dinners, savory dishes, appetizers, and sweet desserts.

Ice cold Blueberry Lemonade captures Summer in every sip. This tasty summer drink can be made in minutes with homemade blueberry syrup, fresh lemon juice, and sweet honey. Garnish with blueberries and thin slices of lemon.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A large clamp jar of Preserved Lemons with a brown craft paper tag that says Preserved Lemons.
Print

Preserved Lemon Recipe

Preserved lemons add an incredible fresh intense "lemony" flavor with a mild tartness to a variety of dishes. Follow this easy simple recipe and step-by-step tutorial to make them the traditional way, or a superfast method to make them quickly in much less time, just 30 minutes! Then grab your jar and try one of the 25 ways to use them on roast chicken, grilled fish, potatoes, or lemon hummus, or mix or into stews, pasta, and salad dressings.
Course Seasoning
Cuisine American
Keyword lemon pickle, lemon pickles, lemon recipes, lemons, pickled lemons, preserved lemon recipe, preserved lemons
Prep Time 15 minutes
Fermenting Time 21 days
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 52kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 12 lemons Seedless, or Meyer Lemons preferred
  • ½ cup coarse kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 fresh bay leaves optional
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • On a cutting board using a pairing knife, cut off the stems and ½" of lemon ends. Slice a deep slit down each lemon, but keep it attached at the bottom into quarters.
  • Next, open each lemon on a plate, and sprinkle coarse sea salt generously over each open lemon and push the salt down into the crevices.
  • Place a tablespoon of salt and the bay leaves in a clean mason jar. Next, add the salted lemons in the quart jar. It's fine if you have to pack them in, as they will shrink smaller as they cure.
  • Juice the remaining lemons and completely cover the cut ones in the jar with lemon juice. Pour any salt or lemon juice from the plate into the jar. 
  • Important: Leave one inch of headspace from the top of the jar. Be sure all the lemons are pushed down into the lemon juice brine, or the lemons will spoil.
  • I use glass weights which are called fermentation weights. These hold down the contents in the glass jar under the top of the brine mixture of salt and the significant amount of juice that comes out as you fill the jar.
  • Let your jar sit for a day, lightly covered with a clean towel or cheesecloth at room temperature.
  • The next day, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the lemons and their juice. Close up your jar and seal with a lid. After 3 days, put it in the refrigerator allowing them to cure for 3-4 weeks.
  • Preserved lemons last up to six months in the fridge.
  • When you use some of them, start with a new clean jar. Place new cut and salted lemons on the bottom of the jar, and add the already preserved lemons back on top. And add a new bay leaf or two or any seasonings you wish. This makes it easier to get to the uppermost lemons that are ready for cooking. Then pour reserved lemon juice from the prior batch into the new jar. You can add the juice of another lemon on top if you need more liquid.

Quick Preserved Lemons

  • Traditional preserved lemons take 3 to 4 weeks to cure and gain the wonderful flavor and consistency. This is an alternative method to make them quickly for recipes in a smaller quantity.
  • Wash 3 lemons well, and cut into quarters of lemon wedges. In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of kosher sea salt. Over high heat, bring to a boil, then turn down to a low simmer and cook for 30 minutes until the liquid reduces down in half to ½ cup.
  • The lemon's texture will soften and the rind becomes tender. Let the contents cool. In a clean glass jar, add the lemons and pour the cooked lemon's juice on top. Be sure to cover the lemons all the way with their own juices. These can be made ahead and stored in a small jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Cooking With Preserved Lemons

  • Remove the salt-preserved lemons from the salty brine, and the best thing is to give them a quick rinse off the excess salt so the intense lemon flavor comes through.
  • The lemons may be finely diced, chopped into tiny bits, sliced, or mashed, as the recipe requires. Thin skin rinds gain a natural mild sweetness and may be used with or without the pulp.
  • Another way to use them is to scrape the preserved lemon pulp and add in stews, sauces, or brush on roast chicken or lamb. Or chop up the entire lemon and mix in rice dishes, risotto, or couscous.

Notes

Preserved Lemons: 25+ Incredible Ways To Use Them in Recipes

Use preserved lemons (seeds removed): sprinkle them chopped into classic Morrocan dishes, roast chicken, grilled fish, roasted fingerlings, or in lemon hummus.
Mix into chopped into green or grain salads and vinaigrette dressings. Dice finely, add to chicken noodle soup, a chicken pasta dish,  couscous, or olive tapenade appetizer. One of my favorite ways to use them is in vinaigrette salad dressings.
Try different flavors by adding spices to the preserved lemons—vanilla beans, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon sticks, or peppercorns. 
They are often combined in various ways in Middle Eastern cuisine and African dishes with olives, artichokes, seafood, veal, chicken, rice, and couscous. Lemon pickle recipes in Indian cuisine call for lemons or limes, Carom spice, red chili powder, salt, and no oil.
    • a classic ingredient in Moroccan chicken tagine
    • season roast chicken under the skin
    • top grilled fish dishes
    • put small pieces in dill lemon sauces
    • add to dill caper aioli with fish dishes
    • simmer in chicken, lamb, or beef stews
    • roasted or grilled fingerling potatoes
    • mix lemon hummus in a food processor
    • smear onto steamed or grilled artichokes
    • toss into grain salads like wild rice or quinoa salad
    • add to a chicken pasta dish
    • saute into vegetable stir-fries
    • stir into chicken gravy sauces
    • mix finely chopped into couscous

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1416mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 57.3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.6mg
A large clamp jar of Preserved Lemons with a brown craft paper tag that says Preserved Lemons.
Print

Preserved Lemon Recipe

Preserved lemons add an incredible fresh intense "lemony" flavor with a mild tartness to a variety of dishes. Follow this easy simple recipe and step-by-step tutorial to make them the traditional way, or a superfast method to make them quickly in much less time, just 30 minutes! Then grab your jar and try one of the 25 ways to use them on roast chicken, grilled fish, potatoes, or lemon hummus, or mix or into stews, pasta, and salad dressings.
Course Seasoning
Cuisine American
Keyword lemon pickle, lemon pickles, lemon recipes, lemons, pickled lemons, preserved lemon recipe, preserved lemons
Prep Time 15 minutes
Fermenting Time 21 days
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 52kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 12 lemons Seedless, or Meyer Lemons preferred
  • ½ cup coarse kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 fresh bay leaves optional
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • On a cutting board using a pairing knife, cut off the stems and ½" of lemon ends. Slice a deep slit down each lemon, but keep it attached at the bottom into quarters.
  • Next, open each lemon on a plate, and sprinkle coarse sea salt generously over each open lemon and push the salt down into the crevices.
  • Place a tablespoon of salt and the bay leaves in a clean mason jar. Next, add the salted lemons in the quart jar. It's fine if you have to pack them in, as they will shrink smaller as they cure.
  • Juice the remaining lemons and completely cover the cut ones in the jar with lemon juice. Pour any salt or lemon juice from the plate into the jar. 
  • Important: Leave one inch of headspace from the top of the jar. Be sure all the lemons are pushed down into the lemon juice brine, or the lemons will spoil.
  • I use glass weights which are called fermentation weights. These hold down the contents in the glass jar under the top of the brine mixture of salt and the significant amount of juice that comes out as you fill the jar.
  • Let your jar sit for a day, lightly covered with a clean towel or cheesecloth at room temperature.
  • The next day, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the lemons and their juice. Close up your jar and seal with a lid. After 3 days, put it in the refrigerator allowing them to cure for 3-4 weeks.
  • Preserved lemons last up to six months in the fridge.
  • When you use some of them, start with a new clean jar. Place new cut and salted lemons on the bottom of the jar, and add the already preserved lemons back on top. And add a new bay leaf or two or any seasonings you wish. This makes it easier to get to the uppermost lemons that are ready for cooking. Then pour reserved lemon juice from the prior batch into the new jar. You can add the juice of another lemon on top if you need more liquid.

Quick Preserved Lemons

  • Traditional preserved lemons take 3 to 4 weeks to cure and gain the wonderful flavor and consistency. This is an alternative method to make them quickly for recipes in a smaller quantity.
  • Wash 3 lemons well, and cut into quarters of lemon wedges. In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of kosher sea salt. Over high heat, bring to a boil, then turn down to a low simmer and cook for 30 minutes until the liquid reduces down in half to ½ cup.
  • The lemon's texture will soften and the rind becomes tender. Let the contents cool. In a clean glass jar, add the lemons and pour the cooked lemon's juice on top. Be sure to cover the lemons all the way with their own juices. These can be made ahead and stored in a small jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Cooking With Preserved Lemons

  • Remove the salt-preserved lemons from the salty brine, and the best thing is to give them a quick rinse off the excess salt so the intense lemon flavor comes through.
  • The lemons may be finely diced, chopped into tiny bits, sliced, or mashed, as the recipe requires. Thin skin rinds gain a natural mild sweetness and may be used with or without the pulp.
  • Another way to use them is to scrape the preserved lemon pulp and add in stews, sauces, or brush on roast chicken or lamb. Or chop up the entire lemon and mix in rice dishes, risotto, or couscous.

Notes

Preserved Lemons: 25+ Incredible Ways To Use Them in Recipes

Use preserved lemons (seeds removed): sprinkle them chopped into classic Morrocan dishes, roast chicken, grilled fish, roasted fingerlings, or in lemon hummus.
Mix into chopped into green or grain salads and vinaigrette dressings. Dice finely, add to chicken noodle soup, a chicken pasta dish,  couscous, or olive tapenade appetizer. One of my favorite ways to use them is in vinaigrette salad dressings.
Try different flavors by adding spices to the preserved lemons—vanilla beans, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon sticks, or peppercorns. 
They are often combined in various ways in Middle Eastern cuisine and African dishes with olives, artichokes, seafood, veal, chicken, rice, and couscous. Lemon pickle recipes in Indian cuisine call for lemons or limes, Carom spice, red chili powder, salt, and no oil.
    • a classic ingredient in Moroccan chicken tagine
    • season roast chicken under the skin
    • top grilled fish dishes
    • put small pieces in dill lemon sauces
    • add to dill caper aioli with fish dishes
    • simmer in chicken, lamb, or beef stews
    • roasted or grilled fingerling potatoes
    • mix lemon hummus in a food processor
    • smear onto steamed or grilled artichokes
    • toss into grain salads like wild rice or quinoa salad
    • add to a chicken pasta dish
    • saute into vegetable stir-fries
    • stir into chicken gravy sauces
    • mix finely chopped into couscous

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1416mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 57.3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Romantic Dinner Ideas

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Last Updated July 6th, 2026 at 12:55 pm by Lisa

40+ Romantic dinner ideas for Valentine's Day, date nights, anniversary celebrations, or special occasions like Galentine's. Skip reservations at busy restaurants, and make a great romantic dinner for two or a cozy night in with the entire family.

Choose your favorite romantic recipes for a perfect Valentine's Day dinner menu with starters, appetizers, cocktails, main dish recipes, sides, and sweet desserts...

A collage of romantic dinner recipes for Valentine's Day including lobster ravioli, salmon, beef in wine sauce, and heart shaped cookies.

Romantic Menu With Elegant Valentine's Dinner Ideas

PRO TIPS: For romantic meals, the key is to prep fancy dinner recipes ahead. Make one or two things and buy the rest! Cook with recipe ingredients you are comfortable with preparing. Most importantly, relax and enjoy your special day!

Table of Contents

What are the most romantic foods?

Sweets: Chocolates, Truffles, Honey, Whipped Cream.
Drinks: Champagne, Red Wine, Rose.
Shared Food: Chocolate or
Cheese Fondue, Charcuterie or Cheese Boards.
Dinners: Lobster, Wagyu Beef, Oysters, Caviar.
Fruits: Strawberries, Pomegranates, Grapes, Watermelon, Figs, Ginger, Pineapple.

Romantic Meals

Steak & Meat Lovers: Grill filet mignon beef or juicy steak just like a famous steakhouse, and pair it with a side like Mashed Potatoes and a chilled Wedge Salad. Or make a Beef Roast, so incredible with a red wine sauce, and then slice it thinly for the most incredible Roast Beef for Sandwiches the next day.

Seafood Lovers: Saute some garlic shrimp scampi cooked in a white wine sauce over pasta, or have small bowls of rich lobster bisque which you can make or buy. Another great option is savory, tender scallops, or for the main dish, crab legs, or classic lobster tails in drawn butter, or how about an herb crusted pan-seared salmon?

Pork Loin: A savory tender pork chops recipe with a pan sauce would be amazing or make a Cherry Balsamic Pork Loin loaded with flavor and herbs. You can also grill or bake a pork tenderloin for two people, which is a smaller portion

Chicken Recipes: Stuffed Chicken Breasts are so luxurious, and easy. It can be made ahead with different cheeses like gorgonzola, parmesan cheese, feta, mozzarella, or goat cheese. You can also fill them with veggies like cooked mushrooms, onions, peppers. Or make a crispy breaded chicken recipe, chicken saltimbocca (chicken wrapped in sage and prosciutto and then quickly sautéed). Or chicken parmesan, a comfort food classic dish.

Lamb Recipes: Fire up the grill, and make Grilled Lamb Chops with peaches and a mint pesto that is out of this world, or try my Cabernet Rosemary Rack Of Lamb with watermelon skewers! It is incredible and soooo romantic.

Classic Pasta Dishes: Creamy pastas are a go-to side with a Healthy Alfredo Sauce, or make the Italian classic cacio e pepe . This simple dish consists of spaghetti, black pepper, Pecorino Romano, and sometimes butter, it is a rich sauce and goes well with angel hair pasta.

Creative Out Of The Box: Ideas: For something different, try a main course of short ribs and mashed potatoes, or a heart shaped pizza loaded with melty cheese and family favourite toppings! To save time, make a sheet pan dinner, try a Shrimp Boil, Lemon Chicken Dinner complete with lemony croutons, or a big pan of Baked Lobster Ravioli with a lemon butter cream sauce that is out of this world.

A wooden platter filled with Shish Kabob grilled skewers.

Shish Kabobs

Grilling season is perfect for these Shish Kabobs with a beef marinade made with pineapple and dark rum. The rum is totally optional of course! Plus take a look at dozens of ideas to make these colorful grilled skewers your way with all the best shish kebob side dish ideas.

A sliver carving fork and knife next to a pork loin roast and topped with cherries.

Cherry Balsamic Pork Loin

Easy 10-minute prep, festive Cherry Balsamic Pork Loin serves a large crowd and is perfect for family dinner, entertaining, special occasions, or the holidays! One of the best ways to entertain for a large dinner party is to serve an elegant beautiful pork loin roast with a few simple ingredients.

CHERRY BALSAMIC PORK LOIN
A white plate filled with heart shaped lobster ravioli garnished with parsley.

Lobster Ravioli

Lobster Ravioli with Lemon Butter Sauce uses a baked ravioli technique you can prep ahead for dinner parties, holidays, and romantic nights. The best part of this recipe for romantic dinners is that it can be made ahead with wonton wrappers the day before and baked instead of boiling the ravioli. It is a perfect recipe for the holidays or special dinners like Valentine's Day.

LOBSTER RAVIOLI WITH LEMON BUTTER CREAM SAUCE
A wooden platter with cedar wrapped salmon, asparagus, and lemon butter.

Cedar Grilled Salmon

Cedar Grilled Salmon with asparagus, zucchini ribbons, and a delicious lemon dill fish butter with incredible unique flavor perfect for salmon. This healthy dinner cooks everything at once!

GRILLED CEDAR SALMON
Cooked Gorgonzola Stuffed Chicken in pan sauce garnished with fresh thyme.

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Stuffed Chicken Breasts makes a great weeknight family dinner, and is perfect for special occasions, holidays, or romantic date nights. Make ahead for entertaining, and has the best sauce with only one pan and a tiny bowl to clean! Try lots of different stuffings and ingredients.

STUFFED CHICKEN
A white platter filled with sheet pan chicken dinner including lemons, potatoes, and croutons.

Sheet Pan Chicken

Sheet Pan Chicken with croutons and small potatoes takes 20 minutes to prep and this entire dinner bakes in 50 minutes. Beautiful to serve for an easy family weeknight dinner or a fun meal prep idea sheet pan meals make prep and cooking so easy! The golden brown croutons go perfectly with the tender warm potatoes and lemony chicken.

LEMON SHEET PAN CHICKEN
A red Italian bowl with hot pasta, sauce and turkey meatballs topped with shaved parmesan cheese.

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Turkey Meatballs are oven-baked with a special secret for flavorful tender, moist deliciousness in every bite. Serve on hot pasta with sauce, in soup, or layer in a cheesy meatball sub sandwich. With just a handful of ingredients, these make a light healthy homemade dinner. Frozen meatballs from scratch are so worth the time to make and are great for fast dinners.

BAKED TURKEY MEATBALLS AND SAUCE
Thick sliced roast beef on a cutting board with pan juices and ingredients in the background.

Beef Roast

Serve this Beef Roast Recipe with a red wine marinade as an elegant dinner or for the holidays. Slice leftovers for roast beef sandwiches.   

ELEGANT BEEF ROAST
White plate filled with Beef Stroganoff on noodles with mushrooms.

Best Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Classic beef stroganoff made with ground beef is so popular and beloved worldwide. But what if I shared my secrets to pack in flavor and use various beef cuts? This recipe has ideas for different steak cuts, mushrooms of course, rich stroganoff flavor, and a creamy sauce.

A white platter filled with grilled lamb chops topped with mint pesto and grilled peaches.

Grilled Lamb Chops

Grilled Lamb Chops rubbed with seasoned mint salt, sweet juicy peaches, and topped with parmesan mint pesto, what a cookout party food idea!

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS
A sliced open BLT sandwich loaded with succulent lobster, bacon, lettuce and tomato stacked on a board.

BLT Lobster Sandwich

A BLT Lobster Sandwich recipe with succulent lobster, thick crispy applewood smoked bacon, golden grilled sourdough bread, and slathered with an easy dill-caper aioli sauce. Oh, and it won a 1rst Place Blue Ribbon at the Orange County Fair during a live cooking competition!

BLT LOBSTER SANDWICH

Cocktails And Drinks

The best way to celebrate with your love on a dinner date is with good cocktails and a homemade Valentine's Day dinner. It's best to get your prep work all done the day before. That way you can relax and enjoy a delicious meal at home. Choose your favorite Valentine’s Day dinner ideas here for the night, and then it's time to shop for ingredients and prepare...

Close up view of strawberry cocktails with heart shaped garnish made from a strawberry on the rim.

Strawberry Cocktails

Strawberry Cocktails are wonderful for romantic date nights, Valentine's Day, or cocktail party celebrations. Oh, and these are keto, low carb, low sugar, and low-calorie, now how can you beat that? Enjoy every sip of these summer cocktails that don't have processed sugar or simple syrup.

STRAWBERRY SMASH COCKTAILS
Four Havana club glasses filled with mojitos garnished with mint.

Cuban Mojito Recipe

A Real Cuban Mojito Recipe straight from my trip to Cuba. Learn the secret ingredient in these famous Cuban cocktails and what makes them authentic!

MOJITOS
Three glasses of Aperol Spritz on a table with appetizers at a Fall party.

Autumn Aperol Spritz

A taste of Fall in every sip, these Aperol Spritz cocktails have cider, Aperol, and fresh citrus juice topped with prosecco or Champagne bubbles. These refreshing drinks are great for brunch, happy hours, Friendsgiving, and Thanksgiving.

AUTUMN APEROL SPRITZ
A decorative etched cocktail glass with a red hibiscus keto cocktails garnished with an orange slice.

Hibiscus Cocktails

Hibiscus Tea Cocktails are low carb, low sugar, vegan, keto, and gluten-free. A healthier refreshing keto cocktail under 100 calories!

HIBISCUS COCKTAILS
Fireball Whisky Cocktails with cinnamon sticks wrapped in orange peel for garnish.

Fireball Whisky Cocktails

"Red Hot" Fireball Whisky Cocktails made with orange, cinnamon, cloves, and apple cider. Serve fireball drinks for Fall parties, brunch, and Thanksgiving Day!

FIREBALL WHISKY COCKTAILS
Two glasses filled with St Germain cocktails garnished with tiny purple orchids and white jasmine flowers.

St. Germain Cocktails

Refreshing St. Germain cocktails are an easy spritzer made with Elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, hibiscus tea, and a splash of club soda over crushed ice.

ST GERMAIN COCKTAILS
A New Years Eve party with champagne cocktails made with Goldschlager gold liquor.

Champagne Cocktails

Chic Champagne Cocktails glitter with real gold and bubbles of fine Champagne or prosecco for New Year's Eve or holiday celebrations like a Christmas party! Everyone wants bubbly drink recipes that sparkle for the festive season. Ring in the new year and toast to all the luck in the world with an elegant cocktail in hand.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

Sides, Salads, And More

One of the best parts of planning your night, might be to pick side dishes from all these favorite Valentine’s Day dinner ideas. There are the classic steak house or upscale restaurant sides like whipped Mashed Potatoes, or Crispy Smashed Potatoes. Or an incredibly simple recipe for Parmesan Risotto that requires no constant stirring and can easily become lobster risotto which succulent chunks of lobster, perfect for date night. You can also stick to a simple side of rice, or creamy spinach just like they have on upscale dining menus.

Another really popular option is Ruth's Chris Steakhouse's famous dish of Sweet Potatoes Casserole, or a classic Iceberg Wedge Salad with fresh flavors and a creamy avocado dressing. These are two of my favorite recipes to recreate while dining at home!

A bowl of tomato soup and cup of soup in a white cup garnished with fresh basil.

Tomato Soup With Basil Dumplings

Tomato Soup with Basil Dumplings can be rich and chunky or creamy smooth and is loaded with a veggie rainbow and real tomatoes for a hearty lunch or dinner. What makes this hearty soup recipe so good, are the fluffy basil dumplings! Total comfort food in a bowl, as they soak up the hot creamy homemade tomato soup.

TOMATO BASIL SOUP WITH BASIL DUMPLINGS
A white plate filled with cooked asparagus topped with gremolata garnished with lemon wedges.

Stovetop Grilled Asparagus

How to cook asparagus on the stovetop grilled perfectly every time for tasty crisp tender spears with bright green beautiful color. An easy low-carb keto healthy side dish.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS
A fork holding twirled fettuccine out of a large skillet.

Healthy Alfredo Sauce

A healthy alfredo sauce recipe is possible with just a fraction of the calories. Let's ditch the high fat version loaded with fat and carbs. This Cauliflower Alfredo is absolutely rich and bursting with flavor, gluten-free, and a healthier recipe of a classic comfort food dish. You can add things like chicken, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, spices, or sun-dried tomatoes to jazz it up!

PASTA ALFREDO SAUCE
Lifting a scoop of sweet potato casserole out of a white casserole dish with large serving spoon.

Sweet Potato Casserole (Ruth's Chris Recipe)

For all you avid fans of the Sweet Potato Casserole at the famous Ruth's Chris Steak House, this is their original recipe and signature side dish. The combination of the fluffiness of the sweet potato mixture topped with a pecan crumble takes this classic holiday side way over the top. It is so scrumptious, the whole family will want seconds and a copy of this delicious copycat recipe.

RUTH'S CHRIS SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
A black cast iron pan with risotto made from arborio rice topped with artichokes and pine nuts.

Parmesan Risotto

Parmesan Risotto has a rich deep flavor, is made with arborio rice, and is hands-free with no constant stirring, unlike most risotto recipes. It is one of the most delicious recipes, and you can add things to it to make it a complete dinner from roasted shrimp, lobster, chicken, seared scallops, a fried egg, or cooked sausage.

NO STIR PARMESAN RISOTTO

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes are creamy smooth and melt in your mouth with 5 easy ways to reheat and keep warm for dinner or your holiday party.

CREAMY MASHED POTATOES
A sheet pan of smashed potatoes with fresh herbs baked with crispy golden brown edges.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Crispy Smashed Potatoes served with melted herb butter are one of the most heavenly potato recipes. These are pure comfort food and a beautiful side dish for family dinners, romantic date nights, holidays, or dinner parties. Soft fluffy centers are surrounded by a golden-brown crust on each and every one. And those crunchy edges are simply addictive.

CRISPY SMASHED POTATOES
Wedge salad with avocado dressing drizzled on top with pistachios on a black slate board.

Iceberg Wedge Salad

Dig your fork into this icy cold iceberg Wedge Salad with a Pistachio-Avocado Dressing. The mild flavor compliments sizzling grilled steaks, chicken, or shish kabobs at cookouts or dinner parties. And for lunch, add some more protein like chopped bacon, chicken, or hard-boiled egg.

ICEBERG WEDGE SALAD
A small glass bowl with green goddess dressing and white plates of mixed salad greens on a table.

Green Goddess Dressing

Green Goddess Dressing bursts with fresh herb flavor. Serve as a salad dressing, veggie dip, with grilled shrimp, or toss into hot pasta. This is my Mom's 1970s original recipe from California printed in the local newspaper.

GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

Starters And Appetizers

Pop the champagne, and begin your romantic night with a bite of Mini Bacon-Wrapped Filets dipped into a Creamy Balsamic Horseradish Sauce. All of these are easy appetizers that look fancy but have simple ingredients found at any grocery store, and look for all my make ahead tips in each recipe! Choose scrumptious and uncomplicated Valentine's Day dinner recipes, then get your kitchen prep underway.

Chilled cucumber soup topped with crab meat and grape garnish served in bowls over ice.

Cucumber Gazpacho Soup

A chilled cucumber gazpacho recipe is so refreshing in the summer months with yogurt, grapes, and green apples, topped with almonds and lump crab meat. This cold cucumber soup recipe includes lots of other garnish topping ideas for you too!

CUCUMBER GAZPACHO SOUP
A glass bowl filled with horseradish dipping sauce with bacon wrapped filet mignon appetizers on toothpicks.

Filet Mignon Steak Appetizer

Bacon-wrapped filet mignon steak appetizer paired with a creamy balsamic horseradish sauce for dipping. These will be a hit at your party!

BACON FILET MIGNON BITES
A firecracker shrimp recipe with two dipping sauces on a black platter.

Firecracker Shrimp

Firecracker Shrimp is a popular appetizer recipe you can oven bake or deep fry. Then dip them into a creamy spicy sriracha dipping sauce!

A white platter filled with apple brie skewers for Thanksgiving appetizers.

Caramel Apple Brie Appetizers

Need a fast easy appetizer for Halloween or Thanksgiving? Caramel Apple Brie Appetizers come together in minutes, and they are always wildly popular at Fall parties! If you like caramel apples, then you will love this scrumptious combination with creamy brie, the crunch of macadamia nuts, and tart-sweet dried cranberries. It is addictive.

A clear glass plate with shrimp cocktail, cocktail sauce, and two glasses of champagne.

Shrimp Cocktail

The best Shrimp Cocktail (prawn cocktail) is made by oven-roasting, then dipping them in homemade shrimp cocktail sauce! The shrimp cooks in just 15 minutes and is such an easy appetizer for the holiday season, New Year's Eve, or party food for special occasions and celebrations. Roasting is a great way to go versus dealing with a large pot of boiling water, a sheet pan is so much easier with less cleanup, and the roasting adds deep rich, delicious shrimpy flavor.

SHRIMP COCKTAIL
Five freshly baked puff pastry beef wellington appetizers on a rectangle white platter.

Beef Wellington Appetizers

Bake delicious hors d'oeuvres of individual servings of beef wellington appetizers, they are so fancy to pass around at a party. These beef wellington appetizers are a modern take on the classic English dish made easy with golden brown edges of flaky puff pastry, juicy filet mignon, and a creamy mushroom filling.

MINI BEEF WELLINGTONS

Romantic Sweets And Chocolate Desserts

Chocolate is a traditional Valentine's Day gift on February 14th. A great option is to make a sweet dessert that can be gifted as well. Try one of the best desserts here, Smore Truffles or Nut Goodie Bar candy! They box up so well, take less time than you think, and are a great option the whole family will love. What better way to say I love you, than with homemade chocolates that will delight their taste buds with chocolatey goodness.

A lady holding a s'more cookie dough truffle cut open with mini marshmallows inside.

S'more Cookie Dough Truffles

S'more Cookie Dough Truffles are an easy no-bake dessert candy with chocolate chips, graham crackers, and mini marshmallows just like campfire s'mores!

SMORE TRUFFLES
A slice of peach pie on a white plate with a silver fork on a red white check tablecloth.

Peach Cheesecake Pie (No-Bake)

Peach Cheesecake Pie is a 30-minute no-bake recipe with a crisp graham cracker crust, sweet whipped filling, and juicy summer peaches!

Bright yellow lemons carved out and filled with raspberry strawberry lemon sorbet as a summer dessert.

Raspberry Lemon Sorbet

Raspberry Lemon Sorbet is a real fruit dessert, that is dairy-free, vegan, and has no refined sugar. Some people call this a summer fruit sorbet or nice cream. It is made with raspberries, strawberries, pineapple, and bananas, and served in real lemon cups.

A white platter with cherry pie ice cream sandwiches.

Cherry Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches

5 ingredients to create your own Homemade Cherry Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches. A fun and easy summer treat to cool you down on hot days!

CHERRY PIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
A cast iron skillet filled with a smore chocolate chip cookie with a fork inside.

S'more Pizookie Skillet Cookies

S'more chocolate chip skillet cookies also called pizookies, are baked into the ultimate cookie dessert, loaded with milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini peanut butter cups, graham cracker shards, and toasted marshmallows all melted together into a gooey cookie.

SMORE PIZOOKIE COOKIES
A small aluminum sheet pan with brown paper and 5 frozen bananas chocolate dipped and coated in nuts and dried fruit.

Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas

Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas are dipped in melted chocolate and rolled in your favorite toppings of dried fruit, chopped nuts, colorful sprinkles, crushed cookies, or candies for a wholesome frozen dessert.

FROZEN CHOCOLATE BANANAS
A freshly baked and decorated strawberry cake with real strawberries as decorations.

Fresh Strawberry Cake

You can taste the real strawberry flavor in this fresh strawberry scratch cake, as it skips ingredients like food coloring and jello gelatin and uses strawberry jam and real strawberries! Use this recipe to bake a strawberry layer cake, a sheet cake, or even cupcakes. Then spread on the strawberry buttercream frosting with its beautiful pink color on every layer, and decorate with sweet juicy strawberries, it's the real deal.

STRAWBERRY CAKE
A white plate with large lemon bars cut into squares dusted with powder sugar.

Coconut-Lime Lemon Bars

A tropical version of traditional lemon bars, this lemon bar recipe has both lime and lemon zest with lime and lemon juice in the filling and a toasted coconut shortbread cookie crust. An incredible recipe with the right amount of sweetness!

COCONUT LIME LEMON BARS
Nut Goodie Bar Candy in mini white paper cups.

Nut Goodie Bar Candy

Nut Goodie Bar Candy is an addictively sweet chocolate peanut butter candy bar famous in Midwest USA. An easy no-bake candy served right from the freezer.

NUT GOODY BAR CANDY
A red cookie plate filled with heart shaped chocolate hand pies.

Chocolate-Cherry Hand Pies

Chocolate Cherry Hand Pies have an amazing sugary crust, this hand pie recipe uses boxed pie crust, chocolate chips, and frozen cherries! And can be baked in the oven or made into small heart pies to fit in an air fryer.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY HAND PIES

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More Holiday Party Food Collections

75+ Football Food Recipes

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Last Updated February 27th, 2024 at 05:54 pm by Lisa

During football season, we crave the best game day foods while watching our teams play like juicy cheeseburgers, loaded hot dogs, fun snacks, easy game day appetizers, and hot and cold dips.

Favorite football party food recipes go down so well with creative cocktails to sip or ice cold beers to drink.

Whether you are a fan of the NFL or College Football, cheer on your favorite team with a winning game plan of good food and munchies with over 75 game day recipes in this collection.

Gather your party guests and throw a legendary football party with spectacular, delicious Super Bowl foods for the biggest game of the year. And tailgate in style with all your fan favorites with these amazing football food ideas...

Table of Contents

A lady holding a messy hamburger wrapped in parchment paper out by an open stainless steel gas grill.

Super Bowl Party Main Dishes

When it's game time, light up your smoker early in the day for ribs or a brisket, or fire up the grill with friends before kick-off. Everyone loves juicy cheeseburgers or hot dogs, or a big pot of chili simmering as a main course crowd pleaser in your slow cooker. There are lots of football food recipes ideas here for classic game day eats, and all are easy party food...

A white platter filled with crispy chicken wings and one dipping into buffalo sauce.

Crispy Chicken Wings

The secret to make Crispy Dry Rub Chicken Wings, the ultimate bar snack and big game appetizer! When it comes to party wings, we want tons of flavor, tender juicy meat, a crispy coating, and a deep-fried texture without going through the trouble of frying. Perfectly cooked wings are totally possible with a super crisp exterior that looks and tastes deep-fried. Gather your party guests and throw a legendary football party with spectacular, delicious Super Bowl foods for the biggest game day of the year. Spicy chicken wings are an easy appetizer and winning party food.

CRISPY CHICKEN WINGS
A game day food table with chili dogs loaded with relish, cheese, and onions.

Hot Dog Chili

Hot dog chili sauce is a "go-to" football food on game days, Superbowl parties, tailgating, or summer cookouts. And the best thing, this great recipe is ready in just 20 minutes or can simmer away in a slow cooker all during the big game! Salsa and beer add great unique flavor to this delicious recipe. Adding a can of refried beans is an easy way to make chili nice and thick, perfect for piling on top of chili dogs.

HOT DOG CHILI
Thick sliced roast beef on baguettes with lettuce, horseradish sauce, and shaved parmesan.

Roast Beef Sandwiches

Roast Beef Sandwiches with homemade deli meat, creamy balsamic horseradish sauce, shaved parmesan, and lettuce on crusty baguettes!

ROAST BEEF SANDWICH RECIPES
A double smoked ham on a outdoor smoker ready to eat.

Double Smoked Ham With Orange Honey Glaze

Twice-smoked spiral cut ham made just like a famous smokehouse. This double-smoked ham has an amazing orange honey glaze with apple cider!

DOUBLE SMOKED HAM RECIPE
A wooden platter filled with Shish Kabob grilled skewers.

Shish Kabobs

Grilling season is perfect for Shish Kabobs with a beef marinade made with pineapple and dark rum. The rum is totally optional of course! Plus take a look at dozens of ideas to make colorful grilled skewers your way with all the best shish kebob side dish ideas.

SHISH KABOB RECIPE
Mini cheeseburgers with melted cheese, tomato, and lettuce with American flag toothpick decoration on top.

Cheeseburger Sliders

Cheeseburger Sliders are mini burgers stuffed with cheese, spread with burger sauce, and oven-baked. Bake ground beef burgers on a baking sheet in the oven. Stuffed cheese sliders are the perfect party food for game day, summer, or July 4th!

STUFFED CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS RECIPE
Greek gyros on parchment paper topped with lamb meatballs cucumber and tomatoes.

Lamb Gyros With Greek Tzatziki Sauce

Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce are great for summer cookouts. Wrap a pita around grilled lamb meatballs with tomato, cucumber, parsley, and sauce!

GYROS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE
Red white check paper lined basked holding a pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (a pork loin recipe) is so juicy top these pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw, pickle chips, and tangy BBQ sauce.

SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK RECIPE
A meatball sub with marinara sauce and melted golden gooey cheese on a toasted baguette.

Cheesy Meatball Subs

Cheesy Meatball Subs are loaded with gooey melted cheese and homemade marinara sauce. Use frozen or homemade ground beef, turkey, or pork meatballs. These meatball sub sandwiches are classic comfort food, and so worth the effort. Toast them under the broiler to get the bread crispy and the cheese gooey, golden, and melty.

CHEESY MEATBALL SUBS RECIPE
A person holding a messy grilled burger topped with melted cheese, burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and pickles.

The Best Cheeseburger

What is more American than hamburgers or classic cheeseburgers? These are topped with a copycat In-N-Out Burger sauce spread and seasoning.To make the best burger recipe, you have got to have so secrets up your sleeve. Today we will cover everything you need. Plus cookout grilling tips and 20+ burger topping ideas.

THE BEST CHEESEBURGER RECIPE
A beautiful grilled rack of lamb on a white platter with rosemary sprigs and watermelon skewers.

Cabernet Rosemary Grilled Rack Of Lamb

Grilled rack of lamb paired with refreshing watermelon skewers is an elegant special occasion recipe ready in just 45 minutes. The lamb is seasoned with a dry rub and then slathered with a Cabernet wine and rosemary marinade. There are also lots of inspiring sides to serve with lamb chops and perfect for a traditional Easter meal or a fancy dinner party...

CABERNET ROSEMARY GRILLED RACK OF LAMB RECIPE
A spiral baked ham on white platter with wedges of pineapple and sliced oranges.

Kahlua Pineapple Glazed Ham

Kahlua Pineapple Glazed Ham elevates party food for holidays and special celebrations. A tropical spin on a classic spiral ham dinner!

KAHLUA PINEAPPLE GLAZED HAM
A wooden platter with cedar wrapped salmon, asparagus, and lemon butter.

Cedar Grilled Salmon

Cedar Grilled Salmon with asparagus, zucchini ribbons, and an incredible lemon dill fish butter. This healthy dinner cooks everything at once!

CEDAR GRILLED SALMON RECIPE
A white platter filled with grilled lamb chops topped with mint pesto and grilled peaches.

Grilled Lamb Chops

Grilled Lamb Chops rubbed with seasoned mint salt, sweet juicy peaches, and topped with parmesan mint pesto, what a cookout party food idea!

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS RECIPE
A white platter filled with corn, shrimp, sausage, and potatoes for dinner.

Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil is a fast oven-baked weeknight family dinner ready in 35 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner with simple ingredients.

SHEET PAN SHRIMP BOIL
A bowl of turkey chili topped with sour cream, grated cheese, and green onions with corn bread muffins.

Turkey Chili With Black Beans

Turkey Chili with Black Beans can be made in a slow cooker, crockpot, or stovetop. An all-time family favorite of chili recipes with years of rave reviews. Serve party guests a big bowl of chili with all the delicious toppings...

EASY TURKEY CHILI RECIPE
A stacked gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with cheese, tomato, red onions, and lettuce.

French Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Classic comfort food elevated to the next level. A chic, fancy, and amazing gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with a French cafe twist.

FRENCH GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE RECIPE
A red plastic food basket lined with paper holding a loaded grilled hot dog.

Spiral Grilled Hot Dogs

Spiral-Cut Grilled Hot Dogs get nice nooks and crannies to hold more toppings like mustard, ketchup and relish. Grill these full-flavor dogs at your next cookout and put out a bar of condiments.

SPIRAL GRILLED HOT DOGS RECIPE
A table with a black bowl filled with shredded beef on rice with onions and bell peppers garnished with limes, avocado, and cilantro.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Shredded Beef is fall apart tender and bursting full of flavor from slow cooking with the Latin Caribbean sofrito ingredients. It is one of those easy dinners that takes just 10 minutes of prep. Serve the shredded meat over cooked rice with thin avocado slices and a good squeeze of lime for brightness. This recipe is very similar and inspired by Cuban Ropa Vieja. Simple ingredients go in, and a "company-worthy" yummy family dinner comes out.

SLOW COOKER SHREDDED BEEF RECIPE

Oven Roasted Pulled Pork

Easy ROASTED PULLED PORK (Pork Loin Pulled Pork) is moist, slightly crispy, and super savory! Try my Homemade BBQ Rub, with the low oven temperature slow-roasting secrets. An incredible pulled pork recipe -- you'll want to try this one right now!

OVEN-ROASTED PULLED PORK RECIPE
Three pulled pork sandwiches on Hawaiian buns with pickles, cheese and ham on a cutting board.

Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders

Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders are brushed with butter dijon sauce, and baked until golden brown with melted swiss cheese, pulled pork and ham, and pickles, a perfect combination! Serve a tray of these slider sandwiches for dinner, parties, or on game days!

CUBAN PULLED PORK SLIDERS
Ingredients to make spiral hot dogs on the grill.

Tailgate Foods

The first time I threw a tailgate party, I learned the best thing is to keep the tailgate menu simple! You are cooking in a parking lot, and want to have a good time.

If you throw a tailgate party, there are a few things to consider, here are my top tips!

  • Plan for the site, the weather, and the game location. It is a great idea to get online and do some research on what is allowed at that stadium.
  • The best tailgating recipes are mostly prepped at home and then either quickly grilled on a portable grill or heated before the game.
  • You can bring things wrapped in aluminum foil, and keep them warm. Or use heated electric trays powered off a generator or to plug in slow cookers.
  • Get all my tailgate game day recipes, and planning tips for all your tailgate recipes and foods that transport well...

Best Tailgate Side Dishes

This tailgate side dish menu works for game day potlucks and home parties. There are inspiring recipe ideas for salads, hot sides, potluck sides that transport really well, and more for your outdoor tailgate BBQ party. Plus inspiring ideas, tips, and hacks to make your game day spectacular. All the classics are here like baked beans, pasta salads, potato salads, macaroni salads and so much more...

A large dish of cowboy beans with white spoon scooping out a serving.
A collage of many colorful side dishes to make during cookout season including potluck salads, baked beans, fruit salad, summer desserts and more.

Cookout Side Dishes

These are the best side dishes to make during cookout season! This ultimate list has 30+ Cookout Side Dish Recipes that will inspire you to create the yummiest food for family gatherings, summer picnics, outdoor cookouts, backyard barbecues, or church potlucks.

30+ COOKOUT SIDE DISH RECIPES

Easy Pasta Salad

An easy Pasta Salad with fresh herbs, bell pepper, and cheese. This is a mayo-less salad, perfect to serve at outdoor picnics or cookouts.

EASY PASTA SALAD RECIPE
A small white bowl filled with bacon potato salad garnished with crispy bacon.

Bacon Potato Salad

Bacon potato salad is loaded with crispy bacon and blue cheese. A perfect side for summer potluck cookouts and BBQs. Since there are no eggs and no mayonnaise, this is a great picnic food idea. Make a double batch, and it disappears quickly!

BACON POTATO SALAD RECIPE
A glass trifle dish filled with 7 Layer Salad full of colorful ingredients.

7 Layer Salad

7 Layer Salad (aka Overnight Salad) is one of the most popular potluck dishes for picnics, a BBQ side for cookouts, or a summer side dish.

SEVEN LAYER SALAD RECIPE
Looking down into a scooped out watermelon filled with rounded watermelon balls garnished with mint and feta cheese.

Watermelon Salad

Watermelon Salad recipe with a light citrus dressing, fresh mint, and topped with crumbled feta cheese. Serve this side dish for picnics, potlucks, and BBQ cookouts in a carved-out watermelon for the salad bowl!

WATERMELON SALAD RECIPE
A white plate full of taco salad topped with taco meat, grated cheese, Fritos, sour cream, black olives and tomatoes.

Easy Taco Salad

Taco Salad with a delicious taco meat recipe and 25+ topping ideas from all kinds of cheeses, different corn or tortilla chips, crispy shells, black beans pico de gallo, cherry tomatoes, and more!
Works as lunch, family dinner, or party food for a large gathering.

EASY TACO SALAD RECIPE
A larger serving basket with Grilled Corn unwrapped in foil laying in the basket before eating.

Grilled Corn On The Cob

When sweet corn is in season, try this recipe for the best Grilled Corn On The Cob. It cooks in 10 minutes and can be put together ahead of dinner. There are 12+ creative flavor ideas to try, use seasoning blends or homemade compound butter. With endless flavor options, this is a great party food

GRILLED CORN ON THE COB RECIPE
A clear glass bowl filled with tri color cole slaw and wooden tongs stuck in the slaw.

Easy Vinegar Coleslaw (No Mayo)

This Easy Coleslaw Recipe has a clean vinegar-based dressing and has no-mayo. It goes great with pulled pork sandwiches, or as a classic side dish at potluck summer picnics and BBQ cookouts.

EASY VINEGAR COLESLAW RECIPE
Looking down on a white plate filled with macaroni salad and a silver fork.

Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

A classic macaroni salad recipe with chopped eggs, dill pickles, pickle juice, and crunchy celery. A cherished old fashioned family recipe!

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD RECIPE
A large white bowl of BBQ potato salad garnished with cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions on a red and white check gingham cloth.

BBQ Potato Salad

A BBQ Potato Salad recipe with yummy flavors from your favorite barbecue sauce, crumbled bacon, buttermilk ranch, crunchy celery, and cheddar cheese. Made with secret ingredients in place of mayo, this super creamy potato salad is inspired by one of America's favorite recipes, a loaded baked potato! A great recipe that uses any kind of potatoes, and is a fresh new twist on a classic. Mix up a double batch, and watch people gobble it up at your next tailgate or cookout.

BBQ POTATO SALAD RECIPE
A large white spoon scooping a serving of cowboy baked beans out of a casserole dish.

Cowboy Beans

Cowboy Baked Beans (aka Calico Beans) are loaded with ground beef and applewood smoked bacon. A great party food recipe for large groups.

COWBOY BAKED BEANS RECIPE

Sauces, Condiments & Fixings

All the best things to slather on burgers, sandwiches, sausages, and more. Make some good condiments at home in minutes, and spread the good stuff onto spiral grilled hot dogs, and hamburgers, or dip hot chicken wings into Ranch, Barbecue Sauce, Remoulade, or Creamy Balsamic Horseradish sauce.

A messy grilled burger topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles and burger sauce in a basket with a bottle of burger sauce.

Burger Sauce

Make one of the best burger sauces just like the In-N-Out spread from the west coast drive-through chain that started in Southern California. When you crave the real thing, here is the best way to make a copycat recipe of the real In-N-Out burger spread special sauce.

BURGER SAUCE RECIPE
Looking down into a wooden bowl with creamy balsamic horseradish sauce swirled in the center, and a wooden spreader resting on the edge of the bowl with a rustic beige tablecloth underneath and on a woven rattan placemat.

Creamy Balsamic Horseradish Sauce

Creamy balsamic horseradish sauce is amazing on thick slices of Roast Beef for dinner, on prime rib, and as a spread on Roast Beef Sandwiches.

CREAMY BALSAMIC HORSERADISH SAUCE
A vintage spoon scooping up remoulade sauce to use on a recipe.

Remoulade Sauce

Remoulade sauce is a popular condiment or dipping sauce, usually paired with seafood, cold meats, and fried foods like French fries.

REMOULADE SAUCE RECIPE
The steps to season hamburgers, with them shaped on parchment paper as burgers before grilling.

The Best Burger Seasoning

Mix up the best burger seasoning recipe for juicy hamburgers everyone will rave over at your next backyard barbecue cookout. Add amazing flavor with just a few insider secrets like what beef to buy, how to make the burger patties, and pro grilling tips. This seasoning mix is made with simple ingredients you might already have on hand. Grill restaurant-quality hamburgers in your backyard this summer...

THE BEST BURGER SEASONING RECIPE
A small white bowl with homemade relish in to top hot dogs in paper lined baskets.

Homemade Relish

Mix up this fresh crunchy homemade relish recipe, to top grilled hot dogs or hamburgers. Serve this condiment at your next cookout or BBQ.

HOMEMADE RELISH RECIPE
A ceramic plate with sliced apples, chicken on lettuce with homemade blue cheese dressing.

Blue Cheese Dressing

The best homemade Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe with just 5 ingredients. Shake in a Mason jar for easy fridge storage to use all week. It also works great as a dip for buffalo wings, appetizers, or a chip dip.

BLUE CHEESE DRESSING RECIPE
A large Mason jar filled with ranch dressing made at home with a small serving bowl and spoon.

Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing from scratch uses real fresh ingredients, and it tastes so much better than bottled products. Get the secret mixing tip with 20+ creative ways to use it in recipes all week long.

BUTTERMILK RANCH DRESSING RECIPE

Easy Football Finger Food Appetizers

Game day appetizers, finger food, and delicious dips can be the best part of your party, with simple delicious snacks like sour cream onion dip, or great food like soft pretzels with a beer cheese dip. Make one great thing like my roasted cocktail shrimp or jalapeno popper dip, then buy a few things from your local grocery store.

Some of the most popular football finger foods in the United States are pizza rolls, French onion dip, cheese sliders, roast beef sandwiches, a favorite guacamole recipe, onion rings, french fries, sheet pan nachos, pepperoni pizza dip, and bean dip.

The full recipe for this winning Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball is at the bottom of this post in the printable recipe card...

Mini Tacos

Crunchy Mini Tacos are loaded with your favorite toppings! Tucked inside are layers of juicy taco meat, refried beans, cheeses, black olives, pickled jalapeños and more drizzled with a quick Mexican crema sauce. Serve these mini beef tacos as a delicious appetizer for a Cinco de Mayo party, family taco night dinner, birthday parties, or perfect party food for the big game.

MINI TACOS
A blue glass bowl filled with guacamole and a chip stuck inside with a bowl of tortilla chips.

How To Make Guacamole

Guacamole starts with the best simple ingredients like perfectly ripe avocados, fresh lime juice, grated onion (one of my top secrets), chopped tomato, good hot sauce, and spices. This is the way to make real guacamole in the traditional way as there are many variations. Use quality ingredients and these tips to make this Mexican guacamole recipe!

AUTHENTIC GUACAMOLE
A wood platter loaded with soft pretzels shaped like footballs and beer cheese dip in a bowl nearby.

Pretzels With Beer Cheese Dip

Bake warm soft pretzels and scoop them into an easy beer cheese dip. Every bite has a chewy, golden crust with soft, fluffy centers. Homemade pretzels are the perfect appetizer for relaxed weekends at home or big game-day football parties! And they just take about an hour. You can shape the pretzel dough like footballs, small soft pretzel nuggets, knots, or the classic pretzel shape...

PRETZELS WITH BEER CHEESE DIP RECIPE
Baked Buffalo Cauliflower on a plate with ranch dip sprinkled with fresh herbs.

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a healthy appetizer that taste and look just like chicken wings. Baked full of zesty flavor with a spicy kick, these are vegetarian, gluten free, and have absolutely no guilt of extra calories. Created in a Southern California pub, dunk these buffalo wings into your favorite dipping sauces like blue cheese dressing or buttermilk ranch for the perfect game-day snack with a cold beer.

BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS
A white oval casserole dish with a hot dip being scooped out with a large corn chip.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Jalapeno Popper Dip is always a big hit and is one of the best dips! Make this melty hot appetizer for parties with simple pantry ingredients and scoop up with large corn chips. Double this recipe for large groups, it goes fast! It's so easy, and all the ingredients combine into one of the most flavor loaded creamy dips ever!

JALAPENO POPPER DIP RECIPE
A wood bowl with green avocado salsa taco sauce and blue corn tortilla chips on the table.

Avocado Salsa

Drizzle Avocado Salsa is often served on Mexican foods like tacos, burritos, taquitos, or served with tortilla chips as a dip. Many people call it Taco Sauce or Salsa de Aguacate. Drizzle this green sauce over tacos, and burritos, dip taquitos into it, pour on a taco salad or scoop with a chip...

AVOCADO SALSA RECIPE
Five freshly baked puff pastry beef wellington appetizers on a rectangle white platter.

Beef Wellington Appetizers

Mini beef wellington bites are delicious fancy hors d'oeuvres to bake for your next dinner party, for special occasions, or anytime during the holiday season. People will devour them hot out of the oven! These beef wellington appetizers are a modern take on the classic English dish made easy with golden brown edges of flaky puff pastry, juicy filet mignon, and a creamy mushroom filling.

MINI BEEF WELLINGTON APPETIZERS
A lady dipping a potato chip into onion dip.

Sour Cream Onion Dip

Onion Dip aka California or Sour Cream Dip is the easiest recipe ever, with only 2 ingredients! Made in minutes, serve with a large bowl of your favorite chips and assorted fresh-cut veggies. This is a classic iconic American party food dip that has earned a respected place in many people's hearts with its savory onion flavor.

SOUR CREAM ONION DIP RECIPE
A wood bowl with a lady scooping out homemade salsa with a tortilla chip.

Tomatillo Salsa

Tomatillo salsa has a fresh taste you will never get out of a jar from any store. The fire-grilled flavor and medium heat in this homemade salsa will have people loving each and every bite with tacos, nachos, and taquitos. Grab a bowl, and a bag of tortilla chips, and wait for lots of compliments, crunching, and munching, as people dip chips into this roasted tomatillo salsa recipe. 

TOMATILLO SALSA
A cutting board with crudites and dip with bright colored vegetables cut into strips and sticks.

Crudités With Dip

Crudités with Green Goddess Dip is an easy appetizer and the perfect dip for assorted fresh vegetables. Serve this as a veggie tray, or make little veggie cups or a purple cabbage "bowl" for a unique relish tray at your party! Try colorful carrots, jicama sticks, green bell peppers, fresh green beans, radishes, and cucumber sticks.

CRUDITES WITH LIGHT GREEN GODDESS DIP
A number of puff pastry appetizers, dinner ideas, and desserts in a collection.

40 Puff Pastry Appetizer Recipes

Which of these 40 Best Puff Pastry Recipes will you choose? Every impressive appetizer and delicious dessert in this collection is wrapped with irresistible golden flaky layers of freshly baked pastry and creative filling combinations. Keep a few of these easy recipes for special occasions during the holidays, such as Thanksgiving appetizers, or your Christmas

40 PUFF PASTRY RECIPE IDEAS
White round plate filled with cheese appetizers with crackers and garnished with basil.

Easy Layered Cheese Appetizers

Gorgeous layered cheese appetizers with deli-style sliced cheeses and a creamy filling loaded with chopped nuts and dried fruit. Eat them as a snack or fancy finger food hors d'oeuvres! Keep the simple ingredients on hand for any potluck or holiday party, and assemble up to a day ahead. People will be fascinated by the elegant stacks, and they are so pretty on charcuterie or cheese boards.

CHEESE APPETIZER RECIPE
Marinated mozzarella balls in a beige ceramic dish with appetizer toothpicks.

Marinated Mozzarella Balls

Everyone loves cheese appetizers, and there is nothing easier than Marinated Mozzarella Balls on a gorgeous Charcuterie Board with some crackers, crusty bread, and drinks to get the party going.

MARINATED MOZZARELLA RECIPE
A white platter filled with brie and bacon palmier appetizers golden brown and ready to eat.

Brie and Bacon Palmiers

Brie and Bacon Palmiers baked in 15 minutes with 3 ingredients. You will need store-bought puff pastry, crisp crumbled bacon, and some brie. An easy last-minute appetizer packed with bacony goodness, golden puff pastry, and that classic brie taste...

BRIE & BACON PALMIERES RECIPE
A clear glass plate with shrimp cocktail, cocktail sauce, and two glasses of champagne.

Shrimp Cocktail

The best Shrimp Cocktail (prawn cocktail) is made by oven-roasting, then dipping them in homemade shrimp cocktail sauce! The shrimp cooks in just 15 minutes and is such an easy appetizer for the holiday season, New Year's Eve, or party food for special occasions and celebrations. Roasting is a great way to go versus dealing with a large pot of boiling water, a sheet pan is so much easier with less cleanup, and the roasting adds deep rich, delicious shrimpy flavor.

SHRIMP COCKTAIL RECIPE
Ruffled potato chips on a plate with homemade French onion dip.

French Onion Dip

French onion dip is an easy appetizer with rich flavor from caramelized onions and fresh simple ingredients. This party appetizer tastes even better if you make it a day or so ahead! This an easy dip recipe for parties, and holidays, and a classic to serve on exciting big game days with a big bag of potato chips. Whip up this homemade onion dip, and take a look at all the creative ways to use up the leftovers of this creamy dip if there are any!

FRENCH ONION DIP RECIPE
Loaded plate of hot appetizers of Buffalo Chicken on tortilla chips ready for game day food

Buffalo Chicken Appetizer

Buffalo Chicken Appetizer made with tortilla chips, buffalo wing sauce, blue cheese, and crisp celery made in 20 minutes with 6 ingredients.

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP APPETIZER
A close up of a oval cast iron pan with tater tots, pulled pork, cut avocado, and drizzled with white sauce.

Totchos (Tater Tot Nachos)

Make "Totchos" which are sheet pan nachos made with tater tots, pulled pork, and a creamy Tomatillo Sauce on weekends for game days or even a simple dinner!

TATER TOT NACHOS RECIPE

Game Day Cocktails & Drinks

Take your Sunday brunch football game day parties to the next level with a big batch of your own homemade bloody mary mix. Or whip up some CoronaRitas or Micheladas are the perfect way to enjoy all your delicious food and party snacks...

A large blue rimmed margarita glass with straw, lime, and Coronita beer poured inside the glass.
A tall glass filled with michelada garnished with green chili and spice coated lime slice.

Micheladas Mexican Beer Cocktails

Micheladas are light, refreshing, tomato juice-based beer cocktails served in tall glasses with salted rims. The red color of the popular drink also gave them their nickname, Mexican bloody marys. A really good michelada is loaded with spicy flavors, and swaps in beer for vodka so it's similar to a bloody mary but they are a little lighter. Sip poolside on hot days, mix up at brunch, are great drinks for football season game days, happy hours, and Cinco de Mayo.

MICHELADAS
Fireball Whisky Cocktails with cinnamon sticks wrapped in orange peel for garnish.

Fireball Whisky Cocktails

"Red Hot" Fireball Whisky Cocktails made with orange, cinnamon, cloves, and apple cider. Serve fireball drinks for Fall parties, brunch, and Thanksgiving Day!

FIREBALL WHISKY COCKTAILS
Four tall Havana Club glasses with Cuba Libre cocktails garnished with lime on a wood tray.

Cuba Libre Cocktails

Cuba Libre Cocktails from my trip to Cuba. Learn the secret ingredient in these famous Cuban cocktails and what makes them authentic. And yes, this cocktail is a Rum and Coke, but made the Cuban way!

CUBA LIBRE COCKTAILS
Blue rimmed margarita glasses with margaritas in them on ice cubes with sliced lime garnish.

Easy Limeade Margaritas

Easy tasty margaritas made with 3 simple ingredients, you won't believe how good these taste. Made in a pitcher, serve at your next party!

EASIEST MARGARITA RECIPE
A white rectangle platter with green jello shots and jigglers shaped like shamrocks.

Green Jello Shots & Jigglers

Slurp emerald green Jello Shots or Jell-O jigglers and have some shenanigans with a wee bit of mischief at your game day, tailgate or St. Patrick's day party!

LUCKY GREEN JELLO SHOTS & JIGGLERS
A pitcher of bloody marys with two drinks garnished with olives, pepperoncinis, and beef sticks.

Spicy Bloody Marys

One sip of these Spicy Bloody Marys, and you will never want the bottled mix again! These have the right amount of heat, and bolder spices than boring tomato juice mixes. Fire-roasted grilled chilies, onions, and fresh ripe garden tomatoes create different flavors that are complex and extraordinary.

SPICY BLOODY MARY MIX RECIPE

Irish Coffee

Just like they serve in the pubs of Ireland, this is a classic Irish Coffee recipe. It can be made with a kick of Jameson Irish whiskey and or Baileys Irish Cream. I created beautiful garnish ideas using edible gold and shamrock sprinkles or shaved chocolate to make this one delicious sipper. One of the best ways to relax on chilly evenings is to get cozy with a Bailey's Coffee in front of the fire watching the big game.

IRISH COFFE RECIPE
A Cinco de Mayo party with frozen margaritas called Coronaritas, guacamole, and chips on a green table.

CoronaRita Margaritas

CoronaRita Margarita/Beer Cocktails are made with a margarita and a mini “Coronita” turned upside down into the drink. Perfect when you can’t decide between a margarita and an icy cold Corona!

CORONARITA MARGARITAS
A glass mug filled with Pumpkin Spice Latte with whip cream and sprinkles.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Whip up a Pumpkin Spice Latte made with real fresh ingredients, and cozy Fall spices. Top your PSL with decadent toppings like whip cream and Fall sprinkles. You can swap in the plant-based milk you love, and add some good strong hot coffee or a shot of espresso.

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE RECIPE

Game Day Breakfast Ideas

Start your game day off right with great food and drinks for breakfast or brunch! And the best thing is these recipes are all easy to prep ahead for a home party or pack up and take to the stadium for the perfect football food for a tailgate gathering.

Small round breakfast egg muffins stacked on a white cake plate for a brunch or breakfast filled with different flavors.

Breakfast Egg Muffins

Breakfast food can be so incredibly easy with Egg Muffins! They can be made just the way you want them in a muffin pan with cooked breakfast meats like smoked ham, bacon, or crumbled sausage. Or fill them with a diced confetti of vegetables and top them with different herbs and cheeses. There are five egg muffins recipes for you to try, and it's so simple to make individual muffins for everyone in your family for weekday breakfast.

BREAKFAST EGG MUFFIN RECIPE
A vintage wire rack with four baked brie and bacon mini quiche.

Brie and Bacon Mini Quiche

Make Brie and Bacon Mini Quiche in muffin tins or small pie dishes. Serve for brunch or breakfast, the bacon and brie combination is scrumptious!

BRIE AND BACON MINI QUICHE RECIPE
Three golden crispy edged hash browns baked in a muffin tin on cutting board.

Oven Baked Hash Browns

Crispy Oven Hash Browns are baked in muffin tins using frozen or real potatoes. This is the easy way to make perfect hash browns without spending time at the stove. Skip the traditional cooking method of frying in a large skillet altogether. Both sides and the bottom of each one have a crispy exterior. And no messy stovetop to clean.

OVEN-BAKED HASH BROWN RECIPE
A handmade ceramic bowl filled with yogurt and topped with granola, raspberries, and black berries.

Homemade Granola

Granola made with quality ingredients is the best breakfast cereal, use this recipe in yogurt bowls, granola bars, cookies, and more!

HOMEMADE GRANOLA RECIPE
6 perfectly hard boiled eggs with a cracked half of an egg shelf on top.

Steamed Hard Boiled Eggs

Steamed hard-boiled eggs cook perfectly every time with no green ring. So easy to peel, the eggshells miraculously slip right off in minutes!

STEAMED HARD BOILED EGGS RECIPE
Four small yogurt parfaits made with yogurt, granola and berries.

Yogurt Parfaits

Yogurt Parfaits are a great make-ahead breakfast or snack on the go. This recipe includes homemade granola and can be made the night before!

YOGURT PARFAITS RECIPE
A vintage silver serving spoon taking out a piece of tater tot casserole just baked.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is an easy breakfast recipe that takes 15 minutes to prep and bakes golden brown and bubbly in just 50 minutes.

TATER TOT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
Baked pancake muffins in a tin topped with blueberries, mini chocolate chips, and raspberries.

Pancake Muffins

Hand dip Pancake Muffins in warm maple syrup and serve for breakfast or brunch parties. Decorate with blueberries, raspberries, and mini chocolate chips!

PANCAKE MUFFINS

Football Party Ideas Top Tips

Create a fan-favorite menu of crowd-pleasing recipes and invite your friends and family over for football parties to watch the big game. Put out a spread of delicious appetizers and favorite foods we all love in America for big sports days.

Menu Planning

Plan your menu in advance. Shop a couple of days before your party, and prep as much as you can the day before. Choose a selection of finger foods, main dishes, a couple of sides, and drinks.

Finger Food, Appetizers, & Tailgating Snacks

Make things in bite-size pieces, some easy dips, classic crispy chicken wings, sweet treats like cupcakes cookies, or chocolate pretzels, great appetizers, some hot and some cold. Grab bags of salty snacks like pretzels, potato chips, tortilla chips, and popcorn.

Serving Plates & Dishes

Use some football-themed or team-branded serving trays, paper boxes with wax paper liners, and serving bowls, or assemble a football stadium box on a kitchen counter or dining table, it will be the talk of your party!

Serving Areas, Tables, And Chairs

Set up glasses, chilled bottles of wine, champagne, and water bottles with glassware. Set up a bar area with liquor, mixers, and ice near the TV! A blender with a signature cocktail ready to mix or shakers to let guests play bartender. Set up a recycling bin for glass and plastics.

Seating & Tables: Borrow rent or buy extra chairs for guests, chairs are very inexpensive to rent for parties, and they deliver and pick them up for you!

  • Cold Drinks - Have large tubs with bags of ice, or set up a portable ice maker for guests!
  • Condiments & Dressings - Put together a basket of condiments like ketchup, hot sauce, mustard, relish, mayonnaise, blue cheese dressing, and buttermilk ranch.
  • Delicious Hot Food - Use a warming tray to keep food warm or hot during your party. Slow cookers are incredible to keep chili, stews, or cheesy dips hot during the party.
A messy grilled burger topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles and burger sauce in a basket with a bottle of burger sauce.

Grilling & Smoking

You can do both at your party, start ribs early in the day on a smoker, then grill burgers, grilled hot dogs, and shish kabobs during the party ideally with a TV in view outside!

Smoke coming out of the top of a Big Green Egg smoker by a pool.

Game Watch Party Tips

Indoor TVs & Outdoor TV - Use a projector and set up a large screen to stream the game from the backyard, pool area, or patio with a pop-up tent.

Weather - In the Fall, have a stack of extra blankets and portable heaters for guests watching outdoors. Firepits add so much to any party with folding chairs. Popups are great for hot days, and fans if you have electricity or a portable generator.

Fun Activities & Games To Play - A fun way to make sure people have a great time even if they are not into watching football games is to set up some activities and games!

Kids can be in a part of the yard with a picnic blanket, or in a room with games, crafts, or snacks they will love. Set up a cornhole game, washer pitching, or beer pong for the adults. And be sure to have a football to toss around outside!

Football Party Decorating

Go the extra mile and get some extra points and decorate in your team's colors at your football party. Plant flowers in your colors, and use banners, ribbons, or balloon garland arches in your team's colors!

Take a visit to your party store or order online some football banners, spirit flags, tablecloths, plates, cups, and cutlery with the colors of your favorite home team. Add inexpensive strings of lights in your team colors!

Party Favors - Have party favors that represent each team - this is an easy way to decorate and so fun for guests to take home.

Dress In Team Colors - Put on your team colors or a jersey from the college town you are from, and let the good times roll.

What are America's favorite football party food and best Superbowl foods?

Coming in number one is chicken wings! The other most popular game day recipe ideas are buffalo chicken dip, spinach artichoke dip, and pizza of course. Seven layer dips, a favorite guacamole recipe, potato skins, and a classic, pigs in a blanket are some of the best Super Bowl appetizers.

Some of the most popular football finger foods in the United States are pizza rolls, French onion dip, cheese sliders, roast beef sandwiches, onion rings, french fries, sheet pan nachos, pepperoni pizza dip, and bean dip.

Football fans also love mozzarella sticks (use an air fryer to make them crispy!), beer cheese dip, sausage rolls, chicken taquitos, and tortilla chips and salsas.

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A football shaped cheese ball coated with crumbled bacon, green onions, and cheddar cheese and white cheese to look like laces on the football surrounded by crackers on a platter.
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75 Football Food Ideas + Bacon-Ranch Football Cheese Ball Recipe

During football season, we crave the best game day foods while watching our favorite teams play. Juicy cheeseburgers, loaded hot dogs, fun snacks, easy appetizers, delicious hot and cold dips, with cocktails to sip or cold beers to drink.
Whether you are a fan of the NFL or College Football, cheer on your favorite team with a winning game plan of good food and munchies.
Throw a legendary football party with spectacular Super Bowl food for the biggest game of the year, and tailgate in style with these amazing football food ideas...
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese ball, easy football cheese ball, football appetizer, game day cheese ball
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 83kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Football Cheese Ball Ingredients

  • 2 - 8 ounce boxes cream cheese
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup pepper jack cheese
  • ½ cup crispy crumbled bacon or bacon bits
  • ¼ cup green onions or chives
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup sour cream

Football Cheese Ball Garnish Decorations

  • ½ cup crumbled crispy bacon
  • 1 tablespoon green onions
  • 2 sticks string cheese or cut sliced cheese sliced for football laces
  • ¼ cup grated cheddar or pepper jack cheese
  • Serve with crackers, pretzels, or pita chips.

Instructions

  • Pull the 2 packages of cream cheese out on the kitchen counter at least 30 minutes so they are easier to mix.
  • Make the crumbled bacon (it's worth the time!) but good bacon bits work great too and save time. Cook bacon the way you like to and crumble, you will need 1 cup for this recipe.
  • 1 pound of sliced bacon makes about 1 ½ cups of crispy crumbled bacon so you will have some extra.
  • To cook in a large skillet or cast iron pan, slice a package of bacon slices into ½ pieces, and saute over medium heat, stir the chopped bacon pieces with a wooden spoon until crispy. Takes about 12 minutes. Drain the crumbled bacon on a paper towel.
  • Grate the cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese on a box grater or food processer. Pregrated cheeses are fine too!
  • In a large bowl, add the two cream cheese blocks, grated sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, crumbled crispy bacon, green onions, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and sour cream. Mix cream cheese mixture with a hand mixer or stir with a large spatula until well combined.
  • Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula, and place the cheese ball mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic around, and form a round ball and wrap the plastic tightly around the cheese ball.
  • To make the football shape, cup your hands around the sides of the cheese ball and push to create the pointed end of the football and then again on the other side. It is really easy!
  • Chill on a serving platter or large plate in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight.
  • When ready to serve, remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap. Press crumbled bacon bits, cheddar cheeses, and or green onions onto the cheese ball. Cut slices of white cheese into laces for the football. Two parallel pieces and eight small cross pieces. Serve on a platter with assorted crackers, pretzels, or pita chips.

Video

Notes

bacon

Real bacon is the best, if you buy a 1-pound package of sliced bacon, it will cook down to 1 ½ cups of cooked crumbled bacon. You will need 1 cup for this recipe.

Easy Cheese Ball Flavor Variations

Use some ingredients you prefer or have on hand. Here are a few ways to mix things up.
Seasonings: Instead of the Ranch seasoning packet, add a teaspoon of seasoning salt blend, some Worcestershire sauce, or everything bagel seasoning.
Veggies & Herbs: In place of green onions, add fresh parsley, or some chopped basil and rosemary. Or add some chopped Sun Dried Tomatoes or a confetti of chopped colorful bell peppers.
Meats: Add in chopped salami, slice some ham or pepperoni into thin small ribbons and mix it into the cheese ball.
Nuts: Roll in crushed toasted or Candied Pecans, macadamia nuts, walnuts, or toasted pine nuts.
Cheeses: Good grated cheese will make your cheese ball really tasty, add in Monterey jack cheese, parmesan cheese, goat cheese, pecorino romano, white cheddar cheese, or Colby jack cheese.
Cheese Truffles or Cheese Ball Bites: Use a mini scoop or teaspoon and portion out small scoops formed into little ball shapes, then rolled in chopped herbs, nuts, crushed cracker crumbs, and chopped dried fruit. And it is fun to push a small pretzel stick pushed in for a "grab and go" easy appetizer.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 229mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 131IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Micheladas Mexican Beer Cocktails

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Micheladas are light, refreshing, tomato juice-based beer cocktails served in tall glasses with salted rims. The red color of the popular drink also gave them their nickname, Mexican bloody marys.

A really good michelada is loaded with spicy flavors, and swaps in beer for vodka so it's similar to a bloody mary but they are a little lighter. Sip poolside on hot days, mix up at brunch, are great drinks for football season game days, happy hours, and Cinco de Mayo...

Two glasses of spicy michelada cocktails garnished with lime and chiles.

Mexican Michelada Recipe

Micheladas con clamato are classic Mexican cocktails known as a type of mixed drink, also called a cerveza preparada - meaning prepared beer. Many people sip these savory cocktails as a morning-after staple following a wild night for a hangover cure!

They are popular in Mexican restaurants in the United States, often they dip the rim of the glass of a michelada beer cocktails into Tajin seasoning or seasoned salt.

A great way to cool down on a hot day, you can mix up your own michelada to relax on the weekend.

A tall clear glass filled with red Michelada Clamato juice beer cocktail with a green chile pepper garnish on top with seasoned rim on the cocktail.

I first heard about Micheladas many years ago from my good friends from Mexico. This is a popular Southern California party drink served at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, and very popular on hot days while people watch baseball or in local pubs and bars. They even sell canned bud light chelada, a canned michelada product at stores now. These are the main ingredients you will need to make them at home...

  • Mexican Beers; Estrella Jalisco, Corona, Dos Equis Light, Bohemia
  • Clamato Juice
  • Fresh Lime Juice
  • Tajin Chile Seasoning 
  • Cholula Hot Sauce
  • Maggi seasoning or soy sauce
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • black pepper
  • coarse sea salt
  • Ice

Mixing Mexican Cerveza Preparadas

  1. In a tall glass or beer mug, run a cut lime around the rim, pour Tagin on a small plate, and salt the rim of the glass.
  2. In each glass, add a cup of Clamato, Cholula Hot Sauce, Maggin Seasoning, Worcestershire Sauce, a dash of salt, and pepper.
  3.  Mix well, add ice, tilt the glass slightly, and slowly pour from a bottle of beer into a glass, stir gently to prevent fizzing.
  4. Adjust seasonings as you prefer, more hot sauce, etc.
  5. Garnish with limes, celery, chiles, or cooked shrimp.

People at a resort in Mexico started mixing beer with hot sauce or salsa, and they became popular with their refreshing flavor back in the 1960s. These are sometimes called clamato micheladas or a clamato beer.

A classic Michelada's flavor reflects the true Mexican origins of its name, mi chela helada is a Spanish word meaning "my cold, light beer”.

Michelada Top Tips

If you like Bloody Marys then you will like this refreshing spicy-savory drink and light beer cocktail. And the good news is, all the michelada ingredients are easy to find at local grocery stores. The basic ingredients are beer, tomato juice, lime, hot sauce, and seasonings in this simple michelada recipe, but you can make it your own way...

Best Beers For Micheladas - To keep it authentic, use your favorite Mexican lager; Estrella, Modelo Especial, Jalisco, Tecate, Corona Extra, Dos Equis Light, or Bohemia. In a pinch, you can use a light favorite beer from America or other countries, but popular beers from Mexico are much better options and my personal preferences! You don't have to use an expensive craft beer either.

Clamato Juice - Is made with clam broth or clam juice, if that is not your personal favorite, you can swap in good tomato juice or a V8 juice and add some more seasonings to your michelada mix.

Fresh Lime Juice - About 1 medium juicy lime or swap in lemon juice in a pinch but lime juice is a great addition and is so much better, you will taste a real difference!

Savory Seasoning - Make a salt rim of a beer glass or pint glass with celery salt or a chili powder seasoning blend of chili peppers. I used Tajín Mexican chile powder lime seasoning. It is terrific on fruit, cucumbers, jicama, popcorn, and on the salted rim of a beer cocktail glass!

Mexican Hot Sauce - You can also use Cholula, Tapatio, Valentina, Huichol Hot Sauce El Yucateco Hot Sauce, or a good American brand like Tabasco sauce. Add the kick of heat and spice level as you prefer.

Maggi Seasoning - Adding Maggi is the traditional way and makes it truly authentic. And you can find it in any store these days. But you can swap in various sauces like soy sauce, and tamari sauce, or a good option is to add more Worcestershire sauce. Maggi packs an umami punch similar to soy sauce, though its flavors are quite unique and makes a great michelada.

Worcestershire Sauce - adds lots of savory notes and more umami flavor.

Spices - Black Pepper and a pinch of course sea salt add seasoning to the tomato juice.

Garnishes - Use cocktail picks with a lime wedge or chiles, cooked shrimp, cucumber slices, or celery stalks. Some people also prefer straws. I dipped a cut lime wedge into the Tajin, with a chili on a cocktail stick.

Tall Glass With Lots of Ice: Use lots of ice cubes to keep the beer cold.

Micheladas vs Bloody Mary Cocktails

These cocktails share a few ingredients in common and similar alcohol content. Both recipes include tomato juice of some kind, but the main difference between these famous hangover cures is the alcohol used.

A tall glass filled with michelada garnished with green chili and spice coated lime slice.

Micheladas

  • clamato juice - (clam broth in tomato juice)
  • simple beer-based cocktail
  • alcohol is ice-cold beer
  • salted rim
  • lime, cooked shrimp, or celery garnish
A pitcher of bloody marys with two drinks garnished with olives, pepperoncinis, and beef sticks.

Traditional Bloody Marys

  • spicy tomato juice or v8 vegetable juice
  • alcohol is vodka (popular cousin bloody maria has tequila)
  • celery salt, horseradish, and other seasonings are added
  • lots of extra garnishes
Two tall glasses of Micheladas with a lime sprinkled with Tajin seasoning and berr bottles and limes on the table.

Michelada FAQ

What makes an authentic Michelada?

Fresh Lime juice
Tajin Salt on the rim
Maggi Sauce - Found in the Latino section of your grocery store
Mexican Beer
Clamato Juice (or tomato juice)

Who created Micheladas?

There are two different theories or origin stories:
1. The first origin story credits Club Deportivo Potosino a sports club located in the city of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. It is commonly referenced as the birthplace of the Michelada, with claims stating that a member called Michel Ésper used to order his daily beer with salt and lemon juice, and the drink became popular.
2. The other explanation claims that it was christened in honor of a Mexican general, Augusto Michelwho reportedly liked to spike his lager with chiles and lime juice.

What are the best Mexican beers for micheladas?

Estrella Jalisco, Corona, Dos Equis Light, or Bohemia.

What are the best Mexican beer cocktails?

Ojo Rojo is a michelada made with beer, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, Maggi seasoning, fresh lime juice, and a salt rim, but has tomato juice instead of a clam-based juice like Clamato. So it's sorta like a “Beer Bloody Mary” but skips the clams!

A Chamochela is a beer-based drink prepared with lemon, salt, chili powder, and chamoy. It is served with ice and garnished with tamarind candy. It was popularized in the 2000s in Mexico.

The Negro y Marron is a mix of beer, ice, Clamato, lemon or lime juice, and tequila. It is seasoned with hot sauce and served in a chilled beer mug rimmed with salt.

A Red Beer is a super simple beer cocktail with a spicy kick. It is made with beer, V8 juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash or two of hot sauce so you can really taste the flavor of the beer.

A tall glass filled with michelada garnished with green chili and spice coated lime slice.

More Cocktail Recipes

For relaxed Game Days, Cookouts, or celebrations try a real fresh homemade Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, a real classic bloody mary recipe with fresh ingredients and not bottled mix!

Or try a Mojito with all the tips from my trip to Cuba. Mix up CoronaRita Margaritas for a super fun party and a favorite way to celebrate on big game days or Cinco de Mayo, they are classic margaritas with upside-down beers!

On hot summer days, serve one of these cool, refreshing perfect cocktails. Try an Aperol Spritz, a popular Italian sipper. A Cuba Libre is a classic cocktail also known as a "rum and coke", but this recipe comes from Cuba and is the national drink of Cuba!

Mix up a large pitcher of Margaritas, Hibiscus Cocktails, or Strawberry Cocktails while you fire up the grill with your favorite family recipe.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A tall glass filled with michelada garnished with green chili and spice coated lime slice.
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Michelada Mexican Beer Cocktails Recipe

Micheladas are light, refreshing, tomato juice-based beer cocktails served in tall glasses with salted rims. The red color of the popular drink also gave them their nickname, Mexican bloody marys. A really good michelada is loaded with spicy flavors, and swaps in beer for vodka so it's similar to a bloody mary but they are a little lighter. Sip poolside on hot days, mix up at brunch, are great drinks for football season game days, happy hours, and Cinco de Mayo.
Course Drinks & Cocktails
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword Beer, easy game day recipe, micheladas
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 209kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Spicy Michelda Ingredients

  • 1 cup Mexican Beers Estrella Jalisco, Corona, Dos Equis Light, Bohemia
  • 1 cup Clamato Juice
  • 1 Fresh Lime Juice from about 1 medium juicy lime
  • Tajin Chile Seasoning Tajin is terrific on fruit, cucumbers, jicama and popcorn
  • dash Cholula Hot Sauce
  • 2 dashes Maggi seasoning or soy sauce
  • 2 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
  • pinch black pepper
  • pinch course sea salt
  • Ice
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare Glasses

  • In a tall glass or beer mug, run a cut lime around the rim.
  • Pour Tagin chile seasoning on a small plate, and salt the rim of the glasses.

Make Spicy Micheladas

  • In each glass, add a cup of Clamato, Cholula Hot Sauce, Maggin Seasoning, Worcestershire Sauce, a dash salt and pepper.
  •  Mix well, add ice and leave plenty of room to tilt the glass slightly and slowly pour beer in, and stir gently to prevent fizzing.
  • Adjust seasonings as you prefer, more hot sauce etc.
  • Garnish with limes, celery, or chiles.

Notes

What Makes An Authentic Michelada?

  • lime
  • salt on rim like Tajin!
  • Maggi sauce* - I found Maggi sauce in the Latino section of my regular grocery store.
PRO TIP: If you can't find Maggi sauce, substitute Soy sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Sodium: 505mg | Potassium: 736mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 1095IU | Vitamin C: 65.9mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Mini Tacos

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Last Updated February 15th, 2023 at 09:33 am by Lisa

Crunchy Mini Tacos are an easy recipe loaded with your favorite toppings! Tucked inside are layers of juicy taco meat, refried beans, cheeses, black olives, pickled jalapeños and more drizzled with a quick Mexican crema sauce.

Serve these mini beef tacos as a delicious appetizer for a Cinco de Mayo party, family taco night dinner, birthday parties, or perfect party food for the big game...

Mini Tacos Appetizer Recipe

Try different toppings on your mini taco cups, and add flavors that you and your family prefer. My favorite taco fillings are grated cheddar cheese, black olives, and heirloom tomatoes. These can also be as zippy as you want, depending on the ingredients like pickled jalapeños and hot sauce.

Step 1: Cook Taco Meat

The taco seasoning and salsa make the best spicy ground beef for these tacos!

  • 1.5 lb ground beef 80/20
  • 1 cup salsa (a good fire-roasted brand) or chopped onion
  • ¼ cup taco seasoning
  1. In a large heavy (cast iron) large skillet over medium heat add the ground beef, salsa, and taco seasoning.
  2. Brown the ground beef, and stir to mix well. You can drain the juicy beef if you wish. Cook until brown about 8 minutes.

Ground Beef – I like to use 80% Angus beef, you can drain the fat if you wish. 70% lean ground beef will work fine as well. You can also use lean ground turkey, or ground chicken in this recipe and make mini chicken tacos. Or to save time, use  Cooked Diced Chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Fire Roasted Salsa – One of my favorite ways to make ground beef taste amazing. Any salsa works, try my fire-roasted Tomatillo Salsa it packs a lot of authentic flavor.

Taco Seasoning: An easy fast way to spice up your taco meat, I prefer Lawry's Taco Seasoning packets, a Southern California hot spot since 1938! I grew up eating at the LA location, and it has classic Mexican spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and oregano plus many others.

Two red cooking pots filled with raw ground beef and seasonings and them browned hamburger meat.

Step 2: Bake Mini Tacos

Mini Taco Shells – To make small taco shells, you can cut soft flour tortillas, won ton wrappers, or corn tortillas into circles. Lage or small tortillas both work, just cut circles that fit down inside the muffin pan trays. Won ton cups work as well, but I recommend spraying with a little bit of vegetable or olive oil on the pan so they crisp up while baking.

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Spray the mini muffin tin with non-stick coconut oil cooking spray.
  3. Cut rounds out of the flour or corn tortillas with a large can, round cookie cutter or coffee cup.
  4. Place each tortilla round down in a muffin tin.
  5. Spread refried beans on the bottom of each tortilla round.
  6. Layer 1-2 spoons full of cooked taco meat next.
  7. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven.
  8. Add more cheese on top, then tomato, black olives, and pickled jalapeño.
  9. Last drizzle taco sour cream mixture from a squeeze bottle on each taco bowl.

Sheet Pan Variation: If you don't have a muffin tin, you can make these mini tacos on a baking sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Cut your round mini taco shells out of tortillas, lay them in a single layer and spray with coconut oil, bake until golden brown first, then load on cooked taco meat, add refried beans and toppings, then fold into a taco shape and enjoy.

Step 3: Make "Mexican Crema" Taco Sauce

Take just a couple of minutes, and mix up this easy sauce for taco recipes, it is always a big hit with festive party food like tacos.

PRO TIP: The sauce for these mini taco bites is my take on "Mexican Crema", and adds nice taco flavor and a pretty look, it keeps well in an inexpensive squeeze-top bottle in the fridge.

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon of Lawry's Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 2 tablespoons water

Mix 1 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning Mix, and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Load into a squeeze bottle, or add drops iwth a spoon. Use this sauce on top of tacos, taquitos, or burritos. Place in fridge until ready to use.

Step 4: Add Favorite Taco Toppings

3 Mini Tacos topped with jalapenos, refried beans, tomatoes and black olives.

Avocado or Guacamole

Add pretty color and creaminess that makes the tacos more interesting, make your own Guacamole, it is so easy!

Salsas

The fresh amazing taste of this Tomatillo Salsa comes from the fire-roasted grilled flavor, and it has just the right kick of heat. 

Drizzle Avocado Salsa is often served on Mexican foods like tacos, burritos, and taquitos, on Taco Salad, or served with tortilla chips as a dip.

Onions

 Thinly green onions sliced to add a nice bite, you could also use red or sweet onions diced finely. Or make your own Mexican Pickled Red Onions which are great with tacos.

Mini Tacos baked in flour tortillas topped with tomatoes, black olives, and pickled jalapenos.

Tomatoes

The little cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are great, I like the mini little yellow and red ones, but you can dice large juicy tomatoes too.

Sour Cream

A dollop of sour cream adds that cool and creamy, balance to the spicy fire-roasted salsa and jalapenos.

Cheeses

 I used Colby and sharp cheddar cheese. But a mixed Mexican cheese, mozzarella, or even pepper jack shredded cheese would all be great.

Black Beans

Hearty black beans or pinto beans add protein and texture to the little tacos!

Pickled Jalapeno Peppers

 One of my personal favorite things to add, I like to chop them finely, but the whole is fine. They add a "spicy jalapeno twang". You could slice or dice fresh jalapenos too, just taste them before adding them as some are too hot out of the jar.

Black Olives

A classic in my family here in Southern California, hey my Mom always added these so they are nostalgic. I like the sliced black olives on almost all Mexican food!

Misc Fresh Veggies

 Red and yellow bell peppers add crunch, flavor, and color. Fresh cilantro, green chilies, and lime juice can all add depth of flavor based on your tastes.

Close up of mini tacos in flour tortilla shells topped with cheese, tomato, jalapenos, and black olives.

More Mexican Recipes

Try this Easy Guacamole, and serve it with tortilla chips for the perfect snack or party dip.

Whip up some Avocado Salsa (Green Taco Sauce)to drizzle on Mexican food or serve as a dip. Grilled Corn is an easy side to make for Cookouts.

Jalapeno Popper Dip is always a huge hit at parties scooped with corn chips.

Serve drinks like these Easy Limeade Margaritas great to serve for large parties or serve super fun CoronaRita Margaritas! Taco Salad is great with Guacamole with crunchy chips.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Small mini tacos topped with black olives, tomato, green onions, cheese and crema sauce.
Print

Mini Tacos Recipe

Crunchy Mini Tacos are loaded with your favorite toppings! Tucked inside are layers of juicy taco meat, refried beans, cheeses, black olives, pickled jalapeños and more drizzled with a quick Mexican crema sauce. Serve these mini beef tacos as a delicious appetizer for a Cinco de Mayo party, family taco night dinner, birthday parties, or perfect party food for the big game.
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword mini taco bites, mini taco bowls, mini taco recipe, mini tacos, mini tacos appetizer
Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 279kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Mini Taco Shells

  • 6 flour tortillas or corn tortillas
  • coconut oil spray

Cook Ground Beef Taco Mixture

Taco Toppings

  • 1 can refried beans spicy or regular
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 small chopped heirloom tomato
  • 1 small can black olives
  • 20 pickled jalapeños

Mexican "Crema" Sauce

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook Ground Beef Taco Meat Mixture

  • In a large heavy (cast iron) skillet over medium high heat add the ground beef, salsa, and taco seasoning.
  • Brown the ground beef, and stir to mix well. You can drain the beef mixture if you wish. Cook until crumbled and brown about 8-10 minutes.

Bake The Mini Taco Bowls

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Spray a nonstick cooking spray like coconut oil into a mini muffin tin or a regular 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick coconut oil cooking spray.
  • Cut mini tortillas into round shapes. Cut each one with a round cookie cutter, biscuit cutter, large can (clean and opened), coffee cup, or mason jar lid. As an option you can make wonton taco cups or use corn tortillas.
  • Place each cut tortilla round down in the muffin tin.
  • Spread refried beans on bottom of each tortilla round.
  • Layer a 1-2 spoon full of cooked taco meat next. Store any leftover taco meat in an airtight container for another great recipe.
  • Bake for 15 minutes and remove from out of the oven.

Add Toppings

  • Add cheese on top, tomato, green olives, black olives, and pickled jalapeño.
  • Last drizzle taco sour cream mixture from a squeeze bottle on each taco bowl.

Mix Mexican "Crema" Sauce

  • Mix 1 cup of sour cream, 1 tablespoon of Taco Seasoning Mix, and 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl.
  • Load into a squeeze bottle, and use this sauce on top of tacos, taquitos, or burritos. Place in fridge in bottle until ready to use.

Video

Notes

Taco Toppings

    • grated cheddar cheese
    • chopped yellow heirloom tomato
    • black olives
    • pickled jalapeños
    • crema taco sauce
    • black beans
    • bell pepper
    • refried beans
    • cilantro
    • avocado
    • hot sauce

Ground Beef 

I like to use 80% Angus beef, you can drain the fat if you wish. 70% lean ground beef will work fine as well. You can also use lean ground turkey, or ground chicken in this recipe and make mini chicken tacos. Or to save time, use  Cooked Diced Chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Sheet Pan Variation

If you don't have a muffin tin, you can make these mini tacos on a baking sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Cut your round mini taco shells out of tortillas, lay them in a single layer and spray with coconut oil, bake until golden brown first, then load on cooked taco meat, add refried beans and toppings, then fold into a taco shape and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 877mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 670IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 1.9mg

How To Make Guacamole

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Last Updated April 24th, 2024 at 09:12 pm by Lisa

Guacamole starts with the best simple ingredients like perfectly ripe avocados, fresh lime juice, grated onion (one of my top secrets), chopped tomato, good hot sauce, and spices. Over the years, many friends have asked how to make it the traditional way as there are lots of variations!

Skip those packages of expensive premade store-bought guacamoles and don't be tempted to buy a seasoning blend packet. Use quality ingredients and these tips to make a real guacamole recipe...

Easy Guacamole Recipe

A perfect guacamole has just a little bit of chunky and dreamy creaminess. This homemade spicy guacamole recipe is one I have made for many years and shared countless times and is an authentic Mexican guacamole recipe. American versions use ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, paprika, seasoning packets, and other ingredients.

My parents were from the Midwest, and it took them years to learn to love guacamole. I remember eating it at my Uncle Russ's home. He lived just an hour north of Mexico in Southern California and was a great culinary influence in my life. He spoke fluent Spanish and had many talents in the kitchen.  As a young girl, it the first time I ate this "green stuff" on a chip and it was love at the first crunch of this perfect dip. So this family recipe dates back many years.

Table of contents

Making Guacamole

Guacamole can be made in a molcajete (a traditional ancient cooking tool aka mortar and pestle) or in any bowl with just a couple of forks.

First, start with perfectly ripe avocados, there are lot's of tips below on how to know if your avocados are ripe!

Slice the long way around the avocado pit. Carefully tap the avocado with a sharp blade of a chef's knife and pull the seed out. Slice into long rows (use a butter knife and not a sharp knife) and then across and into cubes. Scoop out the avocado into a mixing bowl or Molcajete with a spoon. The small pieces are a little easier to get an evenly mashed avocado in guacamole for the right texture.

Squeeze the lime juice over the avocado to prevent browning.

Grate the onion into the bowl, this helps give onion flavor without the strong bite of onion heat. Use a fine grater.

Add diced red tomatoes, seeds removed. Dashes of Tabasco or a hot Mexican sauce you like. Then sea salt, cracked pepper, and garlic powder.

Mash with a fork in the bowl (or Molcajete) until a chunky thicker consistency. You can also use a potato masher to make the mashed avocado, and give it a good stir.

Serve with tortilla chips and drinks.

PRO TIPS: Guacamole is best to serve right away. To prevent oxidation and browning, drizzle lime juice all over on top of the guacamole. Then press a piece of plastic wrap down on the entire surface of the mix. Keep chilled in the refrigerator for up to a couple of hours.

Fresh Guacamole Ingredients

avocados: Hass avocados are best, but any avocado variety will work just fine. Be sure your fresh avocados are ripe the day you want to use them.

lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice keeps your guacamole from turning brown and adds brightness. Lemon juice will work in a pinch, but limes are amazing!

diced tomato: removing the water and seeds is nice because there is no flavor in them, and plus it has an unappealing texture. Use any ripe beautiful colored or red tomatoes, or even green tomato, you can also choose to leave them out altogether.

grated onion: try red onion or sweet onion (not green onions), use a fine grater or Microplane, this gets the onion flavor into the guacamole but avoids the strong overwhelming taste from pieces of onion. You can also add in some onion powder, but fresh onion gives that fresh bite you really want.

hot sauce: Tabasco is great, any hot sauce like Cholula or Tapatio is a great choice and adds a lot of flavors.

sea salt (kosher salt), cracked pepper, and garlic powder: homemade guacamole seasonings of coarse sea salt (not table salt-it's too salty), fresh cracked pepper, and garlic powder will make a huge difference in the flavor of your guacamole mix.

Spicy Guacamole Recipe Ideas

Ingredient Notes

  • jalapeño peppers: Grate in or finely dice a couple of teaspoons of jalapeno peppers or serrano pepper. Remove the seeds and white ribs inside the chili pepper. They hold all the heat, and all peppers can vary in level of heat. Cut a tiny piece off and give it a taste before adding in too much!
  • flavors of garlic: Add in more granulated garlic powder or use some fresh finely diced or grated garlic to add to the flavor of guacamole.
  • hot sauce: Add a dash of hot sauce you love, I typically use a classic one like Tabasco or a Mexican brand like Cholula or Tapatio.
  • hot salsa: Some people love to add their own favorite hot salsa or mild salsa into guacamole.
  • spicy seasonings: In a pinch, you can add a tiny bit of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to raise up the heat level too. Commercial guacamole spice mix packets like the signature blend of McCormick spices have salt, garlic, cumin, jalapeno, onion, chili powder, red bell peppers, powdered milk, and sour cream plus shelf-stable preservatives. I don't recommend those if you want the best guacamole recipe.
  • pico de gallo: Is made from onion, tomato, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeno. It is chunky in texture and can vary in heat. You can add it but will get that heat and bite from the onion and jalapeno chile.
A small wooden container basket filled with bright green jalpaenos washed with water drops.

More Fresh Ingredients And Additions

Add any of these classic additions to your favorite guacamole recipe...

  • fresh cilantro: some people add in fresh cilantro. I think it overpowers guac, but you can certainly add some in!
  • ripe chopped tomato: use good ripe tomatoes, just use the tomato flesh and not the watery seeds, they don't add flavor and can add too much liquid to your homemade guacamole.
  • grated onion: grating onion is the secret! Chopped onion still has a stronger bite, the grating mellows out the strong flavor, even white onions!
  • black beans & corn: add 1 can (8 ¾ oz.) whole kernel corn, drained, and 1 cup each of canned black beans, drained and rinsed. Or cut some fresh kernels off grilled corn on the cob would be delicious!
Grilled Corn On The Cob Recipe + 14 Flavors!
Grilled corn on the cob gains incredibly rich flavor and smoky sweetness! Grab some fresh corn at the Farmer's market or store. It cooks in just 10 minutes and can be put together ahead of dinner or a cookout party. There are 14 creative flavor ideas to try, use seasoning blends or homemade compound butter. And you can grill with or without the corn husks. An easy summer side to make ahead or assemble at the last minute. And after all, everyone loves hot buttered corn.
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Ears of grilled corn on a white platter seasoned with melted butter on top.

What To Serve With Guacamole Dip

Use it as a side with your favorite Mexican food taco night, Cinco de Mayo, the big game, your next party, or a barbecue cookout.

Besides chip and dip, put together a snack board! Cut veggies into small sticks, display them in neat piles, or display them in small cups.

  • good tortilla chips or strips
  • baby carrots
  • celery sticks
  • cauliflower pieces
  • jicama sticks
  • corn chips
  • pretzels
  • broccoli

How To Store Guacamole

The shelf life of guacamole is very limited, and it begins to turn brown due to oxidation within just an hour of remaining out in the air at room temperature.

When you make your own guacamole, make it just about an hour before serving and keep guacamole chilled in the fridge covered.

If you buy guacamole from the refrigerated section of the supermarket, go by the use-by date and keep the lid sealed with plastic wrap pressed into the uneaten dip.

Looking down onto a table with molcajete holding ingredients for guacamole with chips and avocados.

Ways To Use Leftovers

Eat any leftovers within 1-2 days, here are some great ways to use this delicious dip.

  • Pile it on Grilled Burgers, or a large deli sub sandwich.
  • Spread onto Avocado Toast for breakfast or a snack.
  • Use With Nachos: your leftover guac on a sheet pan of nachos or Tachos which are tater tot nachos! Use any tortilla chips left from your party, spread on different cheeses, and load on the refried beans, olives plus other toppings. Then put on a dollop of guacamole and sour cream.
  • Freeze It! So what's the best way to freeze guacamole? Pack the guacamole into zip-top freezer bags and squeeze all of the air out. Or pack in freezer containers and press some plastic wrap onto the exposed surface of the guacamole to protect it from freezer burn. You can also try ice cube trays, but those are harder to seal the air from the top of the trays.

How To Dice Avocados

  1. Slice all the way around the avocado, the long way around the seed.
  2. Carefully tap the avocado with a sharp blade and pop the seed out.
  3. Slice the avocado flesh into long rows. Hold the avocado half in the palm of your hand. Use a butter knife and not a sharp knife and then across and into cubes.
  4. Scoop out the avocado into a bowl or Molcajete. The small pieces are a little easier to mash into guacamole.

Ripe Avocados FAQ

How do get avocados ripe fast?


You can make avocados ripen faster by placing unripe avocados in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana for two to three days on the kitchen counter.

What is a molcajete?

Molcajete (mortar) and tejolete (pestle) are some of the worlds oldest kitchen tools, the molcajete was used by the Aztecs in Mexico for grinding corn into flour.

The rough interior texture of mortar helps crush and grind ingredients. The heavy pestle does the work for you, ensuring efficient grinding, blending, and mixing. Crush whole spices and make spice blends. Make salsas when you don't have a food processor! Make pesto and other rustic sauces like moles.

How can I tell if avocados are ripe?

Avocados are ripe when they press in slightly when gently pressed, have a darker skin color, and where the stem was located is a darker red color.

How do you keep guacamole green?

Squeeze lemon or lime juice over the guacamole to form a layer from the air which will turn it brown. Then, cover the dish with plastic wrap, push the wrap, so it is in contact with the guacamole, and refrigerate. 

This stops the oxygen in the air from turning the guacamole brown. Another option is to put the guacamole in a sealed container with a layer of lemon or lime juice on top.

Another way to keep sliced avocado halves green is to place them face down in a container filled with water so it keeps air from the avocado.

Making guacamole with ripe avocados, limes, spices, and lime juice in a stone mortar and pestle.

Mexican Cuisine: Avocado Salsa vs. Guacamole

Two of the most popular condiments and Mexican dips loaded with creaminess of the avocado as the main ingredient have similar ingredients but many main differences between them like different textures.

Traditional Guacamole and Avocado Salsa recipes are both served on Mexican foods like tacos, burritos, and taquitos, or served with tortilla chips as a dip. But there are some key differences and different ways they are made.

A blue glass bowl filled with guacamole and a chip stuck inside with a bowl of tortilla chips.

Guacamole:

  • thick consistency
  • avocados in a chunky texture
  • no cooked ingredients
  • uses mashed ripe real avocados
  • fresh vegetables are grated, chopped, or crushed
  • a creamy dip for chips or Mexican food condiment
  • fresh uncooked ingredients used like onion and tomatoes
A wood bowl with green avocado salsa taco sauce and blue corn tortilla chips on the table.

Avocado Salsa:

  • creamy texture
  • blending process with ripe avocados
  • a creamy avocado salsa
  • has semi cooked grilled or roasted vegetable ingredients
  • high heat adds depth of flavor and reduces the bite of raw onions and chile pepper heat
  • tomatillos add slight tartness

Although the word guacamole translates to "avocado sauce", the whole avocado salsa guacamole terminology is a bit confusing! And then there are Tomatillo Avocado Salsa Recipes which are also called taco sauce, salsa de aguacate, salsa verde, guacamole salsa, or green salsa. By the way there is also, salsa roja which translates to a red salsa, and a popular quality restaurant salsa.

Looking overhead onto a table with a clear blue glass bowl filled with guacamole, and avocados and limes on the table.

Why Not Buy It?

Store-Bought prepackaged guacamoles and bottled avocado salsa are available all over the United States in local grocery stores. But, they have lots of additional ingredients to keep them shelf stable, and in a liquid state like a salad dressing. Some taste okay, but nothing beats the fresh flavor of making it at home!

Yes, the first items and primary ingredient will be avocados, white onions, chili peppers, lime juice, cilantro, and sometimes tomatillos, but common additions include sugar, vinegar, soybean oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, canola oil, corn starch, whey protein concentrate, and artificial colors.

So with good reason, skip all the additives, and enjoy the great taste of real guacamole and fresh salsa recipes.

What Mexican Food And Drinks Go Well With Guacamole?

Is there any better party food than guac and a big bowl of tortilla chips? Scoop up your amazing guacamole with crunchy tortilla chips, or dollup on Mexican dishes like tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, pork carnitas, enchiladas, and taquitos...

A big scoop of this layered onto different dishes like a Chicken Enchilada Casserole defines cozy, yummy, comfort food. What makes this a great recipe, is you can cook the filling on the stovetop or simmer it in a slow cooker all day and then serve it with your favorite side dishes.

Serve drinks like these Easy Margaritas great to serve for large parties or serve super fun CoronaRita Margaritas! Taco Salad is great with guacamole, and Avocado Salsa with all those crunchy tortilla chips.

Mexican Pickled Red Onions are an easy recipe with no canning skills needed. Ready in 30 minutes to top hamburgers, salads, tacos, tostadas, and pulled pork. Crunchy Mini Tacos are loaded with refried beans, cheese, black olives, taco filling, pickled jalapeños and drizzled with a Mexican Crema sauce. Tomatillo Salsa is made in 20 minutes. Homemade salsa is so good, and has 6 ingredients; chiles, onion, tomatillos, tomato, salt, and garlic. CoronaRita Margaritas have a mini “Coronita” turned upside down into a slushy margarita. Perfect when you can’t decide between a margarita and an icy cold Corona...

A CoronaRita margarita served at a party with guacamole and chips

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A blue glass bowl filled with guacamole and a chip stuck inside with a bowl of tortilla chips.
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How To Make Guacamole

Guacamole starts with the best simple ingredients like perfectly ripe avocados, fresh lime juice, grated onion (one of my top secrets), chopped tomato, good hot sauce, and spices. This is the way to make real guacamole in the traditional way as there are many variations. Use quality ingredients and these tips to make this Mexican guacamole recipe!
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword authentic guacamole, guacamole, guacamole dip, guacamole recipe, homemade guacamole, how to make guacamole
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 35kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe Hass avocado
  • 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon grated onion red onion or sweet onion
  • 8 drops Tabasco
  • ½ seeded and diced tomato
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Guacamole can be made in a molcajete (a traditional ancient cooking tool) or in any bowl with just a couple of forks.
  • Slice the long way around the avocado pit. Carefully tap the avocado with a sharp blade of a chef knife and pull the seed out.
    Slice into long rows (use a butter knife and not a sharp knife) and then across and into cubes. Scoop out the avocado into a mixing bowl or Molcajete with a spoon.
    The small pieces are a little easier to get an evenly mashed avocado in guacamole.
  • Squeeze the lime juice over the avocado to prevent browning.
  • Grate the onion into the bowl, this helps give onion flavor without the strong bite of onion heat.
  • Add diced tomatoes, seeds removed. Add dashes of Tabasco or a hot sauce you like. Add sea salt, cracked pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Mash with a fork in the bowl (or Molcajete) until a chunky thicker consistency. You can also use a potato masher to make the mashed avocado.
  • Serve with tortilla chips and drinks.
  • It is best to serve right away. Or if you make it ahead, put in an airtight container or small bowl. The best way to prevent oxidation, drizzle more lime juice on top of the guacamole surface and press a piece of plastic wrap down on the entire surface of the mix. Keep chilled in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.

Video

Notes

ripe avocados

You can make avocados ripen faster by placing unripe avocados in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana for two to three days on the counter. Avocados are ripe when they press in slightly when gently pressed.

making guacamole

In a regular bowl and two forks, or use a traditional Mexican molcajete to make and serve your guacamole in, or a bright colored bowl.

keep guacamole green

Squeeze lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a layer from the air which will turn it brown. Then, cover the dish with plastic wrap, push the wrap, so it is in contact with the guacamole, and refrigerate.

Spicy Guacamole Recipe Ideas:

  • jalapeño: Grate in or finely dice a couple of teaspoons of jalapenos or serrano pepper. Remove the seeds and white ribs inside the chili pepper. They hold the heat, and all peppers can vary in level of heat. Cut a tiny piece off and give it a taste before adding in too much!
  • flavors of garlic: Add in more granulated garlic powder or use some fresh finely diced or grated garlic.
  • hot sauce: Add a hot sauce you love, I typically use a classic one like Tabasco or a Mexican brand like Cholula or Tapatio.
  • spicy seasonings: In a pinch, you can add a tiny bit of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to raise up the heat level too. Commercial guacamole spice mix packets like the signature blend of McCormick spices have salt, garlic, cumin, jalapeno, onion, chili powder, red bell peppers, powdered milk, and sour cream plus shelf-stable preservatives. I don't recommend those if you want the best guacamole recipe.

Fresh Ingredient Addition Ideas

Classic additions for your favorite guacamole recipe...
  • fresh cilantro: some people add in fresh cilantro. I think it overpowers guac, but you can certainly add some in!
  • ripe chopped tomato: use good ripe tomatoes, just use the tomato flesh and not the watery seeds, they don't add flavor and can add too much liquid to your homemade guacamole.
  • grated onion: grating onion is the secret! Chopped onion still has a stronger bite, the grating mellows out the strong flavor.
  • black beans & corn: add 1 can (8 ¾ oz.) whole kernel corn, drained, and 1 cup each of canned black beans, drained and rinsed. Or cut some fresh kernels off grilled corn on the cob would be delicious!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 35kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 83IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

Tomatillo Salsa

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The fresh amazing taste of this Tomatillo Salsa comes from the fire-roasted grilled flavor, and it has just the right kick of heat. People adore each and every bite of homemade salsa with all kinds of Mexican food like tacos, nachos, and taquitos.

Grab a big bag of tortilla chips, and wait for lots of compliments, crunching, and munching, as people dip into this roasted tomatillo salsa recipe...     

A lady lifting a curved tortilla chip with homemade salsa on it to take a bite.

Tomatillo Salsa Recipe

Some people will call this Tomatillo salsa verde recipe (aka green salsa) this recipe has some ripe tomatoes so it is not pure green, if you want it all green omit the red tomatoes and add in two more tomatillos or use some green tomatoes from your garden. You will need 6 simple ingredients.

  • white onion (peeled root end intact)
  • your choice of green chiles (serranos, jalapenos, Hatch, etc.)
  • ripe tomatoes (red or green)
  • whole garlic cloves (peeled)
  • medium tomatillos (husk removed, washed, and dried)
  • sea salt

Clean and rinse all the fresh vegetables in cool water. For the tomatillos, just peel off the thin papery husk and stem. Wash in cool water, and dry.

Chiles will vary in their heat, I always recommend adding just one chile at first, and then add more to raise the heat level as you go. Taste a little piece of the pepper to check the spiciness of each pepper.

Looking down into a wooden bowl of homemade tomatillo salsa made from 6 ingredients, tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, salt, and tomatillos.

Cook The Salsa Ingredients

There are 3 ways to cook the veggies, grill, oven roast, or cook on the stovetop. First, pick a method to cook the vegetables, this adds flavor. I prefer outdoor grilling, but that isn't always possible with the weather!

Outdoor Fire Grilled Method

Set the whole chiles, tomatoes, tomatillos, peeled onion sliced in half, and peeled garlic either directly on the grill grate or a stainless grill tray over a hot grill. Keep turning all the vegetables to get grill marks on all sides. This will take about 6-8 minutes. Allow the vegetables to blacken in spots before turning, and remove off heat to a platter once they begin to soften to cool.

Oven Roasted Broil Method

Adjust the oven rack to about 5 inches below the broiler heating element. Turn on the broiler. Place the whole chiles, tomatoes cut in half, tomatillos cut in half, onion peeled and cut in half, and peeled garlic cloves directly on a large rimmed sheet pan in a 425-degree F oven for 10-15 minutes. (I recommend not using a foil lining on the pan as the acid in tomatoes reacts with foil and can affect the flavor!) Allow the vegetables to darken and blister in spots, check the pan and rotate half way through, then remove the baking sheet pan from the oven to cool.

Stovetop Grill Pan Method

Heat a cast iron grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and sear the tomato halves, whole chiles, peeled garlic cloves, onion halves, and tomatillo halves until dark spots and blisters appear. This adds a lot of flavor and cooks the ingredients.

A wooden bowl with a curved tortilla scoop of homemade tomatillo salsa on it ready to take a bite.

Process The Salsa

Remove stems and seeds from the chiles, and don’t rinse them. (Remove the skin from Hatch chiles if you use those chiles as the skin is tough and inedible). There is a lot of heat in the seeds of chiles and that can be too hot, so I recommend removing them.

Add all the vegetables, pan juices if any, and sea salt into a food processor fitted with a steel metal blade, chop on a cutting board, or grind in a molcajete. Pulse and blend until chunky and use the chopped mix and blender juices in your salsa. 

Serve roasted tomatillo salsa in a bowl with tortilla chips, on tacos, carnitas, or with grilled chicken quesadillas. It can be served at room temperature or chilled from the refrigerator.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and use it within 5 days.

Optional Flavor: Add some chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice for additional flavor! Pulse until the cilantro is chopped. The salt and lime juice add great authentic flavors!

Grilling three chiles for making homemade tomatillo salsa.

Fresh Chiles Top Tips

PRO TIP: Taste a little piece of your chile peppers to check the spiciness. Slice a tiny sliver of each one, then add another chile to raise the heat level as you wish.

  • Choose bright green glossy peppers from the store.
  • Chiles should be firm with medium to thick flesh.
  • Avoid soft spots or cuts these are signs the chiles will spoil faster.
  • The Scoville Scale measures the relative heat of hot peppers to each other and can help you pick the right chile for your recipe.
  • Store unwashed fresh chiles up to 5 days refrigerated in a plastic bag.

So how hot are peppers and which ones to choose? Use ones from your garden or find them at your local Farmers Market. All chili peppers will vary in their heat as a natural part of how they grow and mature.

  • Anaheim Chile Peppers - How Hot? Lower in heat, relatively mildly hot pepper. When mature, it turns deep red and is referred to as chile Colorado or California red chile. Anaheims are popular in salsas and dishes from the American Southwest. The Anaheim is normally a mildly hot pepper, only tipping the Scoville scale at around 500 to 2,500 Scoville heat units.
  • Poblano Peppers aka Ancho Pepper - How Hot? These are mildly spicy hot large and heart-shaped poblano and common in Mexican dishes such as chiles rellenos. Scoville heat units: 1,000 to 2,000. At maturity, the poblano turns dark red-brown and can be dried, at which point it’s referred to as an ancho or mulato. Anchos have a rich, raisin-like sweetness. The high yield of flesh to skin makes anchos great for sauces.
  • Hatch Chile Peppers - How hot? Lower in heat, most Hatch chiles score between 1,500 and 2,500 units—about the same level of heat as poblano or Anaheim peppers. But they can vary, some are really hot!

If you want more Hatch Chile recipes, you will find over  80+ amazing New Mexico Hatch Chile recipes and tons of pro tip on how to roast, prep, and keep them in the freezer. Hatch Chiles are easy to roast at home plus learn everything about Hatch Chiles you would ever want to know!

Hatch Chiles ~ 80+ Recipe Ideas!
80+ Amazing New Mexico Hatch Chile Recipes and How To Roast, Prep, and Freeze them at home. Hatch Chile season tips for roasting events near you, and more.
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Showing how to remove seeds from roasted Hatch Chiles to use them in recipes.
  • Jalapeño Peppers - How Hot? Hotter, this Mexican pepper is typically picked while still green. If allowed to ripen more, they will turn red and take on a slightly fruity flavor. This Mexican pepper is typically plucked from the vine while still green. Jalapeños are a tasty ingredient commonly used in salsa, and sauces, and are even pickled. Jalapeños are around 2,500-8,000 on the Scoville scale and are quite hot.
  • Chipotles - How Hot? Hotter, and a dried jalapeño is called a chipotle. Chipotles are sold both canned and dried in a bag, smoke-dried chipotles come in two varieties: meco (mellow) and moritas (spicier). Smoky spicy chipotles are great in salsas, sauces, escabeche, and adobo and score a Scoville heat unit index of 3,500 to 8,000.
  • Serrano Peppers - How Hot? Hot. A small short tiny pepper, that packs a punch of heat. Serranos are common in Mexican and Thai cooking and have a rating of 6,000 to 23,000 Scoville heat units.

Tomatillos Top Tips & FAQs

Tomatillos are sometimes called Mexican green tomatoes or jam berries and have a tart, fruity flavor. They are easier to find nowadays in local markets and can be found year-round most often in Latin American grocery stores. In Southern California where I live, they are always available in my local store and a staple in my raised kitchen garden...

A wood bowl filled with ripe green tomatillos with their husks on.

Overall, the tomatillo flavor is bright, and the interior texture is denser and less watery than tomatoes. Cooking helps soften the thick skin and brings out even more flavor, grilling is even better and the best way to cook them.

The green "papery" husk on tomatillos comes right off very easily, and when you rinse them under cool water, it helps to remove the slight "stickiness" of the tomatillos.

A wooden bowl with fresh green tomatillos ready to remove the paper husks and use in a Mexican food recipe.
What are tomatillos?

Tomatillos are small tart, round, green fruit that grows on a thin stemmed plant and is covered with a green husk. They look like green tomatoes but come from a totally different plant, and if allowed to ripen they will turn from bright green to yellow.

Are tomatillos just like tomatoes?

While both are members of the nightshade family, tomatillos are not tomatoes, but the fruit of a different plant, and they are covered with papery husks.

Green tomatoes are hard, unripe tomatoes that can come from any variety of tomato and although they look like a tomatillo, they are a totally different fruit variety.


How do I clean and prepare tomatillos?

1. Peel the husk off.
2. Remove the stem.
3. Wash under cool water.
4. Dry, that is it!Close up view of green tomatillos for use in a recipe, some still have their paper husks on them, to be used in a Mexican food recipe.


How do I use tomatillos in recipes?

Think of tomatillos as tomatoes, and you can easily substitute tomatillos for tomatoes in your recipes, and they make great tomatillo salsas, enchilada sauces, huevos rancheros, soup, dips, and even bloody mary cocktails.

More Mexican Food Condiment Recipes

Pickled Red Onions for Mexican food are just like what they serve you in restaurants. Quick pickled red onions keep in the fridge for 3-4 weeks to enjoy in all kinds of ways, on tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more.

Avocado Salsa (aka Taco Sauce) is great to drizzle on Mexican foods like tacos, burritos, taquitos or served with tortilla chips as a dip.

Guacamole can be made in a molcajete (a traditional ancient cooking tool) or in any bowl with just a couple of forks. Scoop with crunchy tortilla chips, and enjoy on tacos, enchiladas, and taquitos for dinner or on game-day!

More Mexican Food Recipes

Wondering what Mexican dish to serve with your salsa recipe? Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole, tacos, tamales, taquitos. Or whip up this easy Taco Salad recipe loaded with all the best Mexican food toppings and Catalina dressing. Plus get my two secret ingredients for the best taco meat!

Authentic Mexican Street Corn aka elotes are fire-grilled and brushed with a creamy cilantro sauce sprinkled with Cotija cheese and dusted with chile powder.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A wood bowl with a lady scooping out homemade salsa with a tortilla chip.
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Tomatillo Salsa Recipe

Tomatillo salsa has a fresh taste you will never get out of a jar from any store. The fire-grilled flavor and medium heat in this homemade salsa will have people loving each and every bite with tacos, nachos, and taquitos. Grab a bowl, and a bag of tortilla chips, and wait for lots of compliments, crunching, and munching, as people dip chips into this roasted tomatillo salsa recipe. 
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword homemade salsa, Mexican tomatillo salsa, salsa recipe, tomatillo salsa, tomatillo salsa recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 12kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Hatch Chile Salsa

  • ½ white onion peeled root end intact
  • 3 green chiles Hatch, jalapeno, Anaheim or Poblano peppers
  • 2 Roma tomatoes
  • 2 whole garlic cloves peeled
  • 5 medium tomatillos husked, washed and dried
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • optional: cilantro and fresh lime juice
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Clean and rinse all the fresh vegetables in cool water.
  • Chiles will vary in their heat, I always recommend to add just one chile at first, and then add more to raise the heat level as you go. Taste a little piece of the pepper to check the spiciness of each pepper.
  • For the tomatillos, just peel off the thin papery husk and stem. Wash in cool water, and dry.
  • There are 3 ways to cook the veggies, grill, oven roast, or cook on the stovetop. First, pick a method to cook the vegetables, this adds flavor. I prefer outdoor grilling, but that isn't always possible with the weather!

Outdoor Fire Grilled Method

  • Set the whole chiles, tomatoes, tomatillos, peeled onion sliced in half, and peeled garlic either directly on the grill grate or a stainless grill tray over a hot grill.
  • Keep turning all the vegetables to get grill marks on all sides. This will take about 6-8 minutes. Allow the vegetables to blacken in spots before turning, and remove off heat to a platter once they begin to soften to cool.

Oven Roasted Broil Method

  • Adjust the oven rack to about 5 inches below the broiler heating element. Turn on the broiler. Place the whole chiles, tomatoes cut in half, tomatillos cut in half, onion peeled and cut in half, and peeled garlic cloves directly on a large rimmed sheet pan.
  • Roast under the broiler in a 425-degree F oven for 10-15 minutes. (I recommend not using a foil lining on the pan as the acid in tomatoes reacts with foil and can affect the flavor!) Allow the vegetables to darken and blister in spots, check the pan and rotate half way through, then remove the baking sheet pan from the oven to cool.

Stovetop Grill Pan Method

  • Heat a cast iron grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and sear the tomato halves, whole chiles, peeled garlic cloves, onion halves, and tomatillo halves until dark spots and blisters appear. This adds a lot of flavor and cooks the ingredients. This process goes quickly, and can be done in just about 5 minutes, be careful not to burn the garlic.
  • Remove stems and seeds from the chiles (and skins if you use Hatch chiles as the skins are very tough and not edible), and don’t rinse them!
  • Add all the vegetables, pan juices, and sea salt into a food processor fitted with a steel metal blade, chop on a cutting board, or grind in a molcajete.
    Pulse and blend until chunky and use the chopped mix and blender juices in your salsa. 
  • Serve roasted tomatillo salsa in a bowl with tortilla chips, on tacos, carnitas, or with chicken quesadillas. It can be at room temperature or chilled from the refrigerator.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 5 days.
  • Optional: Add some chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice for additional flavor! Pulse until the cilantro is chopped. The cilantro and lime juice add great authentic flavors!

Notes

peppers

In this homemade tomatillo salsa you can use Hatch chiles, Anaheim or Poblanos peppers, or a Jalapeno pepper in this recipe. 
PRO TIP: Taste a little piece of your chile peppers to check the spiciness. Slice a tiny sliver of each one, then add another chile to raise the heat level as you wish.
    • Choose bright green glossy peppers from the store.
    • Chiles should be firm with medium to thick flesh.
    • Avoid soft spots or cuts these are signs the chiles will spoil faster.
    • The Scoville Scale measures the relative heat of hot peppers to each other and can help you pick the right chile for your recipe.
    • Store unwashed fresh chiles up to 5 days refrigerated in a plastic bag.

tomatillos

Tomatillos are really what make this recipe! You could of course use some green tomatoes, but tomatillos are easier to find in local stores these days. 
To clean tomatillos: 
  1. Peel the husk off. 2. Remove the stem 3. Wash under cool water 4. Dry, that is it!

grilling, oven roasting, or stovetop cooking

Grilling the vegetables in this recipe adds a depth of flavor, but you can roast the vegetables on a sheet pan in the oven or cook them on the stovetop in a heavy skillet.

Nutrition

Calories: 12kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 426mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

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Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a healthy appetizer that taste and look just like chicken wings. Baked full of zesty flavor, vegetarian, gluten free, and absolutely no guilt of extra calories.

Created in a Southern California pub, dunk these buffalo wings into your favorite dipping sauces like blue cheese dressing or buttermilk ranch for the perfect game-day snack with a cold beer...

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower on a plate with ranch dip sprinkled with fresh herbs.

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

  • Cut your cauliflower florets with some stem into small bite size pieces about 1- ½ inches long, similar to a chicken wing size.
  • Preheat oven to 425F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or spray the pan well with coconut oil non-stick spray.

Cauliflower Batter Coating Instructions

  1. Make the batter mixture. Add milk (or almond or plant based milk if you prefer), water, flour (or rice flour to make it gluten free), salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until the batter is thick and is able to coat the cauliflower. It's important the batter is thick to cling to the cauliflower.
  2. Dip all the cauliflower pieces in the batter, shake off excess batter as you remove each piece of cauliflower and lay on a sheet pan or baking sheet in a single layer on parchment paper.
  3. Bake for 15 minutes at 425F.

Buffalo Sauce Coating

  1. Meanwhile, while the cauliflower is baking, on low heat, make the buffalo sauce. Simply melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a small saucepan, and 1 cup of Frank's RedHot® Hot Sauce. Just as it starts to melt, remove it from heat, stir it together and set aside.
  2. Once the cauliflower is baked for 15 minutes, remove them from the oven, leave the oven on, and dip all the “wings” into a large mixing bowl with the buffalo sauce. Return cauliflower to the sheet pan and bake in the oven for another 15 minutes or until reached desired crispness.
  3. Once baked, arrange hot buffalo cauliflower “wings” on a platter, with a bowl of ranch dip, or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and garnish with fresh herbs. Enjoy!

Why This Recipe Became A Global Craze...

  • Well, they taste and look like Buffalo Chicken Wings!
  • Vegetarian Plant-Based Recipe
  • Not FRIED with panko or breadcrumbs
  • Gluten-Free, jus swap out the regular flour for rice flour
  • Healthy ; ) and can be Vegan and or dairy-free
  • Lighter Football Party Food option for Game Days
  • Simple inexpensive ingredients

Buffalo Cauliflower Top Tips

Cauliflower: Cut your cauliflower florets with some stem into small pieces about 1- ½ inches long, similar to a chicken wing size.

Baking: Your oven needs to be HOT for this recipe, set the temp to 425 degrees to get your cauliflower wings to be crisp and have the right texture. If they are soggy, it might be due to the oven temp being too low!

Batter: When you mix the batter, dip in a piece of cauliflower, it should hold onto it but the extra should drip off. Adjust your batter to thicken or thin if necessary.

Buffalo Wing Sauce: Easy to make, just melted butter and Franks Hot Sauce - that's it. Then toss the hot baked cauliflower wings in the sauce.

Serving: Bake and serve these hot right from the oven to your guests with some celery sticks, and a cool creamy dip like ranch or blue cheese. Or your favorite vegan ranch dressing!

Cauliflower Wing Dipping Sauces

  • Extra Buffalo Sauce like Frank's Red Hot brand is great by itself or even better, combine ½ cup of Franks Red Hot Sauce, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Blue Cheese Dressing Dip is slightly chunky and loaded with flavor.
  • Whisk up this delicious Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, it is amazing on salad, to dip fried food, or with wings!
  • Remoulade Sauce is a popular condiment and dipping sauce, with deep amazing flavors.
  • Or dip crispy hot buffalo cauliflower bites in a Creamy Balsamic Horseradish Sauce.
A large Mason jar filled with Ranch Dressing made at home on a blue napkin with a small bowl and spoon.

Buffalo Cauliflower FAQ

Who invented buffalo cauliflower?

The Buffalo Cauliflower craze all started in an Echo Park pub in Los Angeles, California call Mohawk Bend. Serving elevated pub food, "to satisfy our cravings for punchy, bold buffalo wings, but with a vegan twist." They were created with gluten-free breading (no traditional bread crumbs or frying) and served with their house-made vegan blue cheese.

Are buffalo cauliflower wings gluten-free?

Yes! To make it gluten-free, substitute rice flour instead of all-purpose flour.

How do I reheat Buffalo Cauliflower?

It is best to enjoy them while hot out of the oven, you can reheat them on a sheet pan in the oven for about 10 minutes at 375. Microwaving them will make them soggy.

A pile of baked Buffalo Cauliflower on a plate with ranch dip sprinkled with fresh herbs.

Speaking of healthy cauliflower recipes, people RAVE about this Cauliflower Alfredo sauce, which goes so well on fettuccini or any pasta you love. And the alfredo is made from you, guessed it...cauliflower!

Healthy Alfredo Sauce Recipe
A healthy alfredo sauce recipe is possible with just a fraction of the calories. Let's ditch the high fat version loaded with fat and carbs. This Cauliflower Alfredo is absolutely rich and bursting with flavor, gluten-free, and a healthier recipe of a classic comfort food dish.
GET THE RECIPE PIN IT
A fork holding twirled fettuccine out of a large skillet.

More Light & Healthy Appetizers

Make a batch of low-calorie Baked Parmesan Zucchini Chips and scoop them into a garden-fresh lemon-dill yogurt dip. This is a clean wholesome appetizer and healthy snack idea.

Delightfully fresh Meyer Lemon Tapenade (olive tapenade) is one of the fastest appetizer recipes, and has many other uses in your cooking! Serve with mini bell pepper scoops for an even healthier snack!

Chilled Cucumber Soup is a cool and refreshing light soup. Serve as a light lunch or clean appetizer or side dish.

Rainbow Rolls with Sesame Ginger Dipping Sauce, are a clean option rather than traditional egg rolls as an appetizer and are a tasty option on hot summer days.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower on a plate with ranch dip sprinkled with fresh herbs.
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Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a healthy appetizer that taste and look just like chicken wings. Baked full of zesty flavor, vegetarian, gluten free, and absolutely no guilt of extra calories. Created in a Southern California pub, dunk these buffalo wings into your favorite dipping sauces like blue cheese dressing or buttermilk ranch for the perfect game-day snack with a cold beer.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword buffalo cauliflower, buffalo cauliflower wings, buffalo cauliflower wings appetizer, buffalo sauce, cauliflower recipe, cauliflower wings, healthy appetizer, vegan appetizer, vegetarian appetizer
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 63kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower about 5 cups of 2-3” florets

Cauliflower Batter

  • 1 cup milk or almond/plant based milk
  • ½ cup water
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour or sub rice flour (gluten-free flour)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

Buffalo Wing Coating

  • 1 cup Frank's red hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • Cut your cauliflower florets with some stem into small bite size pieces about 1- ½ inches long, similar to a chicken wing size.
  • Preheat oven to 425F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or spray the pan well with coconut oil non-stick spray.

Cauliflower Batter Coating

  • Make the batter mixture. Add milk (or almond or plant based milk if you prefer), water, flour (or rice flour to make it gluten free), salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until the batter is thick and is able to coat the cauliflower. It's important the batter is thick to cling to the cauliflower.
  • Dip all the cauliflower pieces in the batter, shake off excess batter as you remove each piece of cauliflower and lay on a sheet pan or baking sheet in a single layer on parchment paper.
  • Bake for 15 minutes at 425F.

Buffalo Sauce Coating

  • Meanwhile, while the cauliflower is baking, on low heat, make the buffalo sauce. Simply melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a small saucepan, and 1 cup of Frank's RedHot® Hot Sauce. Just as it starts to melt, remove it from heat, stir it together and set aside.
  • Once the cauliflower is baked for 15 minutes, remove them from the oven, leave the oven on, and dip all the “wings” into a large mixing bowl with the buffalo sauce. Return cauliflower to the sheet pan and bake in the oven for another 15 minutes or until reached desired crispness.
  • Once baked, arrange hot buffalo cauliflower “wings” on a platter, with a bowl of ranch dip, or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and garnish with fresh herbs. Enjoy!

Notes

Cauliflower Wing Dipping Sauces & Dressing Ideas

  • Extra Buffalo Sauce like Frank's Red Hot brand is great by itself or even better, combine ½ cup of Franks Red Hot Sauce, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Blue Cheese Dressing Dip is slightly chunky and loaded with flavor.
  • Whisk up this delicious Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, it is amazing on salad, to dip fried food, or with wings!
  • Remoulade Sauce is a popular condiment and dipping sauce, with deep amazing flavors.
  • Or dip crispy hot buffalo cauliflower bites in a Creamy Balsamic Horseradish Sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 12g | Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 1112mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

[heart_this] · · 9 Comments

Last Updated April 4th, 2024 at 02:21 pm by Lisa

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is an easy recipe with 15 minutes of prep time and bakes to golden hot in just 45 minutes. Put this dish together a day ahead for relaxed weekends, special occasions, or for the holidays.

Decorate the top in a pretty striped or diagonal pattern with cheese and tater tots. There are many ways to customize the flavors in this recipe too. Add in different breakfast meats like sausage, bacon, ham, cheeses, and even veggies to make it just the way you want. It will be an absolute hit in your home, with those brown and bubbly edges...

PRO TIP: Get creative and decorate the top with tater tots and cheese. Try a pretty diagonal design or long rows just for the fun of it. Doesn't this look amazing?

Easy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

These are the basic ingredients you will need, but there are so many ways to create your own version of this recipe and use things you have on hand or prefer!

  • Frozen Tater Tots
  • Eggs or Liquid Eggs (Egg Beaters)
  • Milk
  • Can Rotel
  • Bulk Sausage (in the tube package)
  • Monterey Jack Cheese
  • Black Pepper
  • Garlic Powder
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. On the stovetop, brown 1 pound of crumbled sausage in a large skillet and set aside.
  3. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray, and break the 4 cups of tater tots into a crumbled layer on the bottom of the dish. Reserve 2 cups of tater tots for the top layer to decorate.
  4. Sprinkle browned sausage all over the top of the crumbled tater tots layer.
  5. Next, add 2 cups of grated cheese on top of the tots and sausage, and reserve 1 cup of cheese for the top of the casserole.
  6. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, a can of Rotel, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  7. Pour mix over the tots, sausage, and cheese layer. Place the last 2 cups of tater tots on top with the remaining cup of grated cheese and decorate in a pretty pattern. Add extra cheese if desired. 
  8. Bake 45-50 minutes until brown and bubbly.
Two white casserole dishes side by side one with whole and the other with crumbled tater tots for a recipe.

More Breakfast Casserole Ideas

The best part of this casserole is that you can mix n' match ingredients based on what you have in your kitchen. Make this Tater Tot Casserole your very own with...

Different Cheeses

  • Goat Cheese
  • Pepper Jack Cheese
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • Mozzarella
  • Colby Cheese
  • Swiss Cheese

Adding More Veggies!

  • Browned Mushrooms
  • Caramelized Onions
  • Green Onions
  • Red Bell Peppers, Green, or Yellow Bell peppers
  • Fresh Chives
  • Fresh or Thawed Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Sauteed Tomatoes

Adding Different Cooked Meats

  • Grilled Flank Steak or Tri-Tip
  • Browned Hamburger Meat
  • Chopped Smoked Ham
  • Cooked Breakfast Sausage
  • Cooked Crumbled Bacon
  • Turkey Bacon
  • Rotisserie Chicken
  • Roast Diced Chicken
  • Leftover Pizza - chopped up (you read that right, try it OMG!)

Breakfast Casserole Top Tips

  • It's the perfect "lazy dish." Keep this dish in your recipe box for the times when you need an easy dish, like weekends, and holidays. Put this dish together, and tuck in the refrigerator, then pull it out and bake it in the morning!
  • Family and friends will love it. Trust me, everyone is going to be asking you for this casserole recipe. And with all the flavor ideas, create a version everyone will love in your family, my favorite is the pizza twist! Either chop up leftover pizza and put it in this casserole or use pepperoni, cheeses, and veggies for a pizza flavor.
  • Leftovers. Any leftovers reheat so easily, and you can freeze individual servings in freezer bags or airtight containers for later. Just thaw and reheat in the microwave or oven.
  • Frozen Tater Tots. Keep a bag in your freezer for this recipe, then use up things you have on hand in the fridge like cheeses, sausage, bacon, ham, and veggies.
  • Kids REALLY love it. Tater tots for breakfast? Their eyes will light up when you serve this dish. Kids-at-heart will feel the same way.

Tater Tot FAQ

Tater Tot History


Did you know that tater tots originated in Ontario, Oregon in 1953? They were created by the founders of Ore-Ida when trying to come up with a creative (and profitable!) method to use up leftover cut-up potatoes. They finally figured out that chopping up the leftovers, adding seasoning and flour, and creating "tots" was the best thing to do.

Here is the funniest part of the tater tot story... at first, Ore-Ida offered them so cheap that no one bought them. People thought that such an inexpensive product was worthless. When Ore-Ida RAISED the price, people went crazy for them! These days, Americans consume 70 MILLION pounds of tater tots a year.

Some names for tater tots in other countries:
Potato Gems
Potato Pom-Poms
Spud Puppies
Squirt Browns

What is a Tater Tot Hotdish?

It's a name (and dish) that originated in Minnesota, and it's also a tater tot casserole. A tater tot hotdish contains ingredients like cream of mushroom soup, green beans, and cheddar cheese. Yum! I haven't tried a version of this hot dish for dinner yet, but it's on my to-make list.

More Brunch and Breakfast Recipes

What else goes with a baked breakfast casserole for a brunch party? Well for starters, have a nice fruit salad, hot coffee, juice, and mimosas or bloody marys. Have some good hot Sauce or Salsa for people to spice up their slice of breakfast casserole. And here are some other ideas!

A popular Christmas breakfast idea everyone loves a top reader favorite...Baked Parmesan Hash Browns. They are baked in a muffin tin with golden crisp edges and no stovetop mess.

When hosting a brunch party, some of my go-to make-ahead brunch recipes are Mini Brie and Bacon Quiche made in a muffin tin, easy and so good fresh from the oven.

Hand-dip Pancake Muffins into warm syrup for a fast breakfast recipe or brunch party idea. The fun part is to top them with blueberries, raspberries, mini chocolate chips, and more. Take your Sunday brunch and football game day parties to the next level with a big batch of your own homemade Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, and set up the ultimate bloody mary bar...

Need something light and healthy for breakfast or a light selection to go with your hearty brunch? Whip up one of these healthy recipes: Avocado Toast, or try one of these 5 Breakfast Egg Muffins Recipes for you to try, and it's so simple to make individual muffins for everyone in your family for weekday breakfast.

Pink Grapefruit Detox Smoothies are great to start the day with beautiful Breakfast Yogurt Parfaits or a classic Boiled Egg.

A vintage silver serving spoon taking out a piece of tater tot casserole just baked.
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Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is an easy recipe with 15 minutes of prep time and bakes to golden hot in just 45 minutes. Put this dish together a day ahead for relaxed weekends, special occasions, or for the holidays. Add in different breakfast meats like sausage, bacon, ham, cheeses, and even veggies to make it just the way you want. It will be an absolute hit in your home, with those brown and bubbly edges.
Course Breakfast & Brunch
Cuisine American
Keyword breakfast casserole, breakfast egg casserole, brunch casserole, easy breakfast recipe, tater tot breakfast casserole
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 406kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 32 oz bag unfrozen tater tots approx 6 cups, reserve 2 cups to decorate top of casserole
  • 8 eggs or liquid eggs - Egg Beaters
  • ½ cup milk
  • 10 oz. can Rotel drained
  • 1 lb crumbled sausage cooked
  • 3 cups Monterey jack cheese grated
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • On the stovetop, brown 1 pound of crumbled sausage in a large skillet and set aside.
  • Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray, and break the 4 cups of tater tots into a crumbled layer on the bottom of the dish. Reserve 2 cups of tater tots for the top layer to decorate.
  • Sprinkle browned sausage all over the top of the crumbled tater tots layer.
  • Next, add 2 cups of grated cheese on top of the tots and sausage, and reserve 1 cup of cheese for the top of the casserole.
  • In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, can of Rotel, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Pour mix over the tots, sausage, and cheese layer. Place last 2 cups of tater tots on top with the remaining cup of grated cheese and decorate in a pretty pattern. Add extra cheese if desired. 
  • Bake 45-50 minutes until brown and bubbly.

Notes

The best part of this casserole is that you can mix n' match ingredients based on what you have in your kitchen. Make this Tater Tot Casserole your very own...

Use Different Cheeses

  • Goat Cheese
  • Pepper Jack Cheese
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • Mozzarella
  • Colby Cheese
  • Swiss Cheese

Add Veggies!

  • Browned Mushrooms
  • Caramelized Onions
  • Green Onions
  • Red Bell Peppers, Green, or Yellow Bell peppers
  • Fresh Chives
  • Fresh or Thawed Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Sauteed Tomatoes

Add Meats - Leftovers or Freshly Cooked

  • Grilled Flank Steak or Tri-Tip
  • Browned Hamburger Meat
  • Chopped Smoked Ham
  • Breakfast Sausage
  • Crumbled Bacon
  • Turkey Bacon
  • Rotisserie Chicken
  • Roast Diced Chicken
  • Leftover Pizza - chopped up (you read that right, try it OMG!)

Nutrition

Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 763mg | Potassium: 415mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 450IU | Vitamin C: 8.2mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Easy Limeade Margaritas

[heart_this] · · 1 Comment

Last Updated May 21st, 2023 at 11:50 pm by Lisa

Limeade Margaritas have three simple ingredients mixed in a pitcher on ice. And there is no blender or cocktail shaker for these easy drinks!

You won't believe how good these pitcher margaritas taste for summertime picnics or cookouts, Cinco de mayo, tailgating, or pour a big batch on game day and serve with delicious Mexican food...

Limeade Margarita Recipe

These are also known as limeade margaritas, call them what you will, they are fast to make for a party, and hit the spot, with easy-to-find grocery store ingredients.

The first time I sipped this easy margarita recipe, it was at a family graduation party, and I thought they were delicious. Little did I know how easy they were to make, when my friend shared the "recipe", I giggled.

Easiest Margarita Instructions

In a pitcher with ice, pour the frozen limeade (rest at room temperature to soften), tequila, and Corona beer. Squeeze fresh lime juice into the pitcher. Give it a good stir, and add ice if serving right away.

Serve cold on ice in margarita glasses, and garnish with lime wedges or round lime slices.

Limeade Concentrate: Found in the freezer section of your market, look for simply limeade or minute maid brand. Place on the counter for about 30 minutes to make it easy to get out of the can.

Sweetness: If you don't want the margaritas as sweet, reduce the limeade to half of the can. 

Tequila: Use one cup (8 ounces tequila) of gold, silver, or Blanco tequila.

Silver tequilas (labeled Blanco or platinum) are mostly clear like water and are the best choice for margaritas. This young tequila is only aged a short time for a couple of months and not more than 60 days.

Gold tequilas are more economical, and rarely aged, but have a darker brown color. Although they can certainly be used in blended margaritas it is not ideal for margarita cocktails. In fact, gold tequilas have often had coloring added to the agave juice prior to fermentation to give the tequila a special dark "premium" color.

Mexican Beers: Use a Mexican lager, try Estrella, Modelo, Jalisco, Tecate, Corona, Dos Equis Light, or Bohemia.

More Flavors & Substitutions

Optional Prepared Glasses: Rim glasses with flavored salts like celery salt, sriracha salt, or coarse kosher salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim and dip the rim into salt on a small plate, then pour in the margarita!

Cherry Limeade Margaritas: In place of beer, add in some cherry liqueur, tart cherry juice, and or strain in some maraschino cherry juice. Garnish with cherries on top! You can also blend it up with ice for a super chilled slushy situation.

Orange Limeade Margaritas: Swap in a cup of triple sec, an orange liqueur called Cointreau in place of the beer.

Pineapple Limeade Margaritas: Add 1 cup of pineapple juice concentrate 1 cup of limeade concentrate, 1 cup of tequila, 1 cup triple sec, and ice, mixed in a blender for slushy margaritas!

A blue rimmed Mexican glass filled with a margarita garnished with a lime.

Limeade Margarita FAQ

How many limeade margaritas are in a pitcher?

About 6-8 depending on the glass size and amount of ice used.

What goes with Limeade Margaritas?

Enjoy margaritas with Mexican food like tortilla chips, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, nachos, tacos, taquitos, burritos, quesadillas, and enchiladas.

What is Limeade?

Made with real lime juice, limeade is a lime-flavored drink sweetened with sugar and frozen in a can or sold in a bottle. Lime juice is combined with simple syrup or honey syrup and water.

What Goes With Limeade Margaritas?

These are the best Mexican Food recipes to sip with easy margaritas. Make a bowl of authentic Mexican red salsa and guacamole, grab a bag of tortilla chips, and the party is on with a pitcher of the easiest margaritas! Also, try these with my yummy Taco Salad for dinner, absolutely scrumptious...

More Cocktail Recipes

For relaxed Game Days, Cookouts, or celebrations try a real fresh homemade Spicy Bloody Mary Mix or try a Mojito with all the tips from my trip to Cuba. Mix up the best margarita recipe, try these CoronaRita Margaritas for a super fun party on big game days or Cinco de Mayo. Cuba Libre is also known as a "rum and coke", but this authentic recipe comes from Cuba!

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Blue rimmed margarita glasses with margaritas in them on ice cubes with sliced lime garnish.
Print

Limeade Margaritas Recipe

Limeade Margaritas have three simple ingredients mixed in a pitcher on ice. And there is no blender or cocktail shaker for these easy drinks! You won't believe how good these pitcher margaritas taste for summertime picnics or cookouts, Cinco de mayo, tailgating, or pour a big batch on game day and serve with delicious Mexican food.
Course Drinks & Cocktails
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword batch margaritas, limeade margaritas, margarita cocktail, margarita recipe, margaritas, pitcher margaritas
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 72kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 can frozen Limeade 12 oz can
  • 2 Corona Beers
  • 1 cup Good Tequilla
  • 2 cups Ice
  • 1 whole lime optional garnish

Instructions

  • Let the limeade to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutues. Add ice into a pitcher.
  • Pour the limeade, tequila, and beer into a pitcher. Squeeze fresh lime juice into the pitcher. Give it a good stir, and add ice if serving right away.
  • Serve cold on ice in margarita glasses, garnish with lime slices. Simply slice the lime into rounds and cut from the center out and place on the rim of the glass.
  • Optional: Rim glasses with flavored salts like celery salt, sriracha salt, or coarse kosher salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim and dip the rim into salt on a small plate, then pour in the margarita!

Video

Notes

Limeade Concentrate: Found in the freezer section of your market, look for simply limeade or minute maid brand. Place on the counter for about 30 minutes to make it easy to get out of the can.
Sweetness: If you don't want the margaritas as sweet, reduce the limeade to half of the can. 
Tequila: Use one cup (8 ounces tequila) of gold, silver, or Blanco tequila.
Silver tequilas (labeled Blanco or platinum) are mostly clear like water and are the best choice for margaritas. This young tequila is only aged a short time for a couple of months and not more than 60 days.
Gold tequilas are more economical, and rarely aged, but have a darker brown color. Although they can certainly be used in blended margaritas it is not ideal for margarita cocktails. In fact, gold tequilas have often had coloring added to the agave juice prior to fermentation to give the tequila a special dark "premium" color.
Mexican Beers: Use a Mexican lager, try Estrella, Modelo, Jalisco, Tecate, Corona, Dos Equis Light, or Bohemia.

More Flavors & Substitutions

Optional Prepared Glasses: Rim glasses with flavored salts like celery salt, sriracha salt, or coarse kosher salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim and dip the rim into salt on a small plate, then pour in the margarita!
Cherry Limeade Margaritas: In place of beer, add in some cherry liqueur, tart cherry juice, and or strain in some maraschino cherry juice. Garnish with cherries on top! You can also blend it up with ice for a super chilled slushy situation.
Orange Limeade Margaritas: Swap in a cup of triple sec, an orange liqueur called Cointreau in place of the beer.
Pineapple Limeade Margaritas: Add 1 cup of pineapple juice concentrate 1 cup of limeade concentrate, 1 cup of tequila, 1 cup triple sec, and ice, mixed in a blender for slushy margaritas!
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

Spicy Bloody Marys

[heart_this] · · 5 Comments

Last Updated May 21st, 2023 at 11:50 pm by Lisa

One sip of these Spicy Bloody Marys, and you will never want the bottled mix again! These have the right amount of heat, and bolder spices than boring tomato juice mixes. Fire-roasted grilled chilies, onions, and fresh ripe garden tomatoes create different flavors that are complex and extraordinary.

Take your Sunday brunch and football game day parties to the next level with a big batch of your own homemade bloody mary mix. Set up the ultimate bloody mary bar with classic garnishes and favorite toppings like crunchy celery, beef sticks, pepperoncini's, pickled green beans, stuffed olives, and dill pickle spears...

Best Spicy Bloody Mary Recipe

For years and years, I grabbed store-bought pre-made bloody mary mixes or tried to make one with clamato juice or plain tomato juice, Mr & Mrs T, or other bottled fancy bloody mary mixers. No one ever said, hey these are a great bloody mary. So I set out to make the best bloody mary recipe possible, that people raved over!

I worked on this recipe for weeks, and served these to dear friends in the desert, in Palm Springs out by the pool one morning.

They loved the spicy, fresh clean taste of homemade bloody marys. One of my friends said, "You know I have never really liked them until now!" That's when I knew the recipe was right.

Once you make your own mix, you will know it's worth the effort. Oh, and the ingredients are so simple to grab at the store...

  • fresh tomatoes (plum tomato size)
  • small onion
  • fresh or canned chiles (see notes below)
  • fresh lemon juice
  • prepared horseradish
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder
  • ice
  • vodka
  • garnishes: celery stalks, stuffed olives, beef sticks etc.
  1. Preheat the outdoor grill or indoor cast iron grill plate on the stove. Place whole green chiles, tomatoes, and onion quarters on the hot grill.
  2. Grill for 10-15 minutes until tomatoes, chiles, and onion, are all roasted with black marks. The grilling really enhances the flavors.
  3. Let your green chiles, tomatoes, and onions cool, remove the seeds from your chilies-they can add way too much heat! Place the deseeded chiles, tomatoes, and onion in a high-speed blender. Next add celery ribs, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
  4. Puree in a high-speed blender. Optional: strain the bloody mary mix through a mesh strainer to remove the tiny bits of tomato peel or any seeds that are left.
  5. Rim Glasses: Place hot sauce (like Cholula or Sriracha sauce) on a small plate. Put your salt; sea salt, Lawry's season salt, celery salt, Old Bay Seasoning, black lava salt, or homemade sriracha salt on a small plate. Dip the glass rim into hot sauce, and next dip into the salt of your choice.
  6. Pour ice into your rimmed glasses, add vodka, pour bloody mary into glasses, mix and garnish as you wish.
A pitcher of bloody marys with garnish ideas labeled.

What Chiles Are Best?

The main secret to this homemade bloody mary mix recipe is using real chiles and grilling them. Canned chiles are good choices too in a pinch and will work.

  • Fresh Jalapenos be sure to fire-grill them for extra flavor, canned jalapenos are fine too. Taste them to make sure they are not too hot!
  • Chipotle In Adobo Sauce are dried and smoked jalapenos in a can. These are usually very hot, go easy with them. One is usually enough.
  • Anaheim Chiles will be delicious, be sure to fire-grill these fresh chiles to get that flavor in your mix.
  • Hatch Chiles can be fresh or use canned Hatch chile products available in the grocery store. Fresh Hatch chiles must be roasted to bring out their special flavor and taste and to remove their tough outer skins. Take a look at my entire tutorial on roasting Hatch Chiles at home and tons of recipes to use with them.
Hatch Chiles ~ 80+ Recipe Ideas!
80+ Amazing New Mexico Hatch Chile Recipes and How To Roast, Prep, and Freeze them at home. Hatch Chile season tips for roasting events near you, and more.
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Showing how to remove seeds from roasted Hatch Chiles to use them in recipes.
Fresh Hatch Chiles on a grill pan ready to roast.

Chile Roast And Grilling Tips

In a large bowl, rinse your chiles in cool water. Heat your grill on medium-high, and place your stainless grill tray over the burner. It isn't necessary, you can grill the chiles right on the grill grate but helps to roast them more evenly. You can also do this on a stove top.

Space the chiles in a single layer, and turn using long tongs until black char blisters form on each side of the chiles. Remove the charred chile skin, stems, and seeds as they have too much intense heat for a good bloody mary.

Fire roasted Hatch Chiles on a white plate ready to remove the seeds and stems.

How To Set Up A Bloody Mary Bar

The fun part of your party will be the bloody mary bar! Set up a table and have people mix their own spicy bloody mary cocktails. Set out a big pitcher of the best bloody mary mix you have ever had, and lots of wonderful garnishes ready to go.

A great addition is a printed recipe card in a frame, with inspiration, and how to make them is helpful for people who have never had one before. It might say, something like "6 ounces of mix per 1 shot of vodka". Give hints for less spicy or salty, and great ways to garnish their cocktail creations with cocktail picks, and how to rim the glass with different seasoned salts.

Let them know to use a little bit less horseradish or hot sauce to reduce the spiciness, and try an extra squeeze of lime juice it's wonderful or even a dash of pickle juice or olive juice! Then garnish away...

A pitcher of Bloody Mary mix with two glasses garnished with olives, pepperoncinis, and pepperoni sticks.

PRO PARTY TIP: You can set everything on a tray and chill in the fridge the night before. Then just pull the tray out for your party!

Bloody Mary Bar Checklist

  • tall glasses
  • a bowl of ice
  • a large pitcher of bloody mary mix
  • a good, chilled bottle of vodka
  • shot glass to measure for a single serving of vodka
  • bottle Worcestershire sauce bottle
  • Cholula hot sauce or Tabasco
  • small plates for rimming glasses with salt
  • Old Bay Seasoning, celery salt, black lava salt, or homemade sriracha salt for the rim
  • assorted garnishes - see below for inspiration
  • bamboo skewers for people to make their own garnish sticks
  • large Mason jars ~ serve celery and tall things in jars!
  • small bowls ~ serve things in bowls like olives and pepperoncinis
What liquor is used in a bloody maria?


A Bloody Maria calls for tequila in place of the vodka Bloody Marys are mixed with, and Texas gets all the credit for this creative twist!

Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar Garnish Ideas

The classic bloody mary became famous as a hangover cure with all the salty savory flavors. Start with the rim of the glass. Dip it in hot sauce and then salt or better yet, celery salt, Old Bay Seasoning, black lava salt, or try my homemade sriracha salt! Go crazy with your garnishes, thats half the fun...

More Cocktails and Drinks

CoronaRita Margaritas are classic drinks made with a margarita and a mini “Coronita” turned upside down into the drink. Perfect when you can’t decide between a margarita and an icy cold Corona! Spicy Micheladas are light, refreshing tomato (clamato) juice Mexican beer cocktails. Sip at brunch, lazy relaxed weekend game days, and Cinco de Mayo!

Straight from my trip to Cuba, this Mojito is 100% an Authentic Cuban Mojito! Learn the secret ingredient in these famous Cuban classic cocktails and the secrets which make them totally authentic. Fireball Whisky Cocktails are made with orange, cinnamon, cloves, apple cider, and cinnamon-flavored whiskey. Serve these fireball whisky drinks for game days, brunch, Fall parties, and holiday meals like Thanksgiving.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A pitcher of bloody marys with two drinks garnished with olives, pepperoncinis, and beef sticks.
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Spicy Bloody Mary Mix Recipe

One sip of these Spicy Bloody Marys, and you will never want the bottled mix again! These have the right amount of heat, and bolder spices than boring tomato juice mixes. Fire-roasted grilled chilies, onions, and fresh ripe garden tomatoes create different flavors that are complex and extraordinary. Set up the ultimate bloody mary bar with classic garnishes and favorite toppings like crunchy celery, beef sticks, pepperoncini's, pickled green beans, stuffed olives, and dill pickle spears.
Course Drinks & Cocktails
Cuisine American
Keyword bloody mary recipe, good bloody mary, homemade Bloody Mary, homemade bloody mary mix recipe, spicy bloody mary, spicy bloody mary mix recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 260kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Bloody Mary Mix

  • 8 small tomatoes roma tomato size or larger
  • 1 small onion quartered
  • 2 tablespoons green chiles use canned or roasted chopped jalapeno, Hatch Green Chiles, or Anaheim chiles.
  • 4 celery ribs
  • ½ fresh lemon juiced
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • ½ onion powder
  • ½ garlic powder
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1 ½ cups (4-6 shots) Vodka

Garnishes

  • homemade pickled green beans
  • celery sticks
  • hot sauce dip rim of glass
  • seasoning salt Lawrys or Sriacha salt
  • stuffed olives
  • Slim Jim beef jerky sticks
  • whole pepperoncini's
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat outdoor grill or indoor cast iron grill plate on stove.
  • Place whole green chiles, tomatoes, and onion quarters on the hot grill.
  • Grill for 10-15 minutes until tomatoes, chiles, onion, are roasted with black marks. The grilling really enhances the flavors!
  • Let your green chiles, tomatoes, and onions cool, and remove the seeds from your chilies-they can add way too much heat!
  • Place the grilled deseeded chiles, tomatoes, and onion in a high-speed blender. Next add celery ribs, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
  • Puree in a high-speed blender. Optional: strain the bloody mary mix through a mesh strainer to remove the tiny bits of tomato peel or any seeds that are left.
  • Keep the bloody mary mix chilled until ready to serve.

Bloody Mary Garnishes

  • To rim the glasses, place hot sauce (like Cholula or Sriracha sauce) on a small plate.
  • Pour your salt choice like Lawry's season salt, celery salt, black lava salt, or homemade sriracha salt on a small plate.
  • Dip the glass rim into hot sauce, and next dip into the salt of your choice.
  • Pour ice into your rimmed glasses, add a vodka shot, pour bloody mary into glasses, mix and garnish as you wish.

Notes

Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar Garnish Ideas

How To Set Up A Bloody Mary Bar

You can set everything on a tray and chill it in the fridge the night before. Then just pull the tray out and have your party!
  • tall glasses
  • a bowl of ice
  • a large pitcher of bloody mary mix
  • a good, chilled bottle of vodka
  • shot glass to measure for a single serving of vodka
  • bottle Worcestershire sauce bottle
  • Cholula hot sauce or Tabasco
  • small plates for rimming glasses with salt
  • Old Bay Seasoning, celery salt, black lava salt, or homemade sriracha salt for the rim
  • assorted garnishes - see below for inspiration
  • bamboo skewers for people to make their own garnish sticks
  • large Mason jars~ serve celery and tall things in jars!
  • small bowls ~ serve things in bowls like olives and pepperoncinis

chiles to try

  • Fresh Jalapenos be sure to fire-grill them for extra flavor, canned jalapenos are fine too. Taste them to make sure they are not too hot!
  • Chipotle In Adobo Sauce are dried and smoked jalapenos in a can. These are usually very hot, go easy with them. One is usually enough.
  • Anaheim Chiles will be delicious, be sure to fire-grill these fresh chiles to get that flavor in your mix.
  • Hatch Chiles can be fresh or use canned Hatch chile products available in the grocery store. Fresh Hatch chiles must be roasted to bring out their special flavor and taste and to remove their tough outer skins. Take a look at my entire tutorial on roasting Hatch Chiles at home and tons of recipes to use with them.

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 721mg | Potassium: 543mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1285IU | Vitamin C: 39.5mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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Last Updated April 26th, 2024 at 11:09 am by Lisa

Chicken Gnocchi Soup is so easy to put together and a hearty dinner recipe. Loaded with juicy shredded chicken, vegetables, and gnocchi which are soft puffy "Italian dumplings".

Serve hot bowls of this comforting soup with a side salad, bread, cheese croutons, dinner rolls, or baguettes. Sprinkle with a shave of parmesan cheese and fresh basil. True comfort food in a bowl...

Why You Will Love Gnocchi Soup

And the best part? Gnocchi doesn't require any fuss or boiling water like regular pasta. Fresh gnocchi is a hearty soup and so filling. One of those great recipes you will make over and over.

This dinner comes together in minutes, and you can make it in a slow cooker or crockpot then add the creamy goodness and pillowy gnocchi just before serving. The whole family is going to love this dinner.

Grab these simple ingredients from the grocery store and keep them on hand to whip up this gnocchi soup recipe. Next time you need to get dinner on the table, you are good to go.

  • Easy soup recipe.
  • One pot whole meal.
  • Simple pantry ingredients.
  • No water to boil. You let the chicken and gnocchi cook right in the soup.
  • Cooks in a slow cooker, add cream and gnocchi at the end in 10 minutes!
  • Cooks in a large stockpot too.
  • 15-minute prep time.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

  • 1 cup yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 3 boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups celery finely diced
  • 2 cups carrots sliced into small coins
  • 4 cups chicken stock or broth (32 oz box)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or swap in whole milk)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1-16 oz package of gnocchi (you can add a second to make it hearty)
  • garnish: fresh basil and parmesan cheese

Soup Instructions

In a large soup pot or cast iron dutch oven, over medium-high heat, saute the chopped onion, salt, black pepper, basil, parsley, and celery salt until the onions just start to turn golden brown about 1 minute. This releases the oils in the dried herbs building great flavor ~ at top pro cooking tip!

Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds, don't let it burn.

Now add the chicken breasts, chicken stock bone broth, chopped celery and carrots, and 2 bay leaves on top.

Cover and simmer on low heat for 60 minutes.

4 steps of making Chicken Gnocchi Soup in a large white cast iron pot.

Remove the 2 bay leaves, and discard. Shred the meat with two forks in the pot.

Make a cornstarch slurry. Add 2 tablespoons cornstarch to 1 cup heavy whipping cream, and whisk well. Add in the chicken and vegetables. This makes a thick creamy soup.

Next, add the package of gnocchi, stir and let it cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat until hot and the soup thickens.

Serve with warm bread, rolls, or baguettes.

Store leftovers in an airtight container, and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Last 4 steps making Chicken Gnocchi Soup in a large white cast iron pot.

Gnocchi Soup Top Tips

  • Italian gnocchi~ use good potato gnocchi, you will find it in the pasta aisle. And the best part of gnocchi, you don't have to keep it in the refrigerator, it is a pantry shelf-stable ingredient and great to have on hand.
  • chicken ~ buy a boneless skinless breast so the tender chunks shred easily without bones. Boneless skinless chicken thighs will work as well. You can also use sliced Italian sausage or crumbled cooked sausage in this recipe.
  • onions and garlic ~ those are optional veggies but add a great amount of flavor.
  • heavy cream ~ I use heavy whipping cream, you can substitute half and half or milk, will work just fine but you won't get the super creamy broth.
  • chicken broth/stock ~ use a brand labeled either one, they are the same thing, or make it from scratch. Try my Chicken Stock Bone Broth recipe tutorial. And you can always use a low sodium chicken broth.
  • herbs and spices ~ dried parsley, basil, bay leaves, and celery salt all add so much flavor. You can also add Italian seasoning, and fresh or dried thyme, those would be really good options.
  • spinach ~ Olive Garden made chicken gnocchi soup famous, to this day it is one of their four soups on the menu! There are lots and lots of Olive Garden copycat recipes that are similar to this one out there, those include spinach.
Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) Plus Freezer Tips and 15+ Recipe Uses!
Make Chicken Stock aka Bone Broth at home to create other tasty recipes with chicken stock, plus cooking tips and 15+ delicious recipe ideas!
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3 small Mason jars filled with chicken stock and black heart shaped labels.

What Chicken Can I Use?

You can also use any kind of chicken that is cooked for this recipe, what you will want to do is add it in the last hour of cooking. Here are some great options:

Diced Chicken Recipes
Keep shredded, sliced, cubed, or finely diced chicken ready so you can whip out easy chicken dinner recipes in a rush saving time and money. No more stressing out about last-minute weeknight dinners while the entire family is hungry. Oven-baked or roasting is so easy to do at home and elevates all your recipes into deliciousness.
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Cutting boneless chicken breasts into diced cubes of meat to use in recipes.
A bowl of Chicken Gnocchi Soup and a small baguette on the edge of the bowl.

Gnocchi FAQ

What is gnocchi?

A type of Italian dumpling, that is a small oval-round shape with ridges. They are made with various ingredients including semolina or wheat flour, ricotta, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, and potato. They are puffy, light, and soft.

Some gnocchi recipes have herbs, vegetables, and other ingredients.

How is gnocchi made?


The dough that makes homemade Gnocchi is rolled out in a long rope and cut into small pieces or what looks like a small dumpling. Then ridges are put onto each piece with either a fork or a small board that has ridges. You can make your own gnocchi at home with some simple tools and time.

How do you cook gnocchi?

Gnocchi is typically boiled in salted water and then tossed with various sauces like pesto or brown butter. There are special gnocchi recipes that are made with polenta or semolina, which is spread out to dry, layered with cheese and butter, and baked.

More Chili & Soup Recipes

Cheese Soup is super cozy on a cold day and has a deep rich cheesy taste. Learn how to make your own homemade Chicken Stock, also known as bone broth. This recipe has all the step-by-step top cooking tips I have learned over the years plus how to freeze it, and 15 delicious new recipe ideas. Game Day or lazy weekends call for Turkey Chili with cornbread. Chilled Cucumber Soup (aka White Gazpacho) is a refreshing Summer recipe with yogurt, grapes, and green apples, topped with almonds and crab.

Every spoonful of Cajun Sausage And Potato Soup is comforting and zesty. This spicy, cozy dinner has hearty chunks of vegetables and slices of andouille sausage. And takes just 20 minutes of prep time. On chilly Fall or Winter nights, make a pot of Jalapeno Popper Soup filled with jalapeños and a mixture of cheeses, this will warm you right up. Chicken Noodle Soup is a classic and my personal favorite. Tomato Soup with Basil Dumplings can be rich and chunky or creamy smooth and is loaded with a veggie rainbow for a hearty lunch or dinner.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A white bowl full of Chicken Gnocchi Soup with a silver spoon and bread nearby.
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Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Chicken Gnocchi Soup is so easy to put together and a hearty dinner recipe. Loaded with juicy shredded chicken, vegetables, and gnocchi which are soft puffy "Italian dumplings". Serve hot bowls of this comforting soup with a side salad, bread, cheese croutons, dinner rolls, or baguettes. Sprinkle with a shave of parmesan cheese and fresh basil. True comfort food in a bowl.
Course Dinner & Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken gnocchi soup recipe, gnocchi soup, slow cooker gnocchi soup recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4
Calories 378kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 3 boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups celery finely diced
  • 2 cups carrots sliced into small coins
  • 4 cups chicken stock or broth (32 oz box)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (swap in whole milk)
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1-16 oz package gnocchi
  • parmesan cheese optional garnish
  • fresh basil optional garnish

Instructions

  • Dice one onion, slice carrots into coins, and dice celery.
  • In a large pot, over medium heat, saute the chopped onion, salt, pepper, basil, parsley, and celery salt until the onions just start to turn golden brown about 1 minute. This adds flavor, and releases the oils in the dried herbs.
  • Now add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
  • Now add the chicken breasts, chicken stock, carrots, celery, and 2 bay leaves on top.
  • Cover and simmer on low heat for 60 minutes.
  • Remove the 2 bay leaves. Shred the chicken with two forks in the pot or pull out onto a place, shred, then add back in.
  • Add 2 tablespoons corn starch to 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whisk well. Add into the chicken. This make the soup thick and creamy.
  • Next add the package of gnocchi, stir and let it cook for about 10 minutes until its hot and becomes thicker. Optional: a second package of gnocchi makes it hearty!
  • Serve with warm bread, rolls, or toasted baguettes.

Slow Cooker Option

  • Add the onion, salt, pepper, basil, celery salt and garlic to the slow cooker, stir until mixed. Add the chicken breasts, stock, carrots, celery, and bay leaves. Cover and cook on low 6 hours.
  • Remove and discard the bay leaves. With two forks, shred the meat in the pot.
  • Whisk 2 tablespoons of corn starch into the half and half. Pour into the slow cooker. Add one package of gnocchi, stir well.
  • Cover and let cook on high for about 10 minutes until hot and the soup thickens. The gnocchi is already cooked so you are just heating it up.
  • Serve with bread, rolls, or baguettes.
  • Garnish with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese.

Video

Notes

Gnocchi Soup Top Tips

  • Italian gnocchi~ use a good potato gnocchi, you will find it in the pasta aisle.
  • chicken ~ buy a boneless skinless breast so the tender chunks shred easily without bones. Boneless skinless thighs will work as well.
  • onions and garlic ~ those are optional, but add a great amount of flavor.
  • heavy cream ~ I use heavy whipping cream, you can substitute half and half or milk, will work just fine but you won't get super creamy broth.
  • chicken broth/stock ~ use a brand labeled either one, they are the same thing or make it from scratch. Try my Chicken Stock Bone Broth recipe tutorial.
  • herbs and spices ~ dried parsley, basil, bay leaves and celery salt all add so much flavor. You can also add Italian seasoning or dried or fresh thyme, those would be really good options.

What Chicken Can I Use?

You can also use any kind of chicken that is cooked for this recipe, what you will want to do is add it in the last hour of cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 1381mg | Potassium: 922mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 11215IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 2mg

Hot Dog Chili

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Last Updated April 26th, 2024 at 08:06 am by Lisa

Hot dog chili sauce is a "go-to" football food on game days, Superbowl parties, tailgating, or summer cookouts. And the best thing, this great recipe is ready in just 20 minutes or can simmer away in a slow cooker all during the big game!

Salsa and beer add great unique flavor to this delicious recipe. Adding a can of refried beans is an easy way to make chili nice and thick, perfect for piling on top of chili dogs...

Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce Recipe

This recipe doesn't contain ketchup like most recipes. Instead, it gets its delicious flavor from ingredients like salsa, beer, and refried beans. And has just the right amount of classic chili spices. Get the party going with these...

  • favorite brand hot dogs or sausages
  • hot dog buns
  • homemade pickle relish
  • this chili sauce (make sure it's warm!)
  • grated cheese
  • green onions

Ingredients For Hot Dog Chili Sauce

  • white onion
  • butter
  • sea salt
  • ground black pepper
  • chili powder
  • granulated garlic powder
  • oregano
  • cumin
  • ground beef
  • bottle beer
  • good salsa
  • refried beans (makes the chili thick!)

Hot Dog Chili - Stove Top Instructions

Slow cooker instructions are below in this post and in the recipe card.

  1. Chop the fresh onion into a minced fine texture. Over medium-high heat use a heavy Dutch oven, pot, or large skillet. Add the butter and saute onions with sea salt, ground pepper, chili powder, granulated garlic, oregano, and cumin. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
  2. Next, add the ground beef, cook the beef, and saute until completely brown and crumbly, about 10 more minutes.
  3. Once the onion and ground meat are browned, turn the heat down to a medium-low simmer, and skim any excess grease and fat off. The easiest way is to dip a large spoon across the surface and discard it.
  4. Add the remaining ingredients of 12 ounces of beer, salsa, and refried beans. Cook on low, and give it a good stir every few minutes. Serve warm.

What are the best hot dog toppings?

  • crispy crumbled bacon
  • condiments of relish, mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaise
  • sauerkraut
  • fresh diced or pickled jalapenos
  • diced tomatoes
  • sour cream
  • salsa
  • shredded lettuce
  • coleslaw
  • green onions, chives, diced red or white onion, or Mexican pickled onions
  • diced dill pickles or sweet pickles
  • crunchy Fritos corn chips

PRO TIP: If you want to have a little thinner sauce, add some more beer or beef broth.

Hot Dog Sauce Recipe Top Tips

  • A homemade hot dog meat sauce is a bit healthier than a canned brand from the grocery store. This recipe is made with fresh ingredients and no preservatives as long as you ensure the salsa and refried beans used in the chili don't contain any preservatives or chemicals.
  • Make Ahead: The best way to relax and have fun at parties and on game days is to make food ahead of time and have different ways to serve and reheat dishes. This recipe can be made up to two days for the party.
  • Football Theme: On game days, add a special touch and plate your chili cheese dogs on football plates with football food picks! 🏈🏈🏈
  • Hot Dog Topping Bar: Set up lots of yummy favorites, people will love building their own best hot dogs and have fun trying different flavor combinations loaded with scrumptious toppings like cheeses, onions, and condiments.
  • Homemade Pickle Relish: The best chili dogs recipe is even better with a homemade pickle to relish you can make ahead of time. The bright color comes from the special ingredients.
  • Game Day Menu Ideas: Great things that go with good chili dogs are cheddar cheese soup, a hot side of french fries, crunchy potato chips, cole slaw, macaroni salad, bacon potato salad, or a bbq potato salad!

Hot Dog Chili - Slow Cooker Instructions

Chop the minced onion into a fine texture. Add the minced onion, butter, salt, pepper, ground beef, chili powder, granulated garlic, oregano, cumin, 12 ounces of beer, salsa, and refried beans. Cook on for low 3-4 hours, give it a good stir every hour.

Note: If your slow cooker has a saute function, saute the onion, butter, salt, pepper, and brown the ground beef together. The sauteing of meat and spices adds great flavor, then add all the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for 3-4 hours.

Serve & Assemble Chili Dogs

The perfect way to serve the ground beef chili is warm in a slow cooker, crock pot, or very low heat on the stove for 2-3 hours, and scoop it onto the loaded dogs.

In each bun (toasting optional), place a grilled hot dog, chili, pickle relish, grated cheese, and green onions.

Add any other toppings you like and enjoy! Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge and eat in 3 days. Use the extra for sloppy joes or to top chili burgers.

Hot Dog Pickle Relish Recipe

The homemade pickle relish is full of delicious fresh ingredients, and no added sugar or preservatives. It takes minutes to make and is amazing.

  • bell pepper (yellow & orange bell pepper give a bright beautiful color!)
  • dill pickles
  • green cabbage
  • onion 
  • apple cider vinegar
  • yellow mustard
  • sea salt
  • ground pepper
A white bowl filled with hot dog relish topping and red plastic baskets filled with grilled hot dogs.

Step 1: Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until finely mixed (or finely mince veggies on a cutting board and mix with wet ingredients and spices in a bowl).

Step 2: Let sit for a day if possible, store in a mason jar, and use within a week.

What is pickle relish?


There are two versions of pickle relish in the U.S.:

Hamburger relish: pickle relish in a ketchup base
Hot dog relish: pickle relish in a mustard base

There are a wide variety of relishes all over the world, and the general definition of relish is "pieces of vegetables and/or fruits in a sauce."

Names for relish include Boston Gurka (Sweden), chakalaka (South Africa), chutney (India), and kuchela (Trinidad and Tobago). In the U.S., "relish" often refers to pickle relish, the most popular variety.

What is a coney dog?


A Coney Island hot dog, Coney dog, or "Coney" is a beef frankfurter in a steamed soft bun topped with a beanless chili savory meat sauce and sometimes other toppings like diced white onions and yellow mustard.

The original creation of the coney dog came about around the same time in New York, Michigan, Ohio, and elsewhere in the United States.

More Game Day Football Food

Delicious Table has dozens of Game Day and Party Food recipes, also try my Turkey Chili, it is a traditional chili and an easy recipe!

Bake warm Soft Pretzels and scoop them into an easy cheese sauce, beer cheese dip. Every bite has a chewy, golden crust with soft, fluffy centers. This Spiral Hot Dog Recipe get nice nooks and crannies to hold more toppings like relish, ketchup, and mustard. 

Get my full Cookout Menu loaded with over 60 recipes and ideas for the ultimate outdoor party. Cheesy Meatball Subs are loaded with gooey melted cheese and homemade marinara sauce. Use frozen or homemade ground beef, turkey, or pork meatballs.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A game day food table with chili dogs loaded with relish, cheese, and onions.
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Hot Dog Chili Sauce Recipe

Hot dog chili sauce is a "go-to" football food on game days, Superbowl parties, tailgating, or summer cookouts. And the best thing, this great recipe is ready in just 20 minutes or can simmer away in a slow cooker all during the big game! Salsa and beer add great unique flavor to this delicious recipe. Adding a can of refried beans is an easy way to make chili nice and thick, perfect for piling on top of chili dogs.
Course Dinner & Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Keyword chili dog sauce, chili hot dogs, hot dog chili recipe, hot dog chili sauce, hot dog chili sauce recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 584kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Hot Dog Chili Sauce

  • 1 brown onion
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried cumin
  • 1 ½ pound ground beef
  • 12 oz good beer pub ale
  • 16 oz salsa
  • 32 oz can refried beans makes thick chili!
  • 8 grilled hot dogs
  • 8 hot dog buns toasted optional
  • optional toppings: grated cheese, relish, mustard, ketchup, pickled jalapenos, green onions, crumbled bacon, or sauerkraut

Homemade Relish

  • 1 whole bell pepper green, yellow or orange
  • 1-2 whole dill pickles
  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Hot Dog Chili - Stove Top Instructions

  • Chop the fresh onion into a minced fine texture. Over medium-high heat use a heavy Dutch oven, pot, or large skillet. Add the butter and saute onions with sea salt, ground pepper, chili powder, granulated garlic, oregano, and cumin. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
  • Next, add the ground beef, cook the beef, saute until completely brown and crumbly, about 10 more minutes.
  • Once the onion and ground meat are browned, turn the heat down to medium-low simmer, and skim any excess grease and fat off. The easiest way is to dip a large spoon across the surface and discard it.
  • Add the remaining ingredients of 12 ounces of beer, salsa, and refried beans. Cook on low, and give it a good stir every few minutes. Serve warm.

Hot Dog Chili - Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Chop the minced onion into a fine texture. Add the minced onion, butter, salt, pepper, ground beef, chili powder, granulated garlic, oregano, and cumin, 12 ounces of beer, salsa, and refried beans. Cook on for low 3-4 hours, give it a good stir every hour.
    Note: If your slow cooker has a saute function, saute the onion, butter, salt, pepper, and brown the ground beef together. The sauteing of meat and spices adds great flavor, then add all the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for 3-4 hours.

Serve & Assemble Chili Dogs

  • The perfect way to serve the ground beef chili is warm from a slow cooker, crock pot or very low heat on the stove for 2-3 hours, and scoop onto the loaded hot dogs.
  • In each bun (toasting optional), place a grilled hot dog, hot dog chili, pickle relish, grated cheese, and green onions.
  • Add any other toppings you like and enjoy! Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge and eat in 3 days. Use the extra for sloppy joes or to top chili burgers.

Pickle Relish

  • Pulse all ingredients in food processor until finely mixed (or finely mince veggies on a cutting board and mix with wet ingredients and spices in a bowl).
  • Let sit for a day if possible, and the great way is to store in mason jar, and use within a week.

Notes

hot dogs

You can use any kind of beef or pork hot dog, even sausages are great! Take a look at my recipe on how to make Spiral Hot Dogs. They look pretty and get lots of nooks and crannies for the toppings. 

What are the best toppings?

  • crispy crumbled bacon
  • condiments of relish, mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaise
  • sauerkraut
  • fresh diced or pickled jalapenos
  • diced tomatoes
  • sour cream
  • salsa
  • shredded lettuce
  • coleslaw
  • green onions, chives, diced red or white onion, or Mexican pickled onions
  • diced dill pickles or sweet pickles
  • crunchy Fritos corn chips
  • A homemade hot dog meat sauce is a bit healthier than a canned brand from the grocery store. This recipe is made with fresh ingredients and no preservatives as long as you ensure the salsa and refried beans used in the chili don't contain any preservatives or chemicals.
  • Make Ahead: The best way to relax and have fun at parties and on game days is to make food ahead of time and have different ways to serve and reheat dishes. This recipe can be made up to two days for the party.

Nutrition

Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 2097mg | Potassium: 568mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 507IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 6mg

Pretzels With Beer Cheese Dip

[heart_this] · · 1 Comment

Last Updated September 29th, 2023 at 08:58 am by Lisa

Bake warm soft pretzels and scoop them into an easy beer cheese dip. Every bite has a chewy, golden crust with soft, fluffy centers.

Homemade pretzels are the perfect appetizer for relaxed weekends at home or big game-day football parties! And they just take about an hour. You can shape the pretzel dough like footballs, small soft pretzel nuggets, knots, or the classic pretzel shape...

Pretzels With Beer Cheese Dip Recipe

Dip your warm homemade soft pretzels into a creamy beer cheese dip. The delicious beer cheese dip can be made from different types of cheddar cheese, Swiss, and lots of other cheeses you have on hand.

There are also pretzel flavor variations down in the recipe card for you to try!

Bake a batch for snacks or on game days to watch sports like football games...

Soft Pretzel Recipe

  • warm water
  • active dry yeast
  • granulated sugar
  • kosher salt
  • melted butter
  • all purpose flour, extra for kneading
  • egg whisked
  • coarse sea salt or pretzel salt

Baking Soda Water Bath

  • baking soda
  • water

First, Make Pretzel Dough

  1. In a large bowl (if hand kneading) or large mixing bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the yeast in warm water, stir until it dissolves and let it sit for a few minutes. Whisk in sugar, salt, and melted butter.
  2. Slowly add 4 cups of the flour, a cup at a time with a wooden spoon or dough hook attachment in your mixer on low speed until the pretzel dough is no longer floury, shaggy, or sticky. If sticky, add just a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time until it forms a ball. Push your finger into the dough ball, if it bounces back you are ready to knead it.

Second, Dough Knead & Rise

  1. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface, knead for about 5 minutes and shape it into a ball. Or knead the dough in a stand mixer with the hook attachment at low speed for 5 minutes. Put the dough in a bowl, in a warm place, cover it with a towel, and put it in a warm place for 30-60 minutes.
  2. Make-Ahead Tips: At this point, the pretzel dough can be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for three months. Defrost frozen pretzel dough in the refrigerator, before shaping and baking. The dough can be shaped cold into pretzels, but let the pretzels puff up on your sheet pan before dipping and baking. Keep the pretzel dough in a good food-safe airtight container or freezer container.

Then, Make The Baking Soda Bath

  1. Meanwhile, while the dough is resting, make the baking soda boiling water bath. Pour 9 cups of water into a large pot with high sides, and bring to a boil.
  2. Then add ½ cup of baking soda, it will foam up doubling in volume when adding the baking soda. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a simmer, not a boil.

Now Make Pretzel Shapes

  1. Place parchment paper on two large baking sheets. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Cut this dough into 12 even pieces to make pretzels, ⅓ cup each. Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll the dough into a long, skinny rope against the counter using the palms of your hands. If the dough shrinks back, set it aside, and come back to it after it's rested for a few more minutes. Once you shape your pretzels, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover them loosely, and let rise until puffy, 20 minutes.

Water Bath Dipping Pretzels

  1. Use a large slotted spoon, and lower the pretzels into the simmering water bath for 30 seconds maximum. If you go too long in the water bath, the pretzels gain a bitter taste from the baking soda.
  2. At 30 seconds, scoop them out and gently place them on the prepared baking sheet. The pretzels will puff and get a wrinkled puckered look, that is good. If desired, you can refrigerate the boiled unbaked pretzels for up to 24 hours. This is a great game day or party prep hack!

And Finally, Bake Pretzels!

  1. Whisk an egg for the egg wash, and brush all over the tops of the pretzels. Sprinkle coarse salt or pretzel salt lightly on top of the pretzels.
  2. Bake the pretzels for 15-20 minutes, check on them at 15 minutes. They are done when they are golden brown. Serve with warm beer cheese dip, nacho cheese sauce, or yellow mustard.

Beer Cheese Recipe

  • pale ale beer blonde ale
  • all purpose flour
  • sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Swiss cheese
  • cream cheese
  • Dijon mustard or ground mustard
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • garlic powder
  • hot sauce

Beer Cheese Dip Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, heat the beer until boiling over medium heat, then whisk in the flour until smooth.
  2. Turn the heat down, and add the grated cheddar and Swiss cheese one handful at a time and continue whisking until smooth.
  3. Whisk in the cream cheese, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and hot sauce until thoroughly combined.
  4. Remove from heat and serve warm with soft pretzels.

Soft Pretzel Shapes & Ideas

Football Pretzel Shape: Roll the dough into long ropes, and cut three 6-inch pieces to form the outside edge and line down the middle of the football, two 3-inch pieces for the curved end pieces, and three 1-inch pieces for the football laces. Lay the pieces together and gently pinch the edges to hold them together.

Classic Pretzel Twists: Roll the dough into a 20-inch long rope. Make a circle with the ends of the dough at the top of the circle, twist the ends, then fold the twist back down toward you over the bottom loop to form a pretzel shape.

Pretzel Bites: Roll out the pretzel dough into long ropes. Cut each rope into 1 ½-inch equal pieces.

Pretzel Sticks: Cut the dough into 24 pieces. Roll them into long ropes, dip them into the water bath for 30 seconds, lay them on a baking sheet, and pull them straight before baking.

Pretzel Knots: Roll dough into a rope, tie it into a knot, and then tuck the ends underneath into the center.

More Pretzels With Beer Cheese Dip Ideas

Beer Cheese Sauce Flavors

  • Variety of Cheeses: Try some different cheeses like pepper jack, Mexican queso Blanco, Monterey jack, or smoked, sharp, or American cheddar. For best results, grate cheese at home and avoid pre-grated cheeses as they don't melt as well due to the anticaking agents in the packaging process.
  • Spicy Additions: If you like it hot, add in some chopped jalapeños, Hatch chiles, serranos, cayennes, chipotle, or a hot sauce like Tabasco. Tapatio, or buffalo sauce.
  • Kind of Beer: Use the type of beer you prefer, darker beers bring on a much stronger flavor. Buy the best beer, like a good amber ale, my favorite beer is pale ales, they taste just right in this recipe. You can also use a non-alcoholic beer if you prefer.
  • Leftover Dip: If you have extra cheese dip, use it as cheese fondue with bread cubes, mix it into a casserole dish of mac and cheese, or pour over scalloped potatoes for dinner.

Pretzel Flavors To Try

  • Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels: Skip using the egg wash and coarse salt, melt salted or unsalted butter, brush on the pretzels, then dip the pretzels into a shallow bowl filled with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ cup sugar mixed together. Eat these right away, as they don't hold well.
  • Cheesy Jalapeno Pretzels: Use the egg wash, then top with different grated cheeses. And top with thinly sliced jalapenos and bake!
  • Everything Bagel Pretzels: Egg wash, or brush with garlic butter, then sprinkle on everything bagel seasoning mix and bake.
Why do you boil pretzels before baking?

Technically you can bake pretzels without boiling them, but the process creates a fluffier texture, they puff when they hit the hot water. And the inside gains a chewy texture that we all love. This reaction is the same with bagels. Due to the baking soda, the outside of the pretzels gains a darker golden crust.

More Football Food & Game Day Appetizers

Guacamole using a regular bowl or molcajete (traditional Mexican cooking tool) plus avocado recipes and tips to prevent browning. This is an authentic favorite guacamole recipe made just like you are in Mexico, serve with a big bowl of tortilla chips.

Buffalo Cauliflower is a healthy appetizer that tastes like "Buffalo Chicken Wings". Dip Cauliflower Wings in blue cheese dressing or ranch dip!

Buffalo Chicken Appetizer made with tortilla chips, buffalo wing sauce, blue cheese, and crisp celery made in 20 minutes with 6 ingredients.

Make Tater Tot Nachos "Totchos" or sheet pan nachos made with tater tots, pulled pork, and a creamy Tomatillo Sauce on weekends for game days or even a simple dinner!

French Onion Dip is an easy appetizer with rich flavor from caramelized onions and fresh simple ingredients. And a classic to serve on exciting big game days with a big bag of potato chips.

Drizzle this Avocado Salsa over tacos, and burritos, dip taquitos into it, and pour on a taco salad or scoop up with tortilla chips...

Tavern Bar Style Pickled Eggs are a popular bar food served for hundreds of years to hungry patrons. This fun easy pickled egg recipe can be a healthy snack, appetizer, or cold hors d'oeuvres for tailgating!

Jalapeno Popper Dip is always a big hit and is one of the best dips! Make this melty hot appetizer for parties with simple pantry ingredients and scoop up with large corn chips.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A wood platter loaded with soft pretzels shaped like footballs and beer cheese dip in a bowl nearby.
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Pretzel With Beer Cheese Dip Recipe

Bake warm soft pretzels and scoop them into an easy beer cheese dip. Every bite has a chewy, golden crust with soft, fluffy centers. Homemade pretzels are the perfect appetizer for relaxed weekends at home or big game-day football parties! And they just take about an hour. You can shape the pretzel dough like footballs, small soft pretzel nuggets, knots, or the classic pretzel shape...
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword beer cheese dip, football pretzels, homemade pretzels, pretzel bites, pretzel recipe, pretzels and beer cheese dip, soft pretzel recipe, soft pretzels
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12
Calories 388kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Beer Cheese Dip

  • 12 oz pale ale beer blonde ale
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 8 oz sharp Cheddar cheese coarsely grated
  • 8 oz Swiss cheese
  • 4 oz. cream cheese ½ block, room temp
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard or ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon hot sauce

Soft Pretzels

  • 1 ½ cups warm water lukewarm around 100 degrees
  • 1 packet active dry yeast or instant yeast 2 ¼ teaspoons
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar can swap in brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 4 cups all purpose flour extra for kneading
  • 1 large egg whisked beaten egg wash
  • ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt or pretzel salt

Baking Soda Water Bath

  • ½ cup baking soda
  • 9 cups water

Instructions

Beer Cheese Dip

  • In a medium saucepan, heat the beer until boiling over medium heat, then whisk in the flour until smooth.
  • Turn the heat down, and add the grated cheddar and Swiss cheese one handful at a time and continue whisking until smooth.
  • Whisk in the cream cheese, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and hot sauce until thoroughly combined.
  • Remove from heat and serve warm with soft pretzels.

Make Pretzel Dough

  • In a large bowl (if hand kneading) or large mixing bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the yeast in warm water, stir until it dissolves and let it sit for a few minutes. Whisk in sugar, salt, and melted butter.
  • Slowly add 4 cups of the flour, a cup at a time with a wooden spoon or dough hook attachment in your mixer on low speed until the pretzel dough is no longer floury, shaggy, or sticky. If sticky, add just a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time until it forms a ball. Push your finger into the dough ball, if it bounces back you are ready to knead it.

Dough Knead & Rise

  • Turn out the dough onto a floured surface, knead for about 5 minutes and shape it into a ball. Or knead the dough in a stand mixer with the hook attachment at low speed for 5 minutes. Put the dough in a bowl, in a warm place, cover it with a towel, and put it in a warm place for 30-60 minutes.
  • Make-Ahead Tips: At this point, the pretzel dough can be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for three months. Defrost frozen pretzel dough in the refrigerator, before shaping and baking. The dough can be shaped cold into pretzels, but let the pretzels puff up on your sheet pan before dipping and baking. Keep the pretzel dough in a good food safe airtight container or freezer container.

Make The Baking Soda Bath

  • Meanwhile, while the dough is resting, make the baking soda boiling water bath. Pour 9 cups of water into a large pot with high sides, and bring to a boil.
  • Then add ½ cup of baking soda, it will foam up doubling in volume when adding the baking soda. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a simmer, not a boil.

Pretzel Shapes

  • Place parchment paper on two large baking sheets. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Farenheight.
  • Cut this dough into 12 even pieces to make pretzels, ⅓ cup each. Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll the dough into a long, skinny rope against the counter using the palms of your hands. If the dough shrinks back, set it aside, and come back to it after it's rested for a few more minutes.
    Once you shape your pretzels, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover them loosely, and let rise until puffy, 20 minutes.
  • Football Pretzel Shape: Roll the dough into long ropes, and cut three 6-inch pieces to form the outside edge and line down the middle of the football, two 3-inch pieces for the curved end pieces, and three 1-inch pieces for the football laces. Lay the pieces together and gently pinch the edges to hold them together.
    Classic Pretzel Twists: Roll the dough into a 20-inch long rope. Make a circle with the ends of the dough at the top of the circle crossed over, twist the ends, then fold the twist back down toward you over the bottom loop to form a pretzel shape.
    Pretzel Bites: Roll out the pretzel dough into long ropes. Cut each rope into 1 ½-inch equal pieces.
    Pretzel Sticks: Cut the dough into 24 pieces. Roll them into long ropes, dip them into the water bath for 30 seconds, lay them on a baking sheet, and pull them straight before baking.
    Pretzel Knots: Roll dough into a rope, tie it into a knot, and then tuck the ends underneath into the center.

Water Bath Dipping Pretzels

  • Use a large slotted spoon, and lower the pretzels into the simmering water bath for 30 seconds maximum. If you go too long in the water bath, the pretzels gain a bitter taste from the baking soda.
  • At 30 seconds, scoop them out and gently place them on the prepared baking sheet. The pretzels will puff and get a wrinkled puckered look, that is good.
    If desired, you can refrigerate the boiled unbaked pretzels for up to 24 hours. This is a great game day or party prep hack!

Bake Pretzels

  • Whisk an egg for the egg wash, and brush all over the tops of the pretzels. Sprinkle coarse salt or pretzel salt lightly on top of the pretzels.
  • Bake the pretzels for 15-20 minutes, check on them at 15 minutes. They are done when they are golden brown. Serve with warm beer cheese dip, nacho cheese sauce, or yellow mustard.

Video

Notes

Beer Cheese Sauce Flavors

  • Variety of Cheeses: Try some different cheeses like pepper jack, Mexican queso Blanco, Monterey jack, or smoked, sharp, or American cheddar. For best results, grate cheese at home and avoid pre-grated cheeses as they don't melt as well due to the anticaking agents in the packaging process.
  • Spicy Additions: If you like it hot, add in some chopped jalapeños, Hatch chiles, serranos, cayennes, chipotle, or a hot sauce like Tabasco. Tapatio, or buffalo sauce.
  • Kind of Beer: Use the type of beer you prefer, darker beers bring on a much stronger flavor. Buy the best beer, like a good amber ale, my favorite beer is pale ales, they taste just right in this recipe. You can also use a non-alcoholic beer if you prefer.
  • Leftover Dip: If you have extra cheese dip, use it as cheese fondue with bread cubes, mix it into a casserole dish of mac and cheese, or pour over scalloped potatoes for dinner.

Pretzel Flavors To Try

  • Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels: Skip using the egg wash and coarse salt, melt salted or unsalted butter, brush on the pretzels, then dip the pretzels into a shallow bowl filled with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ cup sugar mixed together. Eat these right away, as they don't hold well.
  • Cheesy Jalapeno Pretzels: Use the egg wash, then top with different grated cheeses. And top with thinly sliced jalapenos and bake!
  • Everything Bagel Pretzels: Egg wash, or brush with garlic butter, then sprinkle on everything bagel seasoning mix and bake.

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1905mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 556IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 330mg | Iron: 2mg

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

[heart_this] · · 3 Comments

Last Updated September 5th, 2023 at 06:45 pm by Lisa

A big scoop of this layered chicken enchilada casserole defines cozy, yummy, comfort food. What makes this a great recipe, is you can cook the filling on the stovetop or simmer in a slow cooker all day.

Bake this casserole until it's bubbly and golden brown, and look at the shortcut timesaving ideas for crazy busy days when you gotta get dinner on the table even faster.

There are layers of soft tortillas, filled with tender juicy shredded chicken, melted cheeses, sliced black olives, and fire roasted salsa verde for added depth of authentic delicious flavors of this traditional Mexican dish...

Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe

Once you make the easy chicken enchilada casserole filling either in a slow cooker, as a crock pot recipe, or on the stovetop, any extra leftover chicken filling can become tacos, taquitos, and many other meals. Also, this easy enchilada casserole reheats quickly in the microwave or oven.

Make Chicken Filling Mixture

  • 4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups diced yellow onion or red onion
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Two 24 oz jars roasted Salsa Verde salsa - Old El Paso, San Antonio brand from Costco or any similar brand enchilada sauce. NOTE: Reserve 1 jar for dipping the tortillas.

Try my Homemade Green Enchilada Sauce, it is so easy and delicious. And freezes so well!

Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe
Cook green enchilada sauce at home, and skip the cans at the store! With a few simple steps, it will become one of your favorite ways to enjoy fresh green chilis, onions, and tomatillos. Layer into authentic chicken enchiladas verde, one of everyone's favorite Mexican dishes for dinner. Year-round, choose to fire grill or oven-roast the vegetables. Either way adds so much flavor to your very own homemade enchilada sauce.
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A glass jar with a clamp filled with green enchilada sauce on a colorful striped piece of cloth.

Enchilada Casserole Ingredients

  • 1 lb white corn tortillas yellow corn or flour work too
  • 3 cups grated Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese
  • 10 oz Mexican Oaxaca cheese (wheel) optional diced into cubes
  • 16 oz sliced black olives drained
  • 1 jar of salsa verde salsa
  • chicken enchilada filling
4 images on how to make chicken filling for chicken enchilada casserole in a slow cooker or dutch oven.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas Casserole Recipe

  1. In a slow cooker or in the bottom of the slow cooker place chicken breasts, diced yellow onions, ground cumin, ground black pepper, sea salt, and one large jar of roasted salsa verde salsa. The other jar is to dip your tortillas in. Alternatively, you can use a jar or can of red enchilada sauce in place of the green salsa verde salsa.
  2. Cook on low heat for at least 4 hours of your slow cooker, but you can go up to 6-8 hours cook time on low. Shred the chicken with two forks, and mix the filling.

Stovetop Chicken Enchilada Filling

  1. Alternatively, you can make the chicken enchilada filling on the stove top for faster preparation. In a dutch oven or pot with a lid like chicken stock, add the boneless chicken breasts, diced yellow onions, ground cumin, ground black pepper, sea salt, and a large jar of roasted salsa verde salsa.
  2. Cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes covered, for best results check occasionally and add a little more chicken broth if it dries out needed. Shred chicken with 2 forks once cooked and mix well.

Assemble Enchilada Casserole

  1. Preheat the oven to a high heat of 375 degrees. Spray the sides and bottom of the casserole dish with nonstick spray for easier cleanup and serving.
  2. Optional but so good: Heat olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet pan and quickly fry all the tortillas-this adds great flavor. Just cook the tortillas a minute or so on each side until they are turning a little golden.
  3. Pour the salsa verde (or enchiladas sauce) into a small pan or dish. Dip tortillas into the salsa/sauce and coat well. Place a scoop or large spoon of chicken mixture filling down the middle of the tortilla.
  4. Add a layer of cheese on top of chicken filling. Next fold tortillas inward and roll up, then place them seam side down into the bottom of the dish.
  5. Fill the pan with all rolled and filled tortillas.
  6. Pour remaining salsa verde salsa (or enchilada sauce) of the jar on top of rolled enchiladas. Now add plenty of cheese, and sprinkle it generously all over. Add small cubes of Mexican Oaxaca cheese, and a can of sliced drained black olives for the top layer.
  7. Bake 375 for 45 minutes until brown and bubbly.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve with a big green salad, red rice, a side of Mexican rice brown rice, refried beans, tortilla strips, and any favorite toppings you love like sour cream or salsas.
  9. Store leftovers in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days.

Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole Variations & Toppings

Time Savers: Instead of cooking the chicken, buy or make Diced Chicken. Or use the meat from a rotisserie chicken, and cook for 30 minutes until the onion is soft and spices all combine with the cooked chicken to make the filling. Then assemble the casserole.

Toppings: Sprinkle on green onions, chopped pickled jalapenos, or a dollop of sour cream or Mexican crema. Be sure to open a big bag of restaurant style tortilla chips to have with this dinner!

Types Of Cheeses: Use the types of cheese you prefer. Mexican shredded cheese labeled queso fresco or Oaxaca gives authentic flavor. You can find Mexican Oaxaca cheese at local grocery stores. Colby Jack or Monterey Jack Cheese or pepper jack cheese would be really great too!

Beef Enchilada Recipe: Make this a ground beef enchilada casserole recipe simply swap out the chicken breasts for browned ground beef. Or use flank steak in the slow cooker for at least 4 hours with some taco seasoning.

Cheese Enchilada Recipe: Just leave out the chicken and add in lots of cheese. You could also add in more fire roasted green chiles or red bell pepper to keep it vegetarian for cheese enchiladas.

Make Homemade Enchilada Sauce: Try my Homemade Enchilada Sauce to dip the tortillas in, and pour it over the top of the casserole. Or a storebought one like Old El Paso green chile enchilada sauce, or a delicious enchilada red sauce.

Kind Of Tortillas: Flour tortillas, whole wheat tortillas, or yellow corn tortillas work in this recipe.

Add More Seasonings: If you prefer it spicier add more ancho chili powder, garlic powder, or onion powder.

PRO TIP: Make extra chicken filling in your slow cooker, and portion in ziplock bags for the freezer. Then you can make enchiladas anytime!

Chicken Enchilada FAQ

Can you make chicken enchilada casserole ahead?

Yes, prepare two casserole dishes, bake one, and freeze the other. Wrap it tightly in heavy aluminum foil, and then a layer or two of cling wrap.
What a great fast dinner to take out of the freezer, you, and yes, you can bake from frozen.

What sides go with cheese enchiladas?

Good side dish options are hot refried beans topped with melted grated cheese, black beans, Mexican red rice, or tortilla chips.

What else can I make with leftover chicken enchilada filling?

Take the extra chicken enchilada filling from your slow cooker and a portion in ziplock bags for the freezer. These are some of my favorite ways to use any extra filling for quick dinners any night of the week:

Tuck into crispy fried taco shells
Bake into Mexican casseroles
Wrap into burritos loaded with beans and cheese
Use to fill taquitos or quesadillas
Layer into nachos loaded with cheese and Mexican pickled onions and jalapenos
Add into a taco salad in place of the taco meat
Top on tostadas with crisp iceberg lettuce and salsa
Wrap into tamales with queso fresco cheese

What are enchiladadas?

A Mexican dish that is corn tortillas with a meat filling. The tortilla is rolled around and covered with a savory sauce and covered in cheese.
Enchiladas are filled with different ingredients like
meats, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, or combinations.
Enchilada sauces can be red or green chili sauces like salsa roja, moles, tomatillo-based sauces, such as salsa verde. They can also be cheese-based sauces, such as chile con queso.

More Mexican Food Recipes

Any of these Mexican recipes are a great addition to your family dinner or Taco Tuesday feast!

Mexican Pickled Red Onions are an easy recipe with no canning skills needed and ready in 30 minutes. This tasty condiment for Mexican food is just like what they serve you in restaurants for street tacos.

Homemade Tomatillo Salsa has a fresh taste you will never get out of a jar or from any store.  The fire-grilled flavor and medium heat in this homemade salsa will have people loving each and every bite.

There are so many different ways to make guacamole. This is an Authentic Guacamole recipe. It has fresh lime juice, grated onion (one of my top secrets), chopped tomato, hot sauce, and spices. Make it in a molcajete a traditional ancient cooking tool or in any bowl with just a couple of forks!

Avocado Salsa aka Taco Sauce is a great side dish to drizzle on Mexican foods. Try it on tacos, burritos, taquitos, or served with tortilla chips as a dip.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A white casserole dish with chicken enchilada casserole topped with black olives and lots of melted cheese.
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Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

A big scoop of this layered chicken enchilada casserole defines cozy, yummy, comfort food. What makes this a great recipe, is you can cook the filling on the stovetop or simmer in a slow cooker all day. There are layers of soft tortillas, filled with tender juicy shredded chicken, melted cheeses, sliced black olives, and fire roasted salsa verde for added depth of authentic delicious flavors of this traditional Mexican dish.
Course Dinner & Main Dishes
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword chicken enchilada casserole, chicken enchiladas, layered chicken enchilada casserole, slow cooker chicken enchilada casserole
Prep Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 411kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Enchilada Chicken Filling

  • 4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups diced yellow onion or red onion
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 24 oz jars roasted Salsa Verde salsa (Old El Paso, San Antonio brand from Costco or any similar brand enchilada sauce. Reserve 1 jar for dipping the tortillas.)

Enchilada Casserole

  • 1 lb white corn tortillas yellow corn or flour work too
  • 3 cups grated Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese
  • 10 oz Mexican Oaxaca cheese (wheel) optional diced into cubes
  • 16 oz sliced black olives drained
  • chicken enchilada filling
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas Casserole Recipe

  • In a slow cooker or in the bottom of the crockpot place chicken breasts, diced yellow onions, ground cumin, ground black pepper, sea salt, and one large jar of roasted salsa verde salsa. The other jar is to dip your tortillas in. Alternatively, you can use a jar or can of red enchilada sauce in place of the green salsa verde salsa.
  • Cook on low heat for at least 4 hours of your slow cooker, but you can go up to 6-8 hours cook time on low. Shred the chicken with two forks, and mix the filling.

Stovetop Chicken Enchilada Filling

  • Alternatively, you can make the chicken enchilada filling on the stove top for faster preparation. In a dutch oven or pot with a lid like chicken stock, add the boneless chicken breasts, diced yellow onions, ground cumin, ground black pepper, sea salt, and a large jar of roasted salsa verde salsa.
  • Cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes covered, for best results check occasionally and add a little more chicken broth if it dries out needed. Shred chicken with 2 forks once cooked and mix well.

Assemble Enchilada Casserole

  • Preheat the oven to a high heat of 375 degrees. Spray the sides and bottom of the casserole dish with nonstick spray for easier cleanup and serving.
  • Optional but so good: Heat olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet pan and quickly fry all the tortillas-this adds great flavor. Just cook the tortillas a minute or so on each side until they are turning a little golden.
  • Pour the salsa verde (or enchiladas sauce) into a small pan or dish. Dip tortillas into the salsa/sauce and coat well. Place a scoop or large spoon of chicken mixture filling down the middle of the tortilla.
  • Add a layer of cheese on top of chicken filling. Next fold tortillas inward and roll up, then place them seam side down into the bottom of the dish.
  • Fill the pan with all rolled and filled tortillas.
  • Pour remaining salsa verde salsa (or enchilada sauce) of the jar on top of rolled enchiladas. Now add plenty of cheese, and sprinkle it generously all over. Add small cubes of Mexican Oaxaca cheese, and a can of sliced drained black olives for the top layer.
  • Bake 375 for 45 minutes until brown and bubbly.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve with big green salad, red rice, a side of Mexican rice brown rice, refried beans, tortilla strips, and any favorite toppings you love like sour cream or salsas.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container, eat within 3 days.

Video

Notes

PRO TIP: Here is what I love about this recipe, make extra chicken filling in your slow cooker, and portion in ziplock bags for the freezer.
You can also make an extra pan of chicken enchiladas, and freeze them, then simply defrost them in the fridge overnight and bake them for dinner!

Variations & Toppings

  • Toppings: sprinkle on green onions, chopped pickled jalapenos, or a dollop of sour cream or Mexican crema. Be sure to open a big bag of restaurant style tortilla chips!
  • Types Of Cheeses: use the types of cheese you prefer, the Mexican shredded cheese is great and so is queso fresco for an authentic flavor even Colby jack or Monterey jack would be really great.
  • Beef Enchilada Recipe: to make this a ground beef enchilada casserole recipe simply swap out the chicken breasts and brown ground beef with some taco seasoning.
  • Cheese Enchilada Recipe: just leave out the chicken and add in lots of cheese. You could also add in more fire roasted green chiles to keep it vegetarian for cheese enchiladas.
  • Your Own Enchilada Sauce: Use your homemade enchilada sauce to dip the tortillas in, and pour it over the top of the casserole. Or a storebought one like Old El Paso green chile enchilada sauce, or a delicious enchilada red sauce.
  • Kind Of Tortillas: flour tortillas or whole wheat tortillas will work in this recipe as well, and so will yellow corn tortillas. 
  • Add More Seasonings: if you prefer it spicier like chili powder, garlic, or onion powder.

Nutrition

Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 1630mg | Potassium: 908mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1005IU | Vitamin C: 8.1mg | Calcium: 228mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Shrimp Cocktail

[heart_this] · · 3 Comments

Last Updated May 21st, 2023 at 11:51 pm by Lisa

The best Shrimp Cocktail (prawn cocktail) is made by oven-roasting large shrimp, then dipping them in homemade shrimp cocktail sauce!

The shrimp cooks in just 15 minutes and is such an easy appetizer for the holiday season, New Year's Eve, or party food for special occasions and celebrations.

Roasting is a great way to go versus dealing with a large pot of boiling water. A sheet pan is so much easier, with less cleanup, and adds a deeply rich, delicious shrimpy flavor...

Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Once you try this amazing shrimp cocktail recipe, you will never buy the shrimp ring of packaged pre-cooked shrimp at the store. They never taste as fresh as when you cook your own. There really are no specialty ingredients, everything is available from any grocery store.

Cooked Shrimp Ingredients

  • 2 lbs wild shrimp tail-on, peeled, deveined large/jumbo 20-25 count
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper or white pepper

Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe Ingredients

Your zesty shrimp cocktail sauce made at home will earn rave reviews from friends, family, and dinner guests. Serve with some chilled white wine or Champagne, and enjoy all the compliments! To make the best shrimp cocktail sauce recipe, use good quality fresh ingredients.

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup Chili Garlic Sauce Heinz or Vietnamese brand
  • 1 lemon zest and lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup celery (3 stalks finely chopped)
  • optional: ¼ teaspoon Tabasco sauce or Frank's red hot sauce
  • optional: lemon wedges optional garnish

Cocktail Seafood Sauce

  1. In a small bowl, combine ketchup, chili garlic sauce, lemon zest and lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, prepared horseradish, finely diced celery, and Tabasco hot sauce.
  2. Mix well, and chill in an airtight container in the fridge.
A small square glass bowl filled with homemade cocktail sauce and a celery top garnish to serve with shrimp cocktail.
  • wild shrimp - buy tail-on, peeled deveined large 20-25 count also called jumbo. Wild shrimp is a natural seafood product and is my recommendation.
  • olive oil - good extra virgin olive oil.
  • sea salt - kosher sea salt is my go-to!
  • ground black pepper - ground fresh is packed with flavor.
  • Chili Garlic Sauce - Heinz or Vietnamese brand, these are easy to find in any grocery and a versatile condiment.
  • ketchup - brings that sweet tomato flavor into the cocktail sauce and the color.
  • lemon - zest and juice one real lemon, which adds amazing tang and brightness.
  • prepared horseradish - adds a nice spicy kick, and balances the sweet chili sauce, for a milder sauce- reduce or omit the amount of horseradish.
  • Worcestershire sauce - adds a tangy depth of umami flavor.
  • celery - finely chopped adds a crisp clean crunch and makes the best cocktail sauce.
  • Tabasco - or a hot sauce you love adds just the right amount of heat.

Roasting the Cooked Shrimp

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Remove the frozen shrimp from the bag, place them in a colander and rinse under cool water, they will be ready to cook in about 15 minutes from frozen.
  3. Peel and devein them if needed, and leave the tails on if possible, this gives your guest a little "handle" to hold as you dunk them in the dipping sauce!
  4. Place on a sheet pan with olive oil, salt, and pepper, toss to coat evenly, and spread into one layer.
  5. Roast for 15 minutes, until just pink, and they will curl up a bit and will be firm. Set aside to cool.
  6. Arrange them on a large platter with the homemade cocktail sauce in a bowl and some fresh lemon wedges to squeeze on top
A clear glass platter full of cooked shrimp for shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce nearby.

Why This Recipe Is AMAZING!

  • Roasting adds tremendous flavor versus when you boil.
  • The added seasoning makes them taste incredible!
  • The shrimp can be served right out of the oven.
  • No waiting for boiling pots of water or draining.
  • The color of the seafood is a vibrant pink.
  • No pots of boiling water, messy poaching liquid to throw out, or a large bowl of ice water to fill when you roast in the oven!
  • Homemade cocktail sauce is easy and SO much better than bottled shrimp sauce or seafood store versions.
2 lbs of cooked shrimp on a glass platter with cocktail to serve at a party.

Raw Shrimp Per Serving FAQ

What size shrimp per person?


Shrimp are graded by the seafood industry and commercial brands in different terms, and it can be confusing.

Next time you are at the seafood counter, the fresh shrimp on ice will be labeled and this will help you purchase pounds of shrimp from your favorite grocery stores.

Another great option is to buy high quality preferably wild shrimp that is flash frozen at the peak of freshness.

A good average serving size* per person is about 4 ounces of shrimp, here is a way to know what the package means:

Extra Colossal U/10 2-3 serving
Super Colossal U/12 2-3/serving
Colossal U/15 3-4/serving
Extra Jumbo 16/20 4-5/serving
Jumbo 21/25 5-6/serving
Extra Large 26/30 6-7/serving
Large 31/35 8-9/serving
Medium Large 36/40 9-10/serving
Medium 41/50 10-12/serving
Small 51/60 12-15/serving
Extra Small 61/70 15-17/serving
Tiny 71+ 18+/serving

Cooked shrimp on a glass platter with cocktail to served at a Christmas party with champagne.

More Party Food Appetizer Recipes

Brie and Bacon Palmiers baked in 15 minutes with 3 ingredients. An easy last-minute appetizer packed with bacony goodness, golden puff pastry, and that classic brie taste.

French Onion Dip is an easy appetizer with rich flavor from caramelized onions and fresh simple ingredients. This party appetizer tastes even better if you make it a day or so ahead!

Every impressive appetizer and delicious desserts in this collection of 40 Best Puff Pastry Recipes is wrapped with irresistible golden flaky layers of freshly baked pastry and creative filling combinations.

Mini Beef Wellington Appetizers are delicious fancy hors d'oeuvres to bake for your next dinner party, for special occasions, or anytime during the holiday season. People will devour them hot out of the oven!

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A clear glass plate with shrimp cocktail, cocktail sauce, and two glasses of champagne.
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Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

The best Shrimp Cocktail (prawn cocktail) is made by oven-roasting, then dipping them in homemade shrimp cocktail sauce! The shrimp cooks in just 15 minutes and is such an easy appetizer for the holiday season, New Year's Eve, or party food for special occasions and celebrations. Roasting is a great way to go versus dealing with a large pot of boiling water, a sheet pan is so much easier with less cleanup, and the roasting adds deep rich, delicious shrimpy flavor.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword cocktail sauce, roasted shrimp, shrimp cocktail
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 163kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

cooked shrimp

  • 2 lbs wild shrimp tail-on, peeled, deveined large/jumbo shrimp 20-25 count
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper or white pepper

homemade shrimp cocktail sauce

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup Chili Garlic Sauce Heinz or Vietnamese brand
  • 1 lemon zest and juice
  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
  • 1 cup celery 3 stalks finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon Tabasco sauce or Frank's red hot sauce
  • lemon wedges optional garnish

Instructions

make cocktail sauce

  • In a small bowl, combine ketchup, chili garlic sauce, lemon zest and lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, prepared horseradish, finely diced celery, and Tabasco hot sauce.
  • Mix well, and chill in an airtight container in the fridge.

roast the shrimp

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Remove the frozen shrimp from the bag, place in a colander and rinse under cool water. Your shrimp will be ready to cook in about 15 minutes from frozen.
  • Peel and devein the shrimp if not already clean, and leave the tails on if possible, this gives your guest a little "handle" to hold the shrimp as you dunk them in the dipping sauce!
  • Place on a sheet pan with olive oil, salt, and pepper, toss to coat evenly and spread into one layer.
  • Roast 15 minutes, until just pink, and they will curl up a bit and will be firm. Set aside to cool.
  • Arrange the roasted shrimp on a large platter with the homemade cocktail sauce in a bowl and some fresh lemon wedges to squeeze on top.

Video

Notes

shrimp

I recommend buying good wild-caught shrimp vs farm-raised, the flavor and natural product are worth a bit extra on the price. Now, the packages can be confusing! I have a full chart of shrimp in this recipe post, but here are some of the common shrimp sizes and names to help you navigate your purchase. For this recipe, any shrimp will work, but I would buy jumbo or extra-jumbo shrimp. Once you defrost them, they shrink in size as the ice melts away!
Extra Jumbo 16/20 4-5/serving
Jumbo 21/25 5-6/serving
Extra Large 26/30 6-7/serving
Large 31/35 8-9/serving
Medium Large 36/40 9-10/serving
  • wild shrimp - buy tail-on, peeled deveined large 20-25 count also called jumbo. Wild shrimp is a natural seafood product and is my recommendation.
  • olive oil - good extra virgin olive oil.
  • sea salt - kosher sea salt is my go-to!
  • ground black pepper - ground fresh is packed with flavor.
  • Chili Garlic Sauce - Heinz or Vietnamese brand, these are easy to find in any grocery and a versatile condiment.
  • ketchup - brings that sweet tomato flavor into the cocktail sauce and the color.
  • lemon - zest and juice one real lemon, which adds amazing tang and brightness.
  • prepared horseradish - adds a nice spicy kick, and balances the sweet chili sauce, for a milder sauce- reduce or omit the amount of horseradish.
  • Worcestershire sauce - adds a tangy depth of umami flavor.
  • celery - finely chopped adds a crisp clean crunch and makes the best cocktail sauce.
  • Tabasco - or a hot sauce you love adds just the right amount of heat.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 8g | Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 1444mg | Potassium: 211mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 134IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 3mg

Brie and Bacon Palmiers

[heart_this] · · 8 Comments

Last Updated April 25th, 2024 at 02:26 pm by Lisa

Brie and Bacon Palmiers baked in 15 minutes with 3 ingredients. You will need store-bought puff pastry, crisp crumbled bacon, and some brie. An easy last-minute appetizer packed with bacony goodness, golden puff pastry, and that classic brie taste...

A white platter filled with brie and bacon palmier appetizers golden brown and ready to eat.

Hey, I am just saying... it's is IMPOSSIBLE to eat just one of these palmiers. Believe me, I tried, and so have my friends...but one isn't enough. Enjoy, they are soooo delish and great to serve for appetizer parties on holidays. Pair with drinks and cocktails on special occasions.

Palmier Ingredients

  • 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry - thaw for 20 minutes before using on the counter and 1 box will have 2 sheets puff pastry sheets inside.
  • ½ block of soft brie 3 oz, room temp - you can eat the rind, or remove as you wish.
  • ½ cup crumbled crispy bacon try fully cooked bacon and crisp in the microwave, this is a fast way to make bacon and my "go-to" PRO TIP method, or you could even buy good quality bacon bits.

A Word On Puff Pastry

Puff pastry is magical. It looks just like regular dough but it doesn't have yeast, baking powder, or baking soda. So how does it rise and get those layers?

Folded sheet of puff pastry on a cutting board ready to unfold, roll with a rolling pin and to use in a recipe.
folded puff pastry right out of the package
Puff pastry sheets unfolded on a cutting board ready to use in a recipe.
thawed and unfolded puff pastry

Puff Pastry FAQs


What Is Puff Pastry?

Puff pastry dough looks like a pie dough, but it’s actually many layers of dough separated by equally thin layers of butter, and this golden flaky pastry "puffs" into layers due to the water in the dough layers and water in the butter which turns into steam. It is sold in the grocery store in sheets in the frozen food section and can be made from scratch (but is very labor intensive) to be used to create exciting appetizers, entrees, and desserts.


Can you make puff pastry at home?

Yes! It can also be made from scratch but is a labor-intensive process and takes time and a precise technique to get the pastry made correctly to puff in the hot oven temperature.


What causes puff pastry to not rise when baking?

The main reason your puff pastry won't rise is due to oven temperature. Your oven needs to bake at 400 degrees, this hot oven creates steam in the pastry (from the dough and butter) so it rises or "puffs". The steam has just enough force to puff up each thin sheet of dough and then it evaporates into the oven creating a crisp airy pastry.

How To Make Crispy Bacon

  • Try a pre-cooked bacon brand Since it is half cooked, it prepares easily without the mess and crisps up beautifully in the microwave on paper plates. (I use Costco Kirkland brand, but they are easy to find in the grocery store.) 
  • Or bake the bacon on a rack over a cookie sheet in the oven.
  • Or saute bacon in a heavy skillet until crisp, this is messier but gets the job done. Drain on paper towels after cooking by your method to keep the bacon crisp. Then simply crush it in your hands or chop with a knife.
  • One other option is to use good quality bacon bits, I prefer real bacon in this recipe, but that is an option!

All that BACON.......yes....oh yes.....and you can see the brie, all melty inside each palmier.

Easy Appetizer Entertaining Ideas

Lidy Baars of French Garden House and I created this gorgeous Autumn Appetizer Party. She did the styling, and of course, I took care of the food and drinks.

We chose to do this outdoors, as we both live in Southern California. The weather was cooperating but indoors is just as wonderful.

Stylish Serving Inspiration

The brie and bacon palmiers are placed right in the center of the table on a piece of clean reclaimed wood. I love this idea.

It's like a giant cheese board down the center of the table! People can help themselves with all the yummy items and that look so stunning.

We served Meyer Lemon Tapenade in colorful mini bell pepper halves (hello low carb keto peeps) you could also serve it on crackers or a slice of baguette.

Spicy Candied Pecans with various artisanal cheeses. A sliced French baguette, breadsticks, fresh green beans, and sweet purple grapes also tempted guests. To sip, try these Hibiscus Tea Cocktails a low sugar/low carb keto no alcohol drink or can be a cocktail.

Palmiers are great with other appetizers like fruit and artisanal cheeses.
A sheet pan with freshly baked brie and bacon palmiers out of the oven, packaging them to give as gifts.
Freshly baked palmiers made into gifts for guests to take home.
Serve them in bowls at your party.

Arrange your food in bowls or tall containers like jars or vintage crocks. Small baskets would work as well. We even crumpled up some parchment paper to serve the cheese and candied pecans on. Snips of fresh herbs from Lidy's gorgeous French garden around the board made it all look fabulous!

For more outdoor entertaining ideas for the Fall, take a look at my Fall Crostini Bar post! It is all about make-ahead easy party food...that looks gorgeous and is so easy...

Fall Crostini Bar
Learn how to set up a crostini bar with topper ideas to entertain for Fall, Friendsgiving, or Thanksgiving. Elegant no-fuss Fall party food to serve at your gathering. Take a crostini toast, spread either the whipped goat cheese or feta, and add toppings you love.
GET THE RECIPE PIN IT
A rustic table with small bowls filled with toppings for a fall appetizer crostini bar.

Share these for incredible food gifts. Simply place a few in a gorgeous little bowl, tie with a ribbon, and tag. How thoughtful to bring to a hostess or a happy hour...or give to each of your guests!

More Puff Pastry Recipes

Palmiers are airy flaky crisp French cookies with only 2 ingredients. This sweet treat easy dessert bake is divine any time of day!

How To Make Heart Shaped Palmiers that are flaky crisp French cookies with only 3 ingredients, are easy to bake, and these heart cookies are perfect for Valentine's Day!

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A white platter filled with brie and bacon palmier appetizers golden brown and ready to eat.
Print

Brie and Bacon Palmier Appetizer Recipe

Brie and Bacon Palmiers baked in 15 minutes with 3 ingredients. You will need store-bought puff pastry, crisp crumbled bacon, and some brie. An easy last-minute appetizer packed with bacony goodness, golden puff pastry, and that classic brie taste...
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine French
Keyword bacon appetizer, brie appetizer, easy appetizer, palmier appetizer, palmiers, puff pastry appetizer, puff pastry recipe, Thanksgiving Appetizer
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 157kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
  • 7 ounce brie cheese room temp (you can eat the rind, or remove as you wish)
  • ½ cup crumbled crispy bacon try fully cooked bacon and crisp in microwave
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

thaw puff pastry

  • Pull puff pastry from freezer, let defrost on the kitchen counter out of the box and wrapper for 20-30 minutes.

make crumbled bacon

  • Try a pre-cooked bacon brand Since it is half cooked, it prepares easily without the mess and crisps up beautifully in the microwave on paper plates. (I use Costco Kirkland brand, but they are easy to find in the grocery store.) Or bake the bacon on a rack over a cookie sheet in the oven Or saute bacon in heavy skillet until crisp, this is messier but gets the job done. Drain on paper towels after cooking by your method to keep the bacon crisp. Then simply crush it in your hands or chop with a knife.

bake the palmiers

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Remove the puff pastry from the box and rest on the board. Let thaw for about 20 minutes. Gently unroll the puff pastry to a 10 x 10-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. The puff pastry should open easily and be soft enough to fold.
  • Dot with small pieces of brie and sprinkle with ½ cup crispy bacon.
  • Roll in 1” from each side, keep folding in 1” from each, the edges meet in the middle. Turn on its side.
  • IMPORTANT: Cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. This helps the palmiers slice easily. (You can also make these ahead the day before the party and right before your party, simply pull out of fridge, slice and bake!)
  • Use a small serrated knife, cut the entire piece pastry into ½. Start in the middle, slice and keep cutting each piece in ½ in middle until you have 16 total slices.
  • Place each slice flat on the prepared parchment baking sheet. Push into shape if it loses its shape.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Check on them around the 12 minute mark. Lighter color baking sheets may require a few more minute than a darker baking sheets as they bake differently.
  • Remove from oven and serve warm.

Video

Notes

puff pastry

You can thaw Puff Pastry in the fridge overnight OR take it out of the box and the wrapper, and set on the kitchen counter for about 20-30 minutes until it can be flattened out without tearing and becomes pliable. 

brie

Bring your brie cheese to room temp - you can eat the rind, or remove as you wish. I leave the rind on, but some people don't' care for it and remove it completely. 

make-ahead tips

You can make your palmiers up through step 10, and keep in the fridge overnight covered in plastic wrap. Then bake off during or right before your party. They will be okay for a couple of hours, but are amazing right from the oven!

crumbled bacon

  • Try a pre-cooked bacon brand since it is already cooked, it prepares easily without the mess and crisps up beautifully in the microwave on paper plates. (I use Costco Kirkland brand, but they are easy to find in the grocery store.)
  • Or bake the bacon on a rack over a cookie sheet in the oven
  • Or saute bacon in a heavy skillet until crisp, this is messier but gets the job done. Drain on paper towels after cooking by your method to keep the bacon crisp. Then simply crush it in your hands or chop with a knife.
  • One other option is to use good quality bacon bits, I prefer real bacon in this recipe, but this is an option!
 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 16g | Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 73IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

15 Lemon Recipes

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Last Updated April 29th, 2024 at 07:35 pm by Lisa

Welcome lemon fans! 🍋🍋🍋 There are over 15 lemon recipes here for you to try, for family dinners, savory dishes, appetizers, and sweet desserts. Plus creative tips and unique ideas to enjoy this tart yellow citrus fruit all year long. When our lemon trees are chock full of ripe fruit, there are so many wonderful ways to use them in home cooking.

You can bet I will be adding new recipes to this list for you as I work through the bags of fresh lemons so kindly gifted from friends and neighbors...

A collage of lemon recipe for family dinners, desserts, dressings, drinks, and more to make with fresh lemons.

Types Of Lemons

Over 30 varieties of whole lemons (lemon varieties) are found all over the world. In the United States, the five most common types found in a grocery store are Lisbon lemons, Eureka lemons, Meyer lemons, and Bearss lemons, per USCitrus.com.

Most of the regular lemons you see in stores are Lisbon. Ponderosa lemons were originally called American Wonder Lemons and got the name as they can be quite large lemons.

From the time of year of late Fall through Winter, everyone seems to have extra lemons. Meyer lemons are my absolute favorites! They are smaller, much sweeter, and are very juicy lemons. They have thinner skin that has an orangish color tint, and zest beautifully.

A pile of bright yellow lemons in a pile ready to make lemon recipes.

Best Dessert Sweet Lemon Recipes

These great recipes work with regular lemons you find in any store, and in some recipes, Meyer lemons are called for specifically. The best way to get full lemony flavor is to use real lemons that are ripe, good quality ingredients, and never use processed lemon mixture bottled stuff!

The Best Lemon Bars

​Coconut Lemon Lime Bars - a tropical lemon bar 🏝🥥🍋

Growing up my Mom made an easy lemon bar recipe we all loved, and I bet you have your Mom's recipe too! Many years ago, Sunset magazine published a tropical version of traditional lemon bars, that inspired this recipe.

The toasted coconut shortbread cookie crust and lemon-lime tangy filling are simply out of this world. These tangy bars get a golden cookie crust and the tart lemon and lime juice flavors are well balanced with the sweet coconut.

A white platter filled with coconut lime lemon bars topped with powder sugar.

Top Lemon Bar Baking Tips

  • Bake them until they no longer jiggle in the baking pan. If they move too much, they still aren't baked enough.
  • Your dish (glass, metal pan, or type of surface of your baking pans) and your oven temp will all affect the baking time, so be sure to check them at 20 minutes and give them a gentle shake.
  • Use fresh fruit, and never use fake lemon flavor products or artificial food dye, you can always taste those products in your baking!
  • The buttery shortbread crust for this recipe has coconut and will be a little darker than classic lemon bars.
  • Let cool on the kitchen counter for an hour or two, then chill for several hours or overnight in the fridge covered in plastic wrap. Run a small knife or pastry cutter around the sides of the pan to loosen the bars.
  • Slice into bars using a small sharp knife down into the bottom of the pan. 
  • Garnish the lemon squares with sprinkled powdered sugar through a small sieve, toasted coconut, or citrus zest for a beautiful finish!
Coconut-Lime Lemon Bar Recipe
The buttery shortbread crust in these Coconut-Lime Lemon Bars gets toasty golden brown. Then topped with tart lemon and lime filling with sweet coconut. What could be better in a fresh fruit lemon dessert, with a tropical twist.
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A white plate with large lemon bars cut into squares dusted with powder sugar.

Lemon Sorbet

​Easy Raspberry Lemon Sorbet - clean and refreshing (no dairy) 🍋🍓

Made with raspberries, strawberries, lemon juice, pineapple, and bananas, and served in cups made from the peels with absolutely zero guilt. This hot summer day dessert is dairy-free, vegan, has no refined sugar, and has real fresh fruit!

In France, this dessert is known as Givre', French for "frosted".  It describes sorbet served in frozen coconut shells or whole fruit peels such as lemons, oranges, or pineapples...

Raspberry Lemon Sorbet
Raspberry Lemon Sorbet is a real fruit dessert, that is dairy-free, vegan, and has no refined sugar.
Some people call this a summer fruit sorbet or nice cream. It is made with raspberries, strawberries, pineapple, and bananas, and served in real lemon cups.
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Bright yellow lemons carved out and filled with raspberry strawberry lemon sorbet as a summer dessert.

Apple Pie Filling

Learn how to make Apple Pie Filling 🥧🍏🍋(for one 9" pie) that can be made ahead, is freezer-friendly, and bakes the BEST apple pies and dessert recipes. Apples and lemons go so well together in this incredible filling.

Apple Pie Filling Ingredients

And, this pie filling recipe helps prevent soggy pie crusts, because it has a secret to thickening the filling for fruit pies. And no one wants a soggy apple pie! 🥧🍏

  • 6 large Granny Smith apples peel, core, and cut into ½" pieces
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Is there any dessert more American than homemade apple pie? Get the complete recipe and instructions...

Apple Pie Recipe Filling ~ Make Ahead & Freezer Friendly!
An easy Apple Pie Filling using crisp fresh apples and warm spices that can be made ahead and is freezer-friendly. And to prevent soggy bottom crusts, you need a really good filling to bake up the best apple desserts. Get all the secrets to a thicker pie filling with the best apple flavor in every bite.
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A large jar filled with apple pie filling with a lid and bow.
A large jar filled with apple pie filling with a lid and bow.

Dutch Apple Pie

This is one of my most cherished original recipes I worked on for over 2 decades. And my secret ingredient is.....lemons! 🥧🍏🍋

An Apple Crumble Pie with homemade filling, "foolproof" crust and a crumble topping make this one scrumptious recipe. Some people also call this a Dutch and even French Apple Pie.

What makes this dessert so good, is that well, the crust is homemade. And I have a recipe that WORKS every time. Hey, you can certainly buy your crust, and make the filling and topping, but if you go for it and do all three (crust, filling, and topping), I promise this is worth the effort, or so I have been told...

Dutch Apple Pie Recipe
Dutch Apple Pies are also known as Apple Crumble Pies baked with a homemade filling, a foolproof flaky crust, and a crumble topping. This type of apple streusel pie is also called a French Apple Pie recipe. The apple filling and crumbly streusel topping are out of this world.
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A white pie dish with a slice of apple crumble pie, also known as a dutch apple pie with a crumbled topping and green apples in the background in a wood bowl.
A white pie dish with a slice of apple crumble pie, also known as a dutch apple pie with a crumbled topping and green apples in the background in a wood bowl.

Real Lemon Recipes ~ Savory Dinner Ideas

Lobster Ravioli

​Lobster Ravioli + Lemon Butter Sauce is one of our reader's favorite things on Delicious Table! 🥟🦞🍋

What if I told you that these can be made without pasta dough and no boiling pots of water, would you believe it?

It has a Lemony Sauce and uses a baked ravioli technique you can make in just over an hour or prep ahead for a dinner party, the holidays, and romantic nights. A recipe that quickly became one of my friends and family's favorite recipes!

This is a recipe I developed to have everything ready when entertaining or having a special celebration dinner like a birthday or anniversary. The last thing you want to be doing is cooking in the kitchen!

Simply pull the sheet pan out, and bake them while the sauce reheats. The edges get a golden color with soft succulent lobster ravioli filling tucked inside.

Heart-shaped lobster ravioli, get the full recipe here. What a sweet way to say I love you...

Lobster Ravioli With Lemon Butter Sauce
Lobster Ravioli with a Lemon Butter Sauce uses a baked ravioli technique you can prep ahead for dinner parties, holidays, and romantic nights. This recipe can be made ahead with wonton wrappers and baked instead of boiling the ravioli. It is a perfect recipe for the holidays or special dinners like Valentine's Day.
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A white plate filled with heart shaped lobster ravioli garnished with parsley.

Chicken Stock - Chicken Broth

Learn how to make your own homemade Chicken Stock, also known as bone broth. One of my secret ingredients is of course lemons! 🐔🍗🧅🥕🍋 I believe the lemon chicken combination brightens and lifts the flavor of stock very nicely!

This recipe has all the step-by-step top cooking tips I have learned over the years. I share how to freeze it, plus 15 delicious new recipe ideas. Save money and have some ready to elevate dinner, soups, and stews.

Stock can be made inexpensively, so save all those leftover bones! And use up different bits of vegetables you probably already have on hand.  You don't have to buy whole chickens and waste them, more on that later. But the real reason to make your own bone broth is the flavor it adds to your cooking...

Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) Plus Freezer Tips and 15+ Recipe Uses!
Make Chicken Stock aka Bone Broth at home to create other tasty recipes with chicken stock, plus cooking tips and 15+ delicious recipe ideas!
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3 small Mason jars filled with chicken stock and black heart shaped labels.
A large white cooking pot filled with ingredients to make chicken stock at home.

Meyer Lemon Olive Tapenade

This delightfully fresh ​Olive Tapenade is deliciously fresh 🫒🌿🍋 is anchovy-free, and is the perfect addition to cheese boards with crackers and golden crostini toasts. One of the best things about this recipe is that it can safely sit at room temperature on a hot day.

It has the zest of a sweet Meyer lemon and the juice, capers, fresh parsley, a mixture of green and Kalamata olives, good olive oil, cracked black pepper, and garlic powder!

Once you make your own tapenade, it will become a favorite way to entertain with appetizers...

Meyer Lemon Olive Tapenade (Anchovy Free)
Delightfully fresh Meyer Lemon Olive Tapenade is an anchovy free recipe. Perfect addition to cheese boards with crackers and crostini toasts!
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A vintage French ceramic bowl filled with freshly made meyer lemon olive tapenade with a silver spoon and sliced baguette to eat as an appetizer.

Meyer Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette

Mix up some ​Citrus Vinaigrette a tangy-sweet dressing 🍋🥗 made in minutes that is absolutely delightful.

I can't tell you how many times people have asked for this recipe. Once you see how simple it is, you'll make your own again and again, and skip the expensive bottled dressings...

Meyer Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe
Meyer Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette is a homemade salad dressing recipe made in minutes to use all week long. Flavor-packed, low sugar, and keto.
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A vintage silver spoon resting on an open jar of vinaigrette.

Lemon Dill Butter

​Lemon Dill Butter is perfect for fish! 🍋🌿🧈and pairs so well with grilled salmon and vegetables with incredible flavor. Store in the freezer for months!

This butter works fabulously slathered on any fish, grilled chicken, bread, or vegetables like grilled corn, asparagus, roasted potatoes, and lobster. Flavored butter is one of the best cooking tips my Mom ever taught me, and there are endless ways to make it at home.

Slice off a coin, and watch it melt into a "sauce" at dinnertime, you will make it again and again...

Lemon-Dill Butter
Make Lemon Dill Compound Butter and melt on grilled salmon and vegetables like asparagus. Stores great in the freezer for months!
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Small brown round cutting board with slices of lemon dill butter garnished with fresh lemon and dill.

Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

​Sheet Pan Chicken is a one-pan dinner 🍗🍋🌿🥖 with lemony croutons and small potatoes it takes 20 minutes to prep and this entire chicken sheet pan dinner bakes in 50 minutes.

Beautiful to serve for an easy family weeknight dinner or a fun meal prep idea.

The golden brown croutons go perfectly with the tender warm potatoes and juicy tender chicken, what a gorgeous presentation...

Sheet Pan Chicken Recipe
Sheet Pan Chicken with croutons and small potatoes takes 20 minutes to prep and this entire dinner bakes in 50 minutes. Beautiful to serve for an easy family weeknight dinner or a fun meal prep idea sheet pan meals make prep and cooking so easy! The golden brown croutons go perfectly with the tender warm potatoes and lemony chicken.
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A white platter filled with sheet pan chicken dinner including lemons, potatoes, and croutons.

Gremolata

​Gremolata Topping is a flavor-packed Italian condiment 🍋🌿🫑 from Italy for vegetables, pasta dishes, fish, meat, and salads. It is classically used on osso buco.

This gremolata recipe has buttery toasted pine nuts, tangy capers, sweet bell pepper, fresh basil, lemon zest, and parsley. Together they create a light, fresh, and clean taste. In all honesty, I couldn't stop eating it on the asparagus I made to go with it, and skipped the rest of the dinner I had made!

The main reason to make gremolata is you can make this from ingredients you typically might have on hand, and try different delightful combinations...

Gremolata Recipe Plus 15+ Recipe Ideas
Gremolata is a flavor-packed condiment topping from Italy for vegetables, pasta dishes, fish, meat, salads, and classically used on osso buco.
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A blue vintage bowl filled with chopped Gremolata with a silver spoon.
A blue vintage bowl filled with chopped Gremolata with a silver spoon.

Lemon Recipes ~ Drinks & Sippers 🍋🍹

Blueberry Lemonade

​Ice cold Blueberry Lemonade Recipe 🫐🍋🧊 captures Summer in every sip ad can be made in minutes with homemade blueberry syrup made from fresh blueberries, fresh lemon juice, and sweet honey.

Enjoy all the summer has to offer, spend some time putting together a small party or a picnic with sandwiches, and make some memories. Put lots of ice cubes in the bottom of the pitcher or serve in cute mason jars with handles, and garnishes of blueberries and fresh mint.

Fresh lemonade can be made into a cocktail drink too with a splash of vodka or wine. Or you can use this same recipe to make strawberry lemonade!

A large jar filled with fresh squeezed lemon juice with lemons nearby.
Blueberry Lemonade Recipe
Ice cold Blueberry Lemonade captures Summer in every sip, it is made in minutes with homemade blueberry syrup, fresh lemon juice, and honey.
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Mason jar handled glasses with blueberry lemonade garnished with blueberries, mint, and lemons halves.

Limoncello Italian Liquer

​Limoncello is a cool and refreshing sipper 🍋🧊 (also called Lemoncello) this icy cold lemon liqueur is popular in Italy. You can serve this drink as an after-dinner apéritif, drizzle on good ice cream for dessert, sprinkle on fresh fruit, or use it to make a cream sauce to go on lobster ravioli.

Limoncello imparts a strong flavor without the sourness or bitter taste of pure lemon juice. The lemon peel and or zest (with no white pith) infuses into grappa or vodka and the oil of the fruit is released into the limoncello. The peels are then strained out with a fine-mesh strainer.

Make this classic lemon drink and gift during the holiday season!

How To Make Limoncello
Make your own Limoncello, (aka lemoncello) an icy cold lemon liqueur popular in Italy. You can serve this as an after-dinner apéritif drink, drizzle on good ice cream for dessert, sprinkle on fresh fruit, mix a limoncello spritz cocktail, or make a lemon cream sauce to go on lobster ravioli! Enjoy this lemony sipper year-round, it is great on hot summer nights or after rich holiday feasts. This limoncello recipe is an easy homemade gift for food lovers!
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Two small glasses of icy cold limoncello (lemoncello) ready to sip.

Lemon Recipes ~ Condiments & Salad Dressings

Parmesan Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

​Parmesan Vinaigrette 🧀🍋 is made in a mason jar, this homemade salad dressing recipe is made in minutes with real lemon and parmesan cheese.

"Make and shake" your own dressing right in a jar, then pop it in the fridge to enjoy all week...

Parmesan Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe
Put this Parmesan Lemon Vinaigrette recipe together in minutes with real lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and parmesan cheese. Shake in a jar, whisk in a bowl, either way, it elevates any green salad into something special.
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A mason jar with lemon vinaigrette inside on a messy cutting board.

Preserved Lemons

​Preserved Lemons are so easy to make and add intense flavor to dishes. Try on roast chicken, grilled fish, potatoes, hummus, or mix into pasta and salads.  🍋🍃🧂

One of my favorite ways to use them is in my lemon vinaigrette dressing.

When you preserved lemon slices take on an extra punch of flavor that a squeeze of juice can't quite match.

The hardest part of this recipe is to wait at least three weeks before they are ready to use...

Preserved Lemon Recipe
Preserved lemons add an incredible fresh intense "lemony" flavor with a mild tartness to a variety of dishes. Follow this easy simple recipe and step-by-step tutorial to make them the traditional way, or a superfast method to make them quickly in much less time, just 30 minutes! Then grab your jar and try one of the 25 ways to use them on roast chicken, grilled fish, potatoes, or lemon hummus, or mix or into stews, pasta, and salad dressings.
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A large clamp jar of Preserved Lemons with a brown craft paper tag that says Preserved Lemons.

Lemon Recipes FAQ

How do you clean lemons?


Place them in a large bowl with cool water and pour a bit of white vinegar into the bowl.

Rub each lemon to remove any dirt underwater, and use a small vegetable brush gently on the surface if needed.

Dry with a clean kitchen towel, and now your lemons are ready to zest and use in recipes.

What is lemon pie filling made of?


Lemon pie filling is typically the filling in a lemon meringue pie. You make it with egg yolks, sugar, fresh juice, and zest. It is thickened with cornstarch, so the filling holds its shape when you cut the pie.

Usually, the crust ingredients are either a typical pie crust or graham cracker crumbs baked crust (aka prebaked) in the oven before the filling is added.

What are the most popular lemon desserts?


These are some of the best lemon dessert recipes, drinks, and treats
of all time and a great way to use up lemons!
Baked Goods: Lemon cake and cupcakes topped with lemon buttercream, lemon tarts, bread, cream pies, lemon meringue pie recipe, and lemon crinkle cookies. Bake a creamy lemon cheesecake recipe and garnish with candied lemons. Or create a classic lemon sour cream pound cake.
Drinks & Frozen Desserts: Freeze a lemon ice cream cake, some lemony popsicles, or mix a pitcher of old-fashioned lemonade.
Lemon Toppings: Make lemon scones drizzled with a lemon glaze or lemon icing. Fill lemon curd onto danish or spread on pancakes.

I made this Lemon Cake (DT recipe coming soon ⬇️) for Easter but it would be great as a birthday cake, for baby showers, or for afternoon tea.

The buttercream is "lick the spoon" delicious. You can decorate this cake with edible flowers, cute buttercream decorations piped on, seasonal candy, or colorful sprinkles...

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

More Fruit Recipes

Fruit Popsicles made with coconut water, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are refreshing low-sugar treats for hot summer days and are a "guilt-free" dessert. 

Mango Slaw has green crunchy cabbage, crisp jicama, and a sweet tangy lime vinaigrette made with juicy sweet mangos. A perfect summer salad.

Peach Cheesecake Pie is a 30-minute no-bake easy recipe with a crisp graham cracker crust, sweet cream cheese filling, and juicy summer peaches!

Made in a matter of minutes, this 5 ingredient dessert idea is a refreshing recipe for family dinner, to take to a weekend potluck or cookout party...

This Green Smoothie recipe is full of fresh nutritious ingredients to hydrate and nourish you for breakfast or anytime.

Sweet, clean, and full of ripe pineapple, banana, fresh spinach, tangy ginger, chia seeds, and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.

Champagne Cocktails

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Last Updated April 25th, 2024 at 11:01 am by Lisa

Chic Champagne Cocktails glitter with real gold and bubbles of fine Champagne or prosecco for New Year's Eve or holiday celebrations like a Christmas party!

Everyone wants bubbly drink recipes that sparkle for the festive season. Ring in the new year and toast to all the luck in the world with an elegant cocktail in hand...

A New Years Eve party with champagne cocktails made with Goldschlager gold liquor.

You'll Love Classic Champagne Cocktails

  • The best Champagne cocktails only require a few ingredients. And are a great choice if you have a large party or gathering.
  • They are so pretty and festive for holiday parties. Who doesn't want to celebrate that time of the year with a little gold sparkle and a festive look in their bubby beverage?!
  • Serve this delicious cocktail as a Christmas champagne cocktail, just add a splash of cranberry juice!
  • These extra special nice cocktails will impress your guests. Hand these out before the ball drops and hear the oohs and ahhs from your guests!

Champagne Cocktail Recipe

PRO TIP: Chill the Champagne, glasses, and gold liquor so you are ready for your party. And put the gold sugar rim on ahead of time so it has time to dry on the rim!

  • Gold Shimmer Sugar
  • Goldschläger Cinnamon Schnapps (or other Liquor with Gold Flakes)
  • 1 bottle of Champagne (or Prosecco sparkling wine)
  • 3-5 dashes of Angostura Bitters (optional, cuts the sweetness)

For these New Year's Eve Sparkling Gold Champagne Cocktails, I used Goldschläger liquor which does have a very small amount of real gold on it! It is measured to be about 13mg of gold in a 1-liter bottle, which, according to Wikipedia, is worth about $0.52. There are also other brands with real gold flakes; feel free to use those too.

Fun fact: Edible gold leaf is made from 22-carat, 23-carat, or 24-carat gold and silver alloy and is used in drinks, to decorate cakes, and for fancy desserts. Take a look at how I use edible gold in my Irish Coffee Drinks!

Gold Simmer Sugar is easy to find in cake decorating sections of craft stores or online. I found mine at HomeGoods! No, it isn't real gold, but it's fun to use!

How To Make Champagne Cocktails

Step 1: Dip the rim of your champagne flutes in water, and dip the rim in gold edible sugar. Set out two plates for this process: one for water and one for the gold edible sugar. Simply dip the rim of the glass in the water on one plate, and dip in the gold sugar on a second plate! Let the glasses dry for a couple of hours if possible.

Step 2: Pour one shot per glass of Gold Goldschläger or Liquor with Gold Flakes into the glass.

Step 3: Top with chilled Champagne or Prosecco. A few dashes of bitters to balance the sweetness.

A New Years Eve party with champagne cocktails made with Goldschlager gold liquor.

More Traditional Champagne Cocktails

Classic champagne cocktails: These holiday drinks have been served for generations. You'll be a champagne cocktail pro in no time, in fact, a proper "Champagne Cocktail" is one of the IBA (International Bartenders Association) Official Cocktails. It is made with a sugar cube, 3 dashes of Angostura bitters, Champagne, brandy or Cognac, and a maraschino cherry or orange twist as a garnish.

Classic Mimosas: Are the perfect cocktail and great any time of year, from birthdays to special occasions like bridal showers, and of course to get in the holiday spirit! For a festive twist, make a cranberry mimosa and add some cranberry juice. You can also make a holiday mimosa using pomegranate juice for a pomegranate mimosas poinsettia drink and sprinkle in some pomegranate seeds!

Black Velvet: A black velvet is one of the most simple recipes, and is equal parts of stout and Champagne or cider without ice.

Kir Royale: This French cocktail or apéritif is served in a flute glass and is a variation on the Kir. It has crème de cassis topped with champagne, rather than the white wine used in a traditional Kir.

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail: Also known as a cranberry mimosa, and I have even seen them called a poinsettia champagne cocktail. These festive cocktails have cranberry juice, orange liqueur (triple sec) Champagne, garnished with fresh cranberries, and a sprig of fresh rosemary!

New Years Dinner & Appetizer Menu Ideas

Serve platters of small bites or holiday recipes like a beef roast and serve at your New Year's Eve party with a few easy cocktail recipes.

When to serve Champagne cocktails?


Serve sparkling Champagne cocktails to celebrate! Easy to serve at your next party or get-together, they work great for so many occasions!

Happy Hour Cocktails
New Year's Eve
Holiday Parties
Christmas Eve
Mothers Day
Valentines Day
Anniversaries
Bridal Showers

More Drinks & Holiday Cocktails

Ring in the holiday season with cozy glasses of Mulled Wine infused with warm spices, brandy, red wine, apple cider, sliced fruit, and honey. These are one of my favorite cocktail recipes, and so popular, it was published in a magazine!

Through the years, many cherished family holiday recipes have been at so many parties, and this one I make over and over. It is the best Christmas Punch recipe, sparkling with ginger ale (or use ginger beer) and its vibrant color that says holidays! But you need one perfect drink without booze! And the festive garnishes add the right tart flavor from fresh cranberries and lime juice slices. This holiday party punch will look great by your Christmas tree on a table with appetizers.

Candy Cane Martinis (aka Peppermint Martinis) are a great cocktail made with peppermint vodka (made from candy canes) that you can make at home or buy. Peppermint vodka makes an easy homemade, holiday, or Christmas gift. Cheers!

Fireball Punch big batch cocktails are made with orange juice, apple cider, and Fireball whisky that tastes like cinnamon red hot candies. All you need is a punch bowl or a large pitcher, no cocktail shaker here! And a few simple ingredients, fresh fruit garnishes of orange slices, apple slices, anise, and cinnamon sticks.

Fireball Whisky Cocktails are made with orange, cinnamon, cloves, apple cider, and cinnamon flavored whiskey. This popular liquor is so much more than to use for whiskey shots. It makes great cocktails, or how about adding a cinnamon Fireball shot into a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream on those chilly nights!

A taste of Fall in every sip, these Aperol Spritz Cocktails have cider, Aperol, and fresh citrus juice topped with prosecco or Champagne bubbles. These refreshing drinks are great for brunch, happy hours, Friendsgiving, and Thanksgiving.

Hibiscus Tea Cocktails are low-carb, low-sugar, vegan, keto, and gluten-free. A healthier refreshing keto cocktail under 100 calories! Hibiscus tea has some wonderful health benefits and is a gorgeous bright color, and goes so well in these festive drinks.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A New Years Eve party with champagne cocktails made with Goldschlager gold liquor.
Print

Champagne Cocktails Recipe

Chic Champagne Cocktails glitter with real gold and bubbles of fine Champagne or prosecco for New Year's Eve or holiday celebrations like a Christmas party! Everyone wants bubbly drink recipes that sparkle for the festive season. Ring in the new year and toast to all the luck in the world with an elegant cocktail in hand.
Course Drinks & Cocktails
Cuisine American
Keyword champagne cocktails, champange drinks, holiday cocktails, holiday drinks, New Years drinks
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 109kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ teaspoon Gold Shimmer Sugar
  • 1 shot Gold Goldschläger or Liquor with Gold Flakes
  • 1 cup Champagne or Prosecco
  • 3-5 dashes Angostura bitters (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Dip the rim of your champagne flutes in water, and dip the rim in gold edible sugar. Set out two plates for this process: one for water and one for the gold edible sugar. Simply dip the rim of the glass in the water on one plate, and dip in the gold sugar on a second plate! Let the glasses dry for a couple of hours if possible.
  • Pour one shot per glass of Gold Goldschläger or Liquor with Gold Flakes into the glass. A few dashes of bitters to balance the sweetness.
  • Top with chilled Champagne or Prosecco.
  • Cheers!

Notes

For these New Year's Eve Sparkling Gold Champagne Cocktails, I used Goldschläger liquor which does have a very small amount of real gold on it! It is measured to be about 13mg of gold in a 1-liter bottle, which, according to Wikipedia, is worth about $0.52. There are also other brands with real gold flakes; feel free to use those too.
Fun fact: Edible gold leaf is made from 22-carat, 23-carat, or 24-carat gold and silver alloy and is used in drinks, to decorate cakes, and for fancy desserts.
Gold Simmer Sugar is easy to find in cake decorating sections of craft stores or online. I found mine at HomeGoods! No, it isn't real gold, but it's fun to use!

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Sugar: 2g

French Onion Dip

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French onion dip is an easy appetizer with rich flavor from caramelized onions and fresh simple ingredients. This party appetizer tastes even better if you make it a day or so ahead!

This an easy dip recipe for parties, and holidays, and a classic to serve on exciting big game days with a big bag of potato chips. Whip up this homemade onion dip, and take a look at all the creative ways to use up the leftovers of this creamy dip if there are any...

Homemade French Onion Dip Recipe

  • Caramelized onions are really easy, and add so much depth of flavor to this homemade onion dip.
  • Fresh ingredients make all the difference when you make this from scratch as opposed to store-bought dips and seasoned dehydrated onion flake mix packets from the grocery store.
  • And the good news is this is not just an appetizer, use leftover French onion chip dip in other favorite recipes like topping baked potatoes and smothering on chicken. Keep reading for more creative ideas to add umami flavor to your dishes!

Onion Dip Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cups large diced fresh onions (2 onions: yellow, brown, or sweet Vidalia)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (or swap in soy sauce)
  • 2 cups full-fat real sour cream (16 oz container)
  • optional garnish: fresh herbs like diced chives, sliced fresh green onion, or dehydrated parsley.

What onions are best to use?

  • white onions
  • yellow onions
  • brown onions
  • sweet onions like Vidalia onions
  • don't use red onions as they bring a pink-purple color to dishes.

Favorite Dippers

  • ruffled potato chips
  • crinkle cut potato chips
  • plain potato chips
  • your favorite potato chips
  • bagel chips
  • pita chips

Make Easy Caramelized Onions

  1. Chop the onions into large dice, about ½" pieces. Smaller pieces of onion are easier to scoop into the dip! Melt butter, in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
  2. Reduce heat to low and cook for 25-40 minutes until golden brown and caramelized. The onions will shrink a lot as they cook. Stir every 5-10 minutes, and once caramelized remove from stove and allow to cool. The secret to perfectly caramelised onions is to cook them on low heat for a long time. They need time to brown, and high heat will burn them.

Mix Up The Onion Dip

  1. In a large bowl, mix the caramelized onion mixture, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 cups of sour cream. Mix well in a bowl, cover in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge. Can be made a couple of days ahead.
  2. Serve with potato chips, fresh vegetables, or crackers in a small bowl. Garnish with fresh chives or green onions.
  3. Store leftovers in an airtight container, and use them within a week.
Chopping brown onions on a cutting board and a pan with caramelized onions.

Caramelized Onion Dip Tips

  • The best onions to use are yellow, brown, or sweet Vidalia.
  • Don't overcrowd the onions in the large skillet pan or they will steam and not caramelize.
  • Chop your onions into smaller pieces so they are easy to scoop.
  • You can slice onions into long strips to use caramelized onions on burgers, steaks, and grilled sausages. You can also mix them into some beef broth for French onion soup.
  • Stir every 5-10 minutes to get them more evenly deep golden brown.
  • Keep the heat low, don't turn up the heat you will end up with uneven burnt and raw onions.
  • Some people even deglaze the pan with a few tablespoons of water, wine, or chicken stock for even richer results.
What are caramelized onions?

Raw onions caramelize and turn a deep rich brown color as they slowly cook over low heat. First, water is released from the onions, as they soften and shrink in the pan.

They gain a sweeter flavor while cooking due to the large sugar molecules that break down into smaller, simple sugars. This is why caramelized onions have a sweet flavor after cooking as opposed to strong raw onions.

How to caramelize onions?

Add the onions, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.

Reduce heat to low and cook for 25-40 minutes until golden brown and caramelized. The onions will shrink a lot as they cook. Stir every 10 minutes or so, and once caramelized remove from stove and allow to cool.

What to do with extra French onion dip leftovers?

The next day, there are so many ways to use your own French onion dip in different recipes, here are some of the most popular ideas.
Melt into mashed potatoes.
Put into hamburger stroganoff with lots of mushrooms.
Top on a baked potato.
Mix into a potato gratin.
Stir in a little grated horseradish and serve with roast beef, pork, or pot roast.
Spread a thin coating on boneless chicken breasts, dip in panko bread crumbs, and bake.
Use in pasta, rice, or vegetable casseroles.

A person scooping French onion dip out of bowl with a ruffled potato chips

A white dish with curved edge with onion dip and a ruffled potato chip stuck inside.

More Delicious Dip Recipes

Classic Onion Dip also called California Dip or Sour Cream Dip is one of the most delicious dips ever. Just real sour cream and a packet of French onion soup mix is one of the best great options when you don't have time to caramelize onions and make the real thing! Serve with potato chips and as a veggie dip for cut cucumbers, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots.

Sour Cream Onion Dip Recipe
Onion Dip aka California or Sour Cream Dip is the easiest recipe ever, with only 2 ingredients! Made in minutes, serve with a large bowl of your favorite potato chips and assorted fresh-cut veggies. This is a classic iconic American party food dip that has earned a respected place in many people's hearts with its savory onion flavor.
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A lady dipping a potato chip into onion dip.

For a spooky Halloween appetizer, make this Tombstone Graveyard Dip and serve it with crackers. Kids and adults love this cream cheese dip recipe.

Jalapeno Popper Dip is ALWAYS A HIT, everyone loves it! Make this melty hot dip for parties with a creamy mayo base and just 6 ingredients. Scoop it up with large corn chips, it has so much flavor!

Authentic Guacamole has fresh lime juice, grated onion (one of my top secrets), chopped tomato, hot sauce, and spices are all loaded into this fresh recipe.

A simple recipe, this Caramel Apple Dip has crisp green apples, salted caramel sauce, and crushed Health bars. A great dip and beloved pot-luck party hit for Thanksgiving, Halloween, and all through Autumn.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Ruffled potato chips on a plate with homemade French onion dip.
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French Onion Dip Recipe

French onion dip is an easy appetizer with rich flavor from caramelized onions and fresh simple ingredients. This party appetizer tastes even better if you make it a day or so ahead! This an easy dip recipe for parties, and holidays, and a classic to serve on exciting big game days with a big bag of potato chips. Whip up this homemade onion dip, and take a look at all the creative ways to use up the leftovers of this creamy dip if there are any!
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword caramelised onion dip, caramelized onion dip, French onion dip recipe, homemade onion dip, onion dip recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 114kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 bag ruffled potato chips

Onion Dip

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cups large diced onions 2 onions: yellow, brown, or sweet vidalia
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cracked pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups sour cream 16 oz container
  • optional garnish: fresh chives/green onions

Instructions

  • Chop the onions into large dice, about ½" pieces. Smaller pieces of onion are easier to scoop in the dip!
  • Melt butter, in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
  • Reduce heat to low and cook for 25-40 minutes until golden brown and caramelized. The onions will shrink alot as they cook. Stir every 5-10 minutes, and once caramelized remove from stove and allow to cool. The secret to perfectly caramelized onions for this dip is to cook them on a low heat for a long time. They need time to brown, and high heat will burn them.
  • In a large bowl, mix the caramelized onion mixture, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 cups sour cream. Mix well in a bowl, cover in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge. Can be made a couple of days ahead.
  • Serve with potato chips, fresh vegetables, or crackers. Garnish with fresh chives or green onions.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container, use within a week.

Video

Notes

make ahead tip

You can make this dip a couple of days ahead, keep it chilled in the fridge, it will taste even better! Give a stir right before serving. 

leftover dip

Melt into mashed potatoes.
Put into hamburger stroganoff with lots of mushrooms.
Top on a baked potato.
Mix into a potato gratin.
Stir in a little grated horseradish and serve with roast beef, pork, or pot roast.
Spread a thin coating on boneless chicken breasts, dip in panko bread crumbs, and bake.
Use in pasta, rice, or vegetable casseroles.

caramelized onion tips

  • The best onions to use are yellow, brown, or sweet Vidalia.
  • Don't overcrowd the onions in the pan or they will steam and not caramelize.
  • Chop your onions into smaller pieces so they are easy to scoop.
  • You can slice onions into long strips to use caramelized onions on burgers, steaks, and grilled sausages.
  • Stir every 5-10 minutes to get them more evenly deep golden brown.
  • Keep the heat low, don't turn up the heat you will end up with uneven burnt and raw onions.
  • Some people even deglaze the pan with a few tablespoons of water, wine, or chicken stock for even richer results.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 24g | Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 134mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 179IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

Festive Christmas Mulled Wine

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Ring in the holiday season with cozy glasses of Mulled Wine infused with warm spices, brandy, red wine, apple cider, sliced fruit, and honey. This recipe is so popular, it was published in a magazine!

For hundreds of years, people have sipped this traditional hot wine on cold nights in outdoor Christmas markets in Europe and in the Winter months. In Victorian England, it rose in popularity as a fancy holiday season drink for parties and is still in vogue today...

How to Make The Best Mulled Wine Recipe

For holiday gatherings, place all the ingredients in your slow cooker crockpot, or heat on the stove, and let it simmer all during your Christmas party.

Years ago, I served this easy slow cooker recipe for an outdoor boat parade party at my home, and it was a hit! Warm cocktails were new to us then, but it was so nice to hold that warm cup on a chilly winter night as the decorated boats went by...

  • 2 bottles red wine
  • 4 cups apple cider
  • ½ cup honey
  • 4 oz brandy
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 2 whole star anise
  • sliced lemons, oranges, apples
  • 4 oranges peeled for garnish

Step 1: Simmer all ingredients on the stove for 10 minutes or put all the ingredients in a slow cooker/crock pot and warm on low until heated.

Step 2: Serve in warm glasses, glass handled coffee mugs work great!

Step 3: Garnish with orange peel, slices, and cinnamon sticks. Use a vegetable peeler to make thin slices, or use some Dried Orange Slices to float on top - try my recipe...

How To Make Dried Orange Slices
Dry Orange Slices make beautiful Christmas decorations and garnishes for a festive holiday season. It is so easy to make dried oranges, and there are dozens of ideas to use these gorgeous citrus slices in drinks, and dishes, as a crafting accent, or to adorn packages, wreaths, or garlands.
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Showing how to make homemade dried orange slices on a sheet pan for holiday decorations.

What can I simmer my mulled wine in?

Make your mulled wine with what you have! You can simmer it over gentle low heat on the stove top in a large saucepan, or go with a 2 quart crock pot or slow cooker and just keep it on the warm on the low setting for the perfect temperature.

A large pot or dutch oven works great over low heat too!

What is the best wine to use?

When it comes to making a choice of wine at the store, keep two things in mind. You don't need an expensive bottle, but don't buy the cheap stuff either. And it's best to choose a full-bodied fruity red wine. Good choices are:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah

More Mulled Wine Recipe Variations

There are lots of creative ingredients to add to this festive holiday drink...

  • Mulling Spices
  • Clementines
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Fresh Cranberries
  • Cranberry Juice
  • Fruit Juice: Apple Juice, Orange Juice
  • Bay leaves
  • Sliced Fresh Ginger
  • Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
  • Vanilla Bean pods
  • Pure Maple Syrup
  • Cognac, Triple Sec, or Apple Brandy

PRO TIP: Never boil your mulled wine! Keep it at a low simmer.

What is the History of Mulled Wine?



Mulled wine is also called glögi or glühwein, and this is one of the great recipes from Scandinavia. At one time, this spiced liquor helped warm up the postmen and messengers as they traveled long distances on horseback and on skis.

Glögi is popular in Sweden and Finland and is made in alcoholic and a non-alcoholic version. It is a very popular Christmas tradition in Europe.

What are the traditional mulled wine spices?

The spices in mulled wine recipes vary, but a classic version includes cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.

What makes mulling spices?

It is made from whole spices, not ground spices and can be use to flavor hot wine, season dishes, or used in a simmer pot on the stove.

cinnamon sticks
star anise
whole black peppercorns
cardamom pods
whole allspice berries
dried orange peel (orange zest)
whole cloves

This Mulled Wine Recipe Is Published!

Here is our little story. Lidy Baars owner of French Garden House asked for a Christmas drink recipe in the sizzling heat of summer. She was writing a magazine article for the holidays that year.

She submitted an article concept to Victorian Homes with a feature of Lidy's gorgeous home beautifully appointed with her signature French Antiques.

And we found out we were published in the Winter 2016 Holiday edition of Victorian Homes Magazine. What a thrill! It was my first time being published, and I am so grateful and honored. Thank you Lidy.

And they not only published her ideas on decorating with fresh natural materials for the holidays, her fabulous entertaining tips, and included my recipe for Mulled Wine.

French Garden House is an online boutique that specializes in beautiful French antiques, entertaining, design, and lifestyle inspiration, and is often published in magazines.

Holiday Cocktail Bar Ideas

Here are some of Lidy's top tips for decorating a holiday Christmas bar.

  • Use a pretty silver platter, glasses, bottles, and candles.
  • Intertwine fresh garlands with natural materials such as eucalyptus, juniper, holly, berries, mistletoe, pine, and rosemary.
  • Add fresh citrus fruits like tangerines or oranges.  
  • Tie simple silk velvet ribbons around bottles of wine and liquor on your bar.
  • Layer some more with fresh greens and sprigs of natural materials.
  • Try to use what you have growing outside, and clip from your own garden!

I love these jewel tones, so pretty, festive, and easy...

More Christmas Cocktails & Hot Drinks

Looking for more Christmas recipes and alcoholic beverages and drinks to serve? These holiday recipes are all easy and bring that festive cheer to any party.

The perfect cocktails for your next holiday party are  Candy Cane Martini + Homemade Peppermint Vodka! You will love how easy the homemade peppermint vodka is to make. By the way, the best part of this recipe is the homemade vodka, which makes a nice hostess gift!

Aperol Spritz Cocktails have apple cider, Aperol, prosecco, and blood oranges are the perfect recipe for any time of year.

Champagne Cocktails glitter with real gold and bubbles from champagne or prosecco. A festive chic holiday drink perfect for New Year's Eve!

Serve these Fireball Whisky Drinks for game days, the holiday season, brunch, Fall parties, and Thanksgiving Day.

When it gets a little bit cold, the perfect way to warm up at Christmas time or in the winter months is with hot coffee drinks!

Whip up a Pumpkin Spice Latte made with real fresh ingredients, and cozy Fall spices. Top your PSL with decadent toppings like whip cream and Fall sprinkles.

Just like they serve in the pubs of Ireland, this is a classic Irish Coffee Recipe. It can be made with a kick of Jameson Irish whiskey and or Baileys Irish Cream. 

Through the years, this cherished holiday recipe has been at so many parties, and it is one of the best Christmas Punch Recipes.

For your guests who want to enjoy a Christmas drink or two but are following a low carb or keto diet, serve them Hibiscus Cocktails. They are low in sugar and SO good.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A lady holding a tray of mulled wine garnished with cinnamon sticks and orange peel.
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Mulled Wine

Make Festive Christmas Mulled Wine infused with warm winter spices, apple cider, lemon, orange, and apple slices in a crock pot or slow cooker. A wonderful and traditional warm drink to serve at a holiday or Christmas party. Cheers!
Course Drinks & Cocktails
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas drinks, mulled red wine, mulled wine
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 354kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 bottles red wine
  • 4 cups apple cider
  • ½ cup honey
  • 4 oz brandy
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • sliced lemons, oranges, blood oranges, apples
  • 4 oranges peeled for garnish
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the red wine, apple cider, honey, brandy, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, sliced lemons, oranges, and apples in the pot or slow cooker. Simmer all ingredients on the stove or in a slow cooker on low heat.
  • Serve warm in glasses. Garnish with orange peel and cinnamon sticks. Use a vegetable peeler to make thin slices, or use Dried Orange Slices - try my recipe!
  • Store leftover mulled wine in an airtight container, and reheat the next day.

Notes

Variations and Additions

  • Mulling Spice Mix
  • Clementines
  • Dried Orange Slices
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Fresh Cranberries
  • Cranberry Juice
  • Bay leaves
  • Vanilla pods
  • Maple Syrup
  • Cognac

What can I simmer my mulled wine in?

Make your mulled wine with what you have. You can simmer it over gentle low heat on the stove top in a large saucepan, or go with a 2 quart crock pot or slow cooker and just keep it on the warm on the low setting for the perfect temperature.
A large pot or dutch oven works great over low heat too!

What is the best wine to use?

When it comes to making a choice of wine at the store, keep two things in mind. You don't need an expensive bottle, but don't buy the cheap stuff either. And it's best to choose a full-bodied fruity red wine. Good choices are:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah

Holiday Drink Bar Ideas

  • Use a pretty silver platter, pretty glasses, and bottles.
  • Intertwine fresh garlands with natural materials such as eucalyptus, juniper, holly, berries, mistletoe, pine, and rosemary.
  • Add citrus fruits like tangerines or oranges.  
  • Tie simple silk velvet ribbons around bottles on your bar.
  • Layer some more with fresh greens and sprigs of natural materials.
  • Try to use what you have growing outside, and clip from your own garden!

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 44.7mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1.4mg
A lady holding a tray of mulled wine garnished with cinnamon sticks and orange peel.
Print

Mulled Wine

Make Festive Christmas Mulled Wine infused with warm winter spices, apple cider, lemon, orange, and apple slices in a crock pot or slow cooker. A wonderful and traditional warm drink to serve at a holiday or Christmas party. Cheers!
Course Drinks & Cocktails
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas drinks, mulled red wine, mulled wine
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 354kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 bottles red wine
  • 4 cups apple cider
  • ½ cup honey
  • 4 oz brandy
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • sliced lemons, oranges, blood oranges, apples
  • 4 oranges peeled for garnish
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the red wine, apple cider, honey, brandy, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, sliced lemons, oranges, and apples in the pot or slow cooker. Simmer all ingredients on the stove or in a slow cooker on low heat.
  • Serve warm in glasses. Garnish with orange peel and cinnamon sticks. Use a vegetable peeler to make thin slices, or use Dried Orange Slices - try my recipe!
  • Store leftover mulled wine in an airtight container, and reheat the next day.

Notes

Variations and Additions

  • Mulling Spice Mix
  • Clementines
  • Dried Orange Slices
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Fresh Cranberries
  • Cranberry Juice
  • Bay leaves
  • Vanilla pods
  • Maple Syrup
  • Cognac

What can I simmer my mulled wine in?

Make your mulled wine with what you have. You can simmer it over gentle low heat on the stove top in a large saucepan, or go with a 2 quart crock pot or slow cooker and just keep it on the warm on the low setting for the perfect temperature.
A large pot or dutch oven works great over low heat too!

What is the best wine to use?

When it comes to making a choice of wine at the store, keep two things in mind. You don't need an expensive bottle, but don't buy the cheap stuff either. And it's best to choose a full-bodied fruity red wine. Good choices are:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah

Holiday Drink Bar Ideas

  • Use a pretty silver platter, pretty glasses, and bottles.
  • Intertwine fresh garlands with natural materials such as eucalyptus, juniper, holly, berries, mistletoe, pine, and rosemary.
  • Add citrus fruits like tangerines or oranges.  
  • Tie simple silk velvet ribbons around bottles on your bar.
  • Layer some more with fresh greens and sprigs of natural materials.
  • Try to use what you have growing outside, and clip from your own garden!

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 44.7mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Christmas Soup

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Last Updated January 4th, 2026 at 09:29 am by Lisa

We all want warm comfort food during the holiday season, and Christmas Soup is such an easy recipe to put together! The best part is you can make it in a slow cooker or simmer it on the stove for Christmas day, holiday parties, or an easy family dinner.

Scoop into big bowls or hot mugs to dip breadsticks, croutons, or crackers into this merry, cheesy soup...

Christmas Soup Recipe

Enjoy this Christmas dinner soup as a first course or appetizer, or on Christmas morning, put all the ingredients in a crock pot or large soup pot. Or try this recipe the next time you have a movie night!

The whole family will adore this comforting winter soup on cold nights, and holiday soup recipes are great for parties or a large family.

You can add the meat of your choice, I used chicken sausage, but there are lots of ways to make this recipe to your taste. Here is what you will need...

Christmas Soup Ingredients

  • canned diced red tomatoes with the juice
  • Rotel original tomatoes (the mild one with green chilies NOT the hot one!)
  • Velveeta cheese
  • chicken stock (or swap in chicken broth/bone broth or vegetable broth)
  • heavy cream
  • Christmas or holiday tri color pasta (red/white/green or bowtie etc.)
  • fresh basil garnish
  • Meat Options: 2-3 small Chicken Breasts, 6-8 sliced sausages (slice thin), or 16 oz crumbled sausage. Or add 2 cups of rotisserie chicken.
Three bags of Christmas pasta from different companies in shapes for the holidays.
A white bowl filled with sliced chicken sausage and a bag of holiday pasta, to make soup.

Soup Instructions

  1. In a slow cooker, add diced tomatoes and Rotel with their juices.
  2. Add the chicken stock and Velveeta diced into 1” cubes. Cook on high for 1 hour in a crockpot/slow cooker. On the stove, cook in a soup pot on low heat for 1 hour.
  3. After 1 hour, turn your slow cooker down to a lower setting. Whisk in the heavy cream. Give the soup a good stir with a spoon or whisk.
  4. Add either chicken or sausage (defrosted meat is recommended and cooks faster). You can brown your sausages or crumbled sausage in a skillet if you wish to add some flavor, then slice them into thin rounds. The meat cooks in the soup, just use defrosted meat. The whole chicken breasts will shred after an hour of cooking in the soup. Simply shred with two forks in the pot, or slice on a plate and add back to the soup.
  5. Add the pasta and cook for 45 minutes to cook the pasta. If the pasta is in the slow cooker for more than an hour, the pasta can get overcooked and go super soft.
  6. Once the pasta goes into the soup, it will thicken the soup after about an hour. Add more chicken stock or water to thin out if desired.
  7. Serve in individual bowls or handled mugs topped with basil ribbons, crackers, tortilla chips or warm bread slices, or croutons.

Christmas Soup Top Serving Tips

What To Serve With Hot Soup

How To Serve Soup Hot!

Heat Bowls & Mugs: Serve for Christmas Eve dinner in big bowls or mugs, it's always nice to warm them first so the soup stays hot.

The perfect way to warm them is to heat them in the oven on the lowest setting and use hot pads just in case, or pour water into the bowl or mug and heat them in the microwave.

Look for large holiday coffee cups or mugs and colorful red bowls, these are so fun for Christmas. I found my bowls at Home Goods, and mugs at Hobby Lobby.

Warming Trays: Or keep the bowls and cups on a warming tray! Holiday soup recipes are great for parties and entertaining, so the delicious soup stays nice and warm on the big day.

Stovetop Tips: You can make on the stovetop, simply cook over low medium heat in a large dutch oven, and stir often, and once the cheese is melted reduce the heat to low. Add the heavy cream, chicken or sausage after the first hour. It is best to use defrosted meats. Then shred the chicken with two forks in the pot at the 1 hour mark and finish cooking with the pasta for another 45 minutes.

Leftovers: Keep them in a large saucepan, the next day, pull out about 30 minutes before you want to reheat the soup, and warm up over medium heat on the stove or in the microwave in bowls.

Making Soup Ahead Tips & Tricks

PRO TIPS: If you want to make this soup ahead, don't add the pasta until about 45 minutes before you want to eat it. Pasta pulls all the liquid from the soup and although delicious, it won't be soup it will be more like a thick pasta. You can always add in more chicken stock (or even water in a pinch). Also, the pasta will become soggy if it cooks for more than an hour.

Variation Christmas Soup Recipes

The best thing about cozy soups is you can make them just the way you want. For a Christmas Eve soup, you can add cute Christmas pasta, I found some with shapes like trees, presents, stars, and more. And for another festive touch, serve it in holiday coffee mugs that people can hold while eat it with a spoon.

  • Soup Preference Meat Additions: 2-3 small uncooked chicken breasts, or toss in diced cooked Chicken Breasts, 6-8 sliced chicken or pork sausages (brown in a pan and slice thin), or 16 oz crumbled sausage (brown in a skillet, then add). Or add 2 cups of rotisserie chicken. Use up some leftover ham, and try my Double Smoked Ham or Kaulua Pineapple Glazed Ham.
  • Pasta Additions: You can add any kind of pasta, like spirals, bow ties, even cheese tortellini, or some gnocchi will be amazing! Christmas pastas are sold everywhere during the holidays, and are available online.
  • Vegetarian Recipes: In place of the meat, add in some diced sweet potatoes, red sweet pepper like bell peppers, and small potatoes, or toss in the vegetables you love.

More Hearty Soup Recipes

Take a look at all of my Christmas recipes for the entire festive season, here are some more soups for Christmas or try one of these this New Year's Eve!

One of the classic recipes of all time, keep this one in your recipe box! This is the Best Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup recipe. A great way to use up Diced Leftover Chicken is in a warm bowl of chicken soup!  

Creamy Jalapeño Popper Soup tastes just like the cheesy jalapeño poppers comfort food we love. The spicy heat of the peppers is mild as this original recipe uses canned jalapenos and green chiles for just the right kick and level of heat in the creamy broth. And this recipe is low carb!

Learn how to make Chicken Stock (aka bone broth) step by step with cooking tips on how to store and freeze chicken broth plus 15 delicious recipe ideas. Save money and have it ready to elevate your cooking for dinner, soups, and stews. Homemade stock makes the best hearty winter soups!

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is so easy to put together and is one of the best recipes. This is a hearty main course dinner recipe, and will quickly become a family favorite. Loaded with juicy shredded chicken, vegetables, and gnocchi which are soft puffy "Italian dumplings". Easy enough for a family dinner, and nice enough for special occasions.

A classic famous Cheese Soup with simple ingredients and extraordinarily deep rich soup flavors and a smooth texture. An easy recipe and one of my favorite soups to serve on chilly nights.

Tomato Soup with Basil Dumplings can be rich and chunky or creamy smooth and is loaded with a veggie rainbow for a hearty comforting soup lunch or dinner.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A large red cast iron pot filled with Christmas soup topped with holiday pasta.
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Christmas Soup Recipe

We all want warm comfort food during the holiday season, and Christmas Soup is such an easy recipe to put together! The best part is you can make it in a slow cooker or simmer it on the stove for Christmas day, holiday parties, or an easy family dinner. Scoop into big bowls or hot mugs to dip breadsticks, croutons, or crackers into this merry, cheesy soup.
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas recipes, Christmas soup, Crockpot soup recipe, Slow cooker soup, Winter soup recipes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 301kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes with the juice
  • 10 ounces canned Rotel original tomatoes and green chilies with the juice not hot get mild
  • 1 pound Velveeta cheese 1” cubes
  • 4 cups chicken stock 32 oz box
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 12-16 ounces bag of Christmas or holiday pasta red/white/green or bowtie etc
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil garnish
  • Meat Options: 6-8 sliced sausages 2-3 small chicken breasts or 16 oz crumbled sausage. Or add 2 cups of rotisserie chicken.

Instructions

  • In a slow cooker, add diced tomatoes and Rotel with their juices.
  • Add the chicken stock and Velveeta diced into 1” cubes. Cook on high for 1 hour in a crockpot/slow cooker. On the stove, cook in a soup pot on low heat for 1 hour.
  • After 1 hour, turn your slow cooker down to a lower setting. Whisk in the heavy cream. Give the soup a good stir with a spoon or whisk.
  • Add either chicken or sausage (defrosted meat is recommended and cooks faster). You can brown your sausages or crumbled sausage in a skillet if you wish to add some flavor, then slice them into thin rounds. The meat cooks in the soup, just use defrosted meat. The whole chicken breasts will shred after an hour of cooking in the soup. Simply shred with two forks in the pot, or slice on a plate and add back to the soup.
  • Add the pasta and cook for 45 minutes to cook the pasta. If the pasta is in the slow cooker for more than an hour, the pasta can get overcooked and go super soft.
  • Once the pasta goes into the soup, it will thicken the soup after about an hour. Add more chicken stock or water to thin out if desired.
  • Serve in individual bowls or handled mugs topped with basil ribbons, crackers, tortilla chips or warm bread slices, or croutons.
  • Stovetop Tips: You can make on the stovetop, simply cook over low medium heat in a large dutch oven, and stir often, and once the cheese is melted reduce the heat to low. Add the heavy cream, chicken or sausage after the first hour. It is best to use defrosted meats. Then shred the chicken with two forks in the pot at the 1 hour mark and finish cooking with the pasta for another 45 minutes.
  • Leftovers: Keep them in a large saucepan, the next day, pull out about 30 minutes before you want to reheat the soup, and warm up over medium heat on the stove or in the microwave in bowls.

Video

Notes

What To Serve With Hot Soup

How To Serve Soup Hot!

Heat Bowls & Mugs: Serve for Christmas Eve dinner in big bowls or mugs, it's always nice to warm them first so the soup stays hot.

The perfect way to warm them is to heat them in the oven on the lowest setting and use hot pads just in case, or pour water into the bowl or mug and heat them in the microwave.

Look for large holiday coffee cups or mugs and colorful red bowls, these are so fun for Christmas. I found my bowls at Home Goods, and mugs at Hobby Lobby.

Warming Trays: Or keep the bowls and cups on a warming tray! Holiday soup recipes are great for parties and entertaining, so the delicious soup stays nice and warm on the big day.

Variations

The best thing about cozy soups is you can make them just the way you want. For a Christmas Eve soup, you can add cute Christmas pasta, I found some with shapes like trees, presents, stars, and more. And for another festive touch, serve it in holiday coffee mugs that people can hold while eat it with a spoon.

  • Soup Preference Meat Additions: 2-3 small uncooked chicken breasts, or toss in diced cooked Chicken Breasts, 6-8 sliced chicken or pork sausages (brown in a pan and slice thin), or 16 oz crumbled sausage (brown in a skillet, then add). Or add 2 cups of rotisserie chicken. Use up some leftover ham, and try my Double Smoked Ham or Kaulua Pineapple Glazed Ham.
  • Pasta Additions: You can add any kind of pasta, like spirals, bow ties, even cheese tortellini, or some gnocchi will be amazing! Christmas pastas are sold everywhere during the holidays, and are available online.
  • Vegetarian Recipes: In place of the meat, add in some diced sweet potatoes, red sweet pepper like bell peppers, and small potatoes, or toss in the vegetables you love.

Make Ahead Tips

If you want to make this soup ahead, don't add the pasta until about 45 minutes before you want to eat it. Pasta pulls all the liquid from the soup and although delicious, it won't be soup it will be more like a thick pasta. You can always add in more chicken stock (or even water in a pinch). Also, the pasta will become soggy if it cooks for more than an hour.
 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 12g | Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 761mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 779IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 267mg | Iron: 1mg

Sweet Potato Casserole (Ruth's Chris Recipe)

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Last Updated December 21st, 2022 at 11:03 pm by Lisa

For all you avid fans of Sweet Potato Casserole, this signature side dish is the original recipe from the famous Ruth's Chris Steak House.

The combination of the pecan crumble and fluffiness of the sweet potato mixture, takes this classic holiday side way over the top. It is so scrumptious, the whole family will rave and want a second scoop...

Why This Ruth's Chris Recipe Is So Good!

The very first time I made this delicious copycat recipe for Thanksgiving dinner, it was an instant friend and family favorite with rave reviews. The simple ingredients all come together so fast, and if you are a fan of Ruth Chris steakhouse, you will know this recipe!

  • The smooth creamy texture and the crumble of the pecan topping combination are heavenly.
  • Inspired by the classic Ruth’s Chris restaurant, I decided to make this recipe even a little better with a twist of, MAPLE SYRUP. Certainly optional but so super good!
  • The vanilla extract adds just a special depth of flavor, and you can make your own at home and it makes a great gourmet gift.
  • The best thing is, all the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, and most of them you might have on hand right now.
  • The leftovers freeze beautifully! Use a large ice cream scoop on a small sheet pan lined with parchment paper, freeze, then store in zip top bags. Reheat leftovers on the sheet pan for 20 minutes to 350 degrees. Or freeze them in a casserole dish, defrost and reheat them.
  • Hands down this is one of the best sweet potato recipes ever, the whipped consistency is incredible.
  • Need I say more about the pecan crumble topping, it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
  • We all love our classic casseroles in America, but the combination of maple and vanilla in these whipped sweet potatoes makes this Thanksgiving holiday recipe a keeper for life.

Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

Copycat Recipe

The Ruth's Chris Steak House is one of America's favorite restaurants. Their dinner menu is known for offering perfectly seared sizzling steaks or seafood paired with a perfect side dish like baked potatoes, potatoes au gratin, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, lobster mac and cheese, and one of their favorite recipes is this sweet potato side dish!

This is their exact recipe for this restaurant version minus the maple syrup which is my twist...

Sweet Potato Filling

  • sweet potatoes
  • granulated sugar
  • sea salt
  • vanilla extract
  • beaten egg
  • soft butter
  • maple syrup (leave out if you want the original exact recipe)

Pecan Topping Mix

  • brown sugar
  • all purpose flour
  • chopped pecans
  • melted butter

Sweet Potato Mixture

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

STEP 1 Peel the sweet potatoes. 4 large sweet potatoes will yield 6 priced or mashed cups of sweet potatoes. Now, carefully slice it in half. Rest the flat side on the cutting board. Cut those into 1” chunks.

STEP 2 Boil the pieces for 15 minutes until fork tender. Drain.

STEP 3 For best results, use a ricer or potato masher, but a fork will work as well to mash the cooked sweet potatoes in a large bowl.

STEP 4 Next, add the maple syrup, granulated sugar, salt, vanilla, well-beaten egg, and soft butter to the mashed mix. Combine well. You can use a hand mixer in a large mixing bowl to whip the sweet potato mixture.

STEP 5 In a medium-size shallow prepared baking dish, pour mixture and spread the layer of creamy sweet potatoes into the bottom of a buttered large quart dish.

Streusel Topping

STEP 1-3 In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, chopped pecans, and melted butter in a bowl and set aside.

STEP 4 Sprinkle the streusel crumble evenly on top of the sweet potatoes.

Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees in a preheated oven, until the top is golden brown. Serve warm.

Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole Tips

Eat them within a couple of days or prepare them for the freezer. The best part is sweet potato casserole leftovers can be portioned onto a parchment lined baking sheet into the shape of a scoop of ice cream.

Defrost and warm them back up in the oven in individual portions on a baking tray. Store them in a freezer bag, wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap, or in airtight containers.

Sweet Potato Casserole FAQs

Can you freeze sweet potato casserole?

Yes, however, it needs to be cooked first. The best way to freeze either as a whole or a leftover portion of sweet potato casserole is to cool it to room temperature, then use an airtight sealed container. When ready to eat, defrost overnight in the refrigerator, and rewarm in the oven. Best if eaten within two months of freezing.

Can you make sweet potato casserole ahead of time?


Yes! You can make it and bake it up to 3 days before your party, then simply reheat it in the oven to serve.

More Holiday Menu Christmas & Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Sweet potato casserole pairs so well with all these delicious side dishes for a holiday meal. This time of the year, our favorite way to enjoy the season is to have lots of sides and great recipes for Christmas and Thanksgiving.

  • Holiday season dinners are filled with big meals and rich heavy food. Let your palate take a welcomed break with a few bites of a Fresh Cranberry Relish along with your Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy for the perfect combination.
  • Make these Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes with 5 Ways to Reheat them for your holiday party.
  • Sausage Dressing is the BEST holiday side (also known as sausage stuffing), you can use hot and/or mild Italian sausage, cornbread, crunchy celery, soft French bread, sweet dried cherries, and tart dried cranberries!

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Lifting a scoop of sweet potato casserole out of a white casserole dish with large serving spoon.
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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (Ruth's Chris Copycat)

For all you avid fans of the Sweet Potato Casserole at the famous Ruth's Chris Steak House, this is their original recipe and signature side dish. The combination of the fluffiness of the sweet potato mixture topped with a pecan crumble takes this classic holiday side way over the top. It is so scrumptious, the whole family will want seconds and a copy of this delicious copycat recipe.
Course Side Dishes & Vegetables
Cuisine American
Keyword Southern Sweet Potato Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Thanksgiving side
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Baking Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 263kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

mashed base

  • 4 large sweet potatoes (6 cups mashed or riced)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 whole egg well beaten
  • ¼ cup butter room temperature soft
  • ¼ cup maple syrup

topping mix

  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ¾ cup chopped pecans
  • ¼ cup melted butter

Instructions

Sweet Potato Mashed Base

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil. Pull the stick of butter out to get it soft at room temperature. Peel the sweet potatoes. Now, carefully slice in half. Rest the flat side on the cutting board. Slice into 1” chunks.
  • Boil the pieces for 15 minutes until fork tender.
  • For best results, drain the cooked sweet potatoes, then use a ricer or potato masher to get them finely processed, but a fork will work as well to mash the cooked sweet potatoes.
    You can use a hand mixer in a large mixing bowl to whip the sweet potatoes.
  • Next, add the ¼ cup maple syrup, ¾ cup sugar, ¼ sea salt, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 beaten egg, and ¼ cup butter (half a stick of butter, soft room temperature) to the mixture, mix mash well, or use a hand mixer.
  • Butter a shallow prepared baking dish and pour mixture and spread the surface of the sweet potato mixture into the bottom evenly.

Pecan Streusel Topping

  • Melt ¼ cup butter in a small bowl. Next, add ¾ cup brown sugar, 1 cup flour, and ¾ chopped pecans, and mix well to combine.
  • Sprinkle the stueusel crumble evenly on top of the sweet potatoes mixture.
  • Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees in a preheated oven. Serve warm.

Leftovers

  • Eat them within a couple of days or prepare them for the freezer. Leftovers can be scooped onto a parchment lined baking sheet with a large ice cream scoop, then defrosted and warmed back up in the oven in individual portions.
  • Store them in a freezer bag, wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap, or in an airtight container. Best if eaten within two months of freezing.

Video

Notes

Make Ahead

Yes! You can make it and bake it up to 3 days before your party, then simply reheat them in the oven to serve.

Yield

4 large sweet potatoes will yield 6 cups of mashed or riced.
 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 12g | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 3283IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

Santas Cookies

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Last Updated May 28th, 2023 at 10:23 pm by Lisa

Children all over the world leave Santa Cookies and milk or other festive foods on Christmas Eve. Your kids will love to write their wish lists on these festive sugar cookies, and there is even a place for the straw!

When Santa Claus comes to town, he will HO HO HO when he sees the lists, and knows who is naughty or nice...

Santa's Cookie Recipe

Leave out Santa's favorite cookies and don't forget some carrots for the reindeer, this is the best Christmas cookie recipe I bake every year as a tradition. They are always a huge hit during Christmas!

PRO TIPS: Plan ahead for the prep time on these, the royal icing needs 2-3 days to dry solid before you can write on them with edible color markers. 

Sugar Cookie Baking Instructions

  • granulated sugar
  • butter softened
  • egg (or EggBeaters work perfectly!)
  • baking powder
  • orange juice (freshly squeezed from an orange)
  • vanilla extract
  • all-purpose flour
  1. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, add sugar and softened butter. Mix the white sugar and cream butter (or cream unsalted butter) until well combined.
  2. Next add egg, baking powder, orange juice, vanilla extract, and flour. Mix until combined.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic food wrap and chill until firm.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ¼ thickness.
  5. Use a square shape cutter (I used a top from a food container) cut out the square. Next, using the big end of an icing decorating tip, cut a small ½" hole in the corner of the cookie for the straw. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet at least 1-2 inches apart.
  6. Heat oven to 400 degrees, and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly browned.
  7. Cool completely, then you are ready to decorate.

A few things you might need to design the most beautiful cookies!

Mix The Royal Icing

powdered sugar

meringue powder

dash vanilla extract clear preferred

warm water

  1. Place all ingredients into a mixer and whip on slow for 10 minutes.
  2. Keep the royal icing covered with saran wrap or a damp kitchen towel or it dries out and doesn't spread smoothly.
  3. Add drops of red or green color to some royal icing.
  4. Leftover icing can be frozen and used later.

Royal Icing Top Drying Tips

PRO TIP: The best way to dry cookies is to place them on a parchment lined prepared cookie sheet in the oven with only the oven light on.

  • Or place them on a parchment-lined sheet pan on the kitchen counter.
  • Don't put them in the fridge, the icing won't dry, and they get too soft.
  • The royal icing actually helps keep the cookies the right soft texture as it dries.
  • Humidity plays a role in how fast the icing dries and will vary depending on where you live and the weather the day you bake.
  • Place a fan near the cookies to speed up the drying process.
  1. Fill a small pastry bag fitted with a small tip, and pipe a line around the edge of the cookie. Next, flood or fill in the center, and use a small thin skewer to fill in the icing.
  2. VERY IMPORTANT: At this point, let the cookies dry completely before writing the wish list for Santa 2-3 DAYS.
  3. Once the cookies are dry and the icing is rock hard, use colored edible markers, and use a ruler to make the lines that look like a piece of paper, use blue and red pens for this step. Do this part for small children, then let them write the wish list.
  4. Place them on them on Santa's plate with an ice-cold mug of milk, add a cute red and white straw and wait for Santa's visit!
  5. Decorate other cookies with royal icing and sprinkles and create your own holiday designs.
  • For the "wish list" cookie, use a blue and red marker to create a piece of paper list, then black to write the list.
  • Use red and white to create a peppermint candy swirl design, and top it with some clear sugar sparkling sprinkles.
  • Make little gift packages, add some cute dots, and a big red bow.
  • Draw alternating lines of red and green, and drag the skewer through to create a fun design that looks like connected hearts.
  • Create holly and berries with dots of red and make green holly leaves.
What is the history of Santa's cookies and milk tradition?


Children have left cookies and milk out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve for decades.

Some say that leaving cookies and milk for Santa came from the tradition of hanging and stuffing stockings by the chimney, and leaving something to eat and drink was a way to welcome Santa.

It is said that in the 1930s during the Great Depression, cookies and milk for Santa took off as an American holiday tradition. Due to severe hard financial times, many parents wanted to teach their children to give, be generous to others, and show gratitude for their Christmas gifts.
And so the tradition took hold, setting out small plates of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa.

Bake these wildly popular Santa’s Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies that are "cookie-exchange award winning"!! Loaded with flavors of the holidays, these have candy cane peppermint crunch, milk chocolate chips (or semisweet chocolate chips), and Andes creme de menthe chips.  Plus get all my tips for baking even sized cookies using a cookie scoop too!

Shortbread Christmas Cookies are baked with peppermint white chocolate and macadamia nuts, these say Mele Kalikimaka and Aloha!

Make a Peppermint Candy Plate in only 20 minutes. Serve cookies, candy, hot cocoa, coffee, tea, festive drinks, or holiday cocktails. Put out for the holidays, or take to a potluck Christmas party.

Make Nut Goodie Candy Bars a Christmas family tradition, so amazing with crunchy peanuts and peanut butter.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A collage of Christmas cookies decorated for Santa including one with a kids wish list on a mug of milk.
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Santa's Cookies Recipe

Kids write their wish list on decorated Christmas cookies with edible ink. This recipe for Santa's Cookies and Milk includes step-by-step instructions. Ho Ho Ho! *plan ahead, these take 2-3 days for the icing to dry before writing on the cookies.
Course Desserts & Sweets
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas cookies, Easter sugar cookies, holiday baking, Santa's cookies, Santas Cookies and Milk
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Royal Icing Dry Time -before writing on cookies 3 days
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 36
Calories 201kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Cookie Recipe

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1 large egg or EggBeaters work perfectly!
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed from an orange
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Royal Icing Recipe

  • 2 pounds powdered sugar
  • 5 tablespoons meringue powder order online
  • dash vanilla clear preferred
  • 1 cup (scant) warm water
  • Icing Colors red and green
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Baking

  • In a large mixing bowl or with an electric hand mixer, or stand electric mixer, add sugar and softened butter. Mix until combined at low speed.
  • Next add egg, baking powder, orange juice, vanilla, and flour. Mix until all the dry ingredients are well combined.
  • Wrap dough in plastic food wrap and chill until firm 1-2 hours.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to ¼ thickness.
  • Use a square shape cutter (I used a top from a food container) cut out the square. Next, using an icing decorating tip, cut a small hole in the corner of the cookie for the straw. Place on a parchment-lined prepared baking sheet at least 1-2 inches apart.
  • Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees f, and bake 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly browned.
  • Cool completely before decorating.

Royal Icing

  • Place all ingredients into the large bowl of a mixer and whip on slow for 10 minutes.
  • Keep finished icing covered with saran wrap or damp kitchen towel to keep from drying out.
  • Leftover icing can be frozen and used later.

Decorating

  • Fill a small pastry bag fitted with a small tip, and pipe a line around the edge of the cookie. Next, flood or fill in the center, and use a small thin skewer to fill in the icing.
  • PRO TIPS: At this point, let the cookies dry at least 2-3 days completely before writing the wish list on the cookies for Santa. Place on a sheet pan in the oven with only the light on.
  • Once cookies are dry and icing is rock hard, use colored edible markers and use a ruler to make the lines that look like a piece of paper, use a blue and red pens for this step. Do this part for small children, then let them write the wish list.
  • And now the best part, have children write their wish list to Santa on the cookies, place on a mug of milk, add a cute red and white straw and wait for Santa's visit!
  • Decorate other cookies with colored icing and sprinkles.

Notes

plan ahead

The royal icing takes 2-3 days for the icing to dry before writing on the cookies. 

supplies

  • Parchment paper
  • square cookie cutter (or food container top)
  • small icing tip
  • Wilton Edible Color Markers (craft stores/online - Edible ink pens are easy to find in local craft stores, they are designed to write on cookies!)
  • ruler
  • small skewer
  • plastic pastry bags
  • assorted sprinkles and food colors for decorating 
Royal Icing Top Drying Tips
PRO TIP: The best way to dry cookies is to place them on a parchment lined prepared cookie sheet in the oven with only the oven light on.
  • Or place them on a parchment-lined sheet pan on the kitchen counter.
  • Don't put them in the fridge, the icing won't dry, and they get too soft.
  • The royal icing actually helps keep the cookies the right soft texture as it dries.
  • Humidity plays a role in how fast the icing dries and will vary depending on where you live and the weather the day you bake.
  • Place a fan near the cookies to speed up the drying process
  • For the "wish list" cookie, use a blue and red marker to create a piece of paper list, then black to write the list.
  • Use red and white to create a peppermint candy swirl design, and top it with some clear sugar sparkling sprinkles.
  • Make little gift packages, add some cute dots, and a big red bow.
  • Draw alternating lines of red and green, and drag the skewer through to create a fun design that looks like connected hearts.
  • Create holly and berries with dots of red and make green holly leaves.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 55mg | Potassium: 31mg | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Candied Pecans

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Candied Pecans with pumpkin pie spice flavors are crunchy and sweet with cinnamon-sugar, and a kick of heat. Use as a holiday or Fall appetizer on a grazing table, or charcuterie cheeseboard, or pack up as a homemade holiday food gift.

These easy candy pecans are egg-free, gluten-free, and great for snacks. Wrap in pretty decorated mason jars, and add gift tags. Someone will be delighted...

A white bowl filled with candied pecans on with a few pecans on a linen towel.

Why This Candy Pecans Recipe Works

  • These easy candied pecans are the perfect mix of spicy and sweet and have the wonderful flavor of Pumpkin Pie Spice including; cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
  • This is an egg white free pecans recipe, so it is vegan.
  • Bake into desserts like cookies, sweet bread, or as a topping on ice cream.
  • They are great to serve on Fall Cheeseboards and grazing tables.
  • Toss them into Christmas Salads, they add a sweet-spicy crunch.
  • Gift these sweet treats as Food Gifts for a gourmet holiday hostess gift or holiday gift.

Candied Pecans Recipe

Pecans, a variety of spices, sugar, and water are all you need for these yummy candied pecans!

  • pecan halves
  • ground cinnamon
  • ground ginger
  • nutmeg
  • ground allspice
  • ground cloves
  • kosher sea salt
  • cayenne pepper (if a kick of heat isn't your thing, leave it out!)
  • powdered sugar
  • water

PRO TIP: Use parchment paper, not wax paper. Wax paper will melt!

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 250° degrees.

Step 2: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, sea salt, cayenne pepper, and powdered sugar.

Step 4: Add the pecans to the sugar mixture, along with 2 tablespoons of water. Stir until dissolved into a sticky glaze.

Tip: Add a bit more water if needed until you get a sticky glaze.

Step 5: Pour the pecans onto a baking sheet into a single layer, avoid the nuts from touching. Use all the glaze from the bowl, and pour over the pecans. Bake 250 degrees for 60 minutes, stirring one time during the hour until the pecans are dry and crunchy.

Step 6: Once done, slide the parchment off of the hot baking sheet and allow the pecans to cool completely on the countertop.

Note: When you mix the nuts and spices, they will be wet and sticky like the photo below.

Once they are baked and dry, their coating is no longer glossy.

The result is so good you'll be dreaming of your next batch of spiced pecans before you even finish your first!

Can I make them not spicy?

Sure thing! If you want spiced pecans but not spicy pecans, omit the cayenne pepper. This will take away the kick of heat and leave you with sweet spiced pecans.

Can I make other nuts with this recipe?

Yes, try candied walnuts, candied cashews, and candied almonds can be made with this recipe. Pecans are my favorite though... it's hard to beat the slight natural sweetness of pecans paired with sugar and spices!

How do I use up candied pecans?


They are great to serve on cheeseboards and grazing tables.
Toss them into holiday salads, they add a sweet-spicy crunch.
Gift as a gourmet holiday hostess gift or holiday gift. Or use them in baked goods like cookies and pastries.

How long will candied pecans last?

Store candied pecans in an airtight sealable container or Mason jar at room temperature for one week. They are best stored chilled in the fridge. They will last in the fridge for 3-4 weeks chilled in the refrigerator or freeze for up to two months.

Homemade Food Gift

Write out a cute gift tag for your decorated mason jars and maybe include the recipe for a fun homemade food gift!

The jars alone will make a wonderful gift, but if you want to take things up a notch, you can serve them as part of a gorgeous autumn gift basket. 

In a large basket, tuck in a fabulous throw, some fall-colored roses, a couple of bottles of wine, and a jar of your pecans. Who wouldn't want to receive this beautiful gift?

If you want more homemade food gift ideas for the holiday season, check out my post on 8 Holiday DIY Gourmet Food Gifts!

How to Use Candied Pecans

  • Salad Bar: At a fall or holiday gathering, set up a salad bar so your guests can create a salad to their liking. Candied Pecans make the perfect salad topping!
  • Fall Charcuterie Or Cheeseboard: These pecans make the perfect addition to a snack board at parties and gatherings.
  • Cozy Fall Snack: Fall is the perfect time to relax with a good book and your favorite blanket! Serve up a bowl of Candied Pecans to keep you company.
  • Baking Recipes: Bake up your favorite desserts like cookies and try my homemade Vanilla Extract, it will take your baking to a whole new level.
  • Appetizers: See the section below for my friend Lidy's tips on how to make an easy appetizer "grazing" table for your next party!

Appetizer Grazing Table Tips

I am SMITTEN with the way Lidy from French Garden House sets up an easy appetizer table with Spiced Candied Pecans...how stunning is this? And to quote her,

"Want to know a secret to a really easy way to entertain? Having family and or friends over for appetizers and drinks is a lot easier than a full-fledged dinner party. Bonus: It’s a lot more F U N too!" - Lidy Baars

And she is so right!  Her post How To Design A Stunning Appetizer Display gives lots of ideas and tips on how to host effortlessly.

Her secret is to keep the food simple and display it gorgeously!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the board down the middle of the table, and everyone refills their own plate...and let me tell you we nibbled and giggled as we "worked" on this. I love what I do!

More Fall & Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes

Jalapeno Popper Dip is always a hit! Make this melty hot appetizer for parties with simple pantry ingredients and scoop up with large corn chips. Save those seeds from Halloween 🎃 pumpkin carving! Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are great to sprinkle on soup and in salads. They are a perfect low-carb keto snack idea too. Create a stunning Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board filled with your favorite sliced meats, different types of cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, and a few festive and sugary holiday treats for hungry guests on turkey day or anytime during the holiday season!

These are 36 of The Best Thanksgiving Day appetizers for savory snacks, easy appetizers, and a bounty of party ideas for your celebration.

One way I love to entertain is a Crostini Bar, arrange a festive table with fall touches 🍂 , and have the guests help themselves.

Serve a "pumpkin-shaped" Everything Bagel Cheese Ball for your next Fall party, it's always a hit! Easy to make ahead in 15 minutes, chill, and take to a gathering. Addictively sweet and salty Fall Snack Mix 🦃🧡 will disappear at your Thanksgiving feast! The salty nutty flavor is so good with the sweet M&Ms and candy corn. Who doesn't love deviled eggs? A famous holiday and party appetizer, these Autumn Deviled Eggs 🦃🍁 simply take a classic deviled egg recipe and add a couple of Fall twists...

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A white bowl with candied pecans and a few on the table with jars filled with them nearby.
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Candied Pecans Recipe

Candied Pecans with pumpkin pie spice flavors are crunchy and sweet with cinnamon-sugar, and a kick of heat. Use as a holiday or Fall appetizer on a grazing table, or charcuterie cheeseboard, or pack up as a homemade holiday food gift. These easy candy pecans are egg-free, gluten-free, and great for snacks. Wrap in pretty decorated mason jars, and add gift tags. Someone will be delighted.
Course Desserts & Sweets
Cuisine American
Keyword candied pecans, holiday food gift, spicy nuts
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 213kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pecan halves 8 oz bag
  • 3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoons nutmeg
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon kosher sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ cup powder sugar
  • 2-4 tablespoons water
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 250° degrees.
  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. (Use parchment paper and not wax paper, it will melt).
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, sea salt, cayenne pepper, and powdered sugar.
  • Add the pecans to the cinnamon sugar mixture, along with 2 tablespoons of water. Stir until dissolved into a sticky glaze. (Add a bit more water if needed until you get a sticky glaze.)
  • Pour the pecans onto a baking sheet into a single layer, avoid the nuts touching. Use all the glaze from the bowl, and pour over the pecans. Bake 250 degrees for 60 minutes, stirring one-time during the hour until the pecans are dry and crunchy.
  • Once done, slide the parchment off of the hot baking sheet and allow the pecans to cool completely on the countertop at room temperature.
  • Store in a decorated mason jars (hot glue small wooden leaves from the craft store) or airtight containers. Write out a cute gift tag, and maybe include the recipe for a fun gift!

Video

Notes

serving

Candied pecans go great on cheeseboards and grazing tables. 
Toss them in a Christmas salad!

not spicy

If you want spiced pecans but not spicy pecans, omit the cayenne pepper. This will take away the kick of heat and leave you with sweet spiced pecans.

making different candied nuts

Yes, this recipe works fine to make candied walnuts and candied almonds.  Pecans are my favorite though... it's hard to beat the slight natural sweetness of pecans paired with sugar and spices!

storage

Store pecans in decorated mason jars. Hot glue small wooden leaves from the craft store or use airtight containers and keep them chilled in the fridge.

holiday food gift

Write out a cute gift tag for your decorated mason jars and maybe include the recipe for a fun homemade food gift!
The jars alone will make a wonderful gift, but if you want to take things up a notch, you can serve them as part of a gorgeous autumn gift basket. In a large basket, tuck in a fabulous throw, some fall-colored roses, a couple of bottles of wine, and a jar of your pecans. Who wouldn't want to receive this beautiful gift?

Nutrition

Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg

Christmas Holiday Salad

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Last Updated December 22nd, 2022 at 12:04 am by Lisa

Present a gorgeous, festive, red and green Christmas Salad with an easy pomegranate vinaigrette dressing topped with sparkling pomegranate seeds, D'Anjou pears for the little trees, spicy candied pecans, ruby red dried cranberries, and juicy raspberries. Now, this salad says Happy Holidays...

Christmas Salad Recipe

Create a stunning holiday menu for your Christmas feast, with this salad alongside main dishes of Double Smoked Christmas Ham with an orange honey glaze, a beautiful Roast Turkey with gravy, Beef Roast, and other classic side dishes like Mashed Potatoes, Smashed Potatoes, or Sausage Stuffing for a celebration party filled with delicious food...

Pomegranate Dressing

  • pomegranate juice (store-bought or fresh Pomegranate Juice)
  • apple cider vinegar
  • orange zest and orange juice
  • Dijon mustard
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • fresh cracked pepper
  • sea salt

Christmas Salad Decoration Ideas

There are dozens of Christmas holiday variations and swaps salad decoration ideas here from additions, swaps, toppings, dressings, and how to create your own shaped holiday salad!

  • Mixed Greens: Use baby mixed greens, spring greens, baby kale, Iceberg lettuce, or Romaine lettuce.
  • Fresh Vegetables: Swap the fresh spinach for a shaved brussels sprouts salad, massaged kale salad, roasted beets, or avocados, or make broccoli or cauliflower salad. Small cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are also really great and look like ornaments. Or toss some sliced or diced green onions on top. Red peppers are so festive, and you can cut them into holiday shapes with Mini Cookie Cutters and make bell pepper stars.
  • Add Cheeses: For more flavor and complexity. Try blue cheese, goat cheese, crumbled feta cheese, or parmesan cheese. Sliced fresh mozzarella or small Marinated Mozzarella Balls are a great addition. A Caprese salad made with fresh mozzarella rounds, thin tomato slices, and basil is very festive!
  • Pickled Veggies: Add Pickled Red Onions for a bright pop of bright pink color or a few Pickled Green Beans.
  • Dressing: Swap in some champagne vinegar in place of the apple cider vinegar.
  • Christmas Shapes: Instead of serving in a bowl, shape into a Christmas wreath or Christmas tree shape on a tray or board! Take a look at my Christmas Tree Recipe for more ideas.
  • Sprinkle On Some Nuts: Try pistachios, walnuts, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, or Candied Pecans. Toasted pine nuts with a little sea salt are always so good on salads.
  • Fresh Fruit Slices: apple slices, grapes, citrus fruit like orange or grapefruit sections, or mandarine oranges would be beautiful and taste great.

Making Holiday Salad

  1. Using a small serrated knife, cut pears lengthwise into ½ " thick large pieces, then cut out tree shapes with small cookie cutters. Keep in a little bowl with some water and a little lemon juice to keep them from browning.
  2. In a large salad bowl (or on individual salad plates) layer fresh spinach leaves, pecans, pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries, raspberries, and top with D'Anjou pear trees. Serve with dressing on the side, or toss into salad.
  3. For the Pomegranate Mason jar dressing: Add all ingredients into a mason jar, close the lid and shake for one minute until combined. Or whisk well in a bowl to combine. Store in the fridge until ready to use. Reshake or whisk to combine right before serving.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Making-pomegranate-Mason-jar-dressing.jpg

Holiday Salad Pear "Tree" Garnish

Slice the pear into ½" thick flat slices of pear, and use a mini tree-shaped cookie cutter, to then cut out Christmas tree pear garnish.

Make 4-5 per salad plate.

How To Remove Pomegranate Aril Seeds

  1. Cut the ½" off the top crown of the pomegranate where the stem is, and set aside.
  2. Using a small knife, run the knife down the pomegranate skin along the white pith to the bottom, but not through the bottom center of the pomegranate (this keeps it held together for the next step).
  3. Continue all the way around the pomegranate until cuts are made down the sides.
  4. Crack open the pomegranate and remove the center white core pith.
  5. Now break each piece over a bowl and pop out the seeds by running your fingers gently over the aril seeds. This does take some time, and remove be sure to remove the white pith bits that fall into your bowl.

Pomegranate Juice for Dressing

  1. Place the aril seeds into a strainer that fits into a similar size bowl.
  2. Press down on the pomegranate seeds with a large spoon, letting the juice drain into a bowl.
  3.  Store in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days in a Mason jar.
Pomegranates: Seed, Juice, and Recipe Ideas
Get Pomegranate Seeds out the easy way. Learn the simple trick to open, seed, and juice pomegranate arils in step-by-step instructions.
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A white ceramic dish with pomegranate seeds ready to use in a recipe.

Salad Dressings, Vinaigrettes & Croutons

Drizzle one of these homemade salad dressings like a Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette or a creamy dressing like Ranch Dressing. Bake some cheesy parmesan Croutons and get my hack to make these fast with a baguette. Or shake up healthy salad dressings like this Parmesan Lemon Vinaigrette for beautiful Christmas salads...

Christmas salad with white trees cut from pears drizzled with dressing.

More Christmas Salad Recipes

Christmas dinners all need a big side salad on the holiday dining table or buffet, here are some great options for the holiday season ...

Shape this Christmas Tree Salad and decorate it with "garland, ornaments, and snow" as Christmas decorations. So fun, and everyone will love it on your festive table!

And for a colorful salad, serve a Broccoli Salad with bright jewel tones. Serve a simple elegant Wedge Salad with steaks like filet mignon or beef tenderloin.

Or for a crowd, make a classic 7 Layer Salad. It's always a favorite salad and a total crowd-pleaser, and so pretty in a trifle bowl.

Now you can make this famous iconic Cobb Salad from the golden age of Hollywood, California. A hearty salad loaded with chopped tomato, cubed chicken, crumbled bacon, diced avocado, chopped eggs, and topped with Roquefort cheese. And another classic for a holiday feast, is this cherished old-fashioned family recipe and a real crowd-pleaser for Macaroni Salad.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Two plates of Christmas salad with forks topped with fruit and nuts.
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Christmas Holiday Salad Recipe

Present a gorgeous, festive, red and green Christmas Holiday Salad with an easy pomegranate vinaigrette dressing topped with sparkling pomegranate seeds, D'Anjou pears for the little trees, spicy candied pecans, ruby red dried cranberries, and juicy raspberries. Now, this salad says Happy Holidays...
Course Holiday, Salads & Dressing
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas salad, holiday salad, pomegranate dressing
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 193kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

Christmas Salad

  • 8 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • ½ cup pomegranate seeds
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • ½ cup pecans or make Spicy Candied Pecans
  • ½" slices D'Anjou pears cut with small tree cookie cutter

Pomegranate Dressing

  • 4 tablespoons pomegranate juice store bought or fresh squeezed pomegranate juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 orange zested and juiced (zest first!)
  • 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make Pomegranate Dressing

  • To a mason jar, add the pomegranate juice, apple cider vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, Dijon mustard,  olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and salt.
  • Close the lid and shake for one minute until combined. Store in the fridge until ready to use. Reshake to combine right before serving. (You can also whisk all the ingredients in a bowl).

Assemble the Holiday Salad

  • Using a small cookie cutter, cut pears lengthwise into ½ " thick large pieces, then cut out tree shapes. Keep in a little bowl with some water and a little lemon juice to keep from browning.
  • In a large salad bowl (or on individual salad plates) layer fresh spinach leaves, candied or regular pecans, pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries, raspberries, and top with D'Anjou pear trees. Serve with dressing on the side, or toss into salad.

Notes

Make The Pear "Tree" Garnish

Slice ½" flat slices of pear, and use a small tree-shaped cookie cutter, to then cut out Christmas tree pear garnish. Make 4-5 per salad plate.

To Seed (Arils) A Pomegranate

  1. Cut the ½" off the top crown of the pomegranate where the stem is, and set aside.
  2. Using a small knife, run the knife down the pomegranate skin along the white pith to the bottom, but not through the bottom center of the pomegranate (this keeps it held together for the next step).
  3. Continue all the way around the pomegranate until cuts are made down the sides.
  4. Crack open the pomegranate and remove the center white core pith.
  5. Now break each piece over a bowl and pop out the seeds by running your fingers gently over the aril seeds. This does take some time, and remove be sure to remove the white pith bits that fall into your bowl.
  6. Enjoy your pomegranate seeds!

Hidden Rose Apples

Try some pretty pink-colored apples like Hidden Rose and slice them for the salad, or even cut your little trees out of them, so festive and beautiful.

Christmas Holiday Salad Variations & Swaps

  • Mixed Greens: Use baby mixed greens, spring greens, baby kale, Iceberg lettuce, or Romaine lettuce.
  • Vegetable Salad Options: Swap the fresh spinach for a shaved brussels sprouts salad, massaged kale salad, roasted beets, or avocados, or make broccoli or cauliflower salad.
  • Add Cheeses: For more flavor and complexity. Try blue cheese, goat cheese, crumbled feta cheese, or parmesan cheese.
  • Pickled Veggies: Add Pickled Red Onions for a bright pop of bright pink color or a few Pickled Green Beans.
  • Dressing: Swap in some champagne vinegar in place of the apple cider vinegar.
  • Christmas Shapes: Instead of serving in a bowl, shape into a Christmas wreath or Christmas tree shape on a tray or board! Take a look at my Christmas Tree Recipe for more ideas.
  • Sprinkle On Some Nuts: Try pistachios, walnuts, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, or Candied Pecans.
  • Use Fruit Slices: apple slices, grapes, citrus fruit like orange or grapefruit sections, or mandarine oranges would be beautiful and taste great.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 277mg | Potassium: 364mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2860IU | Vitamin C: 24.4mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Christmas Shortbread Cookies

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Last Updated April 24th, 2024 at 08:40 pm by Lisa

Shortbread Christmas Cookies are baked with peppermint white chocolate bark and buttery macadamia nuts, these peppermint cookies say Mele Kalikimaka and Aloha with their tropical vibe...

Why You Will Love These Cookies... 

Each year I create at least one new cookie recipe, and these remind me of a relaxing island getaway...

  • Christmas shortbread cookies take less than an hour to make.
  • Shortbread cookies are easy with simple ingredients.
  • Macadamia nuts make them rich and amazing.
  • There are no eggs or salt in this recipe.
  • Butter cookies, gingerbread cookies, thumbprint cookies, chocolate chip, snowball cookies, and gingersnap cookies are all traditional classic Christmas cookies, but these cookies are so fun and different.
  • Chopped peppermint bark inside each bite, and the melted peppermint bark drizzled icing on top certainly make these cookies festive for the holidays.

Peppermint Shortbread Cookie Recipe

You can order a tropical pineapple-shaped cookie cutter if you wish, but any cookie cutter shape will work!

Since colonial times, pineapples have been used during the holidays and especially at Christmas. They are a sign of friendship and gracious hospitality in homes around the world.

  • butter softened
  • powdered sugar
  • vanilla extract (or swap in almond extract)
  • all-purpose flour
  • macadamia nuts finely chopped
  • peppermint bark chips finely chopped (or use white chocolate chips and finely crushed candy canes or milk or dark chocolate bark)
  • more peppermint bark chips (melted) for icing decoration
  • optional: sparkling sugar sprinkles

PRO TIP: Before chopping your macadamia nuts, try one. They're prone to going rancid quickly, so you want to make sure you're using fresh macadamias in this recipe. Store them sealed in their bag in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.

Step 1: On a cutting board, finely chop both the macadamia nuts and peppermint bark chips, you can do them both together. Set aside.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 375.

Step 3: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

Step 4: Add flour 1 cup at a time and mix well.

Step 5: Add finely chopped macadamia nuts and peppermint bark chips, and mix well.

Step 6: Roll out cookie dough to ¼" thick on a lightly floured surface, and cut into pineapple shapes. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 7: Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden brown. Cool cookies completely.

A pineapple shaped cookie cutter on a red cutting board making cookies.

PRO TIP: Place melted peppermint chocolate in a strong gallon zip-top bag, snip a tiny corner of the bag tip, and decorate with drizzles of melted peppermint bark in a criss-cross pattern on the pineapple cookies.

Step 8: In a small glass bowl, melt about 1 cup of the peppermint bark (chips) in the microwave on high for 30 seconds, keep melting in 30-second increments until just melted, and stir.

Step 9: Let the melted chocolate set for a couple of hours before stacking the cookies. Or super chill them in the fridge for about 30 minutes to set the icing.

A plate of peppermint icing drizzled shortbread Christmas cookies.
What Are Shortbread Cookies?

A shortbread cookie tastes like a sugar cookie but they do not have a leavening agent (like baking soda or baking powder etc.), so shortbread cookies are a bit harder with a special snap or crunch compared to the softer, crisper sugar or butter cookie.

Where can I find peppermint bark?

Palmer sells Peppermint Bark chunks, and these work perfectly. I found mine in a local grocery store, and they are available online.

You can also use a peppermint bark with dark or milk chocolate, these are more popular chocolate barks and easier to find.

Close up of a Christmas shortbread cookie drizzled with peppermint icing.

What can I substitute for peppermint bark?

Peppermint bark chips are available from the Palmer company, if you can't find this product use some white chocolate chips and finely crushed candy canes to mix into the cookie dough and melt together for the icing.

Holiday baking is a time to slow down and create delicious sweets that only come once a year, and Christmas cookies are a special treat, here are some of my favorite recipes!

  • Santa's Cookies and Milk is the way to write a wish list!
  • Santa's Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies are loaded with milk chocolate chips, Andes Creme De Menthe baking chips, and peppermint crunch pieces, which are such a hit with everyone.
  • Bake a Christmas Cake loaded with your favorite holiday flavors of peppermint and is gorgeous for a fancy holiday dinner party and easy enough to make with kids for a merry, joyful, perfect dessert.
  • S'more Cookie Dough Truffles are no bake and adorable.
  • Pile all your freshly baked cookies and candy on a Peppermint Candy Plate, people will ask how you made it!
  • Taste the difference of homemade Vanilla Extract in frostings, ice cream, cookies, cakes, pies, and other desserts, and make your own!

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A pile of pineapple shaped peppermint macadamia nut shortbread cookies.
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Peppermint Macadamia Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread Christmas Cookies are baked with peppermint white chocolate bark and macadamia nuts, these buttery peppermint cookies are pineapple shaped, and say Mele Kalikimaka and Aloha with their tropical vibe.
Course Desserts & Sweets
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas cookies, Christmas shortbread cookies, shortbread cookies
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings 36
Calories 217kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

cookie dough

  • 2 cups butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup peppermint bark Palmers White Candy Peppermint Bark Bar finely chopped
  • 1 cups macadamia nuts finely chopped

cookie icing

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • On a cutting board, finely chop both the macadamia nuts and peppermint bark chips. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 375.
  • In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix softened room temperature butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract at medium-high speed.
  • Add flour 1 cup at a time and mix well.
  • Add finely chopped macadamia nuts and peppermint bark chips, mix well.
  • Roll out cookie dough ¼" thick on lightly floured surface with a rolling pin, and cut into pineapple shapes. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • In a small glass bowl, melt about 1 cup of the peppermint bark (chips) in the microwave on high for 30 seconds, keep melting in 30-second increments until just melted and stir.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden brown. Cool cookies completely on wire racks.
  • Place melted peppermint chocolate in a strong gallon zip-top bag, snip a tiny corner of the bag the tip, and decorate with drizzles of melted peppermint bark in a criss-cross pattern on the pineapple cookies.
  • Let the melted chocolate set for a couple of hours before stacking the cookies so the "icing" dries in an airtight container.
  • Enjoy, and Mele Kalikimaka.
  • If you want to make the cookie dough ahead, you can wrap it really well in plastic wrap, and keep chilled in the fridge or freezer until ready to bake.

Notes

peppermint bark candy

Peppermint bark chips are available from the Palmer company, if you can't find this product use some white chocolate chips and finely crushed candy canes to mix into the cookie dough and melt together for the icing.
Palmer sells Peppermint Bark chunks. These work perfectly! You can also use a peppermint bark with dark or milk chocolate, these are more popular chocolate barks and easier to find.

macadamia nuts

Before chopping your macadamia nuts, try one. They're prone to going rancid quickly, so you want to make sure you're using fresh macadamias.
 
 
 
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 42mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Christmas Cake

[heart_this] · · 2 Comments

Last Updated January 4th, 2024 at 11:09 pm by Lisa

Bake a Christmas Cake loaded with your favorite holiday flavors of peppermint. This Christmassy bake is gorgeous for a fancy holiday dinner party and easy enough to make with kids for a merry, joyful, perfect dessert...

With a little time and simple ingredients, this will become a favorite way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

What Are The Best Christmas Treats?

  • Last year I created this new recipe with easy ingredients I had on hand to take to a Christmas dinner party. It was a hit!
  • Use candy canes or any peppermint candies in place of the See's Peppermint Twists.
  • Gorgeous cakes can be the centerpiece of your holiday dessert table. There are so many beautiful bundt pans for sale to bake in during the holidays, check on line and in stores like HomeGoods.
  • One of the most easy Christmas cake recipes ever!
  • The perfect holiday treat to make for the family with fluffy cake frosting.
  • Bake a delicious cake to enjoy after opening Christmas gifts.
  • Enjoy a slice of this frosted white Christmas cake the next day with a hot cup of coffee or tea anytime during the season.
  • One of the most show-stopping cake recipes to bring to a holiday party potluck for lots of Christmassy ooohhsss and awwwssss.

Peppermint Christmas Cake Recipe

Most Christmas cakes are fancy and complicated. When you have a special occasion like a family party, you want a go-to recipe, and this is it!

PRO TIP: All of the ingredients need to be at room temperature, it is the perfect cake for Christmas days or to get in that holiday spirit anytime!

  • all purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • sea salt
  • butter
  • granulated sugar
  • eggs
  • vegetable oil
  • peppermint extract
  • peppermint mocha coffee creamer
  • See's Candies Peppermint Twists

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

  • cream cheese
  • butter
  • powdered sugar
  • peppermint mocha coffee creamer

Spray the bundt pan with coconut oil and sprinkle well with flour, I recommend this even with non-stick bundt pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Sift together 3 cups of flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¾ teaspoon sea salt onto a piece of parchment paper or wax paper.

In a mixer, whip together 1 ¼ cups butter and 1 ⅔ cups granulated sugar. Crack four eggs into a bowl, and lightly beat. Mix eggs into butter and sugar. Add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract. Add ½ cup vegetable oil.

Slowly add portions of the flour mixture and peppermint creamer until all teh ingredients are fully incorporated.

Pour the batter into the pan, and make the sides higher than the center.

Bake for 60 minutes or up to 65-70 minutes until the toothpick comes out clean.

Top Cake Baking Tips:

  • Bake on the top rack.
  • Rotate the pan halfway through.
  • If baking ahead, wrap the baked cake in plastic wrap to keep moist.

Mix Peppermint Frosting & Decorate

In a mixer, combine 8 ounces of soft cream cheese, ¼ cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons peppermint mocha coffee creamer.

Cool the cake before frosting. You can decorate it on a circle of white cardboard, which makes it the perfect way to transport it. Put a dollop of frosting down to keep it from sliding or moving as you decorate.

Pipe peppermint buttercream on the top of the cake, and use a large round tip.

I decided to pipe it on top of the spirals of the baked bundt cake. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies on the frosting, and put some whole candy in the center. Crush the candy in a plastic bag with a rolling pin or chop it on a board.

How to Serve Holiday Cakes

Serve on a pretty cake stand, holiday plate, or platter.

It also helps to frost it on a small round piece of white cake cardboard to make it easy to transport and move onto a cake plate or plate.

You can cut it so it just fits underneath so you don't see it, I did that after this photo so it was prettier.

Christmas Bundt Cake Variations & Swaps

Candy Cane Layered Cake: Instead of baking in a bundt pan, you can bake this recipe in regular cake pans. Use a loaf pan, or make round or square two or three-layers. Simply slice and make luscious layered cakes and put frosting between the cake layers.

You can keep it simple and dust it with powdered sugar, and for those with a sweet tooth, go all in and cover it with this peppermint frosting or my whipped bakery-style Frosting.

White Chocolate: Add in some white peppermint chocolate chips or chopped peppermint bark candy.

Cake Flour: Swap in cake flour for AP flour, simply add 2 more tablespoons per cup of flour. So for this recipe, you will add an extra 6 tablespoons of cake flour.

Vegetable Oil: The addition of oil helps to make a moist cake, and I highly recommend it.

What are the most popular Christmas desserts?


The most popular traditional desserts are a yule log cake or bûche de noël, gingerbread cake, fruit cake, or gingerbread house.

More Holiday Baking Recipes

Take a look at all my Christmas dinner table recipe ideas with the best ways to plan and serve holiday meals.

Santa's Christmas Cookies can be decorated with kids' wish lists written on dry royal icing. Place these sugar cookies on a glass of cold milk or hot chocolate, and Santa will Ho Ho Ho!

Make Nut Goodie Candy Bars a Christmas family favorite tradition, so amazing and ideal for chocolate lovers!

Taste the difference in homemade frostings, ice cream, holiday cookies, cakes, pies, and other desserts, and make your own Vanilla Extract!

Make a Peppermint Candy Plate in only 20 minutes. Serve cookies, candy, hot cocoa, coffee, tea, festive drinks, or holiday cocktails. Put out for the holidays, or take to a potluck Christmas party.

Shortbread Christmas Cookies are baked with peppermint white chocolate and macadamia nuts, these have a little extra holiday cheer that says Mele Kalikimaka and Aloha!

Bake these wildly popular and "cookie-exchange" winning Santa’s Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies, and you can freeze the cookie dough to bake these peppermint chocolate treats all during the holiday season!

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A gorgeous swirl bundt Christmas cake decorated with large piping of peppermint buttercream frosting and crushed and whole candy cane peppermints.
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Peppermint Christmas Cake Recipe

Bake a Christmas Cake loaded with your favorite holiday flavors of peppermint. This Christmassy bake is gorgeous for a fancy holiday dinner party and easy enough to make with kids for a merry, joyful, perfect dessert...
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas bundt cake, Christmas cake, Christmas desserts, Peppermint cake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 556kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

bundt cake

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 ¼ cups butter
  • 1 ⅔ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 whole eggs
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ teaspoon Peppermint Extract
  • 1 ¼ cups peppermint mocha coffee creamer
  • 1 bag See's Candies Peppermint Twists or candy canes

peppermint cream cheese frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 2 cups powder sugar
  • 2 tablespoons peppermint mocha coffee creamer

Instructions

bundt cake

  • Note: all the ingredients need to be at room temperature.
  • Spray the bundt pan (even non-stick pans) with coconut oil and sprinkle with flour until very well coated. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Sift together 3 cups of flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¾ teaspoon sea salt onto a piece of parchment paper or wax paper.
  • In a mixer, whip together 1 ¼ cups room temperature butter and 1 ⅔ cups granulated sugar. Crack four eggs into a bowl, and lightly beat mixing eggs into butter and sugar. Next, add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract and ½ cup vegetable oil. Whisk on low until combined.
  • Next, slowly add portions of the flour mixture alternating with the peppermint creamer until fully incorporated in the mixer.
  • Pour the cake batter into the cake pan, and make the sides slightly higher than the center, this is a thicker batter.
  • Bake 60 minutes, or up to 65-70 minutes until the toothpick comes out clean. Bake on the top rack. Rotate the pan halfway through. Remove to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn out the cake from the pan onto the rack to finish cooling.

peppermint sour cream frosting

  • In a mixer, combine 8 ounces soft cream cheese, ¼ cup of soft butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons of peppermint mocha coffee creamer. You can add a ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract if you like extra peppermint flavor.
  • Load the peppermint buttercream into a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip. It helps to use a tall glass to hold the bag while you fill it with a spatula.

decorate the Christmas cake

  • Cool the cake before frosting. Crush the peppermints (or candy canes) in a plastic bag with a rolling pin and leave some whole to put inside the center of the bundt cake if you use that type of cake pan.
  • Pipe peppermint buttercream on the top of the cake. If you use a spiral pan like mine, you can frost down the spirals of the cake and put some in the center. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies on the frosting, and put more candy into the center of the cake.
  • If baking ahead, wrap the baked cake in plastic wrap to keep moist or keep in a cake carrier.

Video

Notes

Top Cake Baking Tips

  • Bake on the top rack.
  • Rotate the pan halfway through.
  • If baking ahead, wrap the baked cake in plastic wrap to keep moist.

How to Serve Holiday Cakes

Serve on a pretty cake stand, holiday plate, or platter.
It also helps to frost it on a small round piece of white cake cardboard to make it easy to transport and move onto a cake plate or plate.
You can cut it so it just fits underneath so you don't see it, I did that after this photo so it was prettier.

Christmas Bundt Cake Variations & Swaps

Candy Cane Layered Cake: Instead of baking in a bundt pan, you can bake this recipe in regular cake pans. Use a loaf pan, or make round or square two or three-layers. Simply slice and make luscious layered cakes and put frosting between the cake layers.
You can keep it simple and dust it with powdered sugar, and for those with a sweet tooth, go all in and cover it with this peppermint frosting or my whipped bakery-style Frosting.
White Chocolate: Add in some white peppermint chocolate chips or chopped peppermint bark candy.
Cake Flour: Swap in cake flour for AP flour, simply add 2 more tablespoons per cup of flour. So for this recipe, you will add an extra 6 tablespoons of cake flour.
Vegetable Oil: The addition of oil helps to make a moist cake, and I highly recommend it.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 16g | Calories: 556kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 724IU | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg

How To Make Dried Orange Slices

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Last Updated December 18th, 2022 at 07:12 pm by Lisa

Dry Orange Slices make beautiful Christmas decorations and garnishes for a festive holiday season. It is so easy to make dried oranges, and there are dozens of ideas to use these gorgeous citrus slices in drinks, and dishes, as a crafting accent, or to adorn packages, wreaths, or garlands.

One of my favorite ways to decorate for Christmas is with fresh and dry fruit. My parents always made a pair of wreaths for our front doors with fresh and dried lemons, apples, and oranges. To me, it says, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas...

How To Make Dried Orange Slices

The real secret of how to make dehydrated orange slices is the thickness of each slice. If they are too thick, they won't dry out and get icky and moldy because they don't dry all the way. Too thin, and they will get pretty dark as they dry in the oven.

Type of Oranges: Try Navel Oranges, Blood Oranges, Tangerines, Acid-less Oranges, Mandarins, Seville Oranges, Bergamot Oranges, or Clementines.

  1. The first step is to wash and dry the whole oranges or citrus fruits. You can use any type of citrus, or any kind of orange. Try regular Navel oranges, blood oranges, lemons, limes, or tangerines. They should be ripe firm oranges or citrus.
  2. For best results, slice oranges ⅛ inch, evenly. Use a small sharp knife, preferably a serrated knife. If you have a mandoline slicer, those work great. Next, lay the thin slices flat on a parchment paper lined large baking sheet or a Silpat mat on a sheet pan in a single layer.
  3. Dry off each of the citrus wheels on the sheet pan with clean paper towels, this helps the drying process go a bit faster.

Oven Drying Method

  1. Heat the oven temperature to 200 degrees, and place the sheet pans on the oven racks, dry the oranges for 2 hours. Check them, and flip over all the slices to help them dry. Gently dab with a clean paper towel.
  2. Dry another 2.5-3 hours until the oranges turn clear and the orange peels are dry. Check them each hour. The total time will vary based on if your oven is gas or electric, plan on at least 3-4 hours minimum.

Food Dehydrator Method

  1. Follow your dehydrator instructions, most will take 5-8 hours at the lowest setting, 135 degrees to get the dehydrated slices dry all the way through.
  2. Store in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight, not the fridge. A sealed plastic bag, Ziploc bag or a glass jar, like Mason jars are the easiest ways to store them. Use them within a few weeks. Their shelf life varies based on how dry they are once stored and humidity, and room temperature.

Orange Drying Top Tips

The drying process will vary based on the thickness of your slices, the humidity, and whether you have a gas or electric oven, as those both bake differently even at the lower temperature.

Also, sometimes the oranges dry differently and can get large holes during the drying process as the orange pulp dehydrates. That's okay! There are so many ways to use them all in recipes or decorating. Keep reading for all the ideas...

Ways To Use Dry Orange Slices

There are so many easy ways to use slices of dehydrated oranges for the holidays as Christmas Decorations, in your recipes, and for food gifts.

These are a great way to decorate inexpensively, and have a craft project to enjoy on a cold day as the oven is on! Also, there is something so beautiful about using fresh greenery and fruit for holiday decorations.

Gourmet Garnishes & Marinades

One of the best ways to use orange slices is to surround a beautiful Beef Roast, Roast Turkey, or Cherry Pork Loin Roast on a platter with fresh herbs like rosemary, and sprinkle a few fresh or dried cranberries or cherries.

I included a few holiday recipe ideas below by the recipe card for ways to use your dried oranges for festive garnishing. You also can chop and add them to wet marinades to which is a great way to flavor beef or chicken recipes.

A cooked pork loin loaded with cherries and garnished with rosemary and dried oranges.

Christmas Tree Decorations

Hang them on your Christmas tree, simply push a hook through to hang them on branches or tie them on with ribbon.

Citrus fruits have adored decorated trees for a long time in our homes, possibly hundreds of years, and are some of the earliest known holiday decor items.

During the holidays, natural fruits are great decorations that add a vintage charm for an old-fashioned Christmas...

Garlands & Wreaths

You can tie dried citrus slices into wreaths and garlands, using thin floral wire. Or string them together using twine or ribbon for a vintage look.

Add a few to a natural wreath, apples and other fruit work well too. Use as holiday decorations for tree ornaments or Christmas garlands and add in some nice pine cones on greenery.

Fresh fruit looks so gorgeous on a wreath! It takes less time to use fresh real fruit, and the great thing is it looks beautiful. But the wreath won't last as long as when you use dried fruit.

One year I was inspired to make a tropical wreath with fresh mini pineapples, fresh apples, whole oranges, lemons, some pinecones, and flowers like hibiscus, bird of paradise, Hawaiian heliconias, and tropical tea leaves...

Where did holiday decorations start?

 
Dating back to the 16th century, people in Germany are credited with using candles, apples, and berries on their Christmas trees as decorations.

Dry Oranges ~ Gourmet Food Ideas

OLIVE OILS: Infuse dried orange slices into olive oil as a gourmet gift in tall glass jars with a bow.

HEALTHY SNACK: For a great snack, try dark chocolate oranges. On low heat, make melted chocolate, dip the dried orange slices halfway in, then sprinkle with some sugar and a bit of cinnamon. Cool, and enjoy!

ORANGE FLAVORED SALT: Make orange Flavored Salt simply grind dry oranges fine into an orange powder using a clean coffee grinder, and add to sea salt to season meat dishes.

CAKE DECORATIONS: Use them as cake decorations, for a pretty natural look on holiday cakes or cupcakes.

Drink Garnishes

Float a dry orange slice on a festive holiday cocktail, a cup of hot tea, or pop into a cup of hot apple cider.

Float as a cocktail garnish in holiday drinks and cocktails like Mulled Wine or in Hibiscus Tea Cocktails.

Mulled red wine with cinnamon and orange garnish on a holiday bar.

Dried Oranges ~ Holiday Gift Ideas

GIFT WRAPPING ACCENTS: Use them as fun ways to wrap packages, tie some onto brown craft paper-wrapped gifts with twine and some sprigs of greenery, berries, or cinnamon sticks.

BATH SOAKS: Use as a foot or bath soak, put a few in a small cotton muslin bag, and fill it with dry cloves, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and Epsom salts. Soak in a nice warm bath!

POTPOURRI: Make stovetop potpourri with fruit, cinnamon, and apples to make your house smell amazing, and toss in some dry oranges! You can add them to dry mulling spices as well and wrap them up in a jar for a homemade gift.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

More Holiday Recipes

These are some of my favorite holiday side dishes and they work for your

Christmas and Thanksgiving menu to make year after year...

A Turkey Dry Brine adds bold flavor to your whole bird, and is a perfect way to make your Thanksgiving dinner delicious. Create a really good spice blend right from your kitchen!

With this step-by-step recipe, learn how to roast the turkey in a flatter shape. A Spatchcock Turkey gives every bit of the surface a chance to turn and even golden brown all over.

The holiday season is filled with big meals and rich heavy food. Let your palate take a welcomed break with a few bites of a Fresh Cranberry Relish along with your Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy.

During the Christmas season, it is great to have a non alcoholic Christmas Punch along with holiday cocktails.

A modern twist on Cranberry Sauce, this simple recipe as fresh pineapple and oranges. It has a wonderfully balanced sweetness with only 4 ingredients and is much lower in sugar than traditional recipes.

A festive, easy, Christmas Salad made with fresh ingredients and a Cranberry Vinaigrette (made in a Mason jar) will be the talk of your holiday party or Christmas dinner. Shape this salad like a Christmas tree and decorate it with "garland, ornaments, and snow".

A festive red and green Christmas Holiday Salad with an easy pomegranate vinaigrette Mason jar dressing, topped with gorgeous sparkling pomegranate seeds, D'Anjou pears for the little trees, spicy candied pecans, ruby red dried cranberries, and juicy raspberries.

Cherry Balsamic Pork Roast is perfect for family dinners, entertaining, or the holidays. An easy 10-minute prep pork loin recipe that serves a crowd.

Showing how to make homemade dried orange slices on a sheet pan for holiday decorations.
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How To Make Dried Orange Slices

Dry Orange Slices make beautiful Christmas decorations and garnishes for a festive holiday season. It is so easy to make dried oranges, and there are dozens of ideas to use these gorgeous citrus slices in drinks, and dishes, as a crafting accent, or to adorn packages, wreaths, or garlands.
Course Holiday
Cuisine American
Keyword dehydrated orange slices, dried orange slices, dry orange slices, dry oranges, how to dehydrate orange slices
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 9kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 whole navel oranges

Instructions

  • The first step is to wash and dry the whole oranges or citrus fruits. You can use any type of citrus, or any kind of orange. Try regular Navel oranges, blood oranges, lemons, limes, or tangerines. They should be ripe firm oranges or citrus.
  • For best results, slice oranges ⅛ inch, evenly. Use a small sharp knife, preferably a serrated knife. If you have a mandoline slicer, those work great.
    Next, lay the thin slices flat on a parchment paper lined large baking sheet or a Silpat mat on a sheet pan in a single layer.
  • Dry off each of the citrus wheels on the sheet pan with clean paper towels, this helps the drying process go a bit faster.

Oven Drying Method

  • Heat the oven temperature to 200 degrees, and place the sheet pans on the oven racks, dry the oranges for 2 hours. Check them, and flip over all the slices to help them dry. Gently dab with a clean paper towel.
  • Dry another 2.5-3 hours until the oranges turn clear and the orange peels are dry. Check them each hour. The total time will vary based on if your oven is gas or electric, plan on at least 3-4 hours minimum.

Food Deyhdrator Method

  • Follow your dehydrator instructions, most will take 5-8 hours at the lowest setting, 135 degrees to get the dehydrated slices dry all the way through.
  • Store in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight, not the fridge. A sealed plastic bag, Ziploc bag or a glass jar, like Mason jars are the easiest ways to store them. Use them within a few weeks. Their shelf life varies based on how dry they are once stored and humidity, and room temperature.
  • Type of Oranges: Navel Oranges, Blood Oranges, Tangerines, Acid-less Oranges, Mandarins, Seville Oranges, Bergamot Oranges, or Clementines.

Video

Notes

total drying time

The drying process will vary based on the thickness of your slices, and whether you have a gas or electric oven, as those both bake differently even at the lower temperature.
Also, sometimes the oranges dry differently and can get large holes during the drying process as the orange pulp dehydrates. That's okay! There are so many ways to use them all.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 9kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.03g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 0.2mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.02mg

Sausage Stuffing Dressing

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Last Updated January 4th, 2024 at 11:10 pm by Lisa

Sausage Stuffing is a classic holiday side dish loaded with so much flavor! Choose to make it with a spicier or a mild sweet Italian sausage. It also has boxed cornbread, crunchy celery, soft French bread, sweet dried cherries, and tart dried cranberries all mixed into one heavenly dressing recipe.

The deep rich flavors come from the scrumptious crumbled sausage, it might just become your new stuffing recipe this holiday season. The texture is incredible, there is something different in each bite. Soft, crunchy, crispy, and chewy all in one happy stuffing...

Sausage Dressing Top Tips

  • MAKE AHEAD: If you make this dressing recipe a day ahead, it only gets better. The first day is fabulous, but oh that second day its is unreal!! Mix this stuffing ahead, and freeze for a Thanksgiving side dish. It freezes perfectly in ziptop bags. Then just defrost, fill a baking dish, and bake. A great time saver during the holidays.
  • SOFT & CRUNCHY BREAD: It hits all the right notes, cornbread is a classic stuffing start, and the golden toasted cubed french bread adds chunky pieces to soak up all the flavors.
  • TART & SWEET: An interesting balance of sweet dried cherries combined with notes of tart dried cranberries is just right.
  • GORGEOUS COLORS: Fresh green parsley brings more color and brightness, and the flavors of red dried cranberries and cherries make it so festive for the holidays.
  • FAVORITE STUFFING RECIPE: Serve this savory sausage bread stuffing as a side or use it to make a stuff turkey, with classic Roast Turkey, and for Christmas serve it with crown pork roast, Double Smoked Ham, or Beef Roast.
  • LEFTOVERS: Have some takeout containers for family and friends, they will want some to take home. I usually pop some in the freezer for fast holiday entertaining. You can also use it in my Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Shepards Pie Casserole! It's so rich that it's a meal in and of itself! Each year, I make two GIANT mixing bowls of this delicious stuffing.

Italian Sausage Stuffing Recipe

Every year my holiday table is complete with this family favorite stuffing mix dressing, a golden brown roast turkey, and mashed potatoes.

One of my personal favorite recipes, this is the best sausage stuffing! Both family and friends have enjoyed it for over 2 decades countless times. Nowadays, readers love it too! Also, known as "a meal by itself", this stuffing is truly one to make a tradition with your family...

Ingredients

  • cornbread stuffing
  • French bread loaf
  • Italian sausage (bulk sausage) - mild and or hot
  • dried cherries
  • dried cranberries
  • butter
  • celery
  • brown onions
  • flat-leaf parsley
  • kosher sea salt
  • black pepper
  • Chicken Stock

If you want to make your own Chicken Stock, take a look at my recipe and video tutorial. It truly is so much better homemade...

Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) Plus Freezer Tips and 15+ Recipe Uses!
Make Chicken Stock aka Bone Broth at home to create other tasty recipes with chicken stock, plus cooking tips and 15+ delicious recipe ideas!
GET THE RECIPE PIN IT
3 small Mason jars filled with chicken stock and black heart shaped labels.

How To Make Stuffing

  1. Brown and crumble sausage in a large pan and remove using a slotted spoon. You can drain the grease off if you wish. Scrape all the browned bits with a wooden spoon from the pan, there is a lot of flavor on there! Place the cooked sausage into a very large mixing bowl. You can also use a deep metal roasting pan to mix and bake in. Spray the pan to help with easier cleanup.
  2. Slice the French bread into 1" bread cubes. Dice the onion and celery using a good sharp knife. Chop the parsley, and keep in a small bowl.
  3. In the same large sauté pan or large skillet pan, melt butter, ½ cup (1 stick). Add finely sliced onion, sea salt, and black pepper. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until translucent over medium heat, add the celery and, cook for 3 more minutes. Add the onion and celery mixture to the mixing bowl with any liquid to the sausage mixture.
  4. Now add the rest of the ingredients into the bowl. Pour in the bag of cornbread dressing, French bread cubes (sourdough bread is great too!), dried cherries, dried cranberries, and chopped parsley. Now pour in the 3.5 cups of chicken stock or chicken broth. Using a large spoon, mix and stir the sausage stuffing until well combined.
  5. Spray a large baking dish or in a roasting pan, the bottom of the pan, coat with a good cooking spray. This helps to release the stuffing, and washing up! Use a coconut oil, olive oil spray, or any non-stick brand you prefer.
  6. Oven bake at 375 degrees f for 1 hour uncovered until golden brown, and serve hot.
  7. Make Ahead Tips: Spray a prepared casserole dish, put the Italian dressing inside, and cover it with aluminum foil. Or put inside an airtight container, refridgerated up to one day ahead. Pull out about a half hour before baking it for your dinner, remove the foil and bake.
  8. Variations and Additions: Some people love chopped mushrooms, apples, pecans, raisins, or walnuts in their stuffing, that is all up to you!

Sausage Stuffing Top Tips

Stuffing Flavor Variations & Additions

PRO TIP: Buy an Italian pork sausage, a bulk sausage in a tube package not sold as individual sausages. Once out of the package, it cooks and crumbles nicely in the pan and is the best way to mix it into the stuffing evenly.

Regular or Italian Sausage

I like to use both regular Italian sausage and a spicy or hot sausage. This is up to you, and you can even save calories and use a turkey sausage! Buy bulk sausage that has no casings if possible to save time removing the casing.

Italian sausage is mild in seasoning and primarily flavored with fennel and garlic.

Hot Italian sausage contains the same spices, but with chile pepper.

Regular Mild Sausage is made from ground meat, often pork, beef, or veal, along with salt, spices, other flavorings, and breadcrumbs, and covered by a casing.

Some sausages are cooked during processing, and the casing may be easily removed. Sausage making is a traditional food preservation technique.

Bread Varieties

Perfect stuffing starts with good ingredients, and that includes a one day old bread! You can use an Italian bread loaf, or even good white bread works really well.

Stale bread that is a bit dry works well in a dressing as the liquid from the cooked ingredients and chicken stock moistens the mixture. You can slice up stale bread, or dry bread into one inch cubes, and freeze it to use in stuffings.

Sourdough bread cut into small pieces, is really good! You can cut the fresh bread and leave it out overnight to save a step for your recipe.

Fresh Herbs

You could add some more chopped fresh sage leaves, rosemary or thyme.

Chicken Stock

Swap in either chicken broth or turkey stock. Try my homemade Chicken Stock, it is great to have in the freezer during the holidays!

Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) Plus Freezer Tips and 15+ Recipe Uses!
Make Chicken Stock aka Bone Broth at home to create other tasty recipes with chicken stock, plus cooking tips and 15+ delicious recipe ideas!
GET THE RECIPE PIN IT
3 small Mason jars filled with chicken stock and black heart shaped labels.
A Thanksgiving table set with a carved turkey on a platter, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy in white dishes.
What is the difference between stuffing vs. dressing?

Most people call it based on where they live or on family tradition rather than the "official" definition. What's the difference? Technically...

Stuffing is made inside the turkey by stuffing the turkey!
Dressing is made outside the turkey dressing up the turkey.

Butterball conducted a stuffing vs. dressing survey by state and region, and the results are pretty interesting! In the New England area, 100% of the respondents they polled called it "stuffing." In the East South-Central area, only 38% of respondents called it "stuffing."
What about you... do you call it stuffing or dressing?

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Make one of these delicious Thanksgiving Appetizers! There are over 36 recipes to choose from in this collection of the best holiday party food ideas.

For more sides, you can't beat classics like Southern Sweet Potato Casserole or Coconut-Pecan Sweet Potatoes.

Make perfectly Roasted Vegetables with these cooking tips and techniques. Plus get roasting times and ideas to use seasonal veggies.

Make these Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes with 5 Ways to Reheat them for your holiday party, one of America's favorite holiday side dishes!

Learn how to make your own homemade Chicken Stock, also known as bone broth. This recipe has all the step-by-step top cooking tips plus how to freeze it with 15 delicious new recipe ideas. Save money and have some ready to elevate dinner, soups, and stews.

This tropical Pineapple Orange Cranberry Sauce is a great addition to take or serve at your holiday feast.

Party Dinner Rolls topped with cheese and herbs. So pretty, and people go crazy for them.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A white casserole dish filled with Sausage Stuffing baked to a golden brown.
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Sausage Stuffing Dressing Recipe

Bake a big dish of Sausage Stuffing, this classic holiday side dish is loaded so much flavor. Choose to make it with a spicier or a mild sweet Italian sausage. It also has boxed cornbread, crunchy celery, soft French bread, sweet dried cherries, and tart dried cranberries all mixed into one heavenly dressing recipe. Deep rich flavor comes from the scrumptious crumbled sausage, it might just become your new stuffing recipe this holiday season. The texture is incredible, there is something different in each bite. Soft, crunchy, crispy, and chewy all in one happy stuffing.
Course Side Dishes & Vegetables
Cuisine American
Keyword dressing recipe, Italian sausage stuffing, sausage stuffing, stuffing recipe, Thanksgiving stuffing
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 20
Calories 267kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 box cornbread stuffing
  • ½ loaf French bread cut into 1" cubes
  • 32 oz Italian Sausage mild and or spicy hot (bulk sausage)
  • 1 cup dried cherries
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup butter
  • 8 stalks celery finely sliced
  • 2 brown onions finely sliced
  • ¾ cup flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • 28 oz chicken stock
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Brown and crumble sausage in a large pan and remove using a slotted spoon. You can drain the grease off if you wish. Scrape all the browned bits with a wooden spoon from the pan, there is a lot of flavor on there! Place the cooked sausage into a very large mixing bowl. You can also use a deep metal roasting pan to mix and bake in. Spray the pan to help with easier cleanup.
  • Slice the French bread into 1" bread cubes. Dice the onion and celery using a good sharp knife. Chop the parsley, and keep in a small bowl.
  • In the same large sauté pan or large skillet pan, melt butter, ½ cup (1 stick). Add finely sliced onion, sea salt, and black pepper. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until translucent over medium heat, add the celery and, cook for 3 more minutes. Add the onion and celery mixture to the mixing bowl with any liquid to the sausage mixture.
  • Now add the rest of the ingredients into the bowl. Pour in the bag of cornbread dressing, French bread cubes (sourdough bread is great too!), dried cherries, dried cranberries, and chopped parsley. Now pour in the 3.5 cups of chicken stock or chicken broth. Using a large spoon, mix and stir the sausage stuffing until well combined.
  • Spray a large baking dish or in a roasting pan, the bottom of the pan, coat with a good cooking spray. This helps to release the stuffing, and washing up! Use a coconut oil, olive oil spray, or any non-stick brand you prefer.
  • Oven bake at 375 degrees f for 1 hour uncovered until golden brown, and serve hot.
  • Make Ahead Tips: Spray a prepared casserole dish, put the Italian dressing inside, and cover it with aluminum foil. Or put inside an airtight container, refridgerated up to one day ahead. Pull out about a half hour before baking it for your dinner, remove the foil and bake.
  • Variations and Additions: Some people love chopped mushrooms, apples, pecans, raisins, or walnuts in their stuffing, that is all up to you!

Video

Notes

SAUSAGE: Buy an Italian pork sausage, a bulk sausage in a tube package not sold as individual sausages. Once out of the package, it cooks and crumbles nicely in the pan and is the best way to mix it into the stuffing evenly.
MAKE AHEAD: If you make this dressing recipe a day ahead, it only gets better. The first day is fabulous, but oh that second day its is unreal!! Mix this stuffing ahead, and freeze. It freezes perfectly in ziptop bags. Then just defrost, fill a baking dish, and bake. A great time saver during the holidays.
SOFT & CRUNCHY BREAD: It hits all the right notes, cornbread is a classic stuffing start, and the golden toasted cubed french bread adds chunky pieces to soak up all the flavors.
TART & SWEET: An interesting balance of sweet dried cherries combined with notes of tart dried cranberries is just right.
GORGEOUS COLORS: Fresh green parsley brings more color and brightness, and the flavors of red dried cranberries and cherries make it so festive for the holidays.
FAVORITE STUFFING RECIPE: Serve this savory sausage bread stuffing as a side or use it to make a stuff turkey, with classic Roast Turkey, and for Christmas serve it with crown pork roast, Double Smoked Ham, or Beef Roast.
LEFTOVERS: Have takeout containers for people, and I usually pop some in the freezer for leftovers at home. You can also use it in my Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Shepards Pie Casserole! It's so rich that it's a meal in and of itself! Each year, I make two GIANT mixing bowls of this delicious stuffing.

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 619mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Vitamin C: 5.3mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Spatchcock Turkey

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Last Updated June 15th, 2023 at 10:09 pm by Lisa

A Spatchcock Turkey is also called a butterflied bird, roasts about 30 minutes faster than most recipes, has golden crispy skin, juicy meat, and carves like a dream!

Serve roast turkey for your Christmas, holiday, or Thanksgiving dinner feast with lots of sides and desserts for a holiday to remember. This spatchcock method works with any regular turkey, follow this step-by-step guide to turkey perfection...

Ingredients You Need

I usually buy about a 14-pound turkey, be sure to defrost it in a pan (to catch any drips) in the fridge for about 2 days before cooking.

The vegetables are optional but act as a "rack". They cook right along with the turkey, saving space in your oven.

You can use a metal rack, and add some chicken stock to the pan, it will cook without burning the pan juices.

PRO TIPS: One of my top tips for Thanksgiving is to cook things and prep a few days ahead. You can roast this spatchcocked bird, carve it up, and place the pieces in a roasting pan. Then reheat it on Thanksgiving Day. Add a little chicken stock to the pan to keep it moist while reheating!

  • large turkey (approximately 14 lbs)
  • sea salt
  • fresh cracked black pepper
  • butter room temperature soft
  • chopped vegetables; Brussel sprouts, carrots, butternut squash, sweet potato (this is optional but cooks a side with your turkey saving oven space)
  • chicken stock

Spatchcock Turkey Recipe

PRO TIP: If you have time, prep the turkey ahead and rest uncovered and unseasoned in the fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking. This helps the skin crisp up when roasting.This helps the turkey skin get a golden color and roasts a crispier skin while in the oven!

  1. Optional Choice: Chop the vegetables ahead of time and place them in the bottom of your roasting pan or deep baking sheet pan. Toss with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. The veggies will work as your "rack" if you choose to do this step.
  2. If you are not using veggies, simply place a wire rack down in the bottom of your pan. First, remove the plastic net and wrapper, and cut off the plastic leg tie. Remove both the gizzards and neck from the cavity and discard or use them in other recipes. Trim off extra skin from the neck and tail with kitchen scissors.
  3. You will need some clean sharp kitchen shears or a good pair of poultry shears. Place the turkey breast side down on a cutting board, and using the kitchen shears cut along each side of the backbone of the turkey. In some spots it has a lot of bone, use a small serrated knife to cut through. Reserve the backbone and all the turkey parts for making turkey stock if desired.
  4. Flip over, with the turkey breast-side up, and press and crack the breastbone. Place the heel of your hand in the center and push down hard with your body weight. You will hear it crack with a popping sound. Sometimes this takes a couple of tries! Roll the legs “inward” and tuck the wings under the bird so they don't roast too fast in the heat of the oven.
  5. Pat the entire whole bird dry with paper towels, this helps the skin turn brown. Season all sides and surface area of the bird. In a small bowl, add the kosher salt and black pepper. This helps prevent cross contamination. Rub salt and pepper, and the room temperature butter all over the entire turkey. Butter adds tremendous flavor and gets the skin golden and crisp. You can also try my compound herb butter, which adds tons of flavor and is really good under the skin as well!
  6. Place the turkey in the pan, and pour 1 cup of water or chicken stock into the bottom of the roasting pan. This helps flavor the veggies (if you chose to roast those too), keeps the turkey meat moist, and creates pan juices for gravy.
  7. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roast for 1 hour, check the turkey, if browning too fast tent it with a piece of aluminum foil. Turn oven down to 375 degrees, and roast turkey for another 90 minutes. Tent with foil if the skin of the turkey is browning too fast. I recommend this at the 60 minute mark.
  8. Use a good wireless meat thermometer with probes or instant-read meat thermometer. Wireless probe thermometers are a great way to monitor cooking with your phone!
  9. You want the breast meat to be 165 degrees f in the temperature thickest part of the turkey breast, and not touching the breast bone or that throws off the accuracy of the reading. Also, check the thickest part of the thigh, it needs to reach 175 degrees.
  10. Once it reaches a safe temperature, let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes on a large cutting board, but don’t cover it so the skin stays crisp. Carve with a sharp knife, and serve warm with side dishes or use in other recipes.

Why A Spatchcocked Turkey Recipe?

  • Shorter Cooking Time: Starting the oven at higher temperatures reduces the total cooking time by about 30 minutes. As a general rule of thumb, most turkey recipes recommend 13 minutes pound of turkey at 350 degrees, which would be a 3 hour cooking time. But, this recipe speeds up the process and will work on a larger turkey.
  • Even Cooking & Browning: With the turkey in a flatter shape, it gives every bit of the surface a chance to turn golden brown all over. Turkey meat all cooks at different times. Light meat or white meat, cooks faster than thigh meat or dark meat. This cooking method is an effective technique to roast the entire turkey so it is all done at the same time and doesn't over cook the breast meat and dry it out!
  • Save Oven Space: With the turkey in a lower profile, you can have another rack available for cooking.
  • Cooked Vegetables: Roasting on vegetables is OPTIONAL. I love to do it this way, it is a great way to save space in the oven and cook two dishes at one time. The veggies work like a "rack" and cook perfectly in the roasting pan with some chicken stock. I serve the veggies and then use the leftovers to make creamy vegetable soup.
  • Easier Carving: Taking out the backbone makes the final carving much easier because the whole turkey lays on a board and can be broken down and sliced very easily all while keeping a juicy turkey!
  • Spatchcock Chicken: This same technique also works on a whole chicken, and it makes it so easy to roast or grill the entire bird and makes super juicy chicken breast meat. You will have to adjust the cooking times of course!
  • Make Ahead: One of my top cooking tips for Thanksgiving is to bake and cook a few days ahead, and this turkey recipe is perfect for that.
  • Variations: Some people swear by their flavor injectors, while others prefer a dry brine overnight, or a wet brining solution. Those will all work, just be sure to get the skin really dry if you do a wet brine.
  • Spatchcock Turkey Breast: You can buy just the turkey breast with bones and use this roasting technique. Ask the butcher to give you just the turkey breast and remove the other turkey parts.
What is a spatchcock turkey?

Spatchcock is a cooking process or method to prepare a chicken or turkey bird by removing the backbone and flattening it onto a sheet pan for a shorter cooking time.

Cuts of poultry, meat, or fish can be cut almost into two halves, but when left connected, they can be put flat in a pan which helps the meat cook faster.

It may seem a bit intimidating but it's really easy to do, saves a lot of cook time, and helps everything cook evenly.

Why cook turkey this way?

The basic reason is you can cook a 10-14 pound turkey in less time, saving about 30 minutes, and it helps to cook more evenly golden-brown.

Safe Cooking Temperatures

  1. You want the internal temperature to be 165 degrees in the thickest part of the breast and the thigh at 175 degrees.
  2. Transfer to a carving board, and rest for 10-15 minutes but don’t cover so the skin stays crisp. Carve and serve warm or use in other recipes.

More Holiday, Christmas & Thanksgiving Sides

Here are some other great recipes for Thanksgiving that you might enjoy.

More Turkey Recipes

Easier to roast than a whole Thanksgiving turkey, and easily goes well with any side dishes you choose. Cooking a Turkey Breast is easy using a boneless breast and you will love the flavorful meat ad gravy made from pan drippings.

Turkey Breast Recipe
Turkey breast recipe using boneless turkey breast plus a gravy recipe from pan drippings. Easier to roast and carve for Thanksgiving turkey.
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Top down view of a roasted turkey breast sliced thick and garnished with fresh herbs.

Dotted with Herb Butter, this butter mixture keeps the meat tender and moist. Plus adds amazing flavor from the fresh herbs into the turkey and gravy...

Herb Butter Recipe
Herb Butter is fantastic melted on roasted vegetables, hot pasta, sizzling grilled steaks, warm baguettes, spread on tea sandwiches, or dinner rolls. Flavored butter is an easy condiment to create in your kitchen and will keep for weeks. And when dinner is ready, have it ready to slather on hot food and bread.
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Homemade herb butter wrapped in parchment paper on a cutting board with fresh herbs.

Wondering what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers? Make Thanksgiving Empanadas (Hand Pies)or bake a Leftover Casserole that is just like a Shephard's Pie.

Buy a package of ground turkey in place of ground beef and make a hot pot of Turkey Chili topped with cheese, green onions, and sour cream. Turkey Meatballs with a rich spaghetti sauce, are comfort food in a bowl. These meatballs are baked, not fried. Healthier and no messy cleanup.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A collage of spatchcock turkey sliced on a platter, with one in a roasting pan, and on a table with side dishes.
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Spatchcock Turkey Recipe

A Spatchcock Turkey is also called a butterflied bird, roasts about 30 minutes faster than most recipes, has golden crispy skin, and juicy meat, and carves like a dream! Serve roast turkey for your Christmas, holiday, or Thanksgiving dinner feast with lots of sides and desserts for a holiday to remember. This spatchcock method works with any regular turkey, follow this step-by-step guide to turkey perfection.
Course Thanksgiving
Cuisine American
Keyword roast turkey, spatchcock method, spatchcock turkey, turkey, turkey recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 428kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 large turkey (approximately 14 lbs) spatchcocked or butterflied
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter soft
  • 3 pounds chopped vegetables Brussel sprouts, carrots, butternut squash, sweet potato
  • 2 cups chicken stock

Instructions

  • PRO TIP: If you have time, prep the turkey ahead and rest uncovered and unseasoned in the fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking. This helps the turkey skin get a golden color and roasts a crispier skin while in the oven.
  • Optional Choice: Chop the vegetables ahead of time and place them in the bottom of your roasting pan or deep baking sheet pan. Toss with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. The veggies will work as your "rack" if you choose to do this step.
  • If you are not using veggies, simply place a wire rack down in the bottom of your pan. First, remove the plastic net and wrapper, and cut off the plastic leg tie. Remove both the gizzards and neck from the cavity and discard or use them in other recipes. Trim off extra skin from the neck and tail with kitchen scissors.
  • You will need some clean sharp kitchen shears or a good pair of poultry shears. Place the turkey breast side down on a cutting board, and using the kitchen shears cut along each side of the backbone of the turkey. In some spots it has a lot of bone, use a small serrated knife to cut through. Reserve the backbone and all the turkey parts for making turkey stock if desired.
  • Flip over, with the turkey breast-side up, and press and crack the breastbone. Place the heel of your hand in the center and push down hard with your body weight. You will hear it crack with a popping sound. Sometimes this takes a couple of tries! Roll the legs “inward” and tuck the wings under the bird so they don't roast too fast in the heat of the oven.
  • Pat the entire whole bird dry with paper towels, this helps the skin turn brown. Season all sides and surface area of the bird. In a small bowl, add the kosher salt and black pepper. This helps prevent cross contamination. Rub salt and pepper, and the room temperature butter all over the entire turkey. Butter adds tremedous flavor and gets the skin golden and crisp. You can also try my compound herb butter, which adds tons of flavor and is really good under the skin as well!
  • Place the turkey in the pan, and pour 1 cup of water or chicken stock into the bottom of the roasting pan. This helps flavor the veggies (if you chose to roast those too), keeps the turkey meat moist, and creates pan juices for gravy.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roast for 1 hour, check the turkey, if browning too fast tent with a piece of aluminum foil. Turn oven down to 375 degrees, and roast turkey for another 90 minutes. Tent with foil if the skin of the turkey is browning too fast. I recommend this at the 60 minute mark.
  • Use a good quality meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer. There are also wireless probe thermometers available which are great. You want the breast meat to be 165 degrees f in the temperature thickest part of the turkey breast, and not touching the breast bone or that throws off the accuracy of the reading. Also, check the thickest part of the thigh, it needs to reach 175 degrees.
  • Once it reaches a safe temperature, let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes on a large cutting board, but don’t cover it so the skin stays crisp. Carve with a sharp knife, and serve warm with side dishes or use in other recipes.

Video

Notes

Top Turkey Cooking Tips

PRO TIP: If you have time, prep the turkey ahead and rest uncovered and unseasoned in the fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking. This helps the skin crisp up when roasting.
PRO TIP: One of my top tips for Thanksgiving is to cook things and prep a few days ahead. You can cook this turkey, carve it, place the pieces in a roasting pan, then reheat it on Thanksgiving Day. Add a little chicken stock to the pan to keep it moist while reheating.

Why A Spatchcocked Turkey Recipe?

  • Shorter Cooking Time: Starting the oven at higher temperatures reduces the total cooking time by about 30 minutes. As a general rule of thumb, most turkey recipes recommend 13 minutes pound of turkey at 350 degrees, which would be a 3 hour cooking time. But, this recipe speeds up the process and will work on a larger turkey.
  • Even Cooking & Browning: With the turkey in a flatter shape, it gives every bit of the surface a chance to turn golden brown all over. Turkey meat all cooks at different times. Light meat or white meat, cooks faster than thigh meat or dark meat. This cooking method is an effective technique to roast the entire turkey so it is all done at the same time and doesn't over cook the breast meat and dry it out!
  • Save Oven Space: With the turkey in a lower profile, you can have another rack available for cooking.
  • Cooked Vegetables: Roasting on vegetables is OPTIONAL. I love to do it this way, it is a great way to save space in the oven and cook two dishes at one time. The veggies work like a "rack" and cook perfectly in the roasting pan with some chicken stock. I serve the veggies and then use the leftovers to make creamy vegetable soup.
  • Easier Carving: Taking out the backbone makes the final carving much easier because the whole turkey lays on a board and can be broken down and sliced very easily all while keeping a juicy turkey!
  • Spatchcock Chicken: This same technique also works on a whole chicken, and it makes it so easy to roast or grill the entire bird and makes super juicy chicken breast meat. You will have to adjust the cooking times of course!
  • Make Ahead: One of my top cooking tips for Thanksgiving is to bake and cook a few days ahead, and this turkey recipe is perfect for that.
  • Variations: Some people swear by their flavor injectors, while others prefer a dry brine overnight, or a wet brining solution. Those will all work, just be sure to get the skin really dry if you do a wet brine.
  • Spatchcock Turkey Breast: You can buy just the turkey breast with bones and use this roasting technique. Ask the butcher to give you just the turkey breast and remove the other turkey part

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 915mg | Potassium: 956mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 212IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 3mg

Cranberry Relish

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Last Updated December 22nd, 2022 at 08:40 pm by Lisa

The holiday season is filled with big meals and rich heavy food. Let your palate take a welcomed break with a few bites of a fresh cranberry relish along with your Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy.

Make a cranberry orange relish, and delight your friends and family. It has a light fresh taste, a little bit of a crunch, and less sugar than a traditional cranberry sauce. It will be the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving dinner or a Christmas feast...

Cranberry Relish Recipe

Years ago I first tasted this homemade cranberry relish at a family friend's home for Thanksgiving and funny enough he still won't share the original recipe (can't blame him!). So It became a personal mission to do some recipe development and create my own flavorful cranberry relish recipe!

You just need a handful of ingredients for the best cranberry relish, and this recipe doesn't use much sugar so it is healthier. Good cranberries are easily available in grocery stores in 12-ounce bags, and this tangy fruit pairs so well with the pineapple and orange.

  • fresh cranberries
  • whole oranges
  • Honeycrisp apple
  • fresh pineapple with juice
  • granulated sugar
The ingredients to make cranberry relish on a white table including cranberries, oranges, apple , and sugar.
  1. Wash the oranges and the apple really well. Reserve a few extra cranberries for garnish on top.
  2. Cut the orange into sections, so they grate well in the food processor. First, cut the bottom off the orange. Set the flat side down on a board, cut it down into wedges, then remove the white center pith which is bitter by running the blade of a small knife down the pith. Leave the orange peel skin on, and be sure to remove any remaining seeds and or white pulp.
  3. Slice the apple open, and remove the seeds and core. Cut into chunks. Hold back a few cranberries and thin orange slices for garnish.
  4. In a food processor, pulse the apple, two oranges with the peel on (trust me here), pineapple chunks, and the cranberries finely using a grating blade. Or grate the apple on a hand grater and hand chop the oranges, pineapple, and cranberries to a fine slaw-like mix.
  5. Place the grated mixture in a large bowl, and toss with 1 tablespoon of granulated white sugar. Mix really well.
  6. Make ahead up to two days ahead, and keep in the fridge until ready to serve in an airtight container.
  7. Place in a nice serving dish with a spoon and serve chilled garnished with a few plump cranberries, orange slices, and or fresh orange zest.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Make Ahead or At The Last Minute: Whether you make this as a Thanksgiving cranberry relish just a couple hours or a couple days for your party, the best part is the flavor is amazing!
  • Compliments Rich Holiday Dishes: Traditional cranberry sauce is one of those classic holiday recipes we have on our Christmas table or Thanksgiving table with roast turkey but this recipe is light and not so sweet, and pairs so well with all the rich savory dishes.
  • Leftovers and variations: If you have some leftover cranberry relish, you can use it in a variety of ways. Make baked brie wrapped in puff pastry with the cranberry relish or sauce on top. Or make a cracker dip, just pour over a cream cheese mixture with jam, and Candied Pecans, and serve with crackers. The next day, you can also make turkey sandwiches topped your relish, some stuffing, or any other yummy leftovers.
  • Sugar Substitutes: Another option is to use one of the sugar substitutes in place of the white sugar in this recipe.
  • Fresh Cranberry Salad can also be made using any leftover relish, extra fresh cranberries, pineapple, cream cheese, and whipped cream.

Cranberry Sauce versus Cranberry Relish

So what is the difference between a classic cranberry sauce and a cranberry relish?

Well basically, the main difference comes down to the sauce recipe is cooked, and the relish is typically not heated or cooked, and raw.

Raw Cranberry Relish

Raw Cranberry Relish is uncooked and made with raw ingredients grated finely into small pieces in a food processor or food grinder, or a meat grinder attachment. A fresh relish has a lower amount of added sugar in most recipes, because there is plenty of sugar in the different fruit. Relishes have fresh flavors balanced with a sweet and tart flavor profile of the natural fruit, and the best part is the little crunch in every bite from the raw cranberries and apples is really enjoyable.

Ingredients are shredded into a slaw-like consistency, and even the orange peel is mixed in with the tart cranberries, grated apple, chopped pineapple its fruit juices.

Whole Berry Cranberry Sauces

Whole Berry Cranberry Sauces are cooked sauces with a lot more sugar so they tend to be on the sweet side with a different texture than relish.

These sauces are usually cooked over medium-high heat, and the cranberries burst during the cooking process. That causes them to release pectin, a natural thickener. And that is why cranberry sauce is almost a chutney-like consistency. In addition, most cranberry sauces call for alot of sugar anywhere from ¼-1 cup of sugar. That helps to thicken and sweeten the mixture. For the best cranberry sauce recipe, try mine. It is a really easy recipe with a tropical island twist.

  • 12-ounce bag of cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • fresh pineapple (canned is fine too!) and juice
  • fresh orange juice and orange zest (navel orange)
  • white sugar
Pineapple-Orange Cranberry Sauce ~ Plus 10+ Clever Uses Of Leftovers!
Pineapple-Orange Cranberry Sauce has 4 ingredients, and has a wonderfully balanced sweetness with oranges and pineapple, plus 10 ways to use leftover sauce during the holidays! This easy holiday recipe always gets glowing comments at the holiday table for Christmas or as a Thanksgiving side dish. And the fresh orange and pineapple fruit add a wonderful island vibe to this gorgeous cranberry sauce recipe.
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A crystal bowl filled with cranberry sauce with pineapple and cranberries in the background.

Who invented canned cranberry sauce?


For many Americans in every holiday season, the canned stuff served at room temperature is their favorite thing on the Thanksgiving plate. It was invented by Marcus Urann, a lawyer and cranberry grower in the early 20th century.

Jellied Cranberry Sauce is Ocean Spray’s brand name for the traditional Thanksgiving side dish we know and love. It holds the iconic can shape it comes in with the lines and all, and it jiggles and wiggles on the plate!

More Holiday Cranberry Recipes

These are some of my favorite holiday side dishes and they work for your Thanksgiving menu to make year after year...

During the Christmas season, it is great to have a non alcoholic Christmas Punch along with holiday cocktails. Serve a few appetizers, and the party is on. But you need one delicious holiday party drink without booze! It has Ocean Spray cranberry juices, ginger ale, and limeade with a festive garnish!

A modern twist on Cranberry Sauce, this simple recipe as fresh pineapple and oranges. It has a wonderfully balanced sweetness with only 4 ingredients and is much lower in sugar than traditional recipes.

A festive, easy, Christmas Salad made with fresh ingredients and a Cranberry Vinaigrette (made in a Mason jar) will be the talk of your holiday party or Christmas dinner. Shape this salad like a Christmas tree and decorate it with "garland, ornaments, and snow".

A festive red and green Christmas Holiday Salad with an easy pomegranate vinaigrette Mason jar dressing, topped with gorgeous sparkling pomegranate seeds, D'Anjou pears for the little trees, spicy candied pecans, ruby red dried cranberries, and juicy raspberries.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A gorgeous red and orange cranberry relish in a clear crystal bowl with a spoon.
Print

Cranberry Relish Recipe

The holiday season is filled with big meals and rich heavy food. Let your palate take a welcomed break with a few bites of a fresh cranberry relish along with your Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Make a cranberry orange relish, and delight your friends and family. It has a light fresh taste, a little bit of a crunch, and less sugar than a traditional cranberry sauce. It will be the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving dinner or a Christmas feast.
Course Holiday, Thanksgiving
Cuisine Side Dish
Keyword Cranberry Relish, Fresh Cranberry Relish Recipe, Raw Cranberry Relish
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 32kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 2 whole oranges
  • 1 medium Honeycrisp apple
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple with juice
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Wash the oranges and the apple really well.
  • Cut the orange into sections, so they grate well in the food processor. First, cut the bottom off the orange. Set the flat side down on a board, cut it down into wedges, then remove the white center pith which is bitter by running the blade of a knife down the pith. Leave the orange peel skin on, and be sure to remove any remaining seeds and or white pulp.
  • Slice the apple open, and remove the seeds and core. Cut into chunks. Hold back a few cranberries and thin orange slices for garnish.
  • In a food processor, pulse the apple, two oranges with the peel on (trust me here), pineapple chunks, and the cranberries finely using a grating blade. Or grate the apple on a hand grater and hand chop the oranges, pineapple and cranberries.
  • Place the grated mixture in a large bowl, and toss with 1 tablespoon of granulated white sugar. Mix really well.
  • Make ahead up to two days ahead, and keep in the fridge until ready to serve in an airtight container.
  • Place in a nice serving dish with a spoon and serve chilled garnished with a few plump cranberries, orange slices and or orange zest.

Video

Notes

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Make Ahead or At The Last Minute: Whether you make this as a Thanksgiving cranberry relish just a couple hours or a couple days for your party, the best part is the flavor is amazing!
  • Compliments Rich Holiday Dishes: Traditional cranberry sauce is one of those classic holiday recipes we have on our Christmas table or Thanksgiving table with roast turkey but this recipe is light and not so sweet, and pairs so well with all the rich savory dishes.
  • Leftovers and variations: If you have some leftover cranberry relish, you can use it in a variety of ways. Make baked brie wrapped in puff pastry with the cranberry relish or sauce on top. Or make a cracker dip, just pour over a cream cheese mixture with jam, and Candied Pecans, and serve with crackers. The next day, you can also make turkey sandwiches topped your relish, some stuffing, or any other yummy leftovers.
  • Sugar Substitutes: Another option is to use one of the sugar substitutes in place of the white sugar in this recipe.
  • Fresh Cranberry Salad can also be made using any leftover relish, extra fresh cranberries, pineapple, cream cheese, and whipped cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Caramel Apple Brie Appetizers

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Last Updated September 20th, 2023 at 10:53 am by Lisa

Need a fast easy make ahead appetizer for Fall? Caramel Apple Brie Appetizers come together in minutes, and they are always wildly popular at Fall parties!

If you like caramel apples, then you will love this scrumptious combination with creamy brie, the crunch of macadamia nuts, and tart-sweet dried cranberries. It is addictive...

Apple Appetizer Ingredients

  • Granny Smith Apples - their green color is so pretty, but a Honeycrisp or other red apple will work nicely
  • brie cheese - creamy and a great pairing with apple
  • macadamia nuts - add a nice crunch and some saltness
  • caramel topping (caramel sauce) - any brand of hot caramel ice cream topping from the grocery store works great!
  • dried cranberries - add color and a sweet-tart taste
  • dried cherries - optional but so good!
  • lemon juice - keeps the apples fresh and prevents browning

How To Make Caramel Apple Brie Appetizers

  1. Wash and cut the apples into 1 inch pieces, and toss in lemon juice as you go in a small bowl to keep them from browning.
  2. Slice the brie into small cubes ½ inch.
  3. Place the macadamia nuts in a zip-top bag, and crush them with a rolling pin.
  4. On small wooden bamboo skewers, place a piece of apple and then place brie alternating. Place skewers on a serving tray. Drizzle with caramel topping sauce. Sprinkle with crushed macadamia nuts, dried cranberries, and or dried cherries, and serve.

Caramel Apple Brie Variations

  • In place of the ¼ cup macadamia nuts, swap in some crushed spiced Candied Pecans, try my recipe, so easy...so good!
  • Sprinkle some coconut and mini chocolate chips on top for a more tropical sweetness.
  • For the cheese cubes, try cubes of white cheddar or Colby cheese.
A cutting board and knife cutting apples for caramel apple dip.

More Appetizer Recipes

Which of these 40 Best Puff Pastry Recipes will you choose? Every impressive appetizer and delicious dessert in this collection is wrapped with irresistible golden flaky layers of freshly baked pastry and creative filling combinations.

Create a stunning Thanksgiving charcuterie board filled with your favorite little bites of sliced meats, different types of cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, and a few festive and sugary holiday treats for hungry guests on turkey day or anytime during the holiday season.

These are the best Thanksgiving Appetizers for savory snacks, easy appetizers, and a bounty of party ideas for your celebration.  Nothing is easier than a Crostini Bar for appetizers with an easy setup and assembly. There are recipes for a whipped goat cheese crostini topping and tons of ideas for things to serve for your party! 🥖🍷🧀

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A white platter filled with apple brie skewers for Thanksgiving appetizers.
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Caramel Apple And Brie Skewers

Need a fast easy appetizer for Halloween or Thanksgiving? Caramel Apple Brie Appetizers come together in minutes, and they are always wildly popular at Fall parties! If you like caramel apples, then you will love this scrumptious combination with creamy brie, the crunch of macadamia nuts, and tart-sweet dried cranberries. It is addictive.
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword apple recipe, caramel apple brie skewers, Fall Dessert, Fall Snack, Thanksgiving Appetizer
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 132kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 Granny Smith Apples
  • 6 ounces brie cheese
  • ¼ cup crushed macadamia nuts
  • ¼ cup caramel sauce topping
  • 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons dried cherries
  • ¼ cup lemon juice

Instructions

  • Wash and cut the apples into 1 inch pieces, and toss in lemon juice as you go in a small bowl.
  • Slice the brie into small cubes ½ inch.
  • Place the macadamia nuts in a zip-top bag, and crush them with a rolling pin.
  • On small wooden bamboo skewers, place a piece of apple and then place brie alternating. Place skewers on a serving tray. Drizzle with caramel topping sauce. Sprinkle with crushed macadamia nuts, dried cranberries, and or dried cherries and serve.

Video

Notes

Variations

  • In place of the ¼ cup macadamia nuts, swap in some crushed spiced Candied Pecans, try my recipe, so easy...so good!
  • Sprinkle some coconut and mini chocolate chips on top for a more tropical sweetness.
  • For the cheese cubes, try cubes of white cheddar or Colby cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 127mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Christmas Punch

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Last Updated January 4th, 2026 at 09:30 am by Lisa

Through the years, this cherished holiday recipe has been at so many parties, and it is one of the best Christmas punch recipes.

During the Christmas season, it is great to have a non alcoholic Christmas punch along with holiday cocktails. Serve a few appetizers, and the party is on. But you need one delicious holiday party drink without booze!

You can mix this festive drink inside a beverage container or large punch bowl in a matter of minutes, it just has 4 ingredients and a garnish. The tangy cranberries go so well with the lime flavors, and the ginger ale adds a sparkling finish...

A big glass beverage container filled with holiday Christmas Punch.

In the mid-1990s, I began entertaining and throwing parties for friends. My Mom shared her easy holiday punch recipe with me to serve for a boat parade Christmas party I hosted on Balboa Island, California. This punch recipe was a hit I have served ever since those early days.

She said, people like a non alcoholic punch to sip, and showed me how to make an ice ring as a festive centerpiece on my buffet table, it was so pretty!

All the ingredients here are easy to find in any grocery store or keep on hand for Christmas celebrations...

  • Cranberry Juice – Sweet and tart pure cranberry juice or a blend of cranberry juice like cran pineapple juice are perfect and so Christmasy with their red color for the holiday season!
  • Cran-Pineapple Juice – Fresh pineapple juice adds sweet, yet tart flavors to this punch recipe.
  • Frozen Limeade – Frozen limeade compliments the cranberries so well. You will find it in the freezer section, and if it's not available you can substitute a can of frozen lemonade or frozen orange juice.
  • Ginger Ale – Adds a nice balance to the tart cranberry juice, and adds a fizzy sparkle. Any brand is fine, 7 up or Sprite will work as well.
  • Fresh Cranberries – You can use fresh whole cranberries or frozen cranberries, they are so pretty with the lime slices.
  • Limes – Slice the limes ⅛ inch thin into rounds. They add a great pop of color and balance the sweetness of a fruity punch.
  • Ice or Ice Rings – Serve with either plenty of ice cubes or a frozen ice ring. Ice rings bring a festive look to beverage containers or punch bowls. You can freeze extra cranberries, mint leaves, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon sticks, rosemary, slices of orange, or apples in your ice ring using a bundt pan!

Variations, Additions & Swaps

Variations  – For a more bubbly drink in this beautiful punch, add extra 7Up, Sprite, or a lemon-lime soda you prefer.

Reduced Sugar – To reduce the added sugar in your festive punch, use club soda or sparkling water in place of ginger ale or lemon lime soda.

Fruit Juices – Try regular or a can of frozen pineapple juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, or pomegranate juice.

Want to make this Alcoholic Holiday Punch Recipe? Simply add 2 cups of your personal preference of good rum-light or dark, vodka, gin, or even a cinnamon whisky like Fireball is delicious! You can also add a bottle of Champagne or prosecco.

PRO TIP: Leave the can of frozen limeade (or lemonade) out on the counter to defrost for an hour or more, this is the easy way to pour and mix into your container or bowl of Christmas punch!

How To Make Christmas Punch

  1. Freeze your ice ring overnight if you are making one.
  2. Pre-slice the limes into thin rounds.
  3. In a large beverage dispenser container or punch bowl, mix cranberry juice, cran-pineapple juice, limeade, ice, and ginger ale or lemon-lime soda.
  4. Add the ice or ice ring, sliced limes, and cranberries for garnish.
  5. Run a sliced orange around the rim of glasses and dip into sparkling sugar sprinkles poured on a plate to decorate the rim.
  6. Pour punch in, and garnish with extra lime slices, cranberries, and ice. Serve this cranberry punch with an extra fun garnish of cute straws!

Holiday Serving Tips

  • Chilled ingredients make the best punch, and have extra ice to chill it down during the party and or a second ice ring.
  • Serve this as a Christmas morning punch with breakfast or brunch.
  • Add the sparkle and fizz of ginger ale on top last to make this one of the most delicious Christmas punch recipes.
  • Serve in a beverage container, The beverage container pictured is 3 gallons, which holds 48 cups which is what this recipe makes.
  • Punch bowls work great too, and look so festive. Borrow one, or check online for a nice one to share with friends and family.
  • Pop in some cute straws in each glass for some whimsy and extra holiday spirit.
  • Set out glasses with colorful sugar rims on them, and let guests pour a glass of this delicious easy holiday punch. You can run an orange wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it into sugar sprinkles on a plate for another festive touch.
  • We have served this non-alcoholic punch at everything from bridal to baby showers through the years, our whole family loves this recipe.
  • Garnish with red, white, and green things like lime slices, ice, cranberries, or mint!
How do you serve a Christmas punch?


Use either a large beverage container or a punch bowl and ladle. You can chill all the ingredients, and add them right before guests arrive. Then top off with extra fruit juices, ice, garnishes, and straws.

What are the best holiday party drinks to serve?


It is always a good idea to have a refreshing non alcoholic holiday punch for your party guests along with Christmas cocktails like Candy Cane Martinis and a festive Christmas Mulled Wine!

More Christmas Recipes

Looking for more Christmas dinner and party recipes to serve at your holiday party? Appetizer parties for Christmas eve are relaxed with recipes like beautiful Holiday Deviled Eggs or a yummy Christmas Cheese Ball shaped like an ornament! There are 4 flavors; White Cheddar Rosemary Pomegranate, Pimento Cheese, Garlic Chive Goat-Cheese, and Cranberry Pecan.

A festive, easy, Christmas Tree Salad with a Cranberry Vinaigrette (made in a Mason jar) will be the talk of your holiday party. Shape this salad like a Christmas tree and decorate it with "garland, ornaments, and snow". One of these 40 Puff Pastry Recipes will be the star of your holiday party appetizers, which one will it be?

Make a Peppermint Candy Plate in only 20 minutes. Serve desserts like cookies, candy, hot cocoa, coffee, tea, festive drinks, or holiday cocktails like Cane Cane Vodka Martinis an easy recipe made with candy canes!

This Sausage Stuffing Dressing is also, known as "a meal by itself", this stuffing is truly one to make a tradition with your family and serve with a turkey or this gorgeous Beef Roast that is made with rich red wine. Santa will ho ho ho for these creative Santa's Wish List Cookies, have kids write a note to Santa himself!

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A big glass beverage container filled with holiday Christmas Punch.
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Christmas Punch Recipe

Through the years, this cherished holiday recipe has been at so many parties, and it is one of the best Christmas punch recipes. During the Christmas season, it is great to have a non alcoholic Christmas punch along with holiday cocktails. You can mix this festive drink inside a beverage container or large punch bowl in a matter of minutes, it just has 4 ingredients and a garnish. The tangy cranberries go so well with the lime flavors, and the ginger ale adds a sparkling finish.
Course Beverages, Drinks & Cocktails
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas Punch, holiday punch, punch recipe
Prep Time 0 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 36
Calories 76kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 64 ounces cranberry juice
  • 64 ounces cran-pineapple juice
  • 8 ounces frozen limeade
  • 2 liters ginger ale
  • 4-6 whole limes
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 8 cups ice

Instructions

  • Leave the limeade out on the counter to defrost an hour. Slice the limes in thin rounds. In a large beverage container or punch bowl, pour the 64 oz cranberry juice, 64 oz cran-pineapple juice, 1 can of limeade, 8 cups of ice, and 2 liters of ginger ale.
  • Add sliced limes and cranberries for garnish.
  • Run a sliced orange around rim of glasses and dip into sparkling sugar sprinkles.

Video

Notes

serving tips

  • Chill all the ingredients, and defrost the limeade ahead of time. 
  • This recipe makes 36 cups of punch or 2 ¼ gallons of punch. 

optional garnish ideas

  • sliced apples or
  • sliced oranges
  • mint
  • rosemary
  • cinnamon sticks
  • star anise

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

40 Puff Pastry Appetizer Recipes

[heart_this] · · 1 Comment

Last Updated April 16th, 2024 at 12:11 pm by Lisa

Which of these 40 Best Puff Pastry Recipes will you choose? This collection of impressive appetizers and delicious desserts is wrapped with irresistible layers of golden flaky puff pastry. And these freshly baked recipes are from some of the best food bloggers in the country.

There are dozens of creative filling combinations both sweet and savory, to bake all year! Keep a few of these easy recipes for special occasions during the holidays and celebrations of life...

Top Puff Pastry Recipe Baking Tips

Puff pastry is magical. It looks just like regular dough but it doesn't have yeast, baking powder, or baking soda. It puffs in the heat of the oven into flaky gold layers of savory goodness. Keep a box tucked in your freezer, you will be glad you did!

Take a look at this video to make Beef Wellington Puff Pastry Appetizers! A wonderful holiday or entertaining recipe...

Beef Wellington Appetizer Video

  • Start with a good quality puff pastry. In the United States Pepperidge Farms makes one of the best products on the market.
  • Follow the directions on the package. The easiest way to defrost it is to remove it from the freezer. And place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.
  • Bake on parchment paper or a silicone mat. This helps it not stick to the baking pan, and makes for easy cleanup.
  • Store-bought puff pastry sheets are easiest to work with when it's still cold yet pliable. Which is why refrigerating it overnight is the best. It will unfold easily after about 30 minutes at room temperature or resting in the fridge overnight.
  • Put a couple of tablespoons of flour on your board. Or flour a work surface so the sheet of puff pastry can be moved around easily.
  • It is best to roll it out using a rolling pin. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Cut the puff pastry into rectangles, strips, or any shape you need for your recipe. You don't want to smash the edges as that will cause the pastry not to puff up as much.
  • Rechilling your favorite appetizer recipes before baking is always best. As it will help the pastry puff in the oven heat!

40 Best Puff Pastry Appetizer Recipes

Five freshly baked puff pastry beef wellington appetizers on a rectangle white platter.

Beef Wellington Appetizers

Bake delicious hors d'oeuvres of individual servings of beef wellington appetizers, they are so fancy to pass around at a party. These beef wellington appetizers are a modern take on the classic English dish made easy with golden brown edges of flaky puff pastry, juicy filet mignon, and a creamy mushroom filling.

Beef Wellington Filet Mignon Appetizers by Delicious Table

Sheet Pan Taco Bake

Sheet Pan Bake makes Taco Night a breeze. You’ll love the puff pastry crust and variety of toppings. It’s an easy one-baking sheet pan taco bake that will please your family or a large crowd on game day or any occasion!

Sheet Pan Taco Bake by Quiche My Grits

Chicken Pot Hand Pies

Chicken Pot Hand Pies are puff pastry pockets filled with rotisserie chicken, mixed vegetables, and a creamy filling wrapped in a flaky crust. They’re perfect for on-the-go families, an easy snack, or quick dinners at home.

Chicken Pot Hand Pies by Quiche My Grits

Feta Spinach Bacon Puffs

These Feta Spinach Puffs with bacon inside, are the perfect party appetizer. A creamy filling with the salt of bacon and tangy feta nestled in crispy, flaky golden layers made easy in a muffin tin.

Feta Spinach Bacon Puffs by Cooking On The Front Burner

Mushroom & Boursin Tart

Mushroom & Boursin Tart is an elegant appetizer that takes a couple of minutes to throw together, and impresses everybody! 

Mushroom & Boursin Tart by The View From Great Island

Blackberry Cheesecake Tart

This blackberry cheesecake tart is so easy to make with shortened prep time and store-bought crust.  There is nothing better than fresh berries on top of a creamy lemon curd filling in this golden brown puff pastry dessert!

Blackberry Cheesecake Tart by Ninnescah Homestead
A vintage silver basket lined with brown parchment paper and filled with brie and bacon palmiers freshly baked from the oven.

Brie & Bacon Palmiers

Brie and Bacon Palmiers baked in 15 minutes with 3 ingredients. You will need store-bought pastry, crisp crumbled bacon, and some brie. These are the best puff pastry appetizers to whip together at the last-minute! These easy appetizers are packed with bacony goodness, a golden crisp crunch, and that classic brie taste.

Brie & Bacon Palmiers by Delicious Table

Spinach Alfredo Pizza

Creamy Alfredo sauce meets fresh spinach and artichokes in this cheesy recipe. Your family will go crazy over Spinach Alfredo Pizza, and you’ll love how easy it is to make for pizza night or any occasion!

Spinach Alfredo Pizza by Quiche My Grits

Cranberry Gruyere Cheese Tarts

These cranberry tarts are one of the easiest savory recipes that you can put together in just 20 minutes. With pastry layers, flavorful gruyere cheese, cranberries, and fresh thyme, they're the perfect wintery appetizer! They're a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or Christmas!

Cranberry Gruyere Tarts by Barley & Sage

Blueberry Peach Tart

Blueberry Peach Tart with a vanilla icing glaze, is a perfect quick dessert, or a breakfast or brunch treat. This tart has simple ingredients and can be made with any fruit, try blueberries and peaches because they go so well together.

Blueberry Peach Tart by A Farmgirls Kitchen

Caramelized Mushroom Tarts

These caramelized mushroom tarts are an easy, savory treat that comes together in about 30 minutes! Layered with pastry, gruyere cheese, mushrooms, and caramelized onions, they're the perfect appetizer!

Caramelized Mushroom Tart by Barley & Sage

Almond Raspberry Baked Brie

Dress it up or dress it down, Baked Brie with Jam always brings just the right amount of "fancy" to the party! This easy, 4-ingredient baked brie is a no-stress appetizer and a total crowd-pleaser; perfect for any occasion, from uptown parties to outdoor gatherings. Baked brie with jam holds up well if it needs to be transported, and brings just the right amount of fancy to practically any occasion. 

Almond Raspberry Baked Brie by Good Hearted Woman

Baked Brie With Cranberries

A mixture of creamy and tangy goat and cream cheeses, sweet pears, fresh thyme, and a drizzle of honey makes this the most delicious fall appetizer or dessert! It will become one of your go-to quick appetizers.

Baked Brie With Cranberries by Lemon Blossoms

Pear And Goat Cheese Tart

This Pear and Goat Cheese Tart is sweet and savory with a flaky buttery crust! A mixture of creamy and tangy goat and cream cheeses, sweet pears, fresh thyme, and a drizzle of honey makes this the most delicious fall appetizer or dessert!

Pear And Goat Cheese Tart by Lemon Blossoms

Cheesy Sausage Rolls

These Cheesy Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls are fun and easy to make. Using sausage links made with choice cuts of pork and a variety of delicious flavors and spices means you don’t need to add much to make these rolls really tasty!

Cheesy Sausage Rolls by 365 Days of Baking And More

Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites

Sausage, Cranberry, and Brie Bites are a delicious, festive, and unique start to any meal! This appetizer is rolled up in a buttery and flaky pastry. It has just the right amount of savory from Ground Italian Sausage, sweet cranberry sauce, and a salty creaminess from brie.

Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites by 365 Days of Baking And More

Red Wine Caramelized Onion Flat Bread

Caramelized Onion Flatbread recipe is a savory tart that is easy to make. The complex flavor profile has nutty Manchego cheese, sweet grapes, savory thyme, and rich caramelized onion made with red wine, it’s perfect for nibbling!

Caramelized Onion Flat Bread by An Edible Mosaic

Spanakopita Bites

These Spanakopita Bites have a crunchy, buttery pastry crust paired with flavorful garlic, dill, kale, and feta filling. These bite-sized puff pastries are easy to make in a mini muffin tin and are perfect for your next party!

Spanakopita Bites by An Edible Mosaic

Asparagus Bundles

Tender stalks of roasted asparagus are surrounded by flaky pastry in this wrapped appetizer bundle. Asparagus Bundles are elegant enough to take to a brunch party and easy enough to serve at your holiday meal in just 30 minutes!

Asparagus Bundles by Quiche My Grits

Blue Cheese Tarts

These Blue Cheese Tarts will be a hit at your next holiday party! The flaky, buttery, puff pastry contains a rich, delicious, and creamy blue cheese filling. This appetizer is super easy to make, and the flavor is out of this world! Be sure to make plenty – they are always popular!

Blue Cheese Tarts by It's Not Complicated Recipes

Ham And Cheese Turnovers

These quick ham and cheese turnovers taste like an elevated version of a hot ham and cheese sandwich! Filled with ham, sharp-aged cheddar cheese, and dijon mustard, these savory turnovers are perfect for a snack, appetizer, or meal

Ham & Cheese Turnovers by The Cozy Plum

Spinach And Feta Pinwheels

Easy Spinach and Feta Pinwheels appetizers are so quick to make. The spanakopita style filling is packed into these appetizers with flavor and gets wrapped into a crispy, flaky pastry all tucked into these puff pastry pinwheels!

Spinach And Feta Pinwheels by The Cozy Plum

Mushroom Palmiers

So savory and delicious, these Mushroom Palmiers have a hearty stuffing that's flavored with fresh mushrooms and thyme. They can be made ahead of time and served either warm or hot. The end result is a savory handheld bite to eat that has layers of buttery pastry with mushrooms in between.

Mushroom Palmiers by The Savvy Mama Lifestyle

Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites are a sweet and tangy bite-sized appetizer that is super easy to make. Creamy brie topped with tart cranberry sauce and chopped pistachios, baked in flaky pastry. They are a festive appetizer for all of your holiday parties! 

Cranberry Brie Bites by Cooking With Curls

Sausage Rolls Appetizer

No party is complete without Sausage Rolls, they are everyone's favorite appetizer! Crispy puff pastry surrounding spiced sausage, who could possibly resist?

Sausage Rolls Appetizer by Cooking With Curls

Mini Cheese And Cranberry Puffs

These Mini Cheese and Cranberry Puffs are a delicious appetizer for your Winter holiday party or even for a breakfast brunch pastry. The combination of a leftover cup cranberry sauce from your holiday dinner and a soft cheese like brie or Primula (UK product) makes them a yummy easy finger food that’s great for the Christmas season and all year round!

Mini Cheese And Cranberry Puffs by In The Playroom

Sun Dried Tomato Palmiers With Pesto

These Sun-Dried Tomato Palmiers with Pesto are a show-stopping appetizer with only four ingredients. Made with puff pastry sheets, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and pesto, these delicious savory palmiers always please a crowd. 

Sun Dried Tomato Palmiers With Pesto by The Savory Cipolla

Tarte Tatin

This gorgeous apple tart has apples caramelized in a butter honey sauce and topped with golden brown flaky puff pastry. Once baked it’s all flipped over before serving for a gorgeous dessert.

Tarte Tatin by Spend With Pennies

Blackberry Cheese Danish

Blackberry Cheese Danish is filled with lemon-thyme cream cheese, then topped with fresh blackberries on a buttery crust. It’s finished with a delightful sugar glaze for a fast easy dessert!

Blackberry Cheese Danish by Quiche My Grits

Sausage Bites With Pepper & Onions

These easy sausage bites make the perfect bite-size appetizers for any occasion! The beauty of this recipe is that you don't need a lot of ingredients. Just grab your sausage, puff pastry sheets, sausage, peppers, and cheese. If you've got those five things, you can make an awesome appetizer that your guests are going to love. 

Sausage Bites With Pepper & Onions by Fun Money Mom

Apple Pie Tart

Honeycrisp apples are layered on top of flaky puff pastry to create an easy dessert you’ll be proud to serve. One bite of this Apple Tart and you’ll be whisked away to a fall apple orchard, it is so much easier to bake than apple pie!

Apple Pie Tart by Quiche My Grits

Easy Peach Turnovers

Easy Peach Turnovers have canned peach pie filling and puff pastry, these may just be the easiest breakfast or dessert you can make and no one will know how easy they are to bake.

Easy Peach Turnovers by Fantabulosity

Pinwheel With Pesto Appetizer

This pastry pinwheel comes with a pesto twist and can be served on any occasion. This a delicious appetizer the whole family will love and the bonus is it's impressive!

Pesto Pinwheel Appetizer by Famfoodery
A white heart shaped dish filled with fresh baked palmiers.

Classic French Palmiers

Palmiers are airy flaky crisp French cookies with only 2 ingredients. This sweet treat is divine any time of day. These might become your go-to cookie recipe once you learn how easy they are to bake, and there are many ways to add creative flavors!

Classic Palmiers by Delicious Table

Gouda And Honey Mushroom Tarts

Mushroom Tarts are covered in bubbling Gouda and drizzled with honey in pastry pillows. The perfect appetizer to ring in the new year or to accompany a celebration with family and friends!

Gouda & Mushroom Tarts by Delicious Spoon

Goat Cheese Pastry With Maple Pecans

This goat cheese appetizer is spread with creamy, tangy goat cheese, sweet maple syrup, and spiced pecans for a delicious fall appetizer everyone will love!

Goat Cheese With Pecans by Aleka's Get Together

Mini Baked Brie En Croute

Mini Baked Brie en Croute is an elegant but surprisingly simple appetizer made with mini wheels of cheese and frozen puff pastry. These are the ultimate holiday finger food brie bites!

Mini Baked Brie En Croute by The View From Great Island

Asparagus and Bacon Pastry Pockets

Savory bacon, hearty asparagus, and melted cheese wrapped altogether in buttery puff pastry dough...oh my! You are going to LOVE these Asparagus and Bacon Pastry Pockets—and so will all of your guests!

Asparagus Bacon Pastry Pockets by A Paige Of Positivity

Herb & Goat Cheese Bites

These Herb and Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Bites make the perfect easy party appetizer. Whether you want elegant finger foods for New Year’s Eve or the holidays or something light for casual entertaining, these are easy and so delicious!

Herb & Goat Cheese Bites by Delicious On A Dime

Ham & Cheese Pinwheels

These baked ham and cheese pinwheels are the perfect party or game-day appetizer. Flakey puff pastry, ham, and melty cheese roll-ups with honey mustard flavor. The easy pinwheel appetizers are sure to be a hit, even kids love this easy appetizer and will eat them up!

Ham & Cheese Pinwheels by Mom Foodie

Puff Pastry FAQ

What is puff pastry?


Puff pastry dough looks like a pie dough. But it’s actually many layers of dough separated by equally thin layers of butter. This golden flaky pastry "puffs" into layers while baking. This is due to the water in the dough layers and water in the butter which turns into steam. It is sold in the grocery store in a box usually with two sheets in the box. You will find it in the frozen food section of grocery stores. And creates exciting appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

Can you make puff pastry at home?

Yes! Homemade puff pastry can be made from scratch. But it is a labor-intensive process and takes time. It requires a precise technique to get the pastry made correctly to puff in the hot oven temperature.

What causes puff pastry to not rise when baking?


So how does it rise and get all those layers? The main reason your puff pastry won't rise is due to oven temperature. Your oven needs to bake at 400 degrees. This hot oven creates steam in the pastry (from the dough and cold butter) so it rises or "puffs". The steam has just enough force to puff up each thin sheet of dough. And then it evaporates into the oven creating a crisp airy pastry.

A sheet pan with freshly baked brie and bacon palmiers out of the oven, packaging them to give as gifts.

How To Serve Puff Pastry Appetizers

Arrange your hors d'oeuvres in on Cheeseboards, in bowls, or baskets, or crumple up some parchment paper and serve with cheese and Candied Pecans. Snips of fresh herbs to place around the Fall Charcuterie cheese board made it all look fabulous!

Puff Pastry Palmiers are great with other appetizers like fruit and artisanal cheeses.
Serve small baked appetizers in bowls at your party.

More Party Food Recipes

People can help themselves to any of these impressive appetizer spreads that look so stunning for the cozy Fall and Winter holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Whether you are a fan of the NFL or College Football, cheer on your favorite team with a winning game plan of good food and munchies with over 75 Game Day Recipes in this collection.

Create a stunning Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board filled with your favorite little bites. Add sliced meats, different types of cheeses, crackers, fruit, and nuts. Then add festive and sugary holiday treats for hungry guests on turkey day or anytime during the holiday season.

These are the best Thanksgiving Appetizers for savory snacks, easy appetizers, and a bounty of party ideas for your celebration.  Nothing is easier than a Fall Crostini Bar for appetizers with an easy setup and assembly. There are recipes for a whipped goat cheese crostini topping and tons of ideas for toppings! 🥖🍷🧀

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Beef Wellington Appetizers

[heart_this] · · 1 Comment

Last Updated April 16th, 2024 at 12:12 pm by Lisa

Everyone adores this mini beef Wellington recipe for delicious hors d'oeuvres. Bake these at your next fancy dinner party, on special occasions, or anytime during the holiday season like Christmas dinner.

These beef Wellington appetizers are a modern take on the classic English dish. The golden brown edges of flaky puff pastry are filled with juicy filet mignon and a creamy Boursin mushroom filling...

Individual Beef Wellington Recipe

Individual servings of beef wellington are so fancy to pass around at a party. When you want all the flavor but not the fussiness of a formal sit-down dinner!

Wrapped in golden buttery puff pastry. Topped with creamy Boursin cheese. And a finely chopped and sautéed mushroom mixture, these are an extravagant elegant appetizer. Be sure to look at the video in the recipe card below!

PRO TIP: Traditionally a savory mushroom duxelles mix like this one, is used as a garnish or stuffing in dishes and adds tremendous flavor!

Ingredients For Mini Beef Wellingtons

  • beef filet mignon
  • sea salt
  • black pepper
  • fresh shallots fresh or freeze-dried
  • cloves garlic minced
  • fresh thyme
  • mushrooms
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • puff pastry 
  • Boursin Cheese buy or make my recipe, it is easy and awesome!

Assembly Instructions

  1. Take the puff pastry from the freezer, and remove the sheets from the box at room temperature for an hour.
  2. Make the mushroom filling. Add mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and thyme to a food processor and pulse till finely chopped. Or finely chop on a cutting board.
  3. Melt a tablespoon of butter and the olive oil in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped mushroom mixture. Stir until the moisture evaporates for 6 minutes, steam will rise from the large skillet.
  4. Pat top and sides of the beef dry with paper towels. Slice the beef tenderloin into ¾ to 1-inch cubes. Use paper towels again to dry the moisture from each piece of meat. This helps the meat sear in the frying pan.
  5. Sprinkle sea salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and saute each piece of beef on all sides turning using tongs. Add several beef cubes to the large skillet pan at a time. Be careful to not crowd the pan. Sear for 1-2 minutes on each side over medium-high heat in the hot pan. Cook the beef until all sides are seared to medium doneness. The meat will shrink as it cooks. Place cooked beef pieces on a paper towel over a plate to cool and rest.

Baking Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Open the puff pastry sheet on a cutting board work surface. Smooth it out with a rolling pin to make it flat. Slice the 9 x 12-inch rectangle puff pastry sheet into 12 (3-inch) squares. Use a pizza wheel or paring knife. Place 1 cooked beef cube, ½ teaspoon Boursin cheese, and ½ teaspoon-sized mound of mushroom mix into the center of each pastry square.
  2. Pull all four opposite side edges of pastry over the filling to the center to make a parcel, and pinch seams to seal. Place each appetizer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. If you want the pastry edges to stay closed, turn the top of each pastry bundle and face down on your baking sheet to hold the small slits of the pastry edges sealed while baking, otherwise the edges of the pastry will open up while baking, and get golden and puffy as mine did.
  3. Put the sheet pan in the hot oven. Bake for 9 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown and puffed!

Make Ahead Tips: Put the mini beef wellingtons together on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then cover well with plastic wrap cling film or in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Why This Recipe Works & Variations

Buy A Good Cut Of Beef: Buy the best quality of beef for this great recipe. It is worth the extra cost! A whole beef tenderloin, beef tenderloin steak, or beef filet are great choices.

  • It's easy and you can make it ahead and then bake right before your party.
  • Bake these in a muffin tin for a pretty rounded shape!
  • Dip into a Creamy Horseradish Sauce or Dijon mustard for extra zing.
  • Add in some chopped parma ham or good black forest ham.
  • Saute the beef on all sides. This adds flavor. It is the best way to cool and dry it before wrapping it in pastry is to prevent it from getting a soggy texture while baking.
  • Add gorgonzola cheese or your favorite cheese in place of Boursin.
  • Swap out the mushrooms for caramelized onions or get my tips to make Sauteed Leeks, those would be amazing.
  • Add a teaspoon of liver pate in each portion for a nod to the classic beef wellington.

Top Tips For Individual Beef Wellingtons

  • Use a good puff pastry brand, and defrost according to the directions on the box. And be sure to not buy phyllo sheets in the freezer section, which is a different ingredient.
  • Be sure to dry the beef before searing. This creates a nice crust and let it rest and cool before assembling your appetizers.
  • You might be tempted to sear the beef in a large nonstick skillet. But most nonstick surfaces don't sear well and give you that caramelized crust on the beef which adds flavor! A good stainless or cast-iron pan will work great.

Beef Wellington FAQ

What is traditional beef wellington?


Traditional beef Wellington is an English recipe. It has beef tenderloin (fillet steak) with pâté (commonly pâté de foie gras) and duxelles. All wrapped in puff pastry and baked.

Beef Wellington recipes are very popular for Christmas dinners, during the holidays, and served on special occasions.

What is puff pastry?


French-style puff pastry dough looks like pie dough. But, it’s actually many layers of dough, separated by equally thin layers of butter. This golden flaky pastry "puffs" into layers in the heat of the oven. The water in the dough layers and water in the butter turns into steam.

It is sold in the grocery store in a box usually with two sheets of puff pastry in the box. You will find it in the frozen food section. It can be made from scratch but is very labor-intensive. And creates exciting appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

More Appetizer Recipes

Which of these 40 Best Puff Pastry Recipes will you choose? Every impressive appetizer and delicious dessert in this collection is wrapped with irresistible golden flaky layers of freshly baked puff pastry.

Create a stunning Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board filled with your favorite things! Try little bites of sliced meats, different types of cheeses, crackers, fruit, and nuts. Add festive and sugary holiday treats for hungry guests on turkey day or anytime during the holiday season.

These are the best Thanksgiving Appetizers for savory snacks, easy appetizers, and a bounty of party ideas for your celebration.  Nothing is easier than a Crostini Bar for appetizers with an easy setup and assembly. There are recipes for whipped goat cheese as a crostini topping. And tons of ideas for things to put on top for your party! 🥖🍷🧀

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Five freshly baked puff pastry beef wellington appetizers on a rectangle white platter.
Print

Beef Wellington Appetizers Recipe

Bake delicious hors d'oeuvres of individual servings of beef wellington appetizers, they are so fancy to pass around at a party. These beef wellington appetizers are a modern take on the classic English dish made easy with golden brown edges of flaky puff pastry, juicy filet mignon, and a creamy mushroom filling.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword beef wellington appetizers, beef wellington bites, mini beef wellingtons, puff pastry appetizer, savory mushroom duxelles
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 18
Calories 245kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ pound beef filet mignon
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons shallots fresh or freeze dried
  • 1 teaspoon cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 8 ounces mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 package puff pastry 2 sheets
  • 1 package Boursin cheese

Instructions

  • Take the puff pastry from the freezer, remove the sheets from the box at room temperature for an hour.
  • Make the mushroom filling. Add mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and thyme to a food processor and pulse till finely chopped. Or finely chop on a cutting board.
  • Melt a tablespoon of butter and the olive oil in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped mushroom mixture, and stir until the moisture evaporates for 6 minutes, steam will rise from the large skillet.
  • Pat top and sides of the beef dry with paper towels, and slice the beef tenderloin into ¾ to 1-inch cubes. Use paper towels again to dry the moisture from each piece of meat. This helps the meat sear in the frying pan.
  • Sprinkle sea salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and saute each piece of beef on all sides turning using tongs. Add several beef cubes to the large skillet pan at a time, careful to not crowd the pan.
    Sear for 1-2 minutes on each side over medium-high heat in the hot pan. And cook the beef until all sides are seared to medium doneness. The meat will shrink as it cooks. Place cooked beef pieces on a paper towel over a plate to cool and rest.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Open the puff pastry sheet on a cutting board work surface. Smooth it out with a rolling pin to make it flat. Slice the 9 x 12-inch rectangle puff pastry sheet into 12 (3-inch) squares using a pizza wheel or paring knife.
    Place 1 cooked beef cube, ½ teaspoon Boursin cheese, and ½ teaspoon-sized mound of mushroom mix into the center of each pastry square.
  • Pull all four opposite side edges of pastry over the filling to the center to make a parcel, and pinch seams to seal. Place each appetizer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
    If you want the pastry edges to stay closed, turn the top of each pastry bundle and face down on your baking sheet to hold the small slits of the pastry edges sealed while baking, otherwise the edges of the pastry will open up while baking, and get golden and puffy as mine did.
  • Put the sheet pan in the hot oven, and bake for 9 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown and puffed!
  • Make Ahead Tips: Put the mini beef wellingtons together on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then cover well with plastic wrap cling film or in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Video

Notes

Top Tips For Individual Beef Wellingtons

  • Use a good puff pastry brand, and defrost according to the directions on the box. And be sure to not buy phyllo sheets in the freezer section, which is a different ingredient.
  • Be sure to dry the beef before searing to get a nice crust and let it rest and cool before assembling your appetizers.
  • You might be tempted to sear the beef in a large nonstick skillet, but most nonstick surfaces don't sear well and give you that caramelized crust on the beef which adds flavor! A good stainless or cast-iron pan will work great.

Why This Recipe Works & Variations

Buy A Good Cut Of Beef: Buy the best quality of beef for this great recipe, it is worth the extra cost. A whole beef tenderloin, beef tenderloin steak, or beef filet are great choices.
  • It's easy and you can make it ahead and then bake right before your party.
  • Bake these in a muffin tin for a pretty rounded shape!
  • Dip into a Creamy Horseradish Sauce or Dijon mustard for extra zing.
  • Add in some chopped parma ham or good black forest ham.
  • Saute the beef on all sides to add flavor and the best way is to cool and dry it before wrapping it in pastry, to prevent it from getting a soggy texture.
  • Add gorgonzola cheese or your favorite cheese in place of Boursin.
  • Swap out the mushrooms for caramelized onions or get my tips to make Sauteed Leeks, those would be amazing.
  • Add a teaspoon of liver pate in each portion for a nod to the classic beef wellington.

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 3mg

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

[heart_this] · · 2 Comments

Last Updated October 30th, 2023 at 09:41 am by Lisa

Create a stunning Thanksgiving charcuterie board filled with your favorite sliced meats, different types of cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, and a few festive and sugary holiday treats for hungry guests on turkey day or anytime during the holiday season!

A Fall cheeseboard is so easy to put together and a delicious way to make easy Thanksgiving appetizers. These also work for a Friendsgiving gathering, as an after-school snack board for kids, or to host a happy hour for friends with simple appetizers and drinks...

A round cheeseboard filled with assorted cut cheeses and charcuterie meats for a Thanksgiving day feast.

Table of Contents

How To Build A Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

There is something for everyone on this Fall board, there are savory bites, crunchy salty snacks, sweet spreads, and a few creative decorations.

Here are some fun ways to add pizzazz to a festive Thanksgiving cheese board. And be sure to see the video in the recipe card below...

What Can I Use For A Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie platter is the easiest thing to put together for Thanksgiving gatherings! The first thing you will need is to decide how many people you are serving for the size of your board. Choose one based on the number of guests, and how much food and yummy things you plan to serve.

  • CUTTING BOARDS: A large cutting board will work really well, just give it a good clean. They can be round, square, or rectangular in shape.
  • GRAZING BOARDS: A extra large board is also fun for a party, like a long 4' grazing board to put down the center of a long table.
  • TRAYS: Use a large tray that you have, it could be wood, a low-profile basket, or any beautiful tray you love.

What Are Classic Charcuterie Foods

  1. Variety Of Meats
  2. Cheeses
  3. Crackers And Bread
  4. Fresh Fruits, Olives, or Nuts
  5. Sweets

Creative Charcuterie Board Ideas

Try some creative unique charcuterie board ideas and different things you see online for your Thanksgiving celebration. You can go with a color theme, like classic fall oranges and rust colors. It is so much fun to create a whimsical look on a beautiful charcuterie board. Look for inspiration, jot some notes, and create your own easy charcuterie board!

PRO TIP: Find a Trader Joes type store to get the best variety and prices on your cheeses and meat products. Seasonal Thanksgiving or Fall candy can be ordered online or found in specialty shops like See's Candies.

  • Do some Party Planning for the number of guests, and have everything ready to go before your party! You can cut the cheeses, and prep the meats and fruit the day before, store them in airtight containers, then assemble the board in about 15 minutes.
  • Take some time to make the best charcuterie board design. Then cover with plastic wrap tucked in the refrigerator for a few hours before the party. Once the guests arrived, pull it out to serve!
  • Use 2-3 Mini Bowls that are orange or white and round or shaped like pumpkins to serve drippy things like Marinated Olives or Marinated Mozzarella Balls (try my recipe!) with appetizer toothpicks.
  • Add Real Flowers, snip a few in dark colors like rust orange or purple daisies, they add a real touch of whimsy, and you can tuck them in at the end.
A charcuterie board filled with different colors and shapes of cheeses for a Fall appetizer board.
Close up of marinated mozzarella balls in a yellow dish on a Thanksgiving charcuterie board.

What To Serve On A Charcuterie Board

  • Dried Fruits are a great addition to your board, try apricots, cherries, cranberries, or figs.
  • Small Cookie Cutters to cut sliced cheese in shapes like pumpkins, leaves, or turkeys. Stack up the cutout cheese, and these are fun for kids.
  • Have a Small Spoon for Dips to make it easier to serve and eat.
  • Put out Small Spreader Knives for dips and cracker spreads.
  • A small container of Appetizer Picks to lift items like Marinated Mozzarella or olives out of small bowls onto plates.
  • Use a Classic Cheese Board Knife Set including a good cheese knife, slicer, fork, and or dip spreaders are a great way to slice and cut items on your board either ahead of time or let your guests do the honors.
  • Cheeses get better at room temperature for up to 4 hours, but you will want to rechill meats like sliced salami after 2 hours to keep it food safe. Also, did you know you can freeze leftover charcuterie meats?
Showing how to cut cheese for a cheeseboard or charcuterie board, including brie, large blocks of cheese and triangle pieces of cheese.
A Thanksgiving cheeseboard filled with gorgeous sliced meats, cheeses, and snacks for a party.

How To Design A Fall Charcuterie Board

The best charcuterie boards have a neat design and appeal but are simple. There really are no strict rules, and no wrong way to build a beautiful board. Here are some top tips I have learned over the years for assembling your gorgeous autumn-themed board.

Once you choose the right board, platter, or serving tray here are some easy ways to build your board. First, consider lining the tray or board with some parchment paper to keep stains off your board or tray. I learned this the hard way and got some marks on my long grazing board, oh well!

  • Traditional Meat is a star of a perfect charcuterie board. Start with sausages and salami both presliced and whole. Meats like prosciutto, ham, and soppressata are also classic additions. You can slice, cube, wrap, fold, stack, or serve meats in many designs like the salami roses you see all over the internet. There are step-by-step instructions below, so read on!
  • Dips or a finger food item are a nice addition! Choose ones that are premade or can be made a day ahead and prepare those first.
A Thanksgiving charcuterie board loaded with sliced meats and cheeses for a party.

Charcuterie Design Tips

  • Choose Some Focal Points for larger items and place the larger items like wheels of brie or salami roses on first. Those are your anchor points and work in odd numbers with large focal points.
  • Empty Spaces can be filled in with small items like roasted or raw nuts, candied pecans, roasted pumpkin seeds, candies, or crackers.
  • Add a Variety of Textures by trying different kinds of crackers, gourmet cheeses, delicious meats, nuts, fruit, and more using them all in various ways. The goal here is to work with different sizes to keep it interesting!
  • Design Top Tip is to add things in small piles, and add other things in equal parts in various patterns like stacks or neat rows. The variation of textures is pleasing to the eye.
A round cheeseboard loaded with Thanksgiving charcuterie cheeses, meats, nuts, fruit and more.

Soft And Hard Cheeses

  • Add 1-2 Hard Cheeses sliced into thin triangles, small cubes, broken into chunks like the English Coastal Cheddar, or served in small wedges with cheese knives for people to slice their own. I found one that was a rust Fall color and a tri-color that looked like the colors of candy corn! I got my cheeses from a Southern California Trader Joe's, but most grocery stores carry a nice variety these days.
  • Add 1-2 Semi Soft Cheeses like brie can be transformed into a centerpiece on your board by cutting out the center using a small cookie cutter. I used a pumpkin shape and filled the center with finely diced dried apricots and a good drizzle of honey. Other semi-soft cheeses like goat cheese or camembert are really popular and add a nice variety.

Fruit, Herbs, And Bread

  • Seasonal Produce like fruits and herbs are great options for your board, try some grapes, apple slices (toss in lemon juice to keep them from browning), or pear slices, or sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top of a piece of soft cheese like brie.
  • Fresh Herbs like rosemary or thyme sprigs can add a lot of dimension and character to goat cheese.
  • A Bread Loaf like sliced French bread or toasted Fall Crostini is great to spread soft cheese on
  • Put some Fig Jam or Apple Butter in a little dish with a spreader knife.
  • Baked Brie in a pastry with cranberry sauce or apricots would be amazing!
A gorgeous Thanksgiving charcuterie board filled with gourmet cheeses, sliced meats, nuts, fruit, crackers, and sliced bread.

Fun Additions And Extras

  • Mini Pumpkins buy real mini orange or white pumpkins, they look so cute, and are a perfect size for a board. You can easily find them at your local grocery store.
  • Marinated Mozzarella Balls or Marinated Olives are super easy, taste delicious, and are a great addition to any classic charcuterie board.
  • Add Fun Foods for kids and adults, some sweet, salty and treats the whole party will adore. There could be smaller items like finger sandwiches, cookies, candy corn pumpkins, mini pumpkin madeleines, or even small slices of Pumpkin Bread or one of four flavors of Holiday Cheese Balls shaped like Christmas tree ornaments!

Sweets And Treats

  • Sweet Treats like Fall Chocolates are a favorite addition or some seasonal candies. I found some foil-wrapped leaf candy from See's Candies in light and dark chocolate. You can order those online, or look in specialty shops.
  • Holiday Treats like Fall Cookies are a nice addition, I have some pumpkin madeleines from Trader Joe's on this board, you can buy them at a bakery. Also, beautifully decorated sugar cookies are a nice addition like ones with leaves, turkeys, or cornucopia cookie designs. Another fun idea is macarons in Fall flavors like fig or apricot. These will usually hold days before the party in an airtight container refrigerated. Another idea is to add some baked mini pies in a variety of flavors!

Ways To Cut Cheeses Creatively

  • Use a fork and break off rustic chunks, I did this on the English white cheddar
  • Slice thin triangle wedges of cheese and stack the pieces going in opposite directions, like the rust-colored cheese you see below
  • Cut cheese blocks into small square cubes for your cheese board
  • Use small seasonal cookie cutters to get different shapes
  • Cut a shape out of a wheel of brie with a cookie cutter and fill the center
  • Roll the cutout portion of brie into crushed cracker crumbs, I used cheddar cheese crackers.
  • Use 3D Thanksgiving-themed cookie cutters and cut shapes out of sliced cheese, these 3D cookie cutters will impress a line design too!

Ways To Slice Charcuterie Meat

  • Cut salami into small square cubes.
  • Make salami roses, they are so easy and such a fun thing on your board!
  • Fold sliced meats in half and fold those ends in, then push two on short skewers, you can trim the skewers short for a pretty look
  • Fold sliced meats into quarters and stack 3 on a skewer, and cut the excess bamboo skewer off.

How To Make Salami Roses

  1. Buy good sliced pepperoni or sliced salami.
  2. Use a smaller glass like a wine goblet or champagne flute.
  3. Layer the salami around the edge of the glass pressing and folding them down as you go.
  4. Go round and round adding more layers and pushing them down into the center.
  5. Flip the glass upside down, and place it down on a plate to see your beautiful salami rose! You can make these a day ahead and store them flat in a zip-top bag on a small plate until you are ready to assemble your board.
What does the term charcuterie mean?


A traditional charcuterie board has a combination of meat and cheeses. Charcuterie is a French word that means cold cooked meats and charcuteries are a store that sells cold cooked meats. A charcuterie board must have meats, and cheeses are quite common but not required. Here are some popular items you will see on a Charcuterie board:

-Dry Cured Salami made of beef or pork and mostly air dried
-Prosciutto is an Italian dry-cured ham
-Sopressata is an Italian dry salami
-Mortadella is an Italian sausage

-Hard Cheese like aged cheddar, chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, and asiago.
-For a firm cheese - use gruyere, Comte, manchego, Colby, cheddar
-Semi-soft cheeses are a nice addition like Havarti, butterkäse, or muenster.
-Soft cheeses - are easy to spread on crostini and crackers, try burrata, mascarpone, mozzarella, or stracchino.
-Blue cheeses - gorgonzola, Dunbarton blue, and marbled blue jack

Looking down on a Thanksgiving charcuterie board filled with Fall colored cheeses, sliced meats, fruit, nuts, chocolates, crackers and more.

Free Thanksgiving Planner!

A little planning goes a long way, put down all your ideas and things that inspire you in this planner. There are spots for everything from deciding on your Thanksgiving menus to a guest list, shopping items, ideas for Thanksgiving decorations, how to put a festive twist on the menu, and more. Happy Thanksgiving!

Download your FREE copy of this 20-page planner and get those party plans started today…

CLICK FOR A FREE THANKSGIVING PLANNER!

More Charcuterie Board Ideas

Here are some perfect appetizer ideas to serve on your board or before Thanksgiving dinner, and my Halloween Charcuterie Board has a spooky twist just for Halloween!

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A bountiful Thanksgiving charcuterie cheeseboard fill with colorful meats, cheeses nuts and more for Thanksgiving.
Print

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Create a gorgeous easy Thanksgiving charcuterie board filled with your favorite sliced meats, an assortment of cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, and a few and sugary treats. A Fall cheeseboard is so easy to put together for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving or Fall gatherings. Make for an after-school snack board for kids, or to host a happy hour for friends with simple appetizers and drinks.
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword thanksgiving appetizers, Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board, Thanksgiving Cheeseboard, Thanksgiving recipes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 283kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces round brie wheel
  • 8 ounces soft cheese (goat cheese, camembert)
  • 8 whole hard cheese
  • 12 ounces assorted crackers
  • 1 cup pistachio nuts
  • 8 ounces sliced salami
  • 1 whole French baguette sliced for crostini
  • 12 ounces marinated mozzarella balls
  • 12 ounces marinated olives
  • 4 ounces dried apricots
  • 1 tablespoon honey, fig jam
  • 1 whole sliced apples or pears
  • 1 cup candied pecans
  • 12 whole mini cookies or cakes; waffle crisps, macarons, madelienes

Instructions

  • How To Design A Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Traditional Meat is a star of a perfect charcuterie board. Start with sausages and salami both presliced and whole. Meats like prosciutto, ham, and soppressata are also classic additions. You can slice, cube, wrap, fold, stack, or serve meats in many designs like the salami roses you see all over the internet!
    Dips or a finger food item are a nice addition! Choose ones that are premade or can be made a day ahead and prepare those first.
    Choose some focal points for larger items and place the larger items like wheels of brie or salami roses on first. Those are your anchor points and work in odd numbers with large focal points.
    Empty Spots can be filled in with small nuts, candies, or crackers. Add Different Textures by trying different kinds of crackers, cheeses, meats nuts and cut them all in various ways.
    Design Top Tip is to add things in small piles, and add other things in equal parts in various patterns like stacks or neat rows. The variation of textures is pleasing to the eye.
    Add 1-2 Hard cheeses sliced into thin triangles, small cubes, broken into chunks, or served in small wedges with cheese knives for people to slice their own. I found one that was a rust Fall color and a tri-color that looked like the colors of candy corn! I got my cheeses from a Southern California Trader Joe's, but most grocery stores carry a nice variety these days.
    Add 1-2 Semi Soft Cheeses like brie can be transformed into a centerpiece on your board by cutting out the center using a small cookie cutter. I used a pumpkin shape and filled the center with finely diced dried apricots and a good drizzle of honey. Other semi-soft cheeses like goat cheese or camembert are really popular and add a nice variety.
    Fruits & Herbs are great options try some dark color purple grapes or sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top of a piece of soft cheese like brie. Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme sprigs can add a lot of dimension and character.
    Food Safety is important, cheeses get better at room temperature for up to 4 hours, but you will want to rechill meats like sliced salami after 2 hours to keep it food safe. Also, did you know you can freeze leftover charcuterie meats? You can pre-cut your cheese and meats the day before and assemble the day before and keep them chilled in small containers. Then put your tray together the morning of your party and pull it out when guest arrive!
  • Different Ways To Slice Charcuterie Meats
    -Cut salami into small square cubes
    -Make salami roses, they are so easy and such a fun thing on your board!
    -Fold sliced meats in half and fold those ends in, then push two on short skewers, you can trim the skewers short for a pretty look.
    -Fold sliced meats into quarters and stack 3 on a skewer, and cut the excess bamboo skewer off.
  • Creative Ways To Slice Cheese
    -Use a fork and break off rustic chunks, I did this on the English white cheddar
    -Thinly slice a triangle wedge of cheese and stack the pieces going in opposite directions, or lay all pointing in same direction
    -Cut cheese blocks into small square cubes for your cheese board
    -Use small seasonal cookie cutters to get different shapes
    -Cut a shape out of a wheel of brie with a cookie cutter and fill the center
    -Roll the cutout portion of brie into crushed cracker crumbs, I used cheddar cheese crackers
    -Use 3D cookie cutters and cut shapes out of sliced cheese, these 3D cookie cutters will impress

Video

Notes

What To Use For Your Board?

  • a large cutting board will work really well, just give it a good clean. They can be round, square, or rectangular in shape.
  • an extra large board is also fun for a party, like a long 4' grazing board to put down the center of a long table.
  • a large tray, use black, orange, purple, or green! I used a round tray with a black metal rim. The sides of this tray helped to hold the stacks of crackers upright and other items, but this is totally optional.

How To Make Salami Roses

  1. Buy good sliced pepperoni or sliced salami.
  2. Use a smaller glass like a wine goblet or champagne flute.
  3. Layer the salami around the edge of the glass pressing and folding them down as you go.
  4. Go round and round adding more layers and pushing them down into the center.
  5. Flip the glass upside down, and place it down on a plate to see your beautiful salami rose! You can make these a day ahead and store them flat in a zip-top bag on a small plate until you are ready to assemble your board.
Party Planning for the number of guests, and have everything ready to go before your party! You can cut the cheeses the day before, then assemble the board in about 15 minutes.
Use 2-3 Small Bowls that are black, orange, or white and round or shaped like pumpkins to serve drippy things like marinated olives or mozzarella balls.
Real Flowers, snip a few in dark colors like orange or purple daisies, they add a real touch of whimsy, and you can tuck them in at the end.
Small Cookie Cutters to cut sliced cheese in shapes like pumpkins, leaves, or turkeys. Stack up the cutout cheese, and these are fun for kids.
Have a Small Spoon for Dips to make it easier to serve and eat. Put out Small Spreader Knives for dips and cracker spreads. A small container of Appetizer Picks to lift items like marinated mozzarella or olives out of small bowls onto plates.
Themed Charcuterie Boards are all the rage, try a movie night themed snacks board, so many people make these with the new movie releases at Thanksgiving. 
Classic Cheese Board Knife Set including a good cheese knife, slicer, fork, and or dip spreaders are a great way to slice and cut items on your board either ahead of time or let your guests do the honors.

Nutrition

Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 662mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 1mg

Halloween Candy Board

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Last Updated April 25th, 2024 at 12:17 pm by Lisa

Make a Halloween Candy Board filled with whimsical classic treats, chocolate candies, lollipops, and slightly gross gummy sweets...

Halloween Candy Boards Ideas

Add your favorite candy choices like gummy worms, sugared jelly brains, skulls, or bones, Mellocream candy pumpkins, caramel apple lollipops, and small candy eyeballs are a great addition.

Themed boards are so popular right now, and you can design them around the theme of your party.

  • 6 ounces Brach's Mellocream Pumpkins or Candy Corn
  • 12 Candy Eyeballs
  • 6 ounces Red Vines Black Licorice
  • 6 Halloween Cookies
  • 8 ounces See's Black and Orange Twists
  • 12 ounces See's Black Licorice Medallions
  • 8 ounces See's Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Foil Balls
  • 7 ounces See's Candies - Orange Chocolate Creams
  • 1 box Gummy Candy Spooky Selection Pimlico Confections
  • 3 whole See's Candies Caramel Apple Lollipops
  • 3 whole See's Candies Chocolate Orange Lollipops
  • 1 package Color Gumballs - orange, black, green and purple
A Halloween candy board on a black tray loaded with cute candy for a party including pumpkins, licorice, mints, lollipops and gummy candy.

Halloween Party Candy Board Tips

  1. How To Design A Candy Board, start with a board or tray, I used an inexpensive plastic black pumpkin tray. You can stack, pile, line up, or put wrapped treats in many designs.
  2. Choose Focal Points in odd numbers of larger items and place them first as anchor focal points. Use things like chocolate candies in paper cups, cookies, or lollipops as anchor points.
  3. Design things in small piles, and add others in equal parts in various patterns like stacks, piles, or neat rows. The variation of textures is pleasing to the eye.
  4. Small Bowls are a nice addition, I used some black ones with a pumpkin shape! And they look great with unwrapped candy you want to feature like the black and orange twists or bright-colored gumballs that roll around. Then, put a creepy gummy snake on top or a little plastic spider!
  5. Lollipops can be decorated with little candy eyeballs. Glue those on with some frosting and tie them with ribbon to plastic Dracula teeth!
  6. Empty Spots can be filled in with small items like wrapped foil chocolate balls or smaller sweets like candy corn or gummies.
  7. Add Different Textures by trying different kinds of candy, long licorice can be tied into knots, pile up the candies like black licorice medallions, or the fabulous sugary Dracula fangs!

Spooky Season Candy Shopping

Halloween candy charcuterie board ingredients are so fun to shop for, and every year the candy options get better. Whether you go totally gory with body part candy or keep it adorable and cute, there are endless confection choices.

All kinds of sweets and candy on a Halloween candy board at a party.

I found a wonderful box of spooky gummy candy at TJ Maxx Homegoods, full of creepy sugar gummies. Oh, and it's such a good excuse to hit your local stores and buy candy in the candy aisle or order them online! I also went to my local See's Candies in Southern California and had so much fun picking up some really cute candy.

Halloween Candy Shopping List

The candy manufacturers come out with new flavors every year to delight customers, classic candies are reinvented into new colors, flavors, and shapes just for the Halloween season. Any of these will be a favorite for trick or treaters and will go perfectly on your candy tray...

  • Gummy Candy Body Parts
  • Mini M&Ms, Twix, Snickers, or Hershey's
  • Whole Chocolate Bars
  • M&M's Ghoul Mix (orange, purple, green)
  • Pretzels or Popcorn
  • Sour Brite Crawlers
  • Reeses Peanut Butter Pumpkins
  • Kit Kat Witches Brew
  • Hershey's cookies and cream fangs
  • Wax Teeth
  • Candy Corn
  • Gummy Worms Candy
  • Kit Kat Pumpkin Pie
  • Pixie Sticks or Smarties
  • Chocolate Skulls
  • Starburst, Skittles, or Nerds
  • Poprocks or rock candy
  • Hershey's Halloween Shapes Snack Size
  • Peeps: ghost, pumpkin, or Frankenstein
  • Brain, Skull, Skeleton, or Bone Gummies
  • Brachs Mellowcream Pumpkins
  • Reese’s peanut butter cups
  • Swedish fish
  • Sour Patch Kids

Candy Board Theme Ideas

Chose a theme, it makes your candy board so fun to design and shop for...

  • Whimsical Black & White Theme
  • Pink Sparkly Glamour Board
  • Gory, Gross, Bloody, and Scary
  • Classic Classy Orange and Black
  • Dia De Los Muertos - Day Of The Dead
  • Hocus Pocus Movie Night - Orange, Purple, and Green
  • Skulls, Bones, Tombstones & Graveyard
  • Creepy, Crawly, Bugs, and Critters
  • Old Fashioned Classic Trick or Treat Candy
  • Pirates Of Caribbean Island Board
  • Harry Potter Magical Wizard Board
  • Darkness Board - Black and Purple Board
Why do we Trick or Treat at Halloween?


Handing out candy has not always been a Halloween tradition. In fact, the early roots of our modern celebrations date back well over 2,000 years to early Celtic festivals. It was believed that ghosts would wreak havoc on crops and cause other mischief. So villagers dressed in costumes to scare the ghosts away and served an elaborate feast.
500 years later in the Middle ages, people still dressed in costume but began going door to door singing and dancing in exchange for food and drink. And Halloween as we know it today began.

In modern times, the history of saying Trick-Or-Treat on Halloween night is now a tradition, as children expect a gift in exchange for not causing mischief. They will knock on their neighbor's door for some candy, money, toys, or other goodies!

Free Halloween Planner!

A little planning goes a long way, put down all your ideas and things that inspire you in this planner. There are spots for everything from your guest list, to shopping items, ideas for decorations, how to put a spooky twist on the menu, and more. Happy Halloween!

Download your FREE copy of this planner and get those party plans started today…

CLICK FOR A FREE HALLOWEEN PLANNER! 🎃👻🍭
A two page Halloween planner to plan the best food and decorations for a Halloween party.

More Halloween Food Ideas

200+ of the best Halloween Recipes from inspiring Food Blogger friends! Whether you are having a spectacular costume party on October 31st or cooking up spooktacular delicious recipes for a creepy food dinner for the family.

Halloween Deviled Eggs are spooky party appetizers with dark black crackled egg shells filled with bright orange filling. This classic simple appetizer is easy to make ahead and have with drinks. Create a spooktacular Halloween Charcuterie Board filled with your favorite sliced meats, an assortment of cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, and a few spooky and sugary treats. A spooky charcuterie board or cheese boards are they are known, are such an easy way to make party food!

Bake a spooky Chocolate Graveyard Cake with orange and chocolate marbled cake inside, and a cemetery all made in chocolate!

Build a fun and super easy Halloween snack board tray with your favorite chip, crackers, sweet treats, pretzels, popcorn, and spooky candy eyes! Mix up a batch of these emerald green Witches Brew Midori Sours. Add some spooky bones and magical edible drink glitter with bubbly mixers to enchant your guests!

Halloween Drinks & Appetizers

There are over a dozen of the Best Halloween Punch Ideas here from making different colors, sherbet punches, creative garnishes, ice rings, and even how to use dry ice for punch.

Halloween Gingerbread Houses are a whimsical table centerpiece for your Halloween party or to enjoy in your home all spooky season. After all, it is all about the candy.

Decorate your Halloween Candy Bark with lots of sweets, colorful sprinkles, and spooky eyes...👀🎃 You can use chocolate chips or white chocolate!

Bake these Halloween Cupcakes topped with fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting that are not too scary and pretty darn cute...

Candy Corn Martinis are perfect for parties, have lots of fun chilling out with these, oh and homemade candy corn vodka is super easy to make!

Parties are all about serving haunted food and creepy drinks like mini Halloween Pizzas. Decorate with one of the six ideas here, choose a Jack-O-Lantern, Dracula, Frankenstein, Monster, Mummy, or Ghost! Halloween Sandwiches are the perfect party food for a crowd. Serve a big sub sandwich with spooky decorations like cheese teeth and edible eyeballs.

Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

A Halloween candy board on a black tray loaded with cute candy for a party including pumpkins, licorice, mints, lollipops and gummy candy.
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Halloween Candy Board

Make a Halloween Candy Board filled with whimsical classic treats, chocolate candies, lollipops, and slightly gross gummy sweets. Add your favorite candy choices like gummy worms, sugared jelly brains, skulls, or bones, Mellocream candy pumpkins, caramel apple lollipops, and small candy eyeballs are a great addition for your Halloween party.
Course Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword Halloween appetizers, Halloween candy board, Halloween cheeseboard, Halloween party food ideas, Halloween Recipes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings 48
Calories 118kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces Brachs Mellocream Pumpkins or Candy Corn
  • 12 Candy Eyeballs
  • 6 ounces Red Vines Black Licorice
  • 6 whole Target Halloween Cookies
  • 8 ounces See's Black and Orange Twists
  • 12 ounces See's Black Licorice Medallions
  • 8 ounces See's Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Foil Balls
  • 7 ounces See's Candies - Orange Chocolate Creams
  • 1 box Gummy Candy Sweets Spooky Selection Pimlico Confections
  • 3 whole See's Candies Caramel Apple Lollipops
  • 3 whole See's Candies Chocolate Orange Lollipops
  • 1 package Color Gumballs orange, purple, black, green

Instructions

  • How To Design A Halloween Candy Board Start with a board or tray, I used an inexpensive plastic black pumpkin tray. You can stack, pile, line up, or put wrapped treats in many designs.
  • Choose Focal Points in odd numbers of larger items and place them first as anchor focal points. Use things like chocolate candies in paper cups, cookies, or lollipops as anchor points.
  • Design things in small piles, and add others in equal parts in various patterns like stacks, piles, or neat rows. The variation of textures is pleasing to the eye.
  • Small Bowls are a nice addition, I used some black ones with a pumpkin shape! And they look great with unwrapped candy you want to feature like the black and orange twists or bright-colored gumballs that roll around. Then, put a creepy gummy snake on top or a little plastic spider!
  • Lollipops can be decorated with little candy eyeballs. Glue those on with some white frosting and tie them with ribbon to plastic Dracula teeth!
  • Empty Spots can be filled in with small items like wrapped foil chocolate balls or smaller sweets like candy corn or gummies.
  • Add Different Textures by trying different kinds of candy, long licorice can be tied into knots, pile up the candies like black licorice medallions, or the fabulous sugary Dracula fangs!

Video

Notes

What To Use For Your Board?

  • a large tray, use black, orange, purple, or green!
  • a large cutting board works really well, just give it a good clean. They can be round, square, or rectangular in shape.
  • an extra large board is also fun for a party, like a long 4' grazing board to put down the center of a long table.
Use 2-3 Small Bowls that are black, orange, or white and round or shaped like pumpkins to serve small things like candy corn.
Small Baked Cookies in shapes like pumpkins, ghosts, coffins, bats, and spider webs. Stack up the cookies, and these are so fun for kids. You can also add some Halloween Cupcakes!
Themed Charcuterie Boards are all the rage, pick a color theme, scary and gory, or make a glamourous sparkly board.  A Hocus Pocus movie night-themed board with candy is a huge hit with so many people.
Plastic Spiders add that little spooky season touch crawling across.

Nutrition

Serving: 36g | Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 0.2mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg