Ever wondered what people from other countries eat at Christmas dinner?
Here’s a list of 29 delicious Christmas meals from all over the world.
Argentina – Vitel Toné
This dish comes from the Italian immigrants in Argentina in the late 1800s/early 1900s and is a platter of sliced veal covered in a tuna sauce and capers. It is surprisingly light and the flavors all compliment one another.
Austria – Sachertorte
This chocolate sponge and apricot jam cake was invented by a 16-year-old in Vienna. Ingredients: eggs, all-purpose flour, almond flour or blanched almonds, salt, unsalted butter, sugar, bittersweet chocolate, apricot preserves, light corn syrup, rum, unsweetened whipped cream | Get the full recipe at foodandwine.com
Brazil – Ceia de Natal
This Brazilian Christmas turkey feast is unlike anything else, with a marinade made from champagne and spices. Ingredients: champagne, onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar, olive oil, bay leaves, lime juice, scallions, parsley, salt, black pepper, bacon, peaches in light syrup, eggs, pitted prunes, seedless raisins, butter | Get the full recipe at maria-brazil.org
Canada – Chicken Bones Candy
A Canadian Christmas favorite, these candies are beloved by children and adults alike as they are basically cinnamon tootsie roll pops (with creamy milk chocolate in the center).
Denmark – Risalamande
This almond-cherry rice pudding is a holiday staple, and traditionally involves placing a small treat (such as a tiny toy or whole almond) into the mix and rewarding whoever finds it in their bowl. Ingredients: short grain rice, milk, salt, sugar, vanilla extract, whipped cream, almonds, cherry sauce | Get the full recipe at savorychicks.com
England – Mince Pies
These delicate little pies are filled with a fruit-and-beef-suet concoction and are a signal that the holidays are fast approaching. Ingredients: mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, mixed peel), other dried fruit (apricots, glace cherries), apple, orange or clementine zest & juice, brandy or liqueur, sugar, suet | Get the full recipe at hopeeternalcookbook.wordpress.com
Ethiopia – Doro Wat on Injera
This spicy meat stew is perfect on the spongy bliss that is injera. Ingredients: chicken legs, lemon juice, onions, berbere (Ethiopian spice mixture which includes chile pepper, garlic, ginger, dried basil, Ethiopian cardamom, black and white pepper, fenugreek and rue, a bitter shrub), garlic, ginger, eggs, salt, unsalted butter, bishop seed (also known as ajwain, similar to thyme), cardamom seeds, black cumin, koseret (dried woodsy flavored herb, dried oregano can be substituted), teff flour, barley flour wheat flour | Get the full recipe at cookingchanneltv.com
Finland – Porkkanalaatiko
This spiced carrot casserole is Finland’s answer to American Thanksgiving sweet potatoes. Ingredients: rice, milk, carrots, salt, dark brown sugar, eggs, butter, fine bread or cracker crumbs, nutmeg | Get the full recipe at alternativefinland.com
France – Coquilles Saint-Jacques
Scallops with herbs and cheese, served in little shells as an appetizer. Add that to the list of reasons to move to France.
Germany – Stollen Bread
The delicious version of fruit cake, made with rum, spices, and a sugary coating. Ingredients: candied fruit, raisins, dark rum or orange juice, active dry yeast, milk, honey, all-purpose flour, egg, unsalted butter, lemon zest, salt, ground mace, almonds, oil, ground cinnamon, granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar | Get the full recipe at foodnetwork.com
Greece – Avgolemono Chicken Soup
Avgolemono is served as a first course at a Christmas feast, and with its blend of chicken, lemon, egg, and rice is absolutely enticing. Ingredients: olive oil, onion, chicken stock, orzo or rice, chicken breast, salt, lemon juice, eggs, parsley | Get the full recipe at simplyrecipes.com
Guatemala – Tamales Colorados, Negros / Chuchitos
An assortment of tamales is popular among Guatemalan Christmas and New Year and each kind must be eaten one at a time. Ingredients: turkey, white rice, white hominy, shortening or lard, saffron, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, tomatillos, roma tomatoes, red bell peppers, dried hot red chile, dried pasilla or ancho chiles, cinnamon, cloves, French bread, annato seeds, sugar, “Mexican style” chocolate, bottled whole pimientos, capers, olives, almonds, raisins, prunes | Get the full recipe at aharmonyofflavors.com
Hungary – Beigli
Hungarian poppy seed cake is sold everywhere during the Christmas season, but is so much better when you can make it at home. Ingredients: white flour, butter, lard, sugar, 20% fat sour cream, egg, fresh yeast, milk, salt, walnuts, poppy seeds, sugar, lemons, vanilla extract, honey, rum extract, cinnamon | Get the full recipe at budapest-moms.com
Iceland – Hangikjöt
Does anything really beat a smoked leg of lamb? Get the full recipe at icelandreport.blogspot.com
India – Kulkuls
India may have a very small Christian population, but that doesn’t mean the celebration is sparse in any way. Just look at these adorable coconut cookies! Ingredients: Bombay rava/semolina, all purpose flour/maida, wheat flour, sugar, egg, ghee, vanilla essence, salt, oil | Get the full recipe at gharkhana.blogspot.com
Ireland – Spiced Beef
Spiced beef is an Irish holiday favorite and involves a flavorful fruit and spice rub.
Italy – Feast of Seven Fishes
Calamari, linguini with clams, shrimp scampi — everything about this dinner commemorating the wait for the birth of Jesus is absolute perfection. The menu: Baccala Salad, Pasta con le Sarde, Calamari with Potatoes and Peas, Stuffed Calamari, Sauteed Sole with Olives, Whole Roasted Branzino with Fennel and Onions, Lobster Fra Diavolo, Shrimp Scampi | Get the recipes at saveur.com
Japan – Fried Chicken (specifically KFC-brand) and Kurisumasu Keiki
KFC had a very successful Christmas ad campaign in the ’70s and ever since, its fried chicken is a must-have for Japanese Christmas. That, and Kurisumasu Keiki, which is a strawberry sponge cake. Basically, Japan wins Christmas.
Madagascar – Akoho Sy Voania
Chicken-coconut stew over rice is the perfect winter comfort food. Ingredients: chicken, coconut milk, tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger root, coconut oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, cayenne pepper | Get the full recipe at bearskitchen.com
Malta – Imbuljuta tal-Qastan
Heaven exists, and it can be found in this cocoa-chestnut soup. Ingredients: dried chestnuts, cocoa, sugar, tangerine peel | Get the full recipe at vassallohistory.wordpress.com
Mexico – Chiles En Nogada
This festive dish is comprised of meat-stuffed, fire-roasted poblano peppers covered in a creamy walnut sauce and a pomegranate seed garnish. Ingredients: poblano chiles, vegetable oil, ground pork, yellow onion, garlic, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, allspice, vine-ripened tomato, green apple, raisins, dried apricots, pecans, salt, black pepper, walnuts, low fat sour cream, fat free cream cheese, milk, pomegranate, cilantro leaves | Get the full recipe at squirrelbread.wordpress.com
Philippines – Bibingka
This rice-coconut-cheese cake is insanely moist. Ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, rice flour, baking powder, coconut milk or evaporated milk, coconut flakes, cheddar cheese | Get the full recipe at sloblogs.thetribunenews.com
Poland – Bigos
“Hunter’s stew” is a delightful and rich blend of various meats, mushrooms, and cabbage, making it the hearty meal everyone craves on Christmas. Ingredients: dried porcini or other wild mushrooms, bacon fat or vegetable oil, pork shoulder, onion, cabbage, mixed fresh mushrooms, kielbasa or other smoked sausage, smoked ham hock, Polish sausage, fresh sauerkraut, pilsner or lager beer, juniper berries, black peppercorns, caraway seeds, dried marjoram, salt, prunes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, mustard or horseradish | Get the full recipe at simplyrecipes.com
Portugal – Lampreia de Ovos
This sweet egg cake is a Portuguese luxury and is baked in the shape of a sea lamprey.
Romania – Ciorba De Perisoare
Basically a ton of meatballs in a sour vegetable broth. What’s not to love?
Russia – Zakuski
These fishy appetizers feature many sour and salty flavors, making them excellent with shots of vodka. Ingredients: butter, mushrooms, cayenne pepper, scallions, salt, pepper, lemon, sour cream, fresh dill, smoked fish, unsalted butter, eggs, creamed horseradish, feta cheese, garlic, black olives in olive oil, cooked kidney beans, olive oil, plums, prunes, dark brown sugar, red wine vinegar, fresh cilantro and mint | Get the full recipe at splendidtable.org
Spain – Pavo Trufado de Navidad
Turkey stuffed with truffles yessssssss.
Sweden – Janssons Frestelse
Finely cut shoestring potatoes and anchovies make up this tasty casserole.
Venezuela – Hallacas
These little packages of goodness are stuffed with a mixture of capers, raisins, peppers, and various meats and wrapped in maize and plantain leaves.
