What to Eat This Month – December 2024

I love December – I’m sure lots of people do. But it can be a busy old month, so let me help you decide what to eat in December.

It’s a month of celebration, of course. Throughout the northern hemisphere, we battle the darkness with our twinkling lights, cosy fires and celebrations – both Christmas and otherwise.

December can be a month of putting food on the back burner with all of the parties and eating out – but I like to carry on cooking at home. There’s something very kind about nourishing yourself in the winter months.

What to Eat in December – In Season

December in season foods happen to also be those you’ll find plentiful on a Christmas dinner – Brussels sprouts and parsnips are up there!

These are some of the ingredients that are in season in December:

  • Celery
  • Potatoes
  • Turnips
  • Wild mushrooms
  • Parsnips
  • Truffles
  • Beetroot
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cauliflower
  • Apples
  • Clementines
  • Cranberries
  • Duck
  • Turkey
  • Venison
  • Oysters
  • Scallops

Here, I’ve selected some beautiful recipes which are perfect for cooking in December. Simply save the page and use this as your shopping guide for the next 4 weeks!

What to Eat in December – Week 1

A mix of lighter and richer recipes this week, with a soup that’s sure to clear your sinuses. Plus a festive orange and brandy roast duck, and a duck fried rice to use up the leftovers.

1
Carrot and Ginger Soup
Fiery carrot and ginger soup thickened with cannellini beans
Check out this recipe
2
One Pan Tomato and Mozzarella Gnocchi
A simple one pan gnocchi dish with tomato, mozzarella and basil.
Check out this recipe
3
Weeknight sausage and broccoli pasta recipe - Simple family meal
Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
Creamy sausage and broccoli pasta with Parmesan.
Check out this recipe
4
Quick pork tacos recipe with avocado and soured cream topping
15 Minute Pork and Pineapple Tacos
Quick and easy pork and pineapple tacos with avocado and soured cream
Check out this recipe
5
Couscous Stuffed Red Peppers
Baked red peppers stuffed with olive and feta couscous.
Check out this recipe
6
Crispy-skinned roast duck with brandy and honey glaze, ideal for holiday entertaining
Orange and Brandy Roast Duck
Roast duck stuffed with orange, with a brandy and honey glaze.
Check out this recipe
7
Homemade duck fried rice - how to use leftover roast duck
Duck Fried Rice
Fried rice with leftover roast duck and egg, plus spring onions and red bell peppers.
Check out this recipe

What to Eat in December – Week 2

It’s all about comfort this week, with a divine peanut butter curry and an incredible chilli pie! Round out the week with Texan style slow cooked beef and a cottage pie with the leftovers.

8
Peanut Butter Curry
A delicious vegan peanut butter curry with chickpeas and cauliflower.
Check out this recipe
9
Beef chilli pie topped with cheesy nachos
Chilli Pie
A rich beef chilli topped with mashed potato with soured cream and nachos.
Check out this recipe
10
Creamy Chorizo Gnocchi
Delicious, creamy chorizo gnocchi with peas and chives.
Check out this recipe
11
Leek and potato soup on a wooden table in a black bowl
Classic Leek and Potato Soup
The classic, creamy leek and potato soup.
Check out this recipe
12
Pan-fried-salmon-and-noodle-coconut-broth
Pan Fried Salmon with Noodle Broth
Crispy pan fried salmon fillets on top of a fragrant noodle broth
Check out this recipe
13
Golden homemade slow cooked topside of beef
Texan Style Slow Cooked Beef
Topside of beef slow cooked until it falls apart, with a Texan style barbecue rub.
Check out this recipe
14
Close up of leftover beef cottage pie
Leftover Cottage Pie
A delicious beef pie topped with mashed potatoes, made with leftover roast dinner meat and vegetables.
Check out this recipe

What to Eat in December – Week 3

Start the week with an incredible beef and Guinness stew, and enjoy a midweek Christmas pasta recipe.

15
Beef and Guinness Stew
A seriously tasty beef and Guinness stew
Check out this recipe
16
Vegetarian Christmas pasta with figs green olives and ricotta in a white bowl on a wooden table
Christmas Pasta with Figs, Green Olives and Ricotta
Vegetarian festive pasta with figs, green olives, ricotta and thyme.
Check out this recipe
17
Pomegranate, Feta and Chickpea Salad
A fresh, bright and zingy salad with chickpeas, pomegranate, feta and rocket and topped with a mint yoghurt.
Check out this recipe
18
Beetroot Risotto with Goats Cheese
Vibrant beetroot risotto with creamy goats cheese
Check out this recipe
19
Celery Soup
A delicious, simple vegetarian soup with just a handful of ingredients.
Check out this recipe
20
Persian roast spatchcock chicken On a wooden board with potatoes and spring onions
Persian Roast Spatchcock Chicken
Roasted spatchcock chicken with potatoes and a spring onion dressing.
Check out this recipe
21
Leftover Roast Chicken, Leek and Mushroom Filo Pie
A crowd pleasing, impressive but easy pie!
Check out this recipe

What to Eat in December – Week 4

It wouldn’t be Christmas without my Christmas mac and cheese! It’s good enough to feature on your Christmas dinner table! Plus that chicken panang curry is PACKED full of flavour.

22
Chicken Panang Curry
Packed full of flavour, this chicken panang curry with potatoes is perfect served over white rice.
Check out this recipe
23
Coconut and lentil dal with red lentils topped with fried courgettes
Courgette and Coconut Dal
A silky, creamy vegan courgette and coconut dal made with red lentils
Check out this recipe
24
Christmas version of Mac and cheese with sausage pancetta and sage
Christmas Mac and Cheese
This is macaroni cheese for the festive season! With sausage meat, pancetta, sage and cauliflower.
Check out this recipe
25
Cauliflower, Pancetta and Mushroom Bake
An easy, cheesy, low-carb bake
Check out this recipe
26
Rich Mushroom Soup
Check out this recipe
27
Roast Duck with Chips and Hoisin Sauce
Delicious roasted duck served with chips and an incredible hoisin sauce. This recipe will serve at least 4.
Check out this recipe
28
Hoisin Duck Stir Fry
A simple and quick hoisin duck stir fry with homemade hoisin sauce
Check out this recipe

More from this series;

What to Eat This Month – March

What to Eat This Month – April

What to Eat This Month – May

What to Eat This Month – June

What to Eat This Month – July

What to Eat This Month – August

What to Eat This Month – September

What to Eat This Month – October

What to Eat This Month – November 2024


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Hi there!

I’m Harriet, writer and cook, and I’m so pleased to have you here! I love nothing more than cooking delicious food and sharing it with the world. You can find out more about me here.