Here are the 25 Best French Holiday recipes, made simple, which are sure to impress your guests this holiday season. Whether served at a holiday cocktail party or the starring attraction at Thanksgiving or Christmas, these dishes will elevate your holiday menu. From French Onion Soup Gratinรฉe to Duck Magret with squash and apples to the best crรจme brulรฉe recipe ever, you will find everything you need to host your next Holiday dinner party here.
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French Christmas Traditions
There is something so incredibly magical about French Christmas Traditions. The French Riviera, in particular, does Christmas so well. The backdrop of the mediterranean sea, the convergence of cultures, (Provence! Italy! North Africa!) and the glitter of the Riviera makes for a stunning month of December.
You can read more about French Christmas Traditions in particular in the post I shared here: French Christmas Traditions: The French Riviera or about New Year's Traditions with French Themed New Year's Eve at home or 6 Tips for Hosting a Chic French Themed New Year's Eve Party
You will also love my posts on Micro habits for Stress-free cooking and How to host a Dinner Party
French Christmas Foods
In this post I outline over 25 French Christmas foods, made simple, to bring joy to your household this holiday season.
French Holiday Appetizers:
How to serve Caviar
Here is how to serve (and enjoy!) caviar like a seasoned pro. Caviar is a true delicacy, the salty bubbles pop in your mouth like Champagne. A tiny little bit is all you need.ย
Note - this recipe is for 4-6. If you are 2-3 people a 30 gram container of caviar is sufficient.
Authentic Olive Tapenade
Authentic Provenรงal Olive Tapenade is a delicious spread of olives, garlic, capers andย anchovies, that is served in the South of France.
L'Apรฉro - Cocktail Hour
LโApรฉro When we lived in Nice, Le Chef and I loved inviting friends over for LโApรฉro at our house. Similar to cocktail hour but with more food, LโApรฉro is an informal, yet chic, way to entertain that does not require a lot of investment or preparation and creates a wonderful evening!
How to make a French Cheese board
This post includes everything you need to make a perfect French Cheese board. With a focus on quality, not quantity, a French board is simple to make with a few tips! 3 well chosen cheeses, a few slices of apple and some dried fruits, a little bowl of honey and perhaps some fig jam et
How to make a French Charcuterie Board
Everything you need to know about making a French Charcuterie Board. Whether it is for date night, a sit down dinner party, a potluck or an apรฉro dinatoire (also known as a cocktail dinatoire or heavy cocktail), here are some simple tips to making a perfect charcuterie board. The French call it a "planche de
French Cheese Board (though the French usually serve Cheese before the dessert course.. unless you are hosting a cocktail party - then it is perfectly correct to serve cheese at the same time as everything else)
French Holiday Soups:
Do yourself a favor and make a big pot of vegetable soup before the start of the holidays. It freezes beautifully and will offer you a light, healthy meal when you need to balance out all the Christmas Cookies and Roasts.
Chicken, Leek & Potato Soup
Looking for a quick and healthy, yet flavorful, meal in a bowl that is as comforting as a hug from Grandmaman? This Chicken, leek and potato soup is for you!
The aroma from the kitchen will call your family to the table. There is nothing more cozy on a cold day than this hearty soup.
Creamy Butternut squash Soup with Crispy Sage
This creamy butternut squash soup with crispy sage garnish is warm & comforting. Simple to cook yet impressive to serve, just as I love! The crispy sage garnish and subtle taste of sage in the soup elevates the dish so that it is fancy enough to serve for a dinner party.
La Poule au Pot - the easiest way to cook a whole chicken
La Poule au Pot is a fancy French chicken soup! Juicy, tender chicken meat that falls off the bone in a delicious, savory broth with big chunks of root vegetables. Delicious and healthy.
This recipe features Le Chef Sรฉbastien's secret ingredients for making an amazing chicken broth. One of the healthiest recipes you will ever make and a French grandmother's cure all for all ailments!
Potage aux Lรฉgumes (French Vegetable Soup)
Potage aux lรฉgumes is a French vegetable soup that has been blended until there are no visible chunks left. Nourishing and flavorful, a good potage is a great way to eliminate food waste and also a French woman's secret weapon for keeping slim.
French Onion Soup Gratinรฉe
I Love EVERYTHING about Le Chef's French Onion Soup Gratinรฉe. The rich, comforting broth. The ooey-gooey cheese pull. The dash of whiskey.ย
Simple Provenรงal Tomato Soup with Goat Cheese Tartines
This Simple Provenรงal Tomato Soup with Goat Cheese Tartines is a family favorite and gives a South of France spin to the American Classic. Adding basil pesto (or fresh basil if it is in season) to the soup at the last minute brings a brightness to the dish that harkens Provence. Paired with a thick slice of garlicky grilled baguette, slathered with creamy, tangy goat cheese and you have the perfect morsel to dunk, over and over again.
Fancy Cream of Cauliflower Soup
Here is a fancy French twist on a classic cream of cauliflower soup that you can make at home today. The roast cauliflower topping, tossed with almond slivers, espelette pepper and flat parsley elevate an everyday dish to a delicious French restaurant-quality experience. The variance of textures are amazing and this dish is satisfying enough to be a meatless meal for your family.
Magical Leek Soup
Magical Leek Soup - the French woman's diet secret, as referenced in "Emily in Paris". Le Chef's Wife twist on the recipe is delicious and family friendly. It tastes like comfort food yet is incredibly healthy for you. Vegan and gluten free. Tasty and pretty enough to be served at a dinner party.
French Holiday Main Dishes
Leek Fondue with Seared Scallops
Golden, pan-seared scallops nestled on a bed of creamy leek fondue with buttery potatoes โ an elegant yet simple French dish you can make in under 25 minutes. Perfect for a romantic meal or a chic dinner party.
Christmas Capon
This Christmas Capon is tender, juicy and flavorful. Served with a luxurious mushroom, white wine and cream sauce, perfect for a holiday meal.
Authentic Swiss Cheese Fondue
Learn to make an authentic Swiss Cheese Fondue. A rich, creamy blend of Swiss cheeses and a no-fail technique to get the perfect fondue. A great recipe to enjoy on a cold winter's night.
Turkey au Vin
A creative French take on the traditional Thanksgiving Meal, this recipe for Turkey au Vin, based on the French Classic, Coq au Vin, makes for a meal to remember. This recipe elevates your cooking to Michelin-star level - whether you are cooking for 2 or for the entire family this Thanksgiving.
Coq au Vin made simple
An iconic French Dish. Chicken that is seared, then braised in a rich red wine sauce that infuses it with so much flavor, you will say, "mmmmm" with every bite. Pearl onions, bacon and mushrooms add a level of flavor complexity, you won't believe you made this dish yourself!
La Daube Provenรงale made simple
A Daube Provenรงale is the South of France version of the classic "Boeuf Bourguignon". Many of the ingredients and methods of cooking are the same, however it is the addition of orange zeste and Niรงois olives that make this dish unforgettable. This is our family recipe, full of French cooking tips. Allons-y!
Classic Beef Bourguignon
This Beef Bourguignon, or "Boeuf Bourguignon" dish is one of the grand classics of French Cuisine, for good reason. Tender chunks of braised beef that melt in your mouth. A rich, winey sauce that envelops the beef and the supple vegetables. A dish you can't resist saying "yum" after just one bite - just like in one of my favorite movies, Julie & Julia.
Coq au Vin Blanc
Coq Au Vin Blanc is a French recipe for a succulent chicken stew made with white wine.
A classic French dish, each forkful melts in your mouth and is so fragrant and flavorful. I confess, I actually prefer Coq au Vin Blanc to the traditional Coq au Vin , made with red wine. The flavor is lighter and incredibly indulgent.
Lemon Thyme French Roast Chicken (Poulet Rรดti)
This Lemon and Thyme French Roast Chicken Recipe (Poulet Rรดti au thym et citron) with Roasted Garlic is one of our family's favorite dishes. The meat is juicy and tender with the delicate perfume from the lemons, garlic and thyme. The skin is crispy and flavorful. Simply exquisite as well as super easy to make!
Roasted Duck Magret with Apples and Squash
This Duck Magret with apples and squash recipe is perfect for a Fall dinner party. The duck breast is seared to perfection, tender & juicy with a light sweetness to it.
Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb
This oven roasted rack of lamb is a luxurious and delicious dish that is always impressive to serve and yet surprisingly easy to cook! The fragrance of the rosemary cooked with the lamb is absolutely irresistible. Your guests will know they are in for a treat the moment they catch the scents wafting from the kitchen. The perfect Easter meal.
Rack of lamb can be expensive to buy, so I understand that cooking it can be intimidating - especially when it is for a special occasion. Have no fear - I will walk you through, step by step, how we roast a rack of lamb in Le Chef's household.
French Holiday Desserts
Nutella Bรปche de Noรซl
Nutella and Chocolate Bรปche de Noรซl cake, a traditional Christmas Yule log or roll cake, that kids will absolutely love. Chocolate sponge cake rolled with Nutella buttercream and topped with dark chocolate ganache, decorated with homemade hazelnut brittle and Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
The 13 Desserts: A Provenรงal Christmas Tradition
This is one French Christmas tradition that is easier to create than it sounds. The 13 Desserts are a Provenรงal Christmas tradition that have much more to do with laying out a sweet spread for your family and guests to pick from then making thirteen intricate desserts. A sweet grazing board, if you will, that
Buche de Noel Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache
A light, airy rolled chocolate cake, filled with an orange zest and Grand Marnier buttercream, covered in a rich dark chocolate Ganache. Perfect for the holidays!
Best Moelleux au Chocolat - Chocolate Lava Cake
Le Chef's Moelleux au chocolat recipe makes for a romantic dark chocolate cake that is rich on the outside and decadently gooey on the inside-ย positively oozing with dark chocolate. Moelleux au chocolat (translation: soft chocolate) is also known as a chocolate lava cake or as a mi-cuit au chocolat. The perfect dessert to make for the one you love.
Portions: 4
Degree of difficulty: โ (simply for the equipment needed and for the bain marie technique)
Chantilly Cream
Looking for a no-fail recipe for fluffy, silky, Chantilly Cream? The perfect topping for fresh fruit, pie, crรจpes, French Toast or hot cocoa...all of the delicious things in life!
This Chantilly cream recipe is super easy dessert to make in just a few minutes.
Mousse au Chocolat (French Chocolate Mousse made simple)
French mousse au chocolat (Chocolate Mousse) will become your family's favorite dessert. A Rich dark chocolate flavor with a light, airy texture and a depth of flavor from the spices. This recipe takes less than a half hour to make (plus a few hours to chill) and can be made a day in advance. No one can resist an "mmmmm" when eating this Mousse!
How to make Crรจme Brรปlรฉe like a French Chef
There is Crรจme Brรปlรฉe, and then there is Le Chef's Crรจme Brรปlรฉe. A rich, decadent and silky smooth cream, flecked with fragrant vanilla bean and a crisp, crackly top that shatters into sugar shards when you break into it. This crรจme brรปlรฉe is absolute perfection - and, with a few insider tips, is easier than you think to make a home. Are you ready to learn how to make Crรจme Brรปlรฉe like a French Chef?ย
Bรปche de Noรซl Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache
Les Treize Desserts - The 13 Desserts a Provenรงal Tradition
Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving is not a French holiday, but that doesn't mean some of your favorite French dishes wouldn't make a chic addition to your traditional Thanksgiving Menu.
I wrote an article about how to host a Thanksgiving Dinner Party that you will enjoy. It includes hosting tips and a selection of elevated Thanksgiving recipes
Here are my favorites:
Creamiest homemade Lobster Mac and Cheese
This recipe makes the absolute creamiest homemade mac and cheese I have ever had. With the addition of lobster, it becomes an elevated comfort dish that you could serve at a chic brunch or dinner party with friends at home.
Did you know that the trick to making an incredibly creamy mac and cheese comes from French Cuisine? It is all in the Mornay!
La Salade Parisienne - the best French Potato Salad
La Salade Parisienne is a fancy Potato salad with a French twist. A sophisticated side dish for your Summer BBQs.
Simple Confit Bayaldi Recipe
Confit Bayaldi is a beautifully presented French Riviera slow cooked vegetarian dish using the same ingredients as a Ratatouille.
A perfect example of French Riviera cooking - Confit Bayaldi uses simple, fresh ingredients, beautifully displayed to create a dish that is memorable and full of flavor but is also surprisingly healthy.
The colors are beautiful and vibrant and the fancy rose shape of the vegetables looks almost too pretty to eat! When cooked just right Confit Bayaldi can be the star of a special brunch table or the dish that everyone asks you the recipe for at a dinner party.
Authentic Ratatouille Recipe
Ratatouille is a delicious & healthy side dish from Provence made of baked eggplant, zucchinis, peppers, tomatoes, garlic and onions, seasoned with fragrant Herbes de Provence. The vegetables are robust in flavor, each distinctly seasoned. Each velvety forkful melts in your mouth, offering the beauty of Provence in each bite.
French Mashed Potatoes
This French Mashed Potatoes recipe makes the most decadent, buttery, melt in your mouth mashed potatoes that everyone will love.
Sautรฉed Haricots Verts (French Green Beans)
Sautรฉed Haricots Verts (French Green Beans) are a great side dish. The melt in your mouth texture, the tang of the garlic butter and the zest of fresh herbs make sautรฉed haricots verts a dinner time favorite.
The best Tomatoes Provenรงale Recipe
This Tomatoes Provenรงale recipe is incredible. Melt in your mouth, velvety tomatoes with a vibrant pesto, made from scratch, and vegan too!
Turkey au Vin
A creative French take on the traditional Thanksgiving Meal, this recipe for Turkey au Vin, based on the French Classic, Coq au Vin, makes for a meal to remember. This recipe elevates your cooking to Michelin-star level - whether you are cooking for 2 or for the entire family this Thanksgiving.
French Holiday Breads
La Pompe ร L'huile: Provenรงal Olive Oil Brioche
French Holiday Cocktails
Vin Chaud au Grand Marnier Recipe
Vin Chaud, also known as Mulled Wine, is a classic Aprรจs-Ski drink. This winter Le Chef taught me how to make his recipe that he learned while working in Courchevel and I don't think I will ever go back to regular mulled wine again!
Kir Royale Cocktail
The Kir Royale Cocktail is chic and refreshing. My favorite cocktail, made with crรจme de cassis and champagne, as seen on Emily in Paris.ย
Olivette Cocktail Recipe (A French Martini with St-Germain)
The Olivette Cocktail is a French Gin martini with the addition of St-Germain liqueur for a sweet, floral note that cuts the bite of the gin. If you wish that you loved a dirty gin martini but find them too strong, the Olivette is for you! A softer alternative to a classic dirty martini that looks exactly the same in the glass.
St-Germain Spritz
This St-Germain Spritz recipe is so easy to prepare but will make you say "oh la la " with the first sip! Light, refreshing and festive, the St Germain Spritz is a great cocktail to serve at a dinner party or for happy hour. Many know this cocktail as a summer spritzer (it pairs perfectly
FAQ
In France, Christmas often begins with oysters or smoked salmon, followed by roasted capon or duck, and finishes with aย Bรปche de Noรซl. Each course is meant to be savored slowly, surrounded by laughter and candlelight.
Select simple but beautiful tablewareโplain white plates or rustic stoneware paired with linen napkins and a few sprigs of fresh herbs. In French cooking, elegance comes from confident simplicity.
Oui โ absolutely. Many of these dishes, fromย Coq au Vinย toย Gratin Dauphinois, scale beautifully for two or four. Simply halve the ingredients and keep the spirit of celebration alive, even for an intimate dinner.
Quite a few can be done ahead: soups simmer, desserts chill overnight, even some mains can be partially prepped and finished later. The trick is to have more time to enjoy your guests rather than spend it in the kitchen.
French holiday meals focus on quality ingredients, careful timing, and a sense of shared pleasure. Each dish โ whether humble or luxurious โ is served with care, creating moments that linger long after the plates are cleared.
I hope you have enjoyed this roundup of my 25 Best French Holiday Recipes...plus a few more. Please leave a comment below if you make any of them - I LOVE to hear from you!
Joyeux Noรซl, mes amis.
Bon appรฉtit,
Le Chef's Wife
ABOUT LE CHEF'S WIFE
Bonjour! I am Anina Belle. I translate the fancy cooking of my Michelin-star trained French Chef Husband, Le Chef, into easy to make dishes that busy people with no culinary training (like me!) can make at home. We have two young kids (8 and 5) and I have a full time job in hospitality in addition to this blog. I strongly believe that even busy people deserve to eat well at home.
Look inside our Kitchen with this Washington Post Article. We were featured on the TODAY SHOW for our recipes of French Onion Soup Gratinรฉe and Moelleux au Chocolat. You can watch our full segment here:
I share our home cooking on Instagram, pinterest and tiktok. Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to receive my new recipes and have advance access to cooking classes. I look forward to cooking with you!
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POPULAR
- Quick Easy French Baguettes (Baking Baguettes for Beginners)
- Magical Leek Soup
- Bone in Ribeye Steak Recipe
- Mediterranean Branzino Filet Recipe with Vierge Sauce
- Lemon Thyme French Roast Chicken (Poulet Rรดti)
- Easy French Crรชpes Recipe
FALL RECIPES
- Le Chef's French Onion Soup Gratinรฉe
- La Salade Parisienne - the best French Potato Salad
- Coq au Vin Blanc
- Turkey au Vin
- Les Petits Farcis Niรงois (or Petits Farcis ร la Provenรงale)
- Mousse au Chocolat (French Chocolate Mousse made simple)
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