20 Ultimate Christmas Steak Dinner Ideas

Need a break from prime rib and ham?

Tomahawk beef steak with mushrooms, burrata and sage potato wedges


Eugene Mymrin / Getty Images

While a traditional Christmas dinner is nice, there are no rules about what you have to serve during the holidays. For a celebratory meal that's a little different, consider a multi-course Christmas steak dinner that's sure to impress everyone.

The star of this menu is—obviously—a perfectly seared steak, but like any good holiday meal, sides are equally important. You'll find accompaniments that will pair wonderfully with your meaty entree, from appetizers, soups, and salads to the all-important potato side dishes. Since it's also the season of indulgences, scrumptious desserts, and a couple of cocktails and mocktails are a must as well.

  • 01 of 20

    Steakhouse-Style Steak

    Filet Mignon

     

    Boyrcr420 / Getty Images

    It's often best to keep the steak recipe simple, and the key to making your dinner special is to choose a great cut. It's a perfect excuse to splurge on a prime filet mignon, rib-eye, or T-bone. Cooking a steakhouse-style steak is easy in your kitchen is easy; just sear the meat on the stovetop, and finish it in the oven. A quality meat thermometer helps ensure the steaks are cooked to perfection.

  • 02 of 20

    Herb-Crusted Filet Mignon

    Herb-Crusted Filet Mignon

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

    Flavored with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram, this herb-crusted filet mignon recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. You'll want to let the steaks marinate for a few hours, and while the recipe is designed to be grilled, you can also cook the filet mignon in the kitchen during inclement weather.

  • 03 of 20

    Tomahawk Rib-Eye Steak

    Tomahawk rib eye steak recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

    Tomahawk rib-eyes are the pinnacle of luxurious steak cuts. Ordering it at a restaurant will cost you, but you can cut the price significantly by making it at home, and one steak can easily feed two people. This tomahawk steak recipe will walk you through the steps, from roasting the garlic to plating it for an amazing presentation.

  • 04 of 20

    Garlic-Sage Steak Topping

    Steak with herb butter

     

    StockNinja / Getty Images 

    While your steak will be delicious unadorned, you may want to offer guests a seasonal topping, and this garlic-sage butter is perfect for the occasion. It's easy to make ahead of time, requires no cooking, and works on any steak.

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  • 05 of 20

    Oysters Rockefeller

    Oysters Rockefeller

    Joseph De Leo / Getty Images

    When you really want to replicate the restaurant experience, few appetizers can beat oysters Rockefeller. Surprisingly simple to make, your guests will appreciate the effort you put into bringing these classic oysters on the half-shell to the holiday table.

  • 06 of 20

    Spanakopita Bites

    Spanakopita Bites: Spinach and Feta Cheese Appetizers

    The Spruce Eats / Eric Kleinberg

    While you're finishing the steak, treat your holiday crowd to tasty spanakopita bites. These appetizers include everything that's great about the original Greek spinach and feta cheese dish but simply packed into mini phyllo pastry shells.

  • 07 of 20

    Bistro Salad With Warm Goat Cheese Croutes

    French Bistro Salad With Warm Goat Cheese Croutes

    The Spruce Eats / Abbey Littlejohn

    Starting any steak dinner off with a side of greens is a great way to go. For the holiday, go with an upgraded bistro salad with warm goat cheese croutes. The classic French dish coats goat cheese disks with panko and fries them up for a nice contrast to the dressed lettuce.

  • 08 of 20

    Mexican Christmas Eve Fruit Salad

    Mexican Christmas eve fruit salad recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

    A fresh fruit salad is a light and refreshing surprise before a meat-heavy meal. This stunning fruit salad recipe is traditionally served in Mexico on Christmas Eve and it's a great complement to steak. Filled with fresh or canned beets, lettuce, apples, pineapple, orange, lime, and pomegranate, the dish is unique and looks fabulous on the table.

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  • 09 of 20

    French Potato and Leek Soup

    Irresistible French Potato and Leek Soup

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    Potato and leek soup is a favorite for the winter months and a comforting way to kick off your meal. It requires just a few ingredients to create a creamy texture that's simply irresistible. Better yet, you can prepare it ahead of time and reheat it just before dinner.

  • 10 of 20

    French Onion Soup

    Easy French onion soup recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

    It may surprise you that a homemade French onion soup requires only a handful of ingredients. The soup is made with sautéed onions and beef broth, then adorned in the bowl with toasted cheesy French bread. It's not too hearty and leaves plenty of room for the main course.

  • 11 of 20

    Mini Crustless Spinach and Mushroom Quiches

    Mini Crustless Spinach and Mushroom Quiches

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Mini spinach and mushroom quiches are adorable and tasty additions to any dinner. Made without a crust, these little bites can take the place of bread and be served throughout the meal, either as part of the soup and salad course or to accompany the main entrée. You can even make them days in advance, then reheat the frozen quiches right before dinner.

  • 12 of 20

    Cabbage au Gratin

    cabbage gratin

    Brian Hagiwara / Photolibrary / Getty Images

    Cabbage is at its best in the winter. Take advantage of this seasonal produce by whipping a tempting cabbage au gratin. It's an ideal side for steak and can be baked while you're cooking the meat so everything is ready for the table at the same time.

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  • 13 of 20

    Roasted Potatoes With Basil, Thyme, and Garlic

    Roasted Potatoes recipe

     The Spruce Eats

    Steak and spuds are a natural pairing. If you go with the cheesy cabbage dish, it's best to keep the potato side simple. That's where this roasted potato recipe comes into play. The cubes are slow-roasted with a flavorful mix of basil, thyme, and garlic, and any leftovers will be great for breakfast, too.

  • 14 of 20

    Flaky Biscuits

    Flaky Biscuits

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

    Homemade bread is excellent for the holidays, but if you're looking for something that's super easy to make, try these flaky biscuits. Even new bakers can pull off this recipe because it requires a few kitchen staples and no special skills.

  • 15 of 20

    Chocolate Candy Cane Cake

    Chocolate Candy Cane Cake

    The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth LaBau

    Holiday desserts can be as decadent as you like, and few recipes can beat this chocolate candy cane cake. It features candy cane-studded buttercream between yummy layers of chocolate cake, and it's topped with mint-chocolate frosting. It's an absolutely delicious way to finish off your meal.

  • 16 of 20

    Snickerdoodle Crème Brûlée

    Snickerdoodle Creme Brulee

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    A rich and creamy custard is another sweet idea that's ideal for the holidays. The snickerdoodle crème brûlée is a fun twist on the traditional steakhouse dessert. It's also relatively simple to make since you only need a handful of pantry staples. Guests will love the cinnamon flavor reminiscent of snickerdoodle cookies. The caramelized sugar on top finishes this lovely dessert off with sophisticated perfection.

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  • 17 of 20

    Maple Walnut Cheesecake

    Maple walnut cheesecake recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

    Cheesecake is always a fabulous way to end a meal, and the maple walnut cheesecake has a cozy, comforting flavor that is ideal for winter celebrations. The graham cracker crust includes chopped walnuts and brown sugar, while the filling gets a dose of rich maple syrup. If you want to take it a step further, top it with maple-infused whipped cream or a homemade maple cream sauce.

  • 18 of 20

    Rustic Manhattan

    Rustic Manhattan Cocktail

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    A steak dinner is a great excuse to mix up an impressive cocktail. For whiskey lovers, the rustic Manhattan is an excellent choice. This simple twist on the classic drink uses apple whiskey and raspberry-infused vermouth. The fruits are a refreshing complement to red meat and all the sides.

  • 19 of 20

    Pomegranate Gin Fizz

    Pomegranate Gin Fizz

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    Gin is an excellent dinner companion and pomegranates are among the season's peak fruit. The two come together in this lovely pomegranate gin fizz. The gin is accented with pomegranate liqueur and lavender syrup, and you can add an egg white for a frothy top or keep it simple with soda. Be sure to garnish with pomegranate seeds for a festive touch.

  • 20 of 20

    Sundowner

    Sundowner Mocktail

    The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner

    For a simple but satisfying mocktail that everyone can enjoy, go with the sundowner. Made with white grape juice and sparkling water, the transparent taste is a brilliant palate cleanser that makes every bite of food that much more enjoyable.