Across Europe, food takes centre stage during the festive season, uniting loved ones and celebrating generosity, warmth, and tradition. Whether it’s dry fruits, whipped cream, boiled potatoes, or indulgent desserts, Christmas meals are carefully prepared and deeply cherished.
Let’s take a culinary journey through Europe’s most beloved Christmas traditions.
Finland
Finnish Christmas meals include swede and carrot casseroles, potato casserole, dill-cured salmon, leafy green salads, and rosolli a creamy beetroot, carrot, apple, and potato salad. These dishes are usually served together on one generous plate.
Russia
In Russia, the main winter feast takes place on December 31, while Christmas Day is more modest. Meals often feature pasta with pork, salad, tomatoes, cheese, and sliced sausage.
Many Russians fast on Christmas Eve until the first star appears. A symbolic dish called sochivo a porridge made from rice or wheat with honey, fruit, nuts, and seeds represents unity and good fortune.
Spain
Spanish Christmas feasts are rich and diverse. They often begin with chicken noodle soup containing boiled eggs, chickpeas, and even peppermint.
Starters include jamón, prawns, salchichón sausage, and Manchego cheese. The main course is usually sirloin steak marinated in fresh orange juice, served with blue cheese rolls.
Dessert is turrón, a traditional nougat made from almonds, honey, sugar, and egg whites.
France
French families enjoy cold meats and cheeses, pork dishes wrapped in cabbage, or roasted duck, turkey, or venison. Many celebrate with a festive meal on Christmas Eve or after midnight mass.
The iconic dessert is Bûche de Noël, a yule log cake served with fresh cream.
Estonia
Estonians often enjoy duck breast with mashed potatoes, seafood platters, wholemeal bread with butter, and homemade mayonnaise.
Montenegro & 🇱🇻 Latvia
Montenegrin Christmas meals include special dumplings, pickled whitefish, sauerkraut, and mushrooms, followed by kutia, a dessert made from wheat, honey, raisins, poppy seeds, and nuts.
Latvians enjoy similar traditions with pickled vegetables, smoked meats, and potatoes.
Ukraine
Ukrainians traditionally serve 12 dishes, including varenyky (dumplings) filled with potatoes or mushrooms and topped with sour cream or mushroom sauce.
A Celebration of Culture Through Food
From sweet breads and festive cakes to hearty roasts and symbolic porridges, Christmas meals across Europe showcase rich traditions, history, and family values. While ingredients may differ, the spirit of togetherness remains the same making Christmas dinner a true reflection of culture and celebration.