Holiday Party Menu Ideas

Dinner Party Diaries – Volume 1 Issue 23 – Holiday Party Menu Ideas

If you’re doing any hosting this season or taking food to someone else’s house, you too may be in need of some Holiday Party Menu Ideas.  Keep reading for my latest suggestions. 

If you’re feeling up to it, use this season’s parties as an excuse to pull out that seasonal decor that you never get to use.

I feel like I should add a note about making sure you get a few healthier items into the mix. (See that green stuff? It counts.)

And remember: you can never have too many cookies!

Party Scope

Number of People: 10 – 25

Serving Style: Buffet

Menu Suggestions

Appetizers

We all know I love appetizers, so I’m biased. However, I’ll also note that they’re great for munching while mingling and visiting. I find them particularly good to have around for long parties as well. We often have people over for a 5 to 8 hour stretch.

Keto Turkey & Dressing Stuffed Mushrooms

Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms

Buffalo Chicken Puffs (Dairy Free, Low Carb)

Harissa Lamb Tartlets with Ricotta-Parmesan (Low Carb) or Put-It-On-Everything Cashew Sauce (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Sugar Free Chocolate Hazelnut Hummus (Vegan, Gluten Free) with BBQ Dusted Keto Flatbread

BBQ Beef Puffs (Low Carb, Dairy Free)

Keto Turkey and Dressing Stuffed Mushrooms

A mix of tender turkey, keto cornbread, and savory herbs and spices all tied together with a blend of Manchego and Mozzarella cheeses, these Keto Turkey and Dressing Stuffed Mushrooms are the perfect appetizer for any occasion.

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Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms

These Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms are loaded with savory pepperoni, garlic, melty mozzarella, tangy parmesan cheese, and a low-carb marinara sauce that’s sure to make your mouth water. Make this for your next party! Your guests will thank you.

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Keto Buffalo Chicken Puffs

If you’re looking for a flavor-bursting party appetizer or quick snack, these Keto Buffalo Chicken Puffs are for you! Not only are they keto-friendly, but they’re dairy-free too. Just make sure to make plenty because these mini muffins are a crowd-pleaser that’ll go fast.

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Harissa Lamb Tartlets

Filled with lamb, spinach, and a zippy harissa infused sauce, these Harissa Lamb Tartlets will make a truly scrumptious appetizer for your next dinner party!

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Put-It-On-Everything Cashew Sauce

I had been looking for a non-dairy topper for my Harissa Lamb Tartlets when I came across this recipe. So good! They're not kidding. You can put this on just about anything.

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Sugar Free Chocolate Hazelnut Hummus (Dairy Free, Vegan)

This Sugar Free Chocolate Hazelnut Hummus is an unexpectedly decadent dessert that also happens to be dairy free and vegan.

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Keto Flatbread

For the BBQ dusting, we just used store bought BBQ dry rub.

These were also great with the "Put-It-On-Everything Cashew Sauce."

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Mains

For holiday parties, I like to lean on entrées that can be entirely prepared in advance and just reheated for service.

Easy Low Carb Pot Roast over Creamy Cauliflower Rice Risotto

Braised Pork All’Arriabbiata

Pumpkin Sage Low Carb Lasagna

Braised Beef in Wine Reduction Sauce

Turkey Roulade

Easy Low Carb Lasagna

Pumpkin Sage Low Carb Lasagna

Made with creamy pumpkin purée, rich ricotta cheese, and savory chorizo or fresh spinach (for the vegetarian version), this Pumpkin Sage Low Carb Lasagna is comfort food with a twist. It’ll make a perfect addition to your next party or weekly meal prep!

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Easy Low Carb Pot Roast

Comfort food at its best, this Easy Low Carb Pot Roast is simple to toss together and then just let cook low and slow. This dish is perfect for a dinner party or a weekend dinner.

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Easy Low Carb Lasagna

Great to make ahead for a party or as part of your weekly meal prep, this Easy Low Carb Lasagna is comfort in a (casserole) dish. Your guests or your family are sure to love it!

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Braised Beef in Wine Reduction Sauce

Cooked to perfection, low and slow, this tender beef paired with a savory sauce made with red wine, herbs, and spices. It’s comfort food at its finest! Great to make ahead for a dinner party or as part of your weekly meal plan, this Braised Beef in Wine Reduction Sauce is a must try!

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Braised Pork All’Arrabbiata

This tasty pulled pork recipe from NY Times Cooking is one of my favorite dinners that's easy to put together and then just let cook while you move on to other things. You can easily tone the spice level up or down to suit your tastes.

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Turkey Roulade

This is my ultimate cheat for turkey! We buy these cooked and ready to just be reheated from our local butcher Ohio City Provisions.

Our version of reheating is to put them in the sous vide for a few hours to save on oven space, but you can do whatever suits your situation. Everything is cooked, so it's just a matter of warming it all up and giving it a nice sear.

See Where I Get It

Sides

The type of party you’re having will help you determine the balance of sides versus appetizers you need. I also find that for parties to which guests want to bring something, sides make good assignments to hand out to them.

Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach

Creamy Cauliflower Rice Risotto

Keto Cornbread

Cranberry Pomegranate Relish

Butternut Squash, Broccoli, and Kale Salad with Roasted Garlic Dressing

Greek Stuffing (Modified)

Squash and Sausage Bake Over Baby Spinach with Feta

Cottage Loaf

Creamy Cauliflower Rice Risotto

Creamy, adaptable, and delicious, this Creamy Cauliflower Rice Risotto is the perfect side dish for many occasions or as a veggie main for an easy weeknight meal. Give this one a try for your next dinner party or weekly meal plan!

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Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach

This Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach is a delectable side that combines the creamy goodness of traditional creamed spinach with the zesty punch of pepper jack cheese and artichoke. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself to a tasty side, this Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach is the perfect addition to any menu.

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Keto Cornbread

This Keto Cornbread recipe from Big Man's World has become my "go to" for keto cornbread. It's easy to make and doesn't use coconut flour. I also use this in my Keto Corn Dog Bites.

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Greek Stuffing (Modified)

(Brought by a Guest)

One of our friends makes a modified version of Greek Stuffing for us, swapping out regular rice for cauliflower rice. It's delicious!

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Cranberry Pomegranate Relish (Modified)

(Brought by a Guest)

One of our friends had done much experimentation in the cranberry relish and cranberry sauce vein of things. This year, she brought a version of this recipe that substitutes the honey with Sukrin Gold Syrup to lower the carb count. It was a very successful experiment!

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Butternut Squash, Broccoli, and Kale Salad with Roasted Garlic Dressing

(Brought by a Guest)

A fantastic winter salad, this is such a nice balance of textures and flavors that you'll have eaten a whole pile of veggies before you even realize it!

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Cottage Loaf

(Brought by a Guest)

A perfect accompaniment to a hearty meal, this Cottage Loaf was great for sopping up any extra sauces or jus! Sticking to my motto "No Sauce Left Behind".

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Desserts

I’m going to have to give a shout out to cookies as a great dessert for holiday parties. Along similar lines to my thoughts on appetizers, they work well for munching while chatting and visiting. Plus many can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen.

Keto Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

Keto Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Cookie Cups

Keto Buckeyes

Keto Butterball Cookie Pops

Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream

Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Keto Buckeyes

With a sweet and creamy peanut butter center and dark chocolate coating, these Keto Buckeyes are rich, decadent, and delicious! Neither you nor your guests will be able to stop with just one.

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Keto Butterball Cookie Pops

With a nutty, rich center and a white chocolate coating, these Keto Butterball Cookies Pops put a fun, low carb twist on an old cookie favorite.

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Keto Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

These Keto Peanut Butter Cookies Cups are chewy delights filled with a gooey center of chocolate salted caramel that will leave everyone begging for more!

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Keto Butter Horn Cookies

A tender cookie dough rolled with a sweet cinnamon nut filling, these Keto Butter Horn Cookies make the perfect addition to any cookie tray. Just make sure you make enough!

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Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream

(Brought by a Guest)

Decadent and delicious, this Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream is a treat for both the eyes and tastebuds!

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Wine Pairings

As I mentioned in my Friendsgiving Ideas post, wine pairing generally depends on the food you’re having. However, for larger scale parties with a wider variety of dishes, that can become more challenging. Here are some of the wines we’re serving at various parties this season.

• Migration Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir
• Peju Sauvignon Blanc
• Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs Late Disgorged
• Schramsberg Brut Rosé