Everything for the holiday: 63 things, from the Christmas ham and the roast to the cookie tins, the cheese board, the Christmas Eve fish and the morning-after breakfast. Each line links to the full MyTastr ranking and names the current #1 pick.
Some families do ham, some do prime rib, some do the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Buy what your house makes and skip the rest.
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The ham & the roast
Order the ham or roast now, and stock what it takes to glaze, season and carve it.
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Holiday ham
The Christmas centerpiece. A bone-in spiral ham heats gently and feeds a crowd for days.
Taste-test #1: D’Artagnan Berkshire Pork Bone-In Half Spiral Ham
- 2
For a standing rib roast or tenderloin, buy from a top butcher.
Prime rib / beef
Chefs’ #1: Pat LaFrieda Dry-Aged Black Angus Steaks
- 3
Lamb
A rack or leg of lamb for the families who skip the ham.
Chefs’ #1: D’Artagnan Australian Grass-Fed Rack of Lamb
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Horseradish
Horseradish sauce with prime rib is non-negotiable.
Chefs’ #1: Atomic Extra Hot Horseradish
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Gravy
Insurance gravy for the turkey or the roast.
Chefs’ #1: Williams Sonoma Turkey Gravy Base (Classic)
- 12
Sides
Potatoes, greens and the things that make it a feast.
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Cranberry sauce
Not just for Thanksgiving: great with ham.
Chefs’ #1: Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce
- 18
Applesauce
The old-school partner for ham and pork.
Taste-test #1: Vermont Village Organic Unsweetened Applesauce
- 19
Stuffing mix
Stuffing on the side, especially with a turkey.
Chefs’ #1: Stove Top Stuffing Mix (Savory Herbs or Traditional Sage)
- 20
Dinner rolls
For the bread basket, and for the leftover ham sliders.
Chefs’ #1: King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
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Puff pastry
Beef Wellington, or an easy appetizer.
Chefs’ #1: Dufour Pastry Kitchens Classic Puff Pastry
Christmas Eve fish
The Feast of the Seven Fishes, or just a smoked salmon platter.
- 24
Smoked salmon
Smoked salmon for Christmas Eve or a Christmas morning bagel.
Chefs’ #1: Acme Smoked Nova Salmon
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Frozen shrimp
Shrimp cocktail, or scampi for the Seven Fishes.
Chefs’ #1: Northern Chef Wild Baja Shrimp
- 27
Tinned fish
Fancy tins on the board; an easy Seven Fishes cheat.
Chefs’ #1: Fishwife (smoked salmon, smoked albacore)
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The cheese board
Something to nibble while the roast rests.
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Crackers
Something sturdy for the board.
Chefs’ #1: Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps (Rosemary Raisin Pecan)
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Dried fruit
Dates and apricots for the board.
Chefs’ #1: ApricotKing Dried Blenheim Apricots (Extra Fancy or Slabs)
Christmas morning
Breakfast while the presents get opened.
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Breakfast sausage
For the breakfast casserole.
Chefs’ #1: Applegate Organics / Naturals Breakfast Sausage (Classic Pork or Chicken & Sage)
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Also pick up
Not ranked on MyTastr (yet): the fresh produce, specialty items and decorations the list above assumes you have.
- Standing rib roast or beef tenderloin (order from the butcher early)
- Fresh rosemary, thyme and sage
- Garlic, shallots and onions
- Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
- Brussels sprouts and green beans
- Carrots and parsnips
- Fresh cranberries
- Oranges, clementines and lemons
- Pomegranates
- Fresh ginger and molasses for gingerbread
- Eggnog (dairy case) and candy canes
- Fresh seafood for the Seven Fishes: clams, shrimp, calamari, baccalà
Tasters cited from public sources have not endorsed MyTastr.
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