Healthy Christmas dinner: starter, main and dessert

A healthy Christmas dinner is built on seasonal veg, a good piece of protein and a light dessert. For example: mushroom and chestnut soup to start, duck breast with orange red cabbage, saddle of venison or a vegan nut roast as the main, and baked apples for pudding. Everything is free from refined sugar, with vegetarian and vegan options too.

All Christmas dinner recipes

Keto duck breast with Brussels sprouts – 590 kcal
High-protein savoy cabbage rolls with green spelt, smoked tofu and Alpine cheese – 375 kcal
Mediterranean fish fondue with salmon, prawns and fennel – 444 kcal
High-protein beef cheeks with celeriac purée and root veg – 543 kcal
Goose legs with apple and onion sauce and marjoram – 680 kcal
Gluten-free baked cinnamon pears with vanilla yoghurt – 210 kcal
Vegan cream of parsnip and chestnut soup – 340 kcal
Vegetarian lentil and walnut roast with creamy mushroom sauce – 517 kcal
High-protein venison strips with parsnips – 380 kcal
Vegan red cabbage and pear soup with walnuts – 240 kcal
Vegan mushroom and chestnut soup with thyme – 260 kcal
Roasted Brussels sprouts with smoked tofu and maple syrup – 290 kcal
Bone broth pho with beef fillet – 340 kcal
Leftover fried rice with Brussels sprouts, egg and ginger – 596 kcal
Beef rouladen with red cabbage – 510 kcal
Wholegrain bread with leftover roast duck, red cabbage and horseradish quark – 547 kcal
Vegan roasted Brussels sprouts with walnut crunch – 250 kcal
Vegan bread salad from stale bread with roast squash and red cabbage – 453 kcal
Keto braised duck leg on sweetheart cabbage – 610 kcal
Braised red cabbage with apple, butter, honey and allspice – 163 kcal
High-protein saddle of venison with Brussels sprouts and chestnuts – 410 kcal
High-protein duck breast with orange red cabbage – 580 kcal
Low-carb crispy duck breast on orange and fennel – 550 kcal
High-protein beef roulades with gherkins, mustard and bresaola – 332 kcal

Frequently asked questions

What can I make ahead for Christmas dinner?

Cook soups, red cabbage and desserts 1 to 2 days ahead – they often taste even better reheated. On the day, that leaves just the meat or roast and plating up.

What does a vegetarian Christmas menu look like?

For example cream of salsify soup, then a lentil and walnut roast or dumplings in sage butter with roasted Brussels sprouts, and a baked apple to finish.

How much meat should I allow per person?

For the main course, about 150 to 200 g boneless meat or fish. One duck breast usually serves two.

Which dessert works after a big meal?

Something with fruit: baked apples, cinnamon pears or oranges with yoghurt. Sweetened with a little honey or maple syrup, it stays light.