Our Best Holiday Recipes for The Unforgettable Feast

Welcome to our best holiday recipes for the season! From easy appetizers to vibrant green salads and decadent desserts, you’ll find a holiday menu filled with new classics and unexpected, delicious recipes that will wow everyone at the table. Let the feasting begin!

Here, I’ve gathered all my favorite holiday recipes that I’ve shared on Just One Cookbook over the years. The menu is filled with new classics and unique recipes that bring fresh perspectives to the table.

Whoever you’re celebrating with this year, my team and I raise a glass and toast to your most unforgettable holiday feast. We hope you’ll love what we’ve put together. Thank you for being here with us and for trying something new.

Appetizers, Snacks, and Drinks

How To Make a Cheeseboard

Say cheese! These days, a cheeseboard is almost as important as dessert at a holiday party. A well-stocked cheeseboard will keep your guests entertained and delighted. In this post, I’ll share tips and a step-by-step guide for creating a beautiful cheeseboard that everyone will remember!

Burrata Crostini with Ikura and Yuzu Pepper

I love to start my holiday spread with this Burrata Crostini with a Japanese twist! Toasted French baguette is topped with creamy cheese, peppery arugula, savory red caviar, and a pinch of yuzu pepper. This hors d’oeuvre will make a lasting impression at the party. It may look fancy, but it’s actually inexpensive to put together.

Cheese Tart

These cheese tarts are filled with melted brie cheese and fruit preserves—an elegant choice to grace your holiday appetizer table. I love that you can make them a day in advance. When you’re ready to serve, just pop them into the oven to warm up.

Cranberry Brie Bites

These Cranberry Brie Bites will make a deliciously festive addition to your holiday feast! With melted brie tucked inside puff pastry and topped with cranberry sauce, candied pecans, and sea salt, they’re the easiest yet most impressive appetizer of the season. Make extra, because they’ll be gone in seconds!

Furikake Chex Mix

Make this Hawaiian favorite—Furikake Chex Mix—for your holiday get-together. It’s a fun and irresistible snack that will keep everyone munching!

Homemade Popcorn with Truffle Salt

The truffle salt adds instant magic to this upgraded version of popcorn. It makes a great snack to nibble on, especially if you have a tradition of watching holiday movies together.

Mulled Cider (with or Without Wine)

Infused with homemade mulling spices, mulled cider (with or without wine) is the perfect drink to serve during the holidays. It fills your kitchen with a rich, spicy aroma that’s as warm and welcoming as the drink itself!

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Soups and Salads

Kabocha Squash Soup

I recommend making this kabocha squash soup a few days ahead and warming it up on the day of your party. It’s rich, creamy, and soul-warming—exactly the type of soup you need for a get-together.

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

My family absolutely loves this soup, and it makes a great choice for the holiday table, too. In this recipe, I first roast the cauliflower florets to bring out their nutty flavor before cooking them with leeks, cremini mushrooms, and cheddar cheese to create this rich and creamy soup.

Roasted Cauliflower Kale Salad with Miso Tahini Dressing

Dressed with miso tahini dressing, this roasted cauliflower kale salad is packed with caramelized cauliflower, kale, sweet glazed pecans, and crunchy croutons. It’s nutritious and filling—a welcome addition to the holiday table.

Apple Walnut Salad

This Apple Walnut Salad is a healthier version of my mom’s Japanese apple salad. Instead of being mayo-laden, I use Greek yogurt with just a dollop of Japanese mayo for the dressing. It’s always a favorite among the kids.

Kabocha Salad

Sweet and golden Japanese squash shines brightly in this creamy Kabocha Salad recipe, which features crunchy red onion and savory strips of ham. This beautiful salad could become your new classic on the holiday table.

Arugula Salad with Fennel and Navel Orange

This arugula salad with fennel and sweet navel oranges is my go-to when I want to serve a salad that is simple yet brightens the holiday menu.

Frisée and Radicchio Salad with Onion Dressing

This colorful salad is made with frisée and radicchio, thinly sliced watermelon radish, and heirloom tomatoes. Drizzle sophisticated yet simple Japanese Onion Dressing that is savory, sweet, zingy, and packed with amazing flavors.

Japanese Potato Salad

Another make-ahead favorite is Japanese potato salad. With the addition of vegetables, it’s creamy yet full of texture. You’ll be happy to add this delicious version to your holiday repertoire.

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Side Dishes

Maple and Miso Glazed Roasted Carrots

The rainbow-hued carrots are roasted until tender on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and tantalizingly caramelized with a surprisingly sweet-savory glaze. They’ll be a regular item on your holiday menu for many years to come.

Green Beans with Yuzu Vinaigrette

This green beans side dish is just what you need if you’re looking for something lighter to contrast the heavier dishes at the table. I dress it with a yuzu vinaigrette that adds a lovely citrusy zing.

Roasted Miso Garlic Cauliflower

This Roasted Miso Garlic Cauliflower is always a hit and super easy to make! Brushed with my favorite garlic miso sauce, the cauliflower florets are roasted to golden perfection in the oven.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Shio Koji

Buttery, creamy, and umami-packed, these Mashed Potatoes with Shio Koji add a Japanese flair to the classic recipe. Get ready to be blown away! You’ll find my essential tips on making the fluffiest, silkiest, and creamiest mashed potatoes.

Broccolini Gomaae

To prevent serious food coma, you’ll need a solid vegetable side like this Broccolini Gomaae. It’s full of flavor and goes well with everything. Even the non-vegetable eaters would go for extra.

Warm Mushroom Salad with Sesame Dressing

If you like to keep the menu light yet flavorful, this warm mushroom salad with sesame dressing will not disappoint. Use an assortment of Japanese or wild mushrooms for amazing textures! It’s going to win the hearts of vegetarians and vegans.

Macaroni Gratin

The holiday table deserves something better than just plain old mac and cheese. This macaroni gratin with succulent shrimp, mushroom, and crunchy panko topping is going to set things apart.

Easy Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce

Made with just 5 ingredients, this Easy Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce is ready in 15 minutes. It is bursting with bites of sweet, tangy cranberries, and makes the whole house smells heavenly!

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Main Dishes

Smoked Miso Butter Turkey Breast

Inspired by and learned from the best – Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas, Mr. JOC and I made smoked turkey breast this year for Thanksgiving, but with a Japanese spin. Juicy, flavorful, and tender, this Smoked Miso Butter Turkey Breast is surprisingly easy to make and feeds 6-8 people!

Honey Soy Glazed Spatchcock Chicken

For a smaller gathering, this Honey-Soy Glazed Spatchcock Chicken makes a most fabulous centerpiece for the holidays! Learn how to make the perfect chicken that is juicy, savory, and crispy all at the same time.

Japanese Pork Roast

If serving a whole turkey is not your thing, consider this Japanese Pork Roast with caramelized vegetable gravy as your main dish. Seared in a cast iron pot, then roasted in the oven, this pork is cooked to perfection in Japanese seasoning. It’s easy and takes less effort than cooking a whole bird.

Braised Herb Chicken

We love this Braised Herb Chicken for the holiday menu, where juicy chicken thighs are slowly simmered in white wine and herb-infused sauce until tender. There’s plenty of rich, flavorful sauce to slop up with crusty bread. 

Cioppino (Seafood Stew)

Seafood stew is a great change to the usual turkey and ham, especially if you have multiple parties going on. Filled with clams, mussels, crab, shrimp, squid, fish, and scallops in a tomato-y soup, it’s so so good. Extra toasty bread rolls, please!

Instant Pot Oxtail Soup

This Oxtail Soup (Hong Kong Style Borscht) is cooked with oxtail, stew beef, onion, carrot, tomatoes, potatoes, and cabbage. Full of flavor, comfort, and flair, it is a dish that brings a delicious surprise to the holiday table.

Kabocha Gratin (Vegan-Friendly)

Tender chunks of sweet kabocha, umami mushrooms, and macaroni in a creamy béchamel sauce, topped off with panko breadcrumbs and baked until crispy golden. Think fancy Japanese-style mac and cheese. It’s going to steal the show.

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Desserts

Pear and Almond Tart

This Pear and Almond Tart is by far our most popular holiday recipe favorited by our readers. Many of them have shared their beautiful creations with us on Pinterest and Instagram. Have you tried it yet? With a homemade crust and seasonal pears on top of the creamy almond cream filling, this tart is an excellent dessert to grace your Thanksgiving or Christmas table.

Kabocha Pie

Thanksgiving or Christmas does not feel complete without decadent pies. This Kabocha Pie with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a hint of rum is our all-time favorite. As Kabocha has a much nicer natural sweet taste than pumpkin, you’d get a rich and creamy pie.

Easy Apple Tart

For a simple, fool-proof holiday dessert, mark this apple tart recipe down! Made with puff pastry, putting the tart together is as easy as apple pie (no pun intended). Even little kids can help out with the assembly. Oh, it’s best enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Basque Burnt Cheesecake

Creamy on the inside and caramelized on the outside, this Basque Burnt Cheesecake is remarkably easy and quick to make. Baked at a high temperature, the cheesecake’s iconic rich dark top is a show-stopper! Follow my tips and tricks for a foolproof recipe. If you like matcha, try Matcha Basque Cheesecake.

Chocolate Gateau

If you love rich and moist chocolate cake, you must try this classic Chocolate Gateau! The second day tests better, so make it ahead of time.

Japanese Cheesecake

Light and fluffy, Japanese Cheesecake is so dreamy you can’t wait to serve up and show off. It’s a melt-in-your-mouth combination of creamy cheesecake and airy soufflé that makes it so much more special than regular cheesecake.

Japanese Sweet Potato Pie

How about some afternoon tea treats for the holiday? Make this Japanese Sweet Potato Pie. It’s crispy and flaky, with a smooth, silky filling.

Matcha Gateau au Chocolat

A Japanese rendition of the classic French chocolate cake! Made with white chocolate and green tea, this Matcha Gateau au Chocolat is rich, moist, and intensely flavorful. Warm it up slightly before you enjoy it – the melty texture is to die for!

Chocolate Chiffon Cake

This show-stopping Chocolate Chiffon Cake is super-moist, fluffy, airy, and bouncy all at once! With a rich chocolate flavor, this chiffon cake recipe will soon be your favorite! Get ready to eat a second serving, because it’s like eating air!

Matcha Mille Crepe Cake

Layers of green tea crepes stacked together with fresh whipped cream in-between, this Matcha Millie Crepe Cake is a guaranteed show stopper. It was the most popular dessert that our readers made for Christmas last year. You can totally nail it too.

Matcha Tiramisu

A delicious twist on the classic. Creamy, rich, and bursting with bold matcha flavors, this matcha tiramisu is made of matcha-soaked ladyfingers layered with a mascarpone custard filling.

Chocolate Almond Toffee

This Chocolate Almond Toffee makes the greatest sweet to gift. Not only it’s easy to make, but it also travels well. So if you need to be on a road trip or short plane ride for family gatherings, bring this homemade treat along.

Nama Chocolate

Rich, smooth, and decadent homemade Nama Chocolate! Made with quality dark chocolate and fresh cream, this ROYCE’s copycat chocolate is truly a special treat. It’s one of the most popular gifts from Japan, but you can easily make it at home.

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Breakfast

Panettone Bread Pudding

With a lush creamy middle and irresistible golden crisp top in one fabulous, Panettone Bread Pudding is so good that it can easily steal the show. Prep ahead and serve this heavenly bread pudding for holiday breakfast, brunch, or dessert!

Best Homemade Crepes

Perfectly thin and deliciously buttery, they are a staple for a weekend breakfast, brunch, kids’ snacks, desserts, or a DIY crepe party! Only 6 ingredients and no blending or equipment are needed.

The Best French Toast

Fluffy and tender on the inside, and golden crisp on the outside, this is the best French Toast we’ve tasted during our trip to Japan. I’ve re-created this amazing French toast by following the chef’s recipe! Enjoy this French toast for breakfast or brunch during the holidays! 

Have you started your holiday menu planning? Will you be trying out any of these recipes? Who will you be spending your holiday feasting with? We’d love to hear from you! 

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More Holiday and Party Recipes and Ideas

• A Guide to Host a Sushi Party
• 10 Japanese Desserts to Celebrate the Seasons
• How to Host a Japanese-Themed Party
• 15 Easy Japanese Appetizer Recipes