Christmas Dinner Inspiration | NIKU Farms

December 6, 2021

With December 25th less than a month away now, we can bet you’re probably starting to stress about what you’re making for your family for the big holiday dinner.

Turkey? Chicken? Duck? Roast beef? And the side dish options are endless – mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, stuffing, cranberries – how do you choose!

Don’t worry, NIKU Farms is here to help. Our farms’ incredible pasture-raised meat and sustainably sourced fish are the perfect centerpiece for your holiday meals. 

Below we’ve got a handful of Christmas dish ideas to help you find the right meal for your family. Decide on a protein, and we’ll help with the seasonings and side dishes to make your dinner menu a stand-out!

Turkey or Chicken

Do you love the classics for Christmas? If your table isn’t complete without a roasted turkey breast or whole chicken in the centre, here are some recommendations for spices and sides.

Seasoning: Salt, ground pepper, rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic

Side dishes: Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, cheesy broccoli, cranberry sauce

Duck

Is your family a fan of duck breast for the holidays? Duck is great for making those delicious sweet and sour, or sweet and spicy flavours. Here are some ideas for how to season the bird, and what to serve with it.

Seasoning: Paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, black pepper, cumin, chili powder

Side dishes: Roasted potatoes, candied carrots, creamed corn

Roast Beef

Does the idea of a succulent roast beef tenderloin feel like the holidays for you? Try some of the following sides or seasonings to take your roast beef dinner to the next level.

Seasoning: Cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, red pepper flakes, pepper, salt, curry powder, mustard powder

Side dishes: Brussels sprouts, buttermilk biscuits, garlic mushrooms

Lamb

If you’re planning on cooking up lamb this Christmas, aim to cook to medium rather than well-done, and incorporate side dishes that add fat and bring the flavour!

Seasoning: Mint, thyme, oregano, basil, sage, garlic powder

Side dishes: Sweet potatoes, bacon-wrapped asparagus, Yorkshire pudding

Ham

You might think there’s not much you can do to a cooked ham besides basic seasoning, but add some sweet pineapple juice or maple flavour to the ham, and your side dishes can be a little more savoury to compliment your ham!

Seasoning: Pineapple juice, brown sugar, maple syrup, onion powder, mustard powder

Side dishes: Roasted potatoes, green bean casserole, butternut squash

Fish

If your family celebrates Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day, you might stick to a fish dinner instead of beef or poultry! A NIKU Farms rainbow trout or pickerel would be a delicious option that goes well with lighter side dishes. 

Seasoning: Lemon slices or juice, salt, pepper, garlic 

Side dishes: Rice, potatoes au gratin, mashed cauliflower

Take a look at all of our farms’ grass-fed and pasture-raised products, and see what your family can cook up this holiday season!