9 Things New Englanders Eat on Christmas

New England does Christmas properly: snow-covered evergreens, crackling fireplaces, and recipes older than your great-grandma’s cookbook. From Maine to Connecticut, holiday tables almost always feature a hearty chowder and a classic pie.

Wondering what else you might eat in this region around the holidays? Here are nine traditional dishes you’d find on a New England Christmas table.  

Nothing screams New England more than lobster, except maybe chowder. This isn’t your everyday, run-of-the-mill chowder — it’s the kind you serve on Christmas Eve to impress your guests. If you want to take it up a notch, toss in some crispy bacon for a smoky richness that makes this dish downright unforgettable.

Recipe: Coley Cooks

This dish walks the line between rustic and elegant — just like New England itself. The New England holiday staple works as a great side with glazed ham, and is made with simple ingredients that come together in the best way: sweet corn, eggs, cream, butter, and a touch of seasoning.  

Recipe: Food.

New England practically invented apple cider, so it’s no surprise that this ham, coated in a sweet-tangy cider glaze, feels right at home on a holiday table. Consider it a taste of Vermont with every slice. Another great thing about this holiday favorite is that the leftovers work for a killer sandwich. 

Recipe: My Year Cooking with Chris Kimball

Here is a New England holiday classic that doesn’t get enough credit. Tender pearl onions bathed in a rich, creamy sauce is the side dish you didn’t know you needed. The mild, sweet flavor of onions pairs beautifully with any main course — ham, turkey, roast beef, you name it. 

Recipe: Allrecipes

The key to a good oyster stew — a New England yuletide classic — is simplicity. Every local will tell you: The oysters must be from the East Coast. The briny, cold-water oysters from the Atlantic give the stew its signature depth of flavor that warmer Pacific varieties just can’t match. 

Recipe: Food.

Serving buttermilk molasses cake in the average New England home almost guarantees that someone will mention the Great Molasses Flood of 1919, when a storage tank burst on the Boston waterfront and spilled 2 million gallons of molasses through the city. This moist, sweet, and Christmassy dessert is also pretty easy to make. 

Recipe: Cozy Country Living

Cheddar and rosemary cheese straws are a New England holiday favorite. They’re crisp, savory, and perfect alongside seasonal soups or as a snack on the appetizer table. 

Recipe: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Maine whoopie pies are the kind of treat you’ll find at roadside stands, farmers’ markets, and just about any family gathering in the Pine Tree State. They are made with two soft chocolate cakes filled with a sweet, fluffy cream. 

Recipe: State of Dinner

Ironically, this dessert is not a pie but a cake — a very famous one at that. Boston Cream Pie is the kind of treat that gets better with every bite, thanks to its layers of sponge cake, vanilla custard, and rich chocolate glaze. It’s a staple in New England bakeries and a delicious way to bring a touch of Boston to your holiday celebrations.  

Recipe: Preppy Kitchen