What Makes a Good Appetizer
Before we dive into the best appetizer ideas for Christmas, let's look at a few things that go into making an appetizer great:
- Hearty - Appetizers should fill people up and have enough substance to satisfy—at least until the main course is served.
- Flavorful - You want appetizers that will tantalize the taste buds and make your family eager for the main meal to come.
- Family-friendly - When the whole family gathers for Christmas, you need appetizers that everyone can enjoy, from little Timmy—whose main food groups are pizza and peanut butter—to your foodie cousin, all the way to Grandma,
with her special dietary restrictions.
- Simple - Christmas appetizers should be relatively easy to make, so you don't spend all your time in the kitchen. You need to party, too!
- Budget-friendly - Lastly, you want appetizers that don't break the bank, without sacrificing flavor and quality. Since you'll need roughly four to five appetizers per person, you want appetizers that won't set off your budget alarm.
Simple and Hearty Christmas Party Appetizer Ideas
Now that you've got the basics down, let's move on to Christmas eve appetizer ideas!
Here are three recipes that are sure to please the whole family.
Baked Ham and Cheese Rollups
Ingredients
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent rolls
- 3/4 lb. Black Forest Ham, sliced thinly
- ½ cup salted butter (melted)
- 12 slices cheese (Swiss, provolone, or cheddar)
- 1 tbsp. onion (minced)
- ½ tbsp. poppy seeds
- A dash of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 and ½ tbsp. mustard (Dijon or yellow)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Grease a baking dish (9x13 will work) with some butter or cooking spray.
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 12 triangles. Place a slice of cheese, and one piece of ham on each triangle. Roll up starting with the wide side of the triangle, pressing to seal at the edges.
- In a bowl, combine butter, onion, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and most of the poppy seeds. Pour the mixture over the rollups and sprinkle with some more poppy seeds.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for a golden brown color, and make sure to let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Deviled Eggs
Ingredients
- 6 eggs, hard-boiled and halved
- 1 tsp. mustard (Dijon is our favorite)
- ½ cup ham, roughly chopped (go with a Black Forest Ham for a more sophisticated flavor, but honey ham will have the kids licking their fingers)
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder (if serving the next day; if serving immediately, halve the amount)
- ⅛ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 12 sprigs dill (fresh), chopped
Directions
- Take out the egg yolk from the halved eggs and put them in a bowl. Mash the yolks using a fork, until they are fine crumbs.
- Add mustard, garlic powder, vinegar, and salt to the yolk mixture and mix well.
- Next, add mayonnaise gradually while stirring until you get a creamy consistency. Stir in chopped dill.
- Spoon the mixture evenly into the egg whites. Top with some extra dill and chopped ham for garnish. Keep chilled before serving.
Turkey Tortilla Rolls with Black Bean Salsa
Ingredients
- ½ lb. roast turkey, thinly sliced
- ½ ripe avocado
- 4 10-inch tortillas
- 1 tomato, seeded and diced
- 5 tsp. lime juice
- 2 pickled jalapeño peppers, seeded
- ½ tsp. red pepper flakes or powder
- 1 cup fresh coriander
- 2 tbsp. plain yogurt
- ½ cup canned black beans, rinsed
- A dash of salt
Directions
- Mix the jalapeño peppers, red pepper flakes, half of the lime juice, tomatoes, black beans, and a dash of salt in a bowl to make the salsa. Set aside.
- Mash the avocado with the yogurt, remaining lime juice, and a dash of salt, until smooth.
- Spread some of the mashed avocados on each tortilla, and then top with turkey slices.
- Top the turkey with coriander and the salsa, and roll each tortilla up, burrito-style. Cut into slices and serve.
Beef Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 1 package (2 oz) Buddig Beef or Ham, chopped
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups (8 oz) cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 2 tbsp. green onion, minced
- 2 tbsp. red bell pepper, minced
- 1 can (¼ oz) black olives, drained and sliced
- ⅛ tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Your choice of crackers
Directions
- Beat the cream and cheddar cheese together in a bowl using an electric mixer, until well blended. Mix in all the remaining ingredients.
- Form the mixture into a ball, using plastic wrap to help shape it. Chill for 2 to 3 hours.
- Serve with your choice of crackers. Enjoy your beef cheese balls!
Expand Your Appetizing World with Buddig!
Still looking for more Christmas appetizer ideas to impress your family?
We at Buddig know just how important family is. We're a proud family-owned company that takes special
pride in our quality lunchmeat products that you and your family can count on—year after
year!
We have lunch staples like oven-roasted turkey breast and sliced beef as well as deli classics like honey ham and corned beef. Buddig has everything you need to translate your
Christmas appetizer ideas into a delicious reality.
Getting creative with appetizers has never been easier!
Visit our website to see all the products we have to offer! While you’re at it, check out some of our favorite
lunch meat appetizer recipes, too, such as Chicken and Cheese Taquitos and Deli Meat Sushi Rolls!
And don't forget our handy-dandy store locator一you don't want your mouth watering without a plan!
Happy cooking!