What to cook for Christmas and Yuletide – 2026: traditional dishes, ideas and recipes for the festive table

Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7, 2026 according to the Julian calendar, with the preceding Christmas Eve on January 6, when 12 lenten dishes are served according to the number of apostles. Another important period, Yuletide, lasts until January 19th, combining fast treats like jelly, fish steaks, piglet and honey cakes with carols and family traditions. According to culinary experts, the table symbolizes abundance after a 40-day fast, with an emphasis on grains, fish and pastries. Details of the traditional menu for Christmas and Yuletide are available in the Izvestia article.

Christmas Eve: 12 lean dishes

On this day, it is recommended to prepare 12 lean dishes for Christmas Eve on January 6, starting with sochiv — wheat or rice with honey, poppy seeds, raisins and nuts, boiled to a pulp and seasoned with syrup, as a symbol of the seeds of faith. It is considered traditional to serve boiled fish (carp or pike) with horseradish, mushroom soup in vegetable oil, barley stew with dried apricots, dried fruit compote and pies with cabbage or mushrooms.

According to the chefs, order is important here: they eat with the first spoonful after the star, without appliances, and give the leftovers to the cattle; dumplings with potatoes or cherries, sauerkraut and honey pancakes complement the table, emphasizing modesty before the holiday. Pancakes on water with poppy seeds symbolize the sun, completing the meal before midnight. ​

Christmas table on January 7th: fast food treats

It is believed that on January 7, after the Liturgy, 12 fast dishes are served: pork or beef jelly, horseradish jelly, whole roast pig with apples and mustard, baked goose with oranges, garlic, thyme and honey. Fried chicken with potatoes, homemade sausage made from minced pork with garlic and spices, pig's head with horseradish and sour cream complement the meat part.

It is recommended to include kulebyak with fish or pies with mushrooms and minced meat, as well as salads like olivier with chicken fillet, walnuts, cheese and pomegranate. Gingerbread with honey and poppy seed loaves complete the meal.

Christmas Holidays – 2026: folk beliefs and prohibitions on holidays

Yuletide: ideas for the table from January 8th to January 19th

According to the traditionalists, pancakes with caviar, cheesecakes, dumplings with meat, cabbage rolls with mushrooms or cabbage, uzvar and oatmeal porridge with dried fruits are served on Yuletide (January 7-19, 2026), continuing the Christmas abundance with carols. It is considered useful to alternate fast days (January 17-18) with meat days, adding dumplings with cottage cheese, fish with sour cream and compotes.

Ideas for a modern table include salads with pomegranate and nuts, potato casseroles with cheese, and desserts like honey cakes or Christmas cookies in the shape of stars; portions are designed for 12 people, with an emphasis on homemade cakes. On Epiphany Eve on January 18, lenten cabbage soup and sochivo are returning.

Table decoration and festive table setting

It is recommended to serve the table in red, white, and gold tones with fir branches, cones, viburnum, and candles along the length of the tablecloth for layering. Napkins in the shape of snowflakes or Christmas trees, Christmas tree toys as accents enhance the atmosphere. According to the designers, stars on the dishes, sponge biscuits with holes for napkins and winter flowers create a festive look at no extra cost.

It is considered traditional to put hay under the tablecloth as a symbol of a manger, put bread in the center and a cross made of needles. The round table is decorated with candles and greenery for family unity.