Today officially marks the start of winter with the longest night of the year. The blues often hit right around now, and we tend to crave more cozy, intimate gatherings with family and friends to fight off the colder weather. For those planning to host—or just attend—a get-together this month, we’ve got you set with plenty of delicious, healthy recipes to share this holiday season!
With its lean, healthy protein and low-profile flavour profile, turkey is an ideal protein choice for any occasion this December. It doesn’t have to be a big feast—you can easily accommodate smaller, more intimate gatherings and Friendsmas get-togethers all the way to bigger, more raucous New Years Eve celebrations with these versatile turkey dishes.
And the best part? You spend the holidays together at the table with those who matter most.
TURKEY MEATBALLS
When it comes to hosting a big New Years Eve party, or just a smaller, more intimate gathering with family and friends, meatballs can pack a huge amount of healthy protein into a small bite. Finger food is a classic for social events because all you need is a box of toothpicks and voilà! No dishes.
These recipes are super easy to make in bulk and it’s actually cheaper to buy larger quantities of ground turkey meat at the grocery store. Anything you don’t use up, just keep in the freezer for plenty of other recipes to ring in 2025.
Leftover idea: any meatballs you don’t use can easily be repurposed for a simple weeknight meal later in the week.
Recipe: Airfryer Swedish Turkey Meatballs
Recipe: Mini Turkey Marinara Mmmeatballs
Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Meatballs
MINI TURKEY POT PIES
The great thing about whipping up mini pot pies for either a social evening with friends or a bigger get-together to celebrate is you can make a huge batch and freeze them until the big night. They also easily go side-by-side with other seasonal side dishes like a festive salad or glazed roasted veggies.
When it comes to smaller portions so your guests can try even more dishes, mini pot pies pack a lot of healthy protein into a small package. The buttery, crumbly pastry also gives off a cozy, comforting touch.
Our tip? Cook extra to keep for yourself after the big party. They’re great to keep on hand in the freezer as we enter 2025!
Recipe: Mini Turkey Pies with Cranberry Chutney
Recipe: Apple Cheddar Turkey Hand Pies
Recipe: Mini Turkey Pot Pie
TURKEY AS THE CENTREPIECE
You don’t have to cook a whole bird in order to serve a smaller, more intimate crowd. Depending on your local butcher or grocery store, some places sell a half-turkey so you can still get most of that nostalgic feast without the extra leftovers—or price point.
Other great options for a sit-down dinner party include savoury, delicious turkey roulades loaded with seasonal herbs and spices! This time of year is great to bring in a lot of cranberry or pomegranate flavours and glazes, along with sharp cheeses and other meats like sliced prosciutto.
You still get the healthy, lean protein of the turkey but also all the festive, seasonal flavours.
Recipe: Classic Roasted Half-Turkey
Recipe: Turkey Roulade with Cranberry, Leek, and Goat Cheese
Recipe: Prosciutto Wrapped Herbed Turkey Roulade
When the nights seem long and the weather cold, spending time with family and friends over a cozy warm meal can be the perfect balm to any winter blues. That’s because the best part of the holidays takes place together at the table.
And the holidays are more than one night—it’s every special gathering with loved ones, the laughter and jokes that happen when we get together with those who matter most, and the memories we carry forward into the new year. They’re the most precious gift.
Here at BC Turkey, we wish everyone a very happy holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanekkuh, Seasons Greetings, and Happy Kwanze!