CA’s Favorite Christmas Dishes – How To Get The Most From Leftovers With Taylor Farms

UNITED STATES—A new national survey from Taylor Farms reveals the Christmas foods Americans remember most from childhood and shows how regional patterns shape those memories. 

For Californians, the findings reflect a mix of classic American holiday dishes and the diverse culinary influences that define West Coast cooking. The survey also highlights growing interest in lighter, fresher holiday options, which becomes especially useful when dealing with the inevitable day-after leftovers.

Ham is the national favorite – but Californians aren’t the biggest fans

Across the country, Christmas ham is still the most widely recalled holiday main dish. A total of 49.3 percent of respondents said ham was the dish that defined Christmas in their early years. Turkey follows at 32.6 percent, and 13.1 percent remember roast beef or prime rib. These numbers reflect a long-standing national pattern and provide context for how California fits into the broader picture.

In California, it is a much closer race, and there is far less of a divide between the three. According to the survey, 32.6 percent of Californian respondents recall ham as their primary childhood Christmas main dish, and Turkey follows at 31.1 percent. 

What stands out most, however, is the region’s stronger attachment to roast beef and prime rib, remembered by 28.9 percent of respondents – almost double the rate seen elsewhere in the country. This is consistent with California’s holiday profile, where families often blend traditional American dishes with regional preferences and cultural influences.

The West loves vegetables

Side dishes reveal even stronger regional distinctions. Nationally, mashed potatoes dominate childhood memory, chosen by 57.15 percent of respondents. Stuffing ranks at 43 percent, and mac and cheese appear at 40 percent. Green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, gravy, and potatoes au gratin also rank highly.

Californians recall these staples but show a notably stronger preference for vegetable-forward sides. Roasted vegetables or salad saw almost 22 percent of respondents list them as a favorite. The Western region also reports the highest fondness for roasted Brussels sprouts at 14 percent. 

Potatoes au gratin are remembered by 24.7 percent of Western respondents. These numbers suggest that Californian households grew up with Christmas tables that mix hearty classics with fresher elements, reflecting the state’s broader food culture.

Healthier trends

The survey also highlights a national shift in how people feel about holiday meals today. While traditional dishes still carry strong emotional significance, 64 percent of Americans say they want healthier options at Christmas, and 73 percent say they are open to introducing vegetable-focused holiday dishes. This trend fits naturally with California’s long-standing emphasis on fresh produce and lighter preparations.

Healthy ways to repurpose leftovers

This is where leftovers come into play. Taylor Farms offers several ideas that not only modernize traditional Christmas meals but also make it easier to repurpose leftovers into lighter, more practical meals after the holiday rush.

One suggestion is garlic mashed cauliflower, presented as a lighter alternative to mashed potatoes. For leftovers, Californians can fold remaining mashed potatoes into a cauliflower base to create a hybrid mash that stretches the dish and reduces heaviness. A roasted squash salad with bacon and maple, designed as an updated version of sweet potato casserole, can also incorporate chunks of leftover roasted vegetables.

Stuffing, which often becomes dense after sitting overnight, can be reworked using Taylor Farms’ idea of roasted acorn squash cups filled with a cauliflower mixture. Leftover stuffing can be combined with chopped vegetables or cauliflower rice and baked into the squash for a balanced, reheated dish.

Green bean casserole, which does not always keep well, can be replaced on day two with a fresh side inspired by Taylor Farms’ air-fried Brussels sprouts with pistachios and goat cheese. Fresh components paired with leftover ham or turkey can offer a break from the heavier flavors of the main meal.

Blending tradition with modern trends

These ideas align with the broader trend identified in the survey. Californians are familiar with traditional Christmas foods, but many also grew up with meals that leaned fresher and more vegetable-forward than in other parts of the country. 

As Charis Neves of Taylor Farms notes in the survey findings, Christmas foods resonate strongly because they are tied to long-held traditions and the Christmas spirit. But as eating habits change, families are increasingly interested in ways to keep the nostalgic parts of the holiday while shifting toward lighter options.