According to Instacart’s 2024 purchase data, the holiday dinner table in 2025 looks decidedly more beefy. The search and purchase surge for roasts is dramatic: rib-eye roasts spiked +2,238%, prime rib +1,909%, and tenderloin roasts rose +898% just in the days leading up to Christmas.
This marked increase suggests many Americans opted to trade the traditional turkey for a more luxurious, restaurant-style roast. Whether it’s for the flavor, the show-stopping presentation, or simpler prep (less carving, more slices), red meat has clearly become the star of holiday feasts in 2025.
Cookies, Fruitcake & Eggnog Make a Comeback
It wasn’t just mains that soared — desserts and seasonal treats had their moment too. Purchases of gingerbread cookies jumped +790%, showing that the desire for classic holiday sweets remains strong. Instacart also recorded a significant uptick in orders of fruitcake, icing, and holiday baking ingredients, reflecting a wave of nostalgic baking sprees.
As for drinks, eggnog spiked +1,244% on Christmas Eve — a clear sign that this creamy holiday classic still has fans, especially in regions where it’s culturally embedded. Between decadent roasts and buttery cookies, 2025’s Christmas shopping carts reveal a turn back toward indulgence and tradition.
The Supporting Cast Shines Too
Alongside the showy mains and festive desserts, many holiday tables included classic and comfort-food sides. Ingredients for mash, gravies, and traditional holiday fixings saw consistent demand. Corn, canned shrimp (for appetizers), and horseradish also popped up as unexpected but popular items in carts. It suggests that while some households splurged on a decadent centerpiece, others kept traditions alive with familiar sides that evoke a cozy, old-fashioned Christmas dinner.
What This Trend Tells Us About Christmas 2025
- A return to indulgence: After years of rising awareness about healthy eating and plant-based diets, this year seems to embrace richness — in meat, desserts, and flavor.
- Comfort over convenience: The surge in cookie baking, maple-glazed hams, roasts, and traditional sides shows people are leaning toward comfort, warmth, and nostalgia.
- Regional and traditional tastes still matter: The spike in eggnog — especially in New England — shows that regional holiday identities remain strong and influence shopping and cooking behaviors.
- Flexibility in holiday meals: Not everyone is sticking with turkey. The rise of beef roasts, alternative mains, and diverse side dishes reflects how American holiday meals continue to evolve.
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