Ask five people what the most important part of Christmas dinner is and you’ll get five very different answers. But ask a bunch of food lovers what one fish they would serve if they had to pick just one for Christmas Eve and suddenly everyone thinks Christmas dinner needs a drumroll and a ceremonial fish platter.
That was the (very serious and very joyful) premise of a recent internet thread: If you could serve only one fish on Christmas Eve, what would it be? Not seven fishes, not a seafood spread — just one. The answers ranged from classic holiday standbys to unexpected picks that don’t usually headline a Christmas Eve meal.
What Is the Christmas Eve Fish Tradition Anyway?
Before we get into the great fish debate, let’s break down why fish figures so prominently in many holiday feasts. In the Italian-American tradition known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes, families serve several types of seafood as part of the Christmas Eve vigil meal. This custom grew out of Roman Catholic practice, where meat is traditionally avoided on the eve of major feast days, including Christmas, and fish fills the table instead.
Despite the number in the name, not everyone sticks rigidly to seven (some families do five or six, and others have added more), with some turning it into an unspoken competition where the fish count creeps higher every year in an effort to outdo last year’s spread, and the specific seafood choices can vary wildly. Think everything from pasta with clams to fried smelts, salmon, shrimp, and, of cours, baccalà (salt cod).
This context makes the “one fish only” question even more fun: what if tradition gave way to a single, all-powerful fish crown?
The Crowd Favorites: Classics That Never Fail
Pickled Herring
This may not sound exciting to everyone, but herring earned plenty of mentions from fans of traditional Northern and Eastern European holiday fare. In places like Denmark and parts of Central Europe, cured or pickled herring is a staple on Christmas tables, often served with rye bread or festive accompaniments. It’s tangy, celebratory, and perfect for a feast that’s about flavor and history.
Salmon
Another perennial favorite, salmon’s rich, buttery flesh makes it a natural choice for holiday dinners. Whether smoked, roasted, or glazed with holiday spices, salmon strikes a balance between indulgent and familiar. Not surprisingly, many people said they’d put salmon ahead of every other fish if they had to choose only one. If you make something like this herb crusted sockeye salmon, we can see why.
Cod / Baccalà
Salted cod known as baccalà when prepared in the traditional Italian way brings serious holiday cred. It’s one of those fish that reminds people of comforting family gatherings and recipes passed down through generations, often prepared slowly with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. In many Christmas Eve traditions it is the centerpiece fish, even among multiple courses.
Tuna
Simple, bold, and unexpectedly beloved, tuna is another frequent pick when people were asked to limit themselves. Tuna steaks seared with pepper and lemon can hold their own against richer seafood, and for some it’s the perfect compromise between special and straightforward.
The Wild Cards: Love ’Em or Leave ’Em
Of course, you can’t have a food debate without people taking the road less traveled.
Carp
In several countries, especially in eastern and Central Europe, carp is practically the traditional Christmas Eve fish. Families buy whole carp (sometimes literally bringing them home for last-minute prep), bread them, fry them, or roast them to perfection. In Poland, carp is often served with potato salad or pickled sides. It’s a fish with personality and plenty of festive associations, though it doesn’t universally excite everyone’s plate.
Smelts
A fun and somewhat humble contender, smelts get mentioned as a favorite for people who enjoy small, crispy fried fish. Especially in Italian and Italian-American households, fried smelts are common on Christmas Eve spreads because they’re easy to prep and fun to eat with family.
Unexpected Answers
Some people said “only seafood that doesn’t require utensils” which is a cheeky nod to finger-friendly shrimp or scallops. Others leaned into family tradition instead of flavor, insisting that whatever fish connects them to memories of holidays past was the only fish worth serving.
What This Says About Holiday Food Culture
There’s something deeply human about arguing over the “one perfect fish.” It’s less about culinary superiority and more about identity, nostalgia, and how food ties us to celebration.
For some, a well-prepared salmon steak is the taste of joy. For others, traditional baccalà is the emotional center of their holiday. Some will always choose the tiny, crispy smelt, while others sway toward the tang of herring.
No matter which fish wins your personal Christmas Eve bracket, one thing is clear: the holiday table is more than just sustenance. It’s a place where flavors carry stories, memories, and yes, debate. Whether you end up with a dozen dishes or just one mighty fish, food is part of what makes the season feel like… well, the season.
Photography provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
