17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (2024)

Check out this huge list of some of the best Christmas BBQ ideas out there on the web. From classic Christmas recipes to ideas perfect for this year’s holiday BBQ party, we’ve got it all covered.

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (1)

Table Of Contents

  1. Grilled Prime Rib Roast
  2. Double Smoked Spiral Ham
  3. Seitan Negimaki
  4. Rotisserie Turkey
  5. Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast
  6. Smoked Lamb Chops
  7. Smoked Lobster Tails
  8. Pork Crown Roast on the Grill
  9. Grilled Pork Tenderloin
  10. Smoked Prime Rib Roast
  11. Smoked Whole Ham
  12. Smoked Pork Shoulder
  13. Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops
  14. Grilled Ham with Apple Cola Jalapeño Glaze
  15. Smoked Brisket

The Christmas meal is one of the biggest of the year, and while we all have instant classics we all fall back on, there’s also a lot of room for experimentation and new ideas.

The BBQ grill is one of the best places to start. You might think of it as just a tool for the summer, but it can work all year round and make grilled food recipes that are far superior to your indoor kitchen.

Ditch the oven and let’s get grilling with these 17 Christmas grilling ideas for you to try this year.

Want more holiday BBQ ideas? Check out our guide to the best Thanksgiving BBQ recipes and ideas.

Grilled Prime Rib Roast

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (2)

Where better to start than with a beautiful cut of beef?

Prime rib and ribeye can both be tricky because you need to get just on the right side of tender and rare but, oh boy, is it worth the effort.

And with this garlic butter herb take on the meat, it’s easy to see why.

Alyssa’s recipe calls for oven roasting it for an hour, but if you want to smoke it then I recommend 3-4 hours at 225°F (107°C) for the best results.

Whichever way you decide to go, you’ll end up with a delicious and tender cut of prime beef.

Check it out

Double Smoked Spiral Ham

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (3)

No list of grilled or smoked Christmas recipes would be complete without a glazed ham on it.

Prepared with a sweet and spicy glaze, the natural flavors of the ham are elevated to a whole new level with this smoked spiral ham recipe.

Smoked at 250°F for 4 hours over apple wood, the ham is slowly brought to temperature while resting in its juices. Mouthwateringly delicious.

Seitan Negimaki

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (4)

Now for something completely different. This vegan finger food is the perfect appetizer for the season, even for people who don’t live the most meat-free lifestyles. Seitan wrapped around scallions makes this simple, easy, but oh so delicious. Topped with hoisin and sriracha, they’re packed full of flavor.

Check it out

Grilled Asparagus Plate & Cilantro Pepita Pesto

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (5)

If you’ve ever felt like vegetables around the holidays are dull then look no further than this grilled asparagus plate.

Grilled over medium heat for under 10 minutes, they’re rustled up in no time before then being topped with a beautiful cilantro pepita pesto.

Check it out

Grilled Corn & Cheddar Quinoa

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (6)

This is much more than just your obligatory grilled corn side dish. Served with quinoa and white cheese, this is a dish that offers crunch and cream all in good measure.

It’s made with just a handful of ingredients, but packs in so much more flavor than your standard corn fare.

Check it out

Rotisserie Turkey

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (7)

Rotisserie add-ons are a great way to open up low and slow cooking on gas grills, making it much easier to replicate the fun that charcoal or smoker users get to have.

This smoked turkey is stuffed with apple and garlic, marinated in herb butter, and then cooked on the rotisserie for three hours.

A herb-infused, slow-roasted grilled turkey that’s worthy of any Christmas table.

Check it out

Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (8)

Pecan and apple are two of the best woods for smoking turkey, so it should come as no surprise to see their flavors mixed together in this beautiful sauce.

This recipe uses beautiful maple syrup and brown sugar brine to prepare the turkey, before coating it in a paprika and mustard rub. It’s then smoked for 12 hours to slowly bring it to temperature.

It’s a lot of work, but I promise that it’s more than worth it.

Check it out

Smoked Lamb Chops

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (9)

There aren’t many BBQ cuts of meats that are as underrated as lamb. Whether it’s a grilled leg of lamb or these smoked lamb chops, it’s a unique type of meat.

This recipe uses a spice rub paste to give the meat a bit of a kick and combines ingredients like mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. It’s a beautiful, rich, earthy blend of flavors. If you’ve never made a rack of lamb before then this amazing recipe is definitely the right place to start.

Smoked Lobster Tails

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (10)

Smoked lobster tails might sound daunting, but they’re much easier than they might seem. Not only that, but they’re much cheaper to cook at home than they would be to have out at a restaurant.

These beautiful cuts of lobster tail are juicy, tender, and delicious. Served with a blend of garlic, lemon, and butter, you won’t have had anything like this before.

Pork Crown Roast on the Grill

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (11)

This pork crown is regal by name and regal by nature. Cut from the pork loin and served with the ribs, the whole thing is arranged into a crown to give you the perfect holiday grilling centerpiece.

Check it out

Grilled Pork Tenderloin

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (12)

It might not be everyone’s go-to cut of pork, but tenderloin is a tender cut of meat that deserves its place at any holiday dinner table.

Pork tenderloin can need between two and three hours to smoke, but the results are more than worth the wait.

This recipe uses a beer and mustard marinade to infuse the pork with the perfect flavor profile before being thrown onto the smoker and turned into juicy and tender pork.

Check it out

Smoked Prime Rib Roast

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (13)

This delicious barbecue smoked prime rib has a dark and smoky crust and intense flavors inside that sink deep into each bite. Prepared with a simple BBQ dry rub before cooked low and slow over hickory smoke, this tender barbecue beef is a magnificent centerpiece for weekends or parties.

Smoked Whole Ham

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (14)

This smoked section of pork leg or thigh is brined overnight before smoked over pecan wood chips for a deliciously sweet, smoky flavor.

If that wasn’t enough, it’s served with a honey and butter glaze to cut through the natural saltiness of the pork.

Ready to get going? Here’s how to smoke a raw ham.

Smoked Pork Shoulder

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (15)

This smoked pork shoulder is great for smoking low and slow over apple wood, before then serving up to be used for your favorite pulled pork dish.

Pro tip: One of the big differences between pork butt and pork shoulder is the low fat content in the latter, which makes it important that you brine your pork shoulder before smoking it.

Check it out

Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (16)

If you’ve ever doubted the power of a good marinade, then this recipe is the perfect example of why you need to start using them today.

Marinated with garlic, rosemary and oregano overnight, this lamb is soaked with flavor before grilled over high heat to give it a beautiful seared finish.

Check it out

Grilled Ham with Apple Cola Jalapeño Glaze

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (17)

Nothing screams holiday grilling as much as a glazed smoked ham.

This recipe creates an apple cola jalapeño glaze (trust me, it’s as delicious as it looks!), and is slowly poured over a slow-cooked ham that’s practically dripping in flavor.

Check it out

Smoked Brisket

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (18)

There aren’t many types of smoked meat that are as iconic as smoked beef brisket.

It requires everything that’s great about barbecue smoking. Proper preparation in cutting and trimming brisket, brining it well, and using a good rub. This is then followed by choosing a good brisket wood, and cooking it low and slow for hours until perfectly smoked through.

There’s nothing quite like it. Learn how to smoke brisket in our guide.

Click to Pin

17 Best Christmas BBQ Ideas & Recipes (Grilling, Smoking & More) (2024)

FAQs

What is a good meat to smoke for Christmas dinner? ›

For me, Christmas is Turkey or Prime Rib, and both are great cooked in a smoker or an oven. Take your pick. A ham is also good, and since they are typically precooked, you just have to put them in a smoker for a couple of hours to get them hot.

What to grill on Christmas Day? ›

Grilling Recipes For Christmas Dinner
  1. Prime Rib. Kicking off the festivities with a show-stopping Prime Rib is a surefire way to make your Christmas BBQ unforgettable. ...
  2. Smoked Spiral Ham. ...
  3. Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast. ...
  4. Smoked Lamb Chops. ...
  5. Grilled Pork Tenderloin.
Dec 12, 2023

What to grill for the holidays? ›

Either way, if you use your grill to make it, no one will be disappointed with your meal.
  1. Rotisserie Turkey.
  2. Charcoal Turkey.
  3. Salt Platter Turkey.
  4. Prime Rib Roast.
  5. Beef Wellington.
  6. Roast Leg of Lamb.
  7. Porchetta.
  8. Smoked Brisket.

What is the most popular meat for Christmas dinner? ›

1. Turkey. Let's admit it, a whole turkey is the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. Originally gracing our plates in the 16th century, popular history tells of King Henry VIII being the first English monarch to have turkey for Christmas.

What is the most Christmassy meat? ›

The best Christmas meats for your festive feast | Christmas 2022
  1. Goose. Traditional and classic, the goose has slipped in popularity over the years compared to the turkey. ...
  2. Duck. ...
  3. Roasting Chicken. ...
  4. Rib of Beef. ...
  5. co*ckerel. ...
  6. Honey Roast Ham.

What is a good meal to serve 20 people? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar.
  • Meatballs.
  • Butter Chicken.
  • Lasagna.
  • Chili.
  • Homemade Pizza.
  • Baked Pasta.
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What to serve 30 people at a BBQ? ›

Citrus and yogurt marinated grilled chicken thigh skewers are the perfect easy BBQ idea for a crowd.
  • Lemon-Marinated Grilled Chicken Thigh Skewers Recipe.
  • Mustard Chive Grilled Flank Steak Recipe.
  • Grilled Pork Chops Recipe.
  • Grilled Carne Asada with Cilantro Lime Marinade Recipe.
May 27, 2022

How many pounds of BBQ do I need to feed 20 people? ›

How much BBQ for 20 people: 8 pounds (128 oz) of meat total (2 meats recommended) 1 XL size (feeds 10-12 people) for each side ordered. Drinks: 2 gallons.

What is a good Christmas day menu? ›

Easy Christmas Dinner
  • 1 / 12. Instant Pot Roast Beef. ...
  • 2 / 12. Instant Pot Brisket. ...
  • 3 / 12. Juicy & Tender Roasted Pork Loin. ...
  • 4 / 12. Honey-Glazed Ham in the Slow Cooker. ...
  • 5 / 12. Slow Cooker Smoky BBQ Turkey. ...
  • 6 / 12. Sweet & Tangy Slow Cooker Brisket. ...
  • 7 / 12. Salt-Roasted Beef Tenderloin. ...
  • 8 / 12. Tender and Juicy Instant Pot Pork Chops.

What to grill for Christmas dinner? ›

A Very Merry Grilled Christmas - A collection of holiday-inspired grilled dishes for the grill master in you!
  1. Grilled Bone-In Rib Eye with Garlicky Harissa. ...
  2. Italian Herb Rotisserie Chicken with Sweetened Balsamic Glaze. ...
  3. Herb and Red Wine Rotisserie Leg of Lamb. ...
  4. Grilled Holiday Honey Ham.
Dec 21, 2023

What is the most popular grilling holiday? ›

The most popular grilling day of the year continues to be Fourth of July, when 54% of owners grilled out; other popular summer grilling occasions:
  • Memorial Day (44%)
  • Father's Day (34%)
  • Labor Day (47%)
Mar 12, 2023

What is the most popular item to grill? ›

Best Grilling Meats
  • Burgers and Steaks. Burgers and steaks are staples of any backyard bbq. ...
  • Chicken Legs. You can't go wrong with bbq chicken legs. ...
  • Ribs. Killer ribs are smoky, juicy, sweet, and fall-off-the-bone tender. ...
  • Pork Butts. ...
  • Pork Sausages. ...
  • Kabobs. ...
  • Brisket. ...
  • Hot Dogs.
Jun 3, 2023

What is the most popular food to grill? ›

Top 10 foods for grilling
  • Steaks — When the gristle from a well-marbled choice cut Delmonico steak drips down onto the fire, the crackling flames jump up and the meat sizzles intensely. ...
  • Hot dogs Keep in mind that we are in October. ...
  • Ribs Sometimes, you have to get get your hands dirty.
Oct 16, 2008

What are the top 3 meats to smoke? ›

The Best Meats for the Smoker

The classic meats of barbecue are generally beef brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs. These cuts are tough, chewy meats and generally so poor in quality that they are not good when cooked using other cooking methods.

What is the tastiest meat to smoke? ›

Best Cuts of Meat for Smoking

Our top choices are brisket, pork shoulder (for pulled pork), pork chops, and ribs. You can also give our St. Louis Ribs a try in your new smoker. Beef brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs are three cuts that offer sufficient fat to keep them juicy and tender when done.

What is the best meat to smoke for guests? ›

The sweet spot for meat choices is the American barbecue trifecta: ribs, pork shoulder, and brisket. These meats are the best place to start, and whole chickens can be great for beginners too. Read on for all the best pieces of meat, cooking methods, and tips for making the most of your smoker.

What meat is easiest to smoke? ›

Simple, quick, and easy-to-cook foods like beef ribs, pork chops, turkey, duck, and salmon are the finest meats to smoke for a beginner. This will give you a solid foundation on food smoking before moving on to more luscious and flavorful meats like brisket, lamb, pork butt, and tri-tip.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 6356

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.