Because your holiday menu deserves a little smoke, a little char, and a lot more flavor
So, who said Christmas dinner has to be all about roasted birds, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce? If you’re ready to shake things up, light the coals or fire up the smoker—because Christmas BBQ is the flex your holiday table didn’t know it needed. Whether you’re working with snow on the ground or wearing shorts in the sun, these 20 BBQ recipes bring big heat and even bigger flavor to your festive spread.
This isn’t just “grill some ribs and call it done.” This is strategic, bold, and packed with smoky goodness to carry you through the holidays with style.
Let’s go.
1. Smoked Prime Rib Roast
If you’re going for drama, start here. A bone-in prime rib, rubbed with garlic, rosemary, and salt, then slow-smoked to medium rare. The smoke gives it depth, and the crust? Unreal. Slice thick and serve with horseradish cream.
2. Maple Glazed Grilled Carrots
Balance out the meat with something sweet and caramelized. Toss thick carrot spears in a maple glaze and grill them until just tender with grill marks. Finish with flaky salt and maybe a dash of crushed red pepper.
3. BBQ Turkey Breast with Herb Butter
Skip the full bird and do a smoked turkey breast slathered in garlic herb butter. Juicy, flavorful, and way faster than roasting an entire turkey in the oven.
4. Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
These disappear fast. Halved jalapeños filled with cream cheese, cheddar, and garlic, wrapped in bacon, then grilled until crisp. Serve with a drizzle of hot honey or a ranch dipping sauce.
5. Grilled Brussels Sprouts Skewers
Toss sprouts in olive oil, salt, and balsamic, skewer them, and grill until charred on the edges. They’re crispy, smoky, and have none of that bitter boiled flavor everyone dreads.
6. Whiskey BBQ Glazed Ham
Glaze your holiday ham with a mixture of whiskey, brown sugar, and your favorite BBQ sauce. Throw it in the smoker or on the grill with indirect heat. Let it caramelize until sticky and perfect.
7. Char-Grilled Oysters
Top fresh oysters with garlic butter and Parmesan, then grill just until the butter bubbles and the cheese browns. Serve hot with lemon wedges. It’s bougie, but in the best way.
8. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Low and slow smoked pork shoulder, shredded and tossed with sauce, then piled high on toasted slider buns with slaw. Ideal for casual holiday parties where finger food reigns.
9. Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
Cut sweet potatoes into thick wedges, parboil, then finish them on the grill with a smoky paprika-laced rub. Serve with a herby yogurt dip or spicy aioli.
10. Holiday Smoked Mac and Cheese
Creamy mac baked with smoked gouda, sharp cheddar, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Smoke it in a cast iron skillet on the grill for next-level comfort food.
11. Santa’s Spicy Smoked Sausages
Choose high-quality sausages—jalapeño cheddar, andouille, kielbasa—and grill them until blistered and juicy. Serve with mustards and pretzel rolls. Zero effort. Maximum payoff.
12. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks with Cranberry Glaze
Take a holiday twist on grilled chicken. Make a sauce with cranberry sauce, chipotle, honey, and vinegar. Brush onto grilled drumsticks during the last few minutes and let it caramelize beautifully.
13. Smoked Deviled Eggs
Hard boil the eggs, smoke them whole, then halve and mix the yolks with classic deviled egg fixings—mayo, mustard, hot sauce, smoked paprika. They’re smoky, creamy, and a bit unexpected.
14. Grilled Flatbread with Rosemary & Sea Salt
Make a simple yeasted dough, stretch it out, and grill it. Brush with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and sea salt. Serve alongside BBQ meats or cheese boards.
15. Grilled Peach & Burrata Salad (Yes, in Winter)
If you’ve frozen peaches from summer, thaw them and throw them on the grill. Combine with burrata, arugula, prosciutto, and a balsamic reduction. It’s light but luxurious.
16. Reverse-Seared Ribeye Steaks
Smoke ribeyes low and slow until just under temp, then sear hard over high heat for that crust. Butter-baste with garlic and thyme, slice thick, and serve on a wooden board like a boss.
17. Grilled Cornbread Skillet
Make cornbread batter, pour it into a buttered cast iron, and grill with indirect heat until golden. Add jalapeños or cheddar for extra punch. Slice like a pie and serve hot.
18. Smoked Duck Breast with Cherry Glaze
Rich duck breast, scored and smoked skin-side up, finished on the hot side of the grill for a crispy exterior. Glaze with a tart cherry reduction. Impressively gourmet.
19. BBQ-Rubbed Cauliflower Steaks
For the vegetarians or just as a side, slice thick cauliflower steaks, coat with a smoky BBQ rub, and grill until tender and charred. Drizzle with tahini or serve with chimichurri.
20. Christmas BBQ Dessert: Grilled Pound Cake with Berries
Slice store-bought pound cake and grill until toasty on both sides. Serve with macerated berries and a scoop of vanilla or eggnog ice cream. You just earned yourself a standing ovation.
Final Thoughts
Christmas BBQ isn’t a gimmick. It’s a full-on holiday experience that swaps casseroles for crusty ribeyes, and cranberry sauce for smoked sausage bites. Whether you go all out with a smoked prime rib or just sneak a few bacon-wrapped jalapeños onto the table, the flavor—and the vibe—is unmatched.
You don’t have to ditch your classic Christmas dishes, but maybe this year, add a little fire. Literally. Fire up the grill or smoker, crack open something cold, and own your holiday menu like a pro. BBQ and Christmas? That’s a combo worth making tradition.
