51 Holiday Recipes for the Grill and Smoker

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Looking for ideas to cook outside this holiday season? This guide is a range of holiday recipes from appetizers to main dishes large and small. Great for Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa. Grab a glass of wine and peruse some of our favorites. If you are looking for some thanksgiving recipes, then check out our perfect Thanksgiving on the grill and smoker round up.

If you have spent any time on our website you’ll know that we’re all about cooking outside all year round. And anything you can cook inside can be replicated on the grill and smoker. Not only is the flavor more intense, the ease of having a second kitchen outside makes for that much more space.

And whether you are looking for a large gathering idea or something smaller and more intimate, these holiday recipe ideas can be scaled up or down very easily. Just imagine a beautifully plated line up of some of these treats… now let’s get grilling.

Cocktails

There is nothing more satisfying during a holiday meal than a great cocktail that is easy to make and can yield a good amount of servings. Just make these in advance and have them ready to mix versus making one at a time.

Spiked Hot Apple Cider
4.43 from 83 votes

Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider Recipe

A soothing and comforting spiked apple cider made with Bourbon. Can be served warm or cold over ice. 
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5 from 1 vote

Mulled Wine Recipe

Mulled Wine is a comforting festive drink made from a blend of red wine, spices, and citrus, served warm. This holiday classic recipe is easy to make and is a great cocktail for winter parties.
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Ginger Pomegranate Spritz in glass.
5 from 1 vote

Ginger Pomegranate Cocktail

Ginger Pomegranate Spritz is a loose take on a classic cocktail. This refreshing drink is made with ginger beer, pomegranate flavored Italian soda, fresh lime, vodka, and some fresh herbs. It's the perfect refreshing holiday cocktail this season.
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A Smoked Ice Cocktail: A twist on a classic Old Fashioned made with Smoked Ice!
5 from 3 votes

How To Smoke Ice For Cocktails

Steps on smoking ice to garnish with your favorite cocktails.
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Two Apple Cider Mimosas
5 from 1 vote

Apple Cider Mimosa Recipe

Fresh apple cider plus sparkling wine for the perfect apple cider cocktail. This will be your go-to fall cocktail.
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Appetizers and Snacks for Holiday Parties

When we gather for the holidays, some of it is all about the experience, like having a fire pit going outside and roasting chestnuts over the coals. Or plating items that are easy to make in scale and then cut into smaller bites.

Chestnuts roasting over a grill
4.80 from 5 votes

Roasted Chestnuts over Open Fire

An easy recipe for roasting chestnuts over an open fire of charcoal or embers.
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Grilled Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates on a platter
5 from 7 votes

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Dates with Honey and Goat Cheese

Stuffed with goat cheese, these dates are then wrapped with bacon and then grilled over direct heat. These dates are finished with a smoked honey glaze and create the very best finger food at any party.
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Smoked Meatballs with a Cranberry and Red Wine Sauce
5 from 1 vote

Smoked Cranberry Meatballs in a Cranberry Red Wine Sauce

A simple, delicious, and elegant appetizer idea for the holidays. Smoked meatballs made with pork and beef, cooked on the smoker, and then braised in a sweet and savory cranberry wine sauce.
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Baked Brie dip with crostini.
4.49 from 25 votes

Grilled Baked Brie with Wine and Thyme

Grilled brie wheel with white wine and thyme served with grilled crostini.
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Smoked Salmon Dip with crostini in a cup.
4.86 from 7 votes

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

A delicious appetizer recipe for smoked salmon dip made with salmon cooked on a smoker, then mixed into a creamy indulgent dip. This is a great smoked salmon appetizer for any occasion. Includes wine pairings.
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A sheet pan full of Smoked Candied Nuts
5 from 1 vote

Smoked Candied Nuts Recipe with Bourbon Glaze

A slowly smoked mix of pecans, almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts finished with a sweet and decadent butter, brown sugar, and bourbon glaze.
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Smoked almonds in a dish with sea salt.
5 from 3 votes

Smoked Almonds

Roasting almonds using a low and slow method to get an amazing smoky flavor and crunch. We add a touch of extra virgin olive oil and kosher salt to finish.
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Grilled Shrimp Cocktail served with a Spicy Sriracha Cocktail Sauce
5 from 3 votes

Grilled Shrimp Cocktail with Sriracha Cocktail Sauce

Grilled Shrimp Cocktail features a Spicy Sriracha Cocktail Sauce that is easily adaptable. Perfect for cookouts, parties, and holidays!
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A serving platter of smoked and stuffed sausage mushrooms.
4.67 from 9 votes

Smoked Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

An easy and elegant recipe for Smoked Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. Smoked sausage adds incredible flavor to this favorite holiday party appetizer.
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Beef skewers on a cutting board with cranberry relish.
5 from 1 vote

Wine Marinated Beef Skewers

Using a red wine marinade and easy dry rub for these delicious grilled steak skewer recipe.
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A platter of Grilled Oysters
4.45 from 18 votes

Grilled Oysters with White Wine Butter Sauce

How to grill oysters in the half shell with a herb wine butter sauce.
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Smoked Prime Rib – Ultimate Holiday Recipe Idea

It’s no secret that Prime Rib is such a hit through the holiday season. And this is one of our favorite recipes every year. The tender and delicious meaty flavor combined with a herb crust or a compound butter will make the flavor really stand out.

Smoked Prime Rib with Herb Crust
4.50 from 91 votes

Smoked Prime Rib Recipe

How to cook a prime rib on a smoker. Including recipe and video tutorial on smoking the perfect prime rib for any kind of smoker, including pellet smokers. Comes with wine pairing recommendations. 
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4.72 from 14 votes

Smoked Prime Rib Recipe with Horseradish Compound Butter

Slowly smoked and then seared with a high heat, this Prime Rib is tender, and juicy. Finish with a horseradish compound butter as an extra flavor element.
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Other Large Holiday Roasts

Prime Rib doesn’t have to be the only main star, these large roasts can handle a larger crowd and taste just as special.

Smoked brisket sliced on butcher paper with pickled vegetables.
4.58 from 103 votes

The Ultimate Smoked Brisket Recipe

Recipe for a whole packer Smoked Beef Brisket. The best steps for perfectly juicy and tender brisket.  
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Smoked Beef Tenderloin
4.78 from 36 votes

Smoked Beef Tenderloin Recipe – Reverse Seared

Beef Tenderloin, smoked low and slow and then finished hot and fast over charcoal.
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4.48 from 118 votes

Smoked Turkey Recipe with Bourbon Brine

Truly the Best Smoked Turkey recipe, packed with flavor, from a bourbon citrus brine, to an herbed butter, to a great turkey seasoning. Rated as the best turkey brines for smoking, this is the juiciest and most flavorful turkey ever.
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4.71 from 34 votes

Smoked Ham Recipe

Smoked Ham is the perfect meal for any holiday, like Christmas or Easter dinner. This brown sugar glaze is absolutely incredible over the top of your smoked ham!
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4.60 from 50 votes

Double Smoked Ham Recipe with Cherry Bourbon Glaze

Recipe for double smoked ham with cherry and bourbon glaze. Slowly smoked and finished with an amazing cherry and bourbon sticky glaze.
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Grilled Porchetta Roast on a cutting board with slices cut showing the filling
5 from 1 vote

Grilled Porchetta Recipe – Great Holiday Roast

A grilled Porchetta Roast perfect for a holiday meal or special occasion.
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Grilled Rack of Pork with Apricot herb glaze
4.86 from 7 votes

Grilled Rack of Pork with Apricot Herb Glaze

A bone-in pork loin roast served with a sweet and savory apricot herb glaze.
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4.50 from 2 votes

Smoked Boneless Leg of Lamb Recipe

An herbal and fragrant lamb seasoning slowly smoke roasted in a grill and cooked to medium rare.
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Small Roasts for the Holidays

If the crowds are a little smaller this year, these elegant dishes still come with amazing flavor. These are all worthy of standing up to their larger cousins for an impressive holiday dinner.

Smoked Lamb Chops cooking on a grill
4.36 from 17 votes

Smoked Lamb Chops Recipe

Smoked Lamb Chops cooked low on the smoker for flavor and then finished grilled hot and fast. Cut into an individual lollipop for an elegant appetizer or serve two for an entrée.
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Grilled Pork Tenderloin
4.50 from 4 votes

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fried Sage Butter Sauce

Grilled hot and fast with a drizzle of sage butter for a tender and perfect Grilled Pork Tenderloin.
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Slices of Grilled Pork Loin on a platter with roasted potatoes
5 from 3 votes

Grilled Pork Loin with Blackberry, Caramelized Shallots, and Red Wine Glaze

A tender and delicious pork loin roasted on the grill and finished with a sweet and savory berry and wine glaze.
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4.88 from 8 votes

Grilled Pork Collar Recipe with Citrus Marinade

Grilled Pork Collar, or pork neck with an easy citrus marinade.
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Whole Smoked Chicken on a sheet pan
3.96 from 46 votes

Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe

Step by step guide for smoked whole chicken- including times, temps, dry rub recipes and pro tips.  
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Wine Can Chicken on the Grill
4.86 from 7 votes

Grilled Wine Can Chicken

A take on the classic beer can chicken, but with the added twist of a bright and fruity can of wine.
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4.57 from 132 votes

Smoked Salmon

Perfect Smoked Salmon. Recipe and video for fresh smoked salmon fillet. Secrets to juicy and tender salmon. Comes with wine pairing recommendations.
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Grilled Filet Mignon topped with a mushroom brown butter sauce with pinterest text
4.56 from 9 votes

Grilled Filet Mignon with Mushroom Brown Butter Sauce Recipe

Filet Mignon with Mushroom Brown Butter Sauce is a fantastic steak recipe for a special occasion or holiday meal. Filet Mignon is incredibly tender with a buttery flavor and topped with a decadent brown butter mushroom sauce, your mouth will water for days.
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Holiday Side Dishes

Side dishes will elevate any main dish. But keep it simple. Consider 2 – 3 sides to accompany your main dish. Just scale up if more people come over.

Cast Iron dinner rolls after being grilled and topped with melted butter and seasoning.
5 from 3 votes

Easy Skillet Dinner Rolls Recipe (on the Grill)

These amazing and simple homemade dinner rolls are ready and baked in under 90 minutes, and grilled indirect. Prepared in a cast iron skillet and cooked on the grill for the best flavor for your holiday meals.
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duck fat potatoes with spatula
5 from 6 votes

Roasted Duck Fat Potatoes Recipe

Slowly roasted potatoes tossed in delicious duck fat and finished with freshly shaved parmesan and fresh thyme. Soft on the inside and crispy exterior as the perfect side for a roast of brunch.
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Grilled Caesar Salad with Crispy Bacon
4.52 from 25 votes

Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad Recipe

A simple and delicious grilled romaine Caesar salad elevated with some smoky crispy pancetta (or bacon), grilled lemon, and grilled baguette slices to sub for croutons, and instructions on how to grill romaine lettuce.
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4.89 from 9 votes

Grilled Brussels Sprouts Recipe With Bacon and Balsamic

Grilled Brussels Sprouts are the ultimate vegetable side dish! When you add bacon and balsamic to your Brussels this grilled side dish is over-the-top. 
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4.36 from 37 votes

Grilled and Glazed Carrots Recipe

Grilled Carrots with a Honey Brown Sugar Glaze are a fantastic side dish to any holiday or casual meal. Perfect side dish for Easter or Christmas dinner or summer grilling season.  
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Grilled Broccolini with Grilled Lemon and Parmesan
4.75 from 4 votes

Grilled Broccolini Recipe with Grilled Lemon and Parmesan

Grilled Broccolini is tender and delicious and grills fast and easy. Broccolini is so much better than broccoli on the grill and may just become your new go-to side dish for summer cookouts or holiday dinners!
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Grilled Green Beans on a platter with a side of grilled lemons
5 from 2 votes

Easy Grilled Green Beans Recipe with Grilled Lemon

Grilling green beans makes for an easy side dish to make on the grill. Add grilled lemon for an added twist of flavor.
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Grilled Vegetables on a platter
5 from 3 votes

Grilled Vegetables

A medley of grilled vegetables perfect for a grilled vegetable grazing platter.
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Grilled Mashed Sweet Potatoes
5 from 1 vote

Grilled Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Slightly smoky and savory grilled mashed sweet potato recipe with sweet finish of maple syrup. Awesome side dish for the holidays or fall dinners.
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Skillet Cornbread Cooked on the Grill
4.75 from 8 votes

Skillet Cornbread Recipe on the Grill

Grilled Cornbread in a cast iron skillet with green chilies and cinnamon topped with smoked honey drizzle.
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Smoked Sausage, Caramelized Onion, Cornbread Stuffing for Thanksgiving, cooked on the smoker or grill
4.58 from 7 votes

Smoked Sausage, Caramelized Onion, and Cornbread Stuffing Recipe

A simple smoked sausage, caramelized onion, and cornbread stuffing for Thanksgiving, cooked on the smoker or grill.
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Smoked turkey gravy in a platter with a serving spoon
4.62 from 21 votes

Smoked Turkey Gravy Recipe with Bourbon

A simple way to make smoked Thanksgiving turkey gravy with added flavor of bourbon and thyme.
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Dessert

If you still have room, how about these make ahead desserts. Just make them the day before and you’re ready to focus on hanging out with friends and family.

slice of pecan pie
4.50 from 2 votes

Grilled Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe

An easy grilled pecan pie recipe where we substitute maple syrup for the corn syrup and add a dash of bourbon for flare.
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Smoked Chocolate Pot de Creme in ramekins
5 from 1 vote

Smoked Chocolate Pot de Crème Recipe (no bake)

How to make a chocolate pot de crème with a smoky undertone. Smoke milk and cream to create a rich smokiness, then combine with the remaining ingredients for an easy, silky, and indulgent no-bake Chocolate Pot de Crème
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grilled apple crisp cooling
5 from 2 votes

Grilled Apple Crisp

How to make a traditional apple crisp on the grill. Grilled Apple Crisp is going to become your new favorite fall dessert! It's also the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving dinner!
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top down pumpkin pies
5 from 1 vote

Grilled Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Grilled pumpkin pie with traditional spice flavor and topped with candied pecans. An incredible dessert for your holiday spread.
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a bowl of homemade whipped cream sprinkled with powdered sugar
4.67 from 3 votes

Smoked Whipped Cream

How to smoked cream to use as a base for perfect Smoked Whipped Cream for your favorite desserts.
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Wines to Pair With Holiday Dinners

Opening wine for a holiday prime rib meal.
Consider a wide variety of wines for your table.

If you’re serving wine with your holiday roasts, here is your full guide to Pairing Wine with Holiday Roasts as well as a few other resources for the holidays. When you’re ready to buy head to the Vindulge Wine Shop!


If you like these recipes we’d truly appreciate it if you would give this recipe a star review! And if you share any of your pics on Instagram use the hashtag #vindulge. We LOVE to see it when you cook our recipes. 


mary cressler headshot

Vindulge

About Mary


I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!

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