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.
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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.
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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Mulled Wine Recipe
Mulled Wine is a comforting winter 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 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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Smoked Ice Cocktail
A twist on a classic Old Fashioned using Smoked Ice. Recipe and Video.
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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.
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 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 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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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
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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Smoked Candied Nuts with Sweet 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
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 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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Smoked Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
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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Wine Marinated Beef Skewers
Using a red wine marinade and easy dry rub for these delicious grilled steak skewer recipe.
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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 (recipe and video)
How to cook a prime rib on a smoker. Including recipe and video tutorial on smoking the perfect prime rib on any kind of smoker, including pellet smokers. Comes with wine pairing recommendations.
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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 Recipe
Recipe for Smoked Beef Brisket and common questions and answers.
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Smoked Beef Tenderloin – Reverse Seared
Beef Tenderloin, smoked low and slow and then finished hot and fast over charcoal.
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Bourbon Brined Smoked Turkey Recipe
This smoked turkey is jam packed with mega flavor, from a bourbon citrus brine, to an herbed butter, to a dry rub. Rated as the best turkey brine for smoking, this is the juiciest and most flavorful turkey that will have your guests going back for seconds… and maybe even thirds.
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Smoked Ham and Brown Sugar Glaze
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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Double Smoked Ham with Cherry Bourbon Glaze
Recipe for double smoked ham with cherry and bourbon glaze. The ultimate holiday ham!
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Porchetta Recipe for Smoker
A grilled Porchetta Roast perfect for a holiday meal or special occasion.
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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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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 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 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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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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Grilled Pork Collar with Citrus Marinade
Grilled Pork Collar, or pork neck with an easy citrus marinade.
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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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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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Easy and Tender Smoked Salmon Fillet
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 with Mushroom Brown Butter Sauce
Grilled 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 when 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.
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 Romaine Caesar Salad
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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Grilled Brussels Sprouts
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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Grilled and Glazed Carrots
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
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 with Grilled Lemon
Grilling green beans makes for an easy side to make on the grill. Add grilled lemon for an added twist of flavor.
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Grilled Vegetables
A medley of grilled vegetables perfect for a grilled vegetable grazing platter.
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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 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, 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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Bourbon Gravy Recipe with Smoked Turkey
A simple way to make smoked Thanksgiving gravy without a smoker.
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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.
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 Crème (no bake)
How to make a chocolate pot de creme 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
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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Grilled Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Grilled pumpkin pie with traditional spice flavor and topped with candied pecans.
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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
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.
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