53 Holiday Recipes for the Grill and Smoker
Dec 14, 2020, Updated Dec 19, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Read more at our disclosure policy.
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.
Table of Contents
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.
1
Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider Recipe
A soothing and comforting spiked apple cider made with Bourbon. Can be served warm or cold over ice.
Check out this recipe
2
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.
Check out this recipe
3
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.
Check out this recipe
4
How To Smoke Ice For Cocktails
Steps on smoking ice to garnish with your favorite cocktails.
Check out this recipe
5
Apple Cider Mimosa Recipe
Fresh apple cider plus sparkling wine for the perfect apple cider cocktail. This will be your go-to fall cocktail.
Check out this recipe
6
Easy Christmas Mimosa
An incredibly easy 3-ingredient Christmas mimosa that's easy to adapt. It has a balance of sparkling wine, cranberry juice, and a splash of orange and is the perfect holiday cocktail!
Check out this recipe
7
Pomegranate Mimosa
A delicious and festive Pomegranate Mimosa made with sparkling wine, Cointreau, and pomegranate juice. The perfect champagne cocktail recipe for holiday parties!
Check out this recipe
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.
8
Roasted Chestnuts over Open Fire
An easy recipe for roasting chestnuts over an open fire of charcoal or embers.
Check out this recipe
9
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.
Check out this recipe
10
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.
Check out this recipe
11
Grilled Baked Brie with Wine and Thyme
Grilled brie wheel with white wine and thyme served with grilled crostini.
Check out this recipe
12
Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
A delicious appetizer recipe for a 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.
Check out this recipe
13
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.
Check out this recipe
14
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.
Check out this recipe
15
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!
Check out this recipe
16
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.
Check out this recipe
17
Wine Marinated Beef Skewers
Using a red wine marinade and easy dry rub for these delicious grilled steak skewer recipe.
Check out this recipe
18
Grilled Oysters with White Wine Butter Sauce
How to grill oysters in the half shell with a herb wine butter sauce.
Check out this recipe
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.
19
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.
Check out this recipe
20
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.
Check out this recipe
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.
21
The Ultimate Smoked Brisket Recipe
Recipe for a whole packer Smoked Brisket. The best steps for perfectly juicy and tender brisket every time on any smoker.
Check out this recipe
22
Smoked Beef Tenderloin Recipe – Reverse Seared
Beef Tenderloin, smoked low and slow and then finished hot and fast over charcoal.
Check out this recipe
23
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.
Check out this recipe
24
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!
Check out this recipe
25
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.
Check out this recipe
26
Grilled Porchetta Recipe – Great Holiday Roast
A grilled Porchetta Roast perfect for a holiday meal or special occasion.
Check out this recipe
27
Grilled Rack of Pork with Apricot Herb Glaze
A bone-in pork loin roast served with a sweet and savory apricot herb glaze.
Check out this recipe
28
Smoked Boneless Leg of Lamb Recipe
An herbal and fragrant lamb seasoning slowly smoke roasted in a grill and cooked to medium rare.
Check out this recipe
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.
29
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.
Check out this recipe
30
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fried Sage Butter Sauce
Grilled pork tenderloin is as easy as cooking the meat hot and fast and then adding a drizzle of sage butter for a tender and perfect Grilled Pork Tenderloin. A quick and easy weeknight meal or elegant family dinner.
Check out this recipe
31
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.
Check out this recipe
32
Grilled Pork Collar Recipe with Citrus Marinade
Grilled Pork Collar, or pork neck with an easy citrus marinade.
Check out this recipe
33
Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe
Step by step guide for smoked whole chicken- including times, temps, dry rub recipes and pro tips.
Check out this recipe
34
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.
Check out this recipe
35
Smoked Salmon
Perfect Smoked Salmon. Recipe and video for fresh smoked salmon fillet. Secrets to juicy and tender salmon. Comes with wine pairing recommendations.
Check out this recipe
36
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.
Check out this recipe
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this to you AND teach you how to smoke the perfect turkey.
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.
37
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.
Check out this recipe
38
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.
Check out this recipe
39
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.
Check out this recipe
40
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.
Check out this recipe
41
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.
Check out this recipe
42
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!
Check out this recipe
43
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.
Check out this recipe
44
Grilled Vegetables
A medley of grilled vegetables perfect for a grilled vegetable grazing platter.
Check out this recipe
45
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.
Check out this recipe
46
Skillet Cornbread Recipe on the Grill
Grilled Cornbread in a cast iron skillet with green chilies and cinnamon topped with smoked honey drizzle.
Check out this recipe
47
Smoked Sausage Stuffing with Caramelized Onions
A simple smoked sausage, caramelized onion, and cornbread stuffing for Thanksgiving, cooked on the smoker or grill.
Check out this recipe
48
Smoked Turkey Gravy Recipe with Bourbon
A simple way to make smoked Thanksgiving turkey gravy with added flavor of bourbon and thyme.
Check out this recipe
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.
49
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.
Check out this recipe
50
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
Check out this recipe
51
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!
Check out this recipe
52
Grilled Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Grilled pumpkin pie with traditional spice flavor and topped with candied pecans. An incredible dessert for your holiday spread.
Check out this recipe
53
Smoked Whipped Cream
How to smoked cream to use as a base for perfect Smoked Whipped Cream for your favorite desserts.
Check out this recipe
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.
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.
