Christmas BBQ Menu Ideas from the Grill or Smoker

Introduction

Get ready to elevate your Christmas feast with BBQ menu ideas straight from the grill or smoker. By adding the irresistible flavors of fire and smoke to your holiday meal, you’ll impress your guests and create new traditions. These recipes pack bold taste and are surprisingly easy to prep, making them perfect for feeding a festive crowd with minimal hassle.

Why Choose a Grilled or Smoked Christmas Menu?

Taking your holiday meal outdoors means unlocking a whole new world of flavor—think juicy smoked meats, caramelized grilled vegetables, and sides that soak up all that savory goodness. Plus, grilling and smoking allow you to serve up a hearty, rustic spread that pleases kids and adults alike, while freeing up precious oven space for baking desserts.

Essential Christmas BBQ Dishes

Here’s a menu of crowd-pleasing Christmas BBQ mains and sides that require little more than simple prep and patience for great results:

• Smoked Prime Rib: A robust beef roast, seasoned with herbs and spices, smoked low and slow for tender, juicy slices.
• BBQ Glazed Ham: Classic ham finished over the grill with a tangy-sweet glaze that caramelizes to perfection.
• Grilled Herb Turkey Breast: Marinated in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary, then grilled for flavorful, moist meat with crisp skin.
• Chargrilled Brussels Sprouts: Tossed with balsamic and bacon, these emerge smoky and caramelized.
• Smoked Mac ‘n’ Cheese: Creamy pasta baked in a cast iron skillet to pick up subtle wood-fired flavor.
• Grilled Garlic Bread: Slices of baguette brushed with herb butter and toasted over the coals.
• BBQ Sweet Potato Wedges: Rubbed with spices and grilled until tender with crispy edges.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this holiday menu to instantly generate a categorized shopping list. Every ingredient, automatically organized—your grocery trips (and holiday meal planning) are about to get a whole lot easier!

Instructions

1. Smoked Prime Rib: Prep the rib roast with olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Set it in your smoker at 225°F with your favorite wood for about 3-4 hours, until internal temp reaches 130°F for medium rare. Rest 30 minutes before slicing.
2. BBQ Glazed Ham: Brush ham with a glaze of brown sugar, smoked paprika, and your favorite BBQ sauce. Grill over indirect heat at 325°F for 1-1.5 hours, basting every 20 minutes.
3. Grilled Herb Turkey Breast: Marinate turkey in olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Grill over medium heat, turning occasionally, until 165°F internal temp, about 45-60 minutes.
4. Chargrilled Brussels Sprouts: Toss sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill in a basket or skewer for 8–10 minutes, then toss with crisped bacon bits and a splash of balsamic.
6. Smoked Mac ‘n’ Cheese: Prepare macaroni according to box. In a large cast iron skillet, mix with butter and cheddar; smoke at 225°F for 30–45 minutes until bubbling and lightly browned on top.
7. Grilled Garlic Bread: Slice baguette, brush with herb butter, and grill over direct heat for 1–2 minutes per side.
8. BBQ Sweet Potato Wedges: Rub wedges with oil and BBQ spices. Grill over medium-high heat, turning until charred and tender, about 15–20 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your BBQ dishes family-style on big platters. Sprinkle fresh herbs over the meat, drizzle extra glaze over the ham, and offer classic condiments like horseradish cream, cranberry sauce, or a smoky aioli for dipping veggies and bread. For a festive touch, garnish grilled sides with candied pecans or dried cranberries.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This menu is designed to feed 8–10 guests; dishes balance proteins, veggies, and carbohydrates. Calorie counts will vary by dish and portion, but you can expect hearty servings—and plenty of holiday cheer in every bite.

Christmas BBQ Menu Recap

With these menu ideas from the grill or smoker, your Christmas meal truly stands out. The smoky aromas, succulent meats, and vibrant sides ensure this holiday feast will be remembered for flavor and fun.

Weekly Meal Planning

Holiday gatherings benefit from clear organization. Save and schedule this menu in CookifyAI to batch-plan your shopping list by dish, consolidate overlapping ingredients, and make prep stress-free.

Planning Benefits:

• Keeps track of all dishes and ingredients for large gatherings
• Groups grocery items by store section, streamlining your errands
• Accurately sums quantities for duplicate ingredients
• Minimizes forgotten items or last-minute rushes

Pro tip: For multi-day holiday hosting, schedule your recipes so your shopping list captures exactly what you’ll need—no extra waste, no return trips. Planning ahead lets you relax and enjoy the Christmas BBQ festivities.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours (for meats; sides can be prepped simultaneously)
Total Time: 4–5 hours including rest and serving time

With these Christmas BBQ menu ideas from the grill or smoker, you’re ready to showcase incredible flavors, simplify your prep, and make the holidays more delicious than ever!