20 Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas for the Grill
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The holidays are right around the corner, and let’s face it – Christmas or any holiday for that matter can be a lot. But your holiday feast doesn’t have to add to the stress. Check out Traeger’s guide to easy Christmas dinner ideas for the grill. From epic, crowd-pleasing apps to main dishes you can set and forget, we’ve got everything you need to make this holiday meal as effortless as it is unforgettable. Your Christmas BBQ awaits!
Easy Holiday Starters & Apps
Kick off the holiday feast with easy, mouthwatering starters fresh off the pellet grill. From smoky bacon-wrapped bites to warm, melty cheese dips, these appetizers bring big flavor without breaking a sweat.
Smoked Salmon
There’s nothing like classic, smoked salmon to get a holiday dinner started. This Traeger favorite might seem intimidating, but with a 15-minute prep time, you’ll be smoking and feasting in no time.
Pro Tip: For smoked salmon, make sure to go with mild, fruity wood pellets like apple or cherry for a subtle sweetness that will enhance the fish’s natural flavor. Anything too bold will overwhelm the flavor.
Smoked Deviled Eggs
Another smoked starter you can make for Christmas dinner is smoked deviled eggs. For even more wood-fired taste, smoke your bacon before garnishing the eggs.
Artichoke & Spinach Dip
Start your Christmas dinner with a smoked artichoke and spinach dip that’s packed with creamy, savory flavor and just the right hint of wood-fired smoke. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer that takes minutes to prep but brings the flavor of hours on the grill. Serve with toasted baguette slices, and let this dip set the bar for the rest of the meal.
Christmas Tree Bacon-Wrapped Meatballs
If you’re hosting a holiday party, a Christmas tree made of bacon-wrapped meatballs, bocconcini, cherry tomatoes, and fresh rosemary sprigs are sure to leave a lasting impression.
While the assembling of the tree might take some time, pour yourself a glass of wine and know that it’ll be worth the time spent.
Cherry and Black Pepper Smoked Cream Cheese
If you have 5 minutes, this crowd-pleasing appetizer is worth the 5 minutes of prep time. If you’d like to switch out the cherry topping, you can add hot pepper jelly topping, or smoked cowboy candy. Read our article on how to make these epic candied jalapenos like a pro for the holidays.
Make this smoked cream cheese even more festive with our holiday cowboy candy.
Easy Mains
Make your holiday dinner unforgettable with easy, boldly-flavored mains that bring wood-fired flavor to the table.
Herb-Crusted Prime Rib with Au Jus
Prime rib is the king of meats during the holidays, and this herb-crusted prime rib with au jus is one of our favorite go-to prime rib recipes. While the cooking steps might look intimidating, the prep is easy and it’s worth it considering this meat cut is more on the expensive side.
To ease you into this easy Christmas dinner recipe, take a look at our expert prime rib guides below:
Maple Glazed Traeger Ham
Ham is a holiday favorite for a reason—it’s hearty, feeds a crowd, and brings that classic, savory flavor everyone expects at the holiday table. Our maple glazed Traeger ham takes it up a notch with a rich, smoky sweetness from real maple syrup that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. This recipe keeps things simple but brings big flavor, making it the perfect choice for an easy yet impressive Christmas dinner.
Read our article on how to smoke a ham so that you can be ready to go on Christmas Eve.
Smoked Ribeye Roast
Another holiday classic, smoked ribeye roast brings rich flavor with minimal effort. This simple recipe is perfect for a hands-off approach, letting the Traeger work its magic low and slow while you enjoy time with family and friends.
Pro Tip: Use a MEATER wireless meat thermometer to keep an eye on the roast's progress without lifting the lid.
Smoked Pepper Beef Tenderloin
Smoked peppered beef tenderloin is a foolproof choice for an impressive holiday meal that’s as easy as it is flavorful. With just a quick prep and a low-maintenance cook on the Traeger, you’ll get tender, juicy beef that’s rich in wood-fired flavor—perfect for a stress-free holiday dinner.
Christmas Dinner Sides Ideas
Salt-Crusted Baked Potatoes
Potatoes always pair well with a rich main, and these baked potatoes are an instant crowd-pleaser and only take an hour to bake in the Traeger.
Bacon Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole needn’t be just a Thanksgiving staple. Add some more wood-fired flavor to your holiday dinner by making this easy green bean casserole.
Bacon & Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Another delicious, easy casserole recipe to serve for Christmas dinner is this bacon and brussels sprouts gratin. With a prep time of 30 minutes and cook time of 1 hour, you can start and serve this flavorful dish in no time.
Baked Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire pudding, or popovers, has been part of British holiday meals for centuries. This traditional holiday side is not only delicious but extremely easy to make on the Traeger. And, if you’re cooking prime rib or any other beef roast, it’s a great way to use the drippings.
Butter Braised Green Beans
Braised green beans are versatile, easy, and go with just about anything. If you’re looking for something a bit fresher to serve for your Christmas feast, these Traegered green beans are the way to go.
Easy Dessert Ideas
Baked Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread is an iconic flavor during the holidays, and when it comes to these soft gingerbread cookies, it’s easy to see why.
Baked Holiday Sugar Cookies
Another classic Christmas cookie is buttery holiday cookies. Whether or not you decide to make your own frosting, it’s fun to get the family together to decorate.
Holiday Brownie Pie
Nothing is better than peppermint and chocolate – unless you combine those flavors with delicious wood-fired flavor.
To make this recipe even easier, you can use store-bought pie dough.
Cast Iron Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple upside down cake has been a popular dessert for over 100 years, and with its festive appearance, it’s perfect for a holiday dessert. And since canned pineapple can be found year-round, it can be easily made during Christmas.
Traeger Chocolate Chip Cookies
There can never be too many Christmas cookies during the holidays, and these chocolate chip cookies made on the pellet grill is an easy Christmas recipe that your guests will eat up. Just make sure to pair it with Mexican hot chocolate for Santa Claus.
Tips for an Easy Christmas Dinner
While Christmas dinner might seem intimidating, take a look at these Traeger tips to make prepping and cooking a little easier:
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Prep Ahead: Chop veggies, marinate meats, and measure ingredients a day or two before. This minimizes work on the big day and allows you to focus on cooking.
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Use Wood Pellets That Complement Holiday Flavors: Opt for pellets like apple, cherry, or pecan for a mild, sweet smoke that pairs well with holiday dishes like ham, beef, or baked goods. Check out our wood pellet guide so you can get decide what will work for your meal plan.
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Batch Cook Appetizers and Sides: Utilize the grill space by cooking multiple appetizers or sides at once. This saves time and ensures all your dishes have that wood-fired flavor.
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Choose Low-Maintenance Mains: Opt for set-it-and-forget-it recipes like smoked ham or prime rib. These cuts cook low and slow on the Traeger, freeing you up to spend more time with family.
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Use a Meat Thermometer: A wireless thermometer like MEATER helps you monitor internal temperatures without lifting the lid, ensuring perfectly cooked meats without losing heat.
Traeger Prime Rib Recipe
by Traeger Kitchen
5 Reviews
Prep Time
15 Min
Cook Time
4 Hr
15 Min
Serves
8
Pellets
Pecan
Seasoned with simple herbs, then smoked and roasted to perfection, this winning Traeger prime rib recipe delivers every single time.
Ingredients
main
| 1 | (8-10 lb) 4-bone prime rib roast |
| 5 Tablespoon | kosher salt |
| 5 Tablespoon | freshly ground black pepper |
| 3 Tablespoon | chopped fresh thyme leaves |
| 3 Tablespoon | chopped fresh rosemary leaves |
1
When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 250℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
2
While the grill preheats, trim any excess fat off the roast.
3
In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Rub all over the roast.
4
Insert the probe into the center of the roast, avoiding the bones and any large pockets of fat. Place the roast directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and cook until the internal temperature reaches 120℉, about 4 hours. Remove the roast from the grill and let rest for 20 minutes.
5
While the roast rests, increase the Traeger temperature to 450°F and preheat with the lid closed. Return the roast to the grill, close the lid, and cook, rotating halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare or your desired temperature, about 15 minutes.
6
Remove the roast from the grill and let rest for 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
