Best Meats to Smoke for the Holidays

Plan your holiday menu with our list of the best meats to smoke for the holidays!

The holiday season is a great time to serve mouth-watering smoked meats. Smoking adds fantastic flavor and texture to main proteins, and below, we have several options to choose from.

Best meats to smoke foe the holidays -blog graphic

Prime rib, the king of holiday feasts, tastes amazing when smoked. Try smoked turkey for that irresistible savoriness and crispy skin. Don’t seep on porchetta, an Italian stuffed pork dish, or the deep, rich flavor of leg of lamb. Christmas dinner isn’t complete without the perfectly balanced sweet and salty flavor of double-smoked ham.

Best Meats to Smoke for the Holidays

By now, you should be hungry, and who can blame you? Get ready to embark on a journey to discover the best meats to smoke for the holidays.

Smoked Prime Rib

Cooking a Prime Rib on a Pellet Grill is a breeze, and it produces amazing results! There’s nothing quite like a perfectly smoked prime rib roast to elevate any special occasion. You’ll have your guests coming back for seconds and thirds! While you can use a store-bought rub, we recommend using a simple Texas SPG blend for this recipe.

Pellet Grill Smoked Turkey

This smoked turkey recipe is straightforward and produces a tender, juicy turkey with a delicious golden brown skin. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or a warm-weather cookout, this recipe is sure to impress your guests!

Double Smoked Ham

Double smoking refers to taking a pre-cooked, cold-smoked ham and then hot-smoking it to add extra flavor. During the hot smoking phase, the ham will pick up all that incredible smokiness and a delicious crust from the brown sugar-maple glaze. If you really want a show-stopping main course for the holidays, this is the one!

Pork Crown Roast

Pork crown roast makes an impressive centerpiece for any special occasion. This succulent roast is seasoned in a fantastic spice blend, then coated with a buttery, maple-bourbon baste toward the end of cooking. The result is a juicy, tender pork roast with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner party or a fancy Sunday supper, this roast will have your guests coming back for more!

Smoked Whole Turkey Breast

In this step-by-step recipe guide, we will walk you through all the ins and outs of smoking a whole turkey breast. This recipe is great for those who prefer turkey white meat and an even better choice for small holiday gatherings.

Smoked Porchetta

Wow your guests this holiday season with Smoked Porchetta! This impressive Italian-style roast is chock-full of amazing flavor and is a relatively inexpensive option when compared to prime rib.

Pellet Grill Smoked Brisket

Normally, smoked brisket doesn’t come to mind when planning a holiday menu. However, in Texas, this smoky, tender, delicious main course is a staple at Christmas feasts. Although it does share the spotlight with tamales, but that’s a discussion for another day. Our recipe guide is easy to follow and produces the perfect Texas-style beef brisket, y’all!

Smoked Beef Tenderloin

Smoked beef tenderloin is phenomenal. The smoke flavor intensifies the natural beefiness of this tender melt-in-your-mouth cut of beef. Nothing says it’s the holidays than a decadent beef tenderloin roast.

Pellet Grill Pulled Pork

pulled pork before wrapping — derrickriches.com

Our pellet grill pulled pork method will help you make a perfectly smoked, super tender, mouthwatering pork butt. If you’re a fan of smoked pulled pork but want to sharpen your Pitmaster skills, follow our step-by-step recipe guide for the best tips and tricks. Master the art of preparing the perfect BBQ pork using your pellet grill.

Chuck Roast on a Pellet Smoker

Believe it or not, chuck roast is one of the best meats to smoke for the holidays. It is a budget-friendly alternative to brisket, and beef chuck becomes literal gold when cooked low and slow. Great for small holiday gatherings, but big on taste!

Smoked Cowboy Steak

Are you hosting a small gathering for steak lovers? This steak recipe is for you! There is nothing more rewarding than biting into a perfectly cooked cowboy steak. And even better, we take these bad boys to the pellet grill for a low and slow cook, then reverse sear them to form a deliciously savory crust.

Smoked Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is a lean, flavorful cut of meat. However, this cut is often overlooked for smoking and ends up cubed and made into kebabs or used in stews like pork verde. This pork tenderloin recipe is perfect for those new to grilling. In just 90 minutes, you’ll have a perfectly smoked, mouthwatering roast for your holiday feast!

Pellet Grill Leg of Lamb

This dish will truly impress your guests. This pellet roasted leg of lamb has a perfect crust and a smoky flavor that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. The lamb is seasoned with lemon, herbs, and garlic to create a truly unforgettable dish that is perfect for the holidays and special occasions.

Spatchcock Chicken

Smoked spatchock chicken has the good balance of earthy spice and savory goodness. It will leave you licking your fingers and reaching for more. This chicken is perfect for small holiday gatherings!

Pork Rib Roast

Pork Rib Roast is an underutilized cut of meat that has so much to offer. When cooked right, this roast is tender, juicy and flavorful. For this recipe, we start with a brine and then season the roast with a simple rub. Trust us when we say that this makes the perfect budget-friendly holiday roast!

Smoked Root Beer Glazed Ham

Our smoked root beer glazed ham is full of flavor, twice smoked, then basted with a fantastic sugary sweet glaze. It is definitely a must-try ham recipe to make for the holidays. Save the leftovers to create delicious sandwiches, salads, and hearty cold-weather soups!

Venison Tenderloin

Venison tenderloin is typically grilled hot and fast, but cooking them low and slow increases tenderness and adds a rich, smoky flavor! This simple technique results in tender smoked meat medallions served with sweet Asian chili sauce. A great choice for the holidays!

Smoked Cornish Hens with Pomegranate Glaze

Are you searching for an impressive recipe that will wow your guests? These smoked Cornish hens with pomegranate glaze will do the trick! Our recipe combines the deep, rich smokiness of the hens with a sweet and tangy glaze. This dish is perfect for special occasions, family dinners, and the holiday feasts.