The holidays mean so many things to so many people. There’s the company of family and friends. Religious services. Trips to your childhood home. A friendly game of tag football in the snow. Marathon shopping trips to find the best gifts at the best price. Gingerbread decorating contests, complete with little white puffs of powdered sugar and stray pieces of candy scattered across the kitchen.
But there’s one thing that brings most people together around the holidays: food. A warm, home-cooked meal can create a bond like nothing else. You know the scene. Everyone gathers around the dinner table, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, while mom, dad, or grandma brings out the star of the meal on a big platter. It’s usually a turkey, a ham, or an array of fresh fish and seafood. Other families celebrate with decadent pasta, slow-simmered stews, crunchy fried chicken, or freshly baked pastries and pies. There are glasses clinking together as toasts are made. Laughter fills the room. The doorbell rings and a surprise visitor arrives, maybe someone you haven’t seen in a while. Everyone eats a little too much and stays up a little too late just to spend a few more minutes together.
Food can be the centerpiece of warm holiday memories, especially if your family has special dishes that they make together every year. There’s a reason Aunt Beth always brings her famous mashed potatoes to dinner, right? It’s an integral part of the meal, and a key part of tradition. Those comfort foods can evoke powerful memories, no matter how your family celebrates. At Blue Rhino, can fuel those holiday memories. So read on to find out how you can use your grill to cook up some delicious holiday dishes to create some new memories of your own.
Grill Your Holiday Ham
A slow-roasted ham is the star of many holiday meals. The thing is, roasting a ham can take hours, and valuable space in your oven. So why not take your ham out of the kitchen and cook it on your grill instead? You can still glaze it, but it’ll be done much faster.
The first step is to choose the correct size ham for the number of guests you’ll be hosting. A six-pound ham serves about eight people and cooking it on the grill is a breeze. First, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place a drip pan on the grill grates over indirect heat. Be sure to use a pan that’s big enough to hold the ham! Next, you’ll want to use a sharp knife to score the top and sides of the ham. Try using the crisscross cutting method. Score the ham at a 45-degree angle, then turn your knife another 45 degrees and score it again. Not only will this make for a beautiful presentation, it’ll allow you to rub spices and other seasonings right onto the surface so the flavor really seeps through. Next, place your ham, scored side up, into the drip pan. Cover it with some aluminum foil and grill it until the internal temperature reaches 140℉. This usually takes about 1 - 1-1/2 hours. Finally, remove the aluminum foil and brush your ham with your glaze of choice. Grill it for another five minutes, then let it rest for an additional 15 minutes. Your ham is now ready to carve and serve.
If you’d like, you can brush your ham with your preferred glaze every 20 - 30 minutes while it’s cooking. This will add extra moisture and create a lovely caramelization on the outside. If you like your ham to be extra sweet, sprinkle it with some sugar or brown sugar on it during the last 20 minutes of cooking. It’ll create a crunchy crust that adds to the sweet and savory flavors.
If you end up grilling too much ham and have a lot of leftovers, you can freeze it for up to six months. You’ll have a little taste of the holidays every time you take a few slices out! Wondering where to start? Try this Grilled Ham with Lemon Orange Glaze. Ground coriander adds a little burst of flavor, while orange juice and lemon marmalade create a fresh, fruity glaze.
Grilled Turkey, Anyone?
Ham isn’t the only main dish you can grill for the holidays. Turkey can be grilled to succulent, smokey perfection.
Again, the first step is to choose the right size for your gathering. You should aim for roughly 1 - 1-1/2 lbs per person. Be sure to thaw your turkey in advance in the refrigerator. Depending on the size of the turkey you choose, this may take a few days, so be sure to start the process ahead of time. Another tip? Put your turkey in a brine, and then put it in the fridge. Brining helps increase flavor, improves moisture content, and gives you a chance to personalize its flavor profile before it ever hits the grill.
When you’re ready to grill your turkey, take it out of the refrigerator, pat it dry with some paper towels, and rub spices along the outside and inside its cavity. You can also add pats of butter underneath the skin for some added flavor and additional moisture. Next, truss the turkey. Essentially, you’re going to tie the legs and wings flush to the main body of the bird so it cooks evenly. Tuck everything in so it creates one nice, neat little package.
When it’s time to grill, preheat it to medium-low and place a drip pan on the grill grates. You’ll be using indirect heating again, so don’t place the pan directly over the burners that are lit. Pour chicken stock into the drip pan and place the turkey in it. Then, close the lid and cook the turkey 12 - 15 minutes per pound. You’ll know it’s done when the thighs reach 170℉ and the breasts are at 155℉. Remember, poultry needs to rest before cutting it, so let your turkey sit for 20 - 30 minutes before you dive in and start carving.
There are many ways to enhance your turkey’s flavor. First, while you’re getting ready to truss the turkey, fill the cavity with vegetables and herbs. Things like carrots, celery, onions, rosemary, and thyme work well. You can also baste your turkey every 20 - 30 minutes if you’d like it to be extra juicy.
And don’t forget to make sure you have enough propane! You’re going to be running your grill for several hours. You certainly don’t want to run out. Use Blue Rhino’s handy propane finder to locate a retailer near you, or check out our home delivery program, which is now available in some markets. Remember – it never hurts to have a spare tank on hand!
Let the Side Dishes Shine
Some people would argue that the best part about any holiday meal is the side dishes. Maybe you crave mom’s sweet potato casserole or Dad’s jalapeño cornbread. No matter what your favorite side dish is, some recipes can get an extra lift by cooking them on the grill.
Take, for example, these Grilled Baked Potatoes. They’re loaded with all the flavors you love, including bacon, sour cream, and cheese, but they’ve got something that’s extra special – grill marks! Those little lines of perfection add a ton of flavor and amp up the presentation when you serve them to your guests.
Grilled Corn on the Cob isn’t just for summer! You can serve it any time of year as long as you have propane for your grill. Pro tip – wrapping the ears of corn in aluminum foil will help keep them juicy and fresh-tasting.
Biscuits? On the grill? Why yes, please! These Grilled Herb Biscuits rise to crispy perfection in a cast iron pan. Rosemary and thyme tie in the flavors of the holidays, and olive oil provides an earthy element.
Finally, something for the kids (and the grown-ups). It’s Grilled Mac-n-Cheese! This dish is ooey, gooey, and has those amazing little pieces of crusty cheese on top. Asiago, Monterey jack, white cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and sharp cheddar cheeses blend to create a medley of salty goodness. Fresh jalapeño peppers, sliced paper thin, add a little kick.
Don’t Sweat It, Just Grill!
No matter what you decide to make for the holidays, don’t sweat it. Use the tools that you have, including your grill, to help you create a delectable feast for your family and friends.
When you inevitably end up with leftovers, look for ways to reuse them in new, creative ways. Leftover turkey can become turkey burritos or turkey pot pie. Grilled corn on the cob can easily be turned into chicken corn chowder. You can even reuse some of the grilled baked potatoes to help thicken it up! Use your creativity to spark some new ideas.
And don’t forget to follow Blue Rhino on Facebook, X, and Instagram. We’re always posting grilling tips, recipes, unique content, contests, and more. You may just find a new way to use up all that ham! Happy holidays, and happy grilling to you and your family and friends!
Last updated: 2024.11.05