When the tree is lit and the house is full, my Traeger is usually running. Christmas dinner doesn’t need to be confined to the oven when a pellet grill can handle everything from prime rib and ham to turkey, lamb, and seafood. A whisper of wood smoke in the background elevates those holiday mains and frees up kitchen space for pies, rolls, and desserts.
Traeger Christmas Recipes
This roundup gathers favorite Traeger Christmas recipes so you can mix and match a holiday menu you’ll actually want to eat. Expect showstoppers like prime rib, double-smoked ham, spatchcock turkey, and beef tenderloin, plus rich sides and seafood options for a Christmas Eve spread. There are crab legs, cioppino, lobster mac and cheese, cozy soups, and hearty casseroles that make feeding a crowd much easier.
Think of this list as a flexible menu planner: choose a main or two, add a couple of sides, pick an appetizer for guests to nibble on while they mingle, and include one fun item—like a butter board or smoked butter candle—to spark conversation. With a Traeger, you get holiday flavors that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen while actually freeing up time for other preparations.
Incredible Traeger Christmas Recipes
Show-stopping holiday recipes that make entertaining easier and make every main course taste special thanks to wood-fire smoke and pellet-grill convenience.
Traeger Prime Rib Roast
Prime rib roasted on a pellet grill develops a deep smoky crust while staying tender and juicy inside. A butter baste or compound butter finish takes it to the next level and creates a centerpiece that will impress the whole table.
Butter-Basted Smoked Prime Rib
Using high-quality beef and a butter-baste technique produces a perfect crust and rich flavor. This method is ideal when you want a dramatic main without complicated steps.
Traeger Smoked Ham
Double-smoked and maple-glazed hams are simple to prepare on a pellet grill. The gentle smoke and sticky glaze make ham a favorite holiday option that’s easy to carve and serve.
Spiked Honey Baked Ham Glaze
A spiked honey glaze—brushed on late in cooking—adds balanced sweetness and a touch of acidity that complements smoky, double-smoked hams.
Pineapple-Glazed Double Smoked Ham
Pineapple glaze brings bright fruit flavor to a slow-smoked ham, making it a crowd-pleaser for holiday dinners or weekend celebrations.
Double Smoked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
Start with a spiral-cut ham, apply a savory rub, smoke it gently, and finish with a brown sugar glaze for a sticky, caramelized exterior and tender slices.
Traeger Smoked Spatchcock Turkey
Spatchcocking flattens the bird so it cooks evenly and faster on the pellet grill. Expect moist white and dark meat with smoky flavor and crisp skin.
Traeger Smoked Turkey
A whole turkey smoked on the Traeger becomes tender and flavorful, with just enough smoke to keep it interesting. It’s a reliable alternative to oven roasting.
Grilled Lamb Loin Chops
Tender lamb loin chops dressed with a simple Greek-style rub and seared over hot grates offer an elegant but easy main course for smaller holiday gatherings.
Smoked Lamb Shanks
Begin with a short smoke on the pellet grill, then braise slowly in a rich liquid of broth, wine, and tomato until the meat falls from the bone—an indulgent holiday main.
Grilled Rack of Lamb
A full rack coated in bold Mediterranean seasoning makes an impressive centerpiece. Cook on the pellet grill until browned outside and tender inside, with a hint of smoke.
Traeger Grilled Lamb Chops
Seasoned with Greek herbs and finished with mint sauce, these chops are a quick, flavorful option that pairs well with bright sides and roasted vegetables.
Fresh Clam Chowder
A big bowl of clam chowder, rich with fresh clams and cream, is reassuringly warming and makes a lovely starter for a seafood-focused holiday meal.
Traeger Grilled Crab Legs
Seasoned with garlic and Old Bay and finished with plenty of butter, smoked crab legs cook fast and deliver big flavor to a festive table.
Smoked King Crab
Large king crab legs gain a deeper, wood-fired character on the pellet grill—an indulgent upgrade from steaming or baking.
Dungeness Crab Bisque
This silky bisque is packed with crab flavor and makes a refined first course for any holiday menu, especially in colder climates.
Traeger Pellet Grill Cioppino
A hearty seafood stew of tomatoes, wine, and fresh local seafood. Cioppino is ideal for a communal Christmas Eve feast where guests can share bowls of warm, fragrant stew.
Seafood Cocktail Board
A decadent appetizer board with crab, shrimp, and accompaniments. It’s a festive, low-effort way to offer guests a luxurious starter.
Traeger Grilled Lobster Tail
Quick to prepare and elegant to serve, grilled lobster tails deliver smoky-sweet seafood flavor without a lot of fuss—perfect for special occasions.
Loaded Smoked Mashed Potatoes
Rich, smoky mashed potatoes loaded with cheese and toppings pair perfectly with beef, ham, or turkey and make an essential holiday side.
Smoked Loaded Baked Potatoes
Baked right on the pellet grill, these potatoes hold toppings well and add a pleasing smoke note alongside roasted mains.
Filet Mignon and Whiskey Garlic Shrimp
Pair a perfectly grilled filet with shrimp in a buttery whiskey-garlic cream sauce for an indulgent two-course plate that reads like a restaurant dinner at home.
Smoked French Onion Soup
Onions smoked on the pellet grill create a deeply flavored broth topped with toasted bread and melted cheese—an excellent starter for a winter holiday meal.
Smoked Potato Stacks with Parmesan Cream Sauce
Thinly sliced, seasoned, and stacked potatoes smoked until tender and slightly crisp make a beautiful, shareable side finished with a creamy parmesan sauce.
Traeger Grilled Lasagna
Lasagna on the pellet grill develops a savory, smoky dimension. Layer a hearty meat sauce with cottage cheese, ricotta, and plenty of mozzarella for comfort-food appeal.
Double Smoked Artichoke Dip
Smoked cream cheese, roasted garlic, and artichokes combine into a warm, cheesy dip that’s perfect for holiday parties and sharing.
Smoked Garlic Goat Cheese
One of the simplest appetizers you can make that tastes elegant: smoked garlic goat cheese served with crackers or crostini makes you instantly popular at any gathering.
Smoked Beef Shank
A dramatic, meaty centerpiece when slow-cooked and braised after smoking. When done low and slow, shank becomes fork-tender and deeply flavored.
Grilled Rack of Pork
Pork rib roast cooked on the pellet grill stays juicy and develops a flavorful crust—an excellent alternative to traditional roasts.
Fall Butter Board
A seasonal butter board with smoked pecans and fall flavors is a delightful, easy appetizer that guests can graze on before the main course.
Garlic Gruyere Potato Gratin
Decadent and cheesy, this gratin with garlic and gruyere is a must-have side for ham, roast beef, or pork—and always asks for seconds.
Smoked Short Rib Poutine
Smoked, cider-braised short ribs over crispy potatoes with sharp cheddar and gravy bring comfort food energy to a holiday spread in a bold, shareable way.
Smoked Butter Candle
A viral, showy appetizer adapted for the smoker—this melted, smoky butter presentation is fun, interactive, and irresistible with crusty bread.
Smoked Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice-baked potatoes smoked on the pellet grill get a crisp skin and rich, cheesy filling—an ideal, make-ahead side that reheats well.
Venison Osso Buco
Tender venison braised with osso buco flavors makes a rustic, elevated roast for winter holidays—perfect for game lovers or alternative mains.
Smoked Lobster Mac and Cheese
Fold smoked lobster into a rich mac and cheese base for an indulgent side or main that blends comfort and luxury in every bite.
Beef Tenderloin
A tender, juicy beef tenderloin on the pellet grill is simple to prepare and always impressive. Season simply and let the Traeger add subtle smoke.