Savory Appetizer: Skillet Bacon-Cheddar Potato Dip
Cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and sour cream join forces to make this irresistible app remarkably creamy. Pop the potatoes in the microwave and heat until tender (poke the skin with a fork a few times first), then proceed as directed using a cast-iron skillet ($45, Target) on your grill grates or grill burner to make this skillet potato dip.
Dipper ideas:
- Sour cream-and-onion potato chips
- Bell pepper wedges
- Carrot sticks
- Apple slices
- Tortilla chips
Get the recipe: Skillet Bacon-Cheddar Potato Dip
Sweet Appetizer: Grilled Fruit Pizza
Ricotta cheese acts as the “sauce” in this recipe, which means you’ll sneak in a healthy amount of protein before the entree even hits the table. Each cup has 28 grams—so you won’t feel the need to gobble down the rest of the meal quite so fast!
Get the recipe: Grilled Fruit Pizza
Vegetable Side Dish: Grilled Baby Veggies with Arugula-Mint Pesto Sauce
After breakfast, whir together the blender-made arugula sauce, then briefly boil the vegetables you plan to grill. Coat the tender veggies in the sauce and allow them to marinate until you’re done with the first round of appetizers.
When it’s go-time, heat the herbaceous vegetables in a wok or skillet over the grill. Since the cooking time takes place just before serving, each bite will have a nice smoky flavor.
Get the recipe: Grilled Baby Veggies with Arugula-Mint Pesto Sauce
Bread: Veggie Skillet Biscuits
Here’s a tricky way to add more vegetables to your family’s diets: Grate zucchini, broccoli stems, and carrots into biscuit batter. Everyone will be so focused on the amazing crunchy edges (thanks, cast-iron!) and the buttery insides of the biscuits that they might not even notice the green and orange additions. As one reviewer raves, “these were delicious! I used a cast-iron skillet and the biscuits were tender and savory. And since they had vegetables, you could eat more than one!”.
Get the recipe: Veggie Skillet Biscuits
Entree: Beer Can Chicken
Whether you grill with beer, wine, juice, or broth is up to you! Simply stick the liquid in the chicken’s cavity, seal it in with a lemon wedge, and grill.
Get the recipe: Beer Can Chicken
Dessert: Cast-Iron Hot Gingerbread
Cinnamon, cloves, molasses, and ginger team up to make this ooey-gooey dessert taste just like the gingerbread cookies you remember from grandma’s house. While you can bake it in the oven, we recommend going the grilled route to fit with the BBQ Christmas menu theme.
By the Barbecue: To make this skookie (you know, skillet cookie!) on the grill, prepare the batter and spread it in an 8-inch cast-iron skillet ($16, Crate & Barrel). Grill, covered, over medium heat for 15 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking time, add the pineapple slices, flipping once halfway through to get both sides nice and caramelized.
Get the recipe: Cast-Iron Hot Gingerbread
Cookie: Kabob Cookies
Standard sugar cookie cutouts are great, but we suggest sending dinner guests home with something a bit more unique. These Kabob Cookies are shaped like common barbecue fare, including shrimp, steak, and mushrooms. Just don’t forget to remove the skewers before sharing with kids!
Get the recipe: Kabob Cookies