Holiday Meals on Grills!

using a grill to cook this holiday seasonIt’s prime time for holiday get togethers, and what’s a party without great food? If you want to wow your guests at Christmas, New Years, or that ugly sweater party, don’t forget about the grill! Not only will grilling free up space in your oven for other dishes, but it brings a bit of the unexpected and a nod to sunnier days to your gatherings. (Plus you’ll have an excuse to escape outdoors when your relatives get a little too close for comfort.) Here are some helpful tips and recipe suggestions to get the most out of your holiday grilling.

 

Grill Tune Up

Since it may have been a while since you used your grill, make sure everything is in working order. First, make sure your gas tank is full before the big day! There’s nothing more frustrating than having to delay cooking so you can make a run for a refill. You’ll also want to check the gas connection, burners, and clean your grill grates. For a detailed checklist of maintenance items, check out our post “Keeping Your AEI PGS Grill in Good Working Order.”

Safety First

Before you get started, let’s review some basic safety tips for cooking with your gas grill. First, never grill inside a garage or other enclosed space. It can be tempting to relocate somewhere warmer while you grill in the winter, but your grill needs to stay outdoors to avoid fire hazards or inhalation of smoke and gas.

Once your grill is in the perfect spot away from any structures, preheat to make sure the grill is at the necessary temperature before adding your food. This is even more important in colder months, when it may take a little extra time for the grill to warm up. Fortunately, PGS grills heat up in about 10 minutes in optimal conditions, but you’ll still want to check the temperature before throwing that shrimp on the barbie.

Whether you're grilling in the summer or winter, it's always critical to keep the cover closed as much as possible to avoid losing too much heat. Let the grill do its job! And as always, you’ll want to keep a food thermometer handy. No one wants cold food or food poisoning for Christmas!

Holiday Grilling Recipes

Now on to the main event – the food! Whether you’re looking for traditional fare or want something a little out of the ordinary, your gas grill can handle the job.

Appetizers

Main Dishes

Eating pork is a New Year’s Day tradition for many. Rumor has it this is because pigs root with their noses forward, symbolizing moving forward into the New Year. And pork is a grill's best friend, with plenty of delicious ways to prepare it.

Sides

  • Instead of the traditional sauerkraut for New Year’s, why not grill up some cabbage? Eating this green veggie is said to be indicative of money, leading to wealth in the New Year.
  • Grilled asparagus is another green crowd-pleasing favorite when it's roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Mushroom skewers can be used as a side or an appetizer.

Foil Packets

Bundling your meat, veggies, and potatoes in a foil packet is a great way to evenly cook everything at the same time and lock in moisture. Plus it makes clean up a breeze so you won't spend hours doing dishes after the party.

The possibilities for grilling are endless — so fire up your AEI gas grill and get cooking this holiday season!