How to have a great Christmas BBQ this year!

Christmas is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a festive BBQ? The Algarve’s mild winter weather makes it the perfect setting for an outdoor feast. Why not switch things up this year with a Christmas BBQ full of delicious dishes, Portuguese flair, and holiday charm? Follow these tips and recipe ideas to make your Christmas BBQ unforgettable!

1. Plan your shopping list

Before you fire up the grill, create a detailed shopping list. Include everything you’ll need for your Christmas BBQ, from meat and vegetables to seasonings and sauces. Don’t forget the essentials like charcoal or gas for your grill and any special tools you might need. If you’re embracing Portuguese flavours, make sure to add linguiça (Portuguese sausage), fresh seafood like prawns, and locally sourced olive oil.

2. Arrange everything beforehand

A well-organized Christmas BBQ ensures you’ll spend less time prepping and more time enjoying the festivities. Marinate your meats the night before for deeper flavour, prepare any side dishes in advance, and have all your tools ready. In Portugal, piri-piri sauce (a spicy chili sauce) is a classic marinade that works perfectly for chicken or prawns. To learn more, check out our Piri Piri Chicken recipe!

3. Plan the decor

It’s Christmas after all! Make your BBQ area feel festive by decorating with string lights, candles, and traditional holiday elements. You can add Portuguese touches like ceramic plates to give the event a local feel. Add a rustic touch with natural greenery, eucalyptus, and pine branches. It’s all about the festive feeling and the cosy environment you will provide for this special day. Make sure you read our article on patio heaters and firepits!

4. Arrange the grill station

Make sure your grill station is well-organised and easy to navigate. Set up a prep area with everything you need—cutting boards, tongs, sauces, and marinades. If you’re grilling seafood, which is a must for a Portuguese BBQ, have your fish and prawns ready to go. Grill sardines over open flames for that iconic Algarve flavour.

5. Prefer BBQ classics over experimentation

Sticking with BBQ classics is always a good idea when it comes to pleasing a crowd. Christmas isn’t the time for risky experimentation. Focus on crowd-pleasers like BBQ chicken, steaks, and sausages. If you want to incorporate Portuguese influences, try porco preto (Iberian black pork), which grills beautifully and is sure to impress. Visit our recipes page for inspo!

6. Tweak the classics

Twist your classic BBQ dishes to make them extra special for the holidays. For example, top your grilled chicken with a piri-piri butter glaze, or add a Portuguese-style marinade of garlic, olive oil, and herbs to your steaks. Don’t forget to serve grilled batata doce (sweet potatoes) as a hearty side dish!

7. Barbecue the desserts

Yes, you can BBQ desserts too! Grilled fruit is always a hit, and Portugal’s roasted chestnuts can be prepared on the grill as a delicious festive treat. Try grilling pineapple slices and drizzling them with local honey or BBQing fig skewers wrapped in presunto (cured ham) for a sweet and salty finish.

8. Offer a wide variety of dips and condiments

No BBQ is complete without a selection of sauces and dips. Alongside traditional BBQ sauces, include Portuguese-inspired options like alho e azeite (garlic and olive oil), piri-piri sauce, and a zesty salsa verde made with fresh parsley, garlic, and lemon. This adds flavour variety and ensures there’s something for everyone.

Top Christmas BBQ ideas for the perfect festive feast

Are you thinking about hosting a Christmas BBQ? We’ve got you covered if you’re wondering what to throw on the grill. Here’s a collection of the best Christmas BBQ ideas to ensure a smoky and unforgettable holiday meal:

• Honey-glazed smoked ham—No Christmas feast is complete without succulent smoked ham. Barbecuing it brings out an irresistibly rich flavour, making it a centrepiece for your holiday spread.
• Rotisserie turkey – Turkey is the star of Christmas, and there’s no better way to cook it than slow-roasting it on a rotisserie. The juicy, tender meat combined with that crispy skin makes it absolutely mouth-watering.
• Barbecue pulled pork—Whether served in sandwiches or with grilled veggies, pulled pork is a crowd-pleaser. When cooked low and slow, it’s incredibly tender, flavorful, and juicy.
• Kebabs or Satay—Skewered meat or vegetables are universally loved. They’re simple to prepare, but their smoky, grilled flavour takes them to another level.

• Pigs in blankets – We’re not talking about the small ones from a traditional Christmas dinner. Elevate this classic by using premium sausages wrapped in crispy bacon and barbecuing them to perfection. These next-level pigs in blankets will steal the show!
• Grilled asparagus – The grill is hands down the best way to cook asparagus. It enhances the natural sweetness and gives it a delicious charred flavour.
• Prime rib—For the true meat lovers among your guests, prime rib offers bold, intense flavours that are guaranteed to impress. Grilling it gives it the perfect balance of tenderness and smokiness.

With these ideas, your Christmas BBQ will be a flavorful celebration that your friends and family won’t forget!

If you plan to host a Christmas BBQ, ensure everything is perfect—especially the food. You need the best barbecue equipment to create those mouth-watering dishes your guests expect. BBQ’s Algarve is ideal for grilling juicy meats and delicious vegetables. With over 25 years of experience developing top-quality products, we guarantee you won’t need to compromise this Christmas. Visit our shop and showroom in Almancil, Algarve, for exclusive discounts and free assembly on all our barbecues. Let us help you cook up an unforgettable holiday feast!