Christmas dinner
Christmas is the perfect time to put something truly special on the table. The BBQ as the centerpiece of Christmas dinner is already common in the US — and it's quickly gaining popularity in Amsterdam. Smoke, fire, and the scent of spices transform an ordinary Christmas dinner into an evening people will remember.
Below, you'll find a complete Christmas menu for the grill: from appetizer to dessert, which rubs best suit the celebration, and tips for a smooth Christmas barbecue with guests.
Which rubs are suitable for Christmas?
Christmas calls for rich, warm flavors — aromatic and festive, but not too overwhelming if you're serving a long menu.
Jamaican Jerk: allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg — spices that seamlessly fit the Christmas spirit, excellent on chicken or lamb rack. Shawarma: warm and aromatic — ideal on leg of lamb or grilled cauliflower as a festive vegetarian dish. Memphis BBQ: sweet and smoky — the classic for slow-cooked spareribs or pulled pork as a main course. Carolina Gold: mild and elegantly yellow — wonderful on grilled salmon or as a lighter option alongside heavier dishes.
Start grilling the main course 2-3 hours before dinner. This way, you can calmly serve the appetizer while the meat slow-cooks — no stress at the table.
The Christmas menu from appetizer to dessert
A complete Christmas menu from the grill — from amuse-bouche to dessert, all prepared with smoke and fire.
Amuse-bouche — Grilled scallops: 2 minutes on high heat with a pinch of Shawarma — elegant and quick. Appetizer — Grilled asparagus: with Carolina Gold and a dash of oil, 6 minutes on medium heat. Main course — Rack of lamb: with Jamaican Jerk rub, quickly seared and then finished indirectly until 62°C core temperature. Alternative main course — Pulled pork: Memphis BBQ, 8-10 hours at 110°C — ideal if you have large groups and want to avoid stress. Side dish — Grilled root vegetables: parsnips, beets, and carrots with Shawarma, 25 minutes indirect. Dessert — Grilled pear with mascarpone: pear halved, 8 minutes on the grill, with a drizzle of honey and a pinch of Jamaican Jerk.
Rack of lamb: 57-60°C for medium-rare. Pulled pork: 93-95°C. Salmon: 52°C. Keep your core temperature thermometer handy — intuition isn't enough for a festive dinner.
BBQ Christmas gifts
A rub as a Christmas gift is practical, original, and — unlike most Christmas gifts — truly personal. A few ideas.
Small gift: a 50g bag of choice — perfect as an addition to a bottle of wine or as a separate small gift. Medium gift: the Starter Pack with 3 bags of 100g of choice — enough for three evenings of grilling in the new year. Large gift: a gift card so the recipient can choose for themselves. Ideal for the BBQ enthusiast who already has a lot.
Create your own Christmas package
The BBQ Package lets you combine 3 or more flavors of your choice — ideal if you have multiple dishes on the menu or as a gift for the BBQ lover in your life.
- → Assemble BBQ Package How to combine the right flavors for your menu
- → Best Rubs for Chicken Our top 3 for chicken on the grill
- → Product Knowledge All ingredients and techniques explained
Ready for the most festive dinner of the year?
Freshly mixed rubs, delivered free via DHL. In time for Christmas.
Starter Pack · 3 flavors Gift Card →