Bring the Steakhouse Home: 7 Sizzling Recipes for a Christmas Feast

Top-tier steakhouses grill at temperatures over 1000°F to instantly sear the exterior and lock in juices. Your home oven barely tops out at 500°F. If you are wanting to elevate your holiday feast this Christmas, look for extreme heat.

Why Infrared Wins Christmas

Speed is Flavor. When you hit a steak with 1500°F, two things happen instantly.

First, the Maillard Reaction kicks in, creating that dark, savory, caramelized crust (the "bark") that defines a great steak.

Second, it happens so fast—often in under 3 minutes—that the center stays perfectly pink and juicy.

Plus, it’s a lifesaver for the host. While the turkey hogs the kitchen oven for hours, this grill sits on the patio or table, churning out restaurant-quality appetizers, sides, and steaks in seconds.

A good Infrared grill bridges the gap between amateur home cooking and professional culinary results. By delivering around 1500°F of instant, top-down heat, it allows you to create a crust that ordinary propane or charcoal grills can only dream of.

7 Recipes for Christmas Grilling (Mains, Pizza & Sides)

Main #1: The "Showstopper" Ribeye (Turkey Alternative)

Turkey is traditional, but a bone-in ribeye is a celebration. This is the centerpiece that stops the conversation.

1. Preheat the grill on High for 3-5 minutes. Use the middle slot.
2. Pat dry & Season. Moisture kills the crust, so dry the steak thoroughly. Season with coarse salt and black pepper.
3. Sear the exterior. Cook for 90 seconds on the first side. Listen to that holiday sizzle.
4. Flip & Finish. Flip and cook for another 60-90 seconds.
5. The Festive Touch: Top with Rosemary-Garlic Butter while resting. The green herbs against the dark crust look like Christmas on a plate.

Main #2: Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Lamb is a classic Christmas staple. The infrared heat renders the fat cap crispy while keeping the meat sweet and tender—something a slow roast often fails to do.

1. The Holiday Rub: Mix olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh chopped rosemary and thyme. Coat the chops.
2. Insert the grate into the middle slot.
3. Flash Grill. Cook for 1 minute per side.
4. Serve. The fat edges will be crispy like bacon. Arrange them on a platter with pomegranate seeds for a pop of festive red color.

Main #3: Miso-Glazed Salmon (The Lighter Option)

For guests saving room for Christmas cookies, this is the perfect lighter main course.

1. Whisk the glaze: Miso paste, soy sauce, and a touch of brown sugar.
2. Lower the heat: Place the grate in the bottom slot to avoid burning the delicate fish.
3. Cook skin-side down for 4 minutes.
4. Caramelize: Brush the glaze on for the final 30 seconds. The sugar bubbles instantly under the burner, creating a sweet, savory finish.

Special Feature: The "Christmas Eve" Prosciutto Pizza

Many families have a tradition of pizza on Christmas Eve. Your Big Horn grill (16-inch model) includes a pizza stone that replicates a wood-fired oven in 90 seconds.

1. Heat the Stone. Place the Pizza Stone inside and preheat for 10 minutes. It needs to be scorching hot.
2. The Festive Toppings. Top dough with mozzarella, Prosciutto, and Fig Jam.
3. Launch & Rotate. Slide it in. It cooks in 90 seconds.
4. Garnish. Top with fresh Arugula after baking. The Green (arugula), Red (prosciutto), and White (cheese) colors are perfect for the season.

Side #1: Broiled Asparagus with "Snow" (Parmesan)

Green vegetables are a must for the holiday table.

1. Toss asparagus in olive oil and salt.
2. Broil in the bottom slot for 3 minutes.
3. The "Snow" Effect: Sprinkle a heavy layer of grated Parmesan cheese on top and slide back in for 30 seconds. The bubbly, browned cheese looks festive and tastes amazing.

Side #2: Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Texture is everything. These replace the boring mashed potatoes with something crunchy and exciting.

1. Prep: Boil small potatoes until soft, then smash flat.
2. Fat is Flavor: Brush generously with duck fat or butter.
3. Crisp them up: Place in the middle slot for 2-3 minutes.
4. Serve. The edges turn deep golden brown, perfect for soaking up gravy.

Dessert: Warm Cinnamon Bananas Foster

A warm, spiced dessert is the perfect end to a cold December night.

1. Season. Slice bananas lengthwise. Sprinkle generously with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon (the ultimate winter spice).
2. Caramelize. Place in the middle slot for 60-90 seconds.
3. The Magic. The sugar turns into a hard, glass-like caramel shell.
4. Serve hot over vanilla ice cream. It’s simple, elegant, and warms the soul.

Essential Tips for the 1500°F Zone

Cooking with infrared is different. It’s fast, intense, and requires attention.

Dry Your Meat

This is the golden rule. If your meat is wet, the 1500°F heat wastes energy evaporating water (steaming) instead of searing. Pat every steak bone-dry with paper towels before seasoning for that legendary crust.

The "Carryover" Factor

At these temperatures, heat drives deep into the meat quickly. Pull your steaks off the grill when they are 5-10 degrees below your target temperature. They will finish cooking on the cutting board while they rest.

Easy Cleanup

Don't worry about the mess. The high heat vaporizes most drips before they hit the bottom. For what's left, the drip tray and front shelf of your Big Horn grill are removable and dishwasher safe. Throw them in after dinner and relax.

Your Holiday Game Plan

The Night Before:

• Par-boil the potatoes.
• Make the pizza dough.
• Marinate the lamb.

Christmas Day:

• Appetizers: Fire up the pizzas as guests arrive (Instant party starter).
• Sides: Flash-grill the asparagus and potatoes while the meat rests.
• Mains: Sear the steaks/lamb last. They only take 3 minutes, ensuring they hit the table hot and fresh.

Make Christmas Sizzle Tonight

This Christmas, give your family the gift of flavor. The Big Horn Outdoors® Infrared Steak Grill turns a standard dinner into a culinary event. From the crackling crust of a ribeye to the festive crunch of a pizza, make this holiday season the most delicious one yet.

Ready to upgrade your Christmas menu? Shop the Big Horn Infrared Grill today and bring the steakhouse home for the holidays.