Homemade BBQ Holiday Gifts

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

It’s never too early to start thinking about gifts for neighbors, co-workers, teachers, and friends for the holidays. And nothing says, “happy holidays” better than some Homemade BBQ Holiday Gifts.

Read below for a festive (and tasty!) collection of ho-ho-homemade gifts you can make on grill or smoker for all those extra people in your life.

Five-image collage of homemade BBQ gifts, including candied jalapenos, smoked salsa, smoked salt, smoked chocolate chip cookies, and smoked cheese.

BBQ Treats and Goodies

No matter who you’re gifting to this year, no one can refuse some tasty treats, snacks, and other BBQ goodies! Whether you prefer sweet, salty, or savory, I have a collection of yummies to give to neighbors, teachers, and more this holiday season.

Four smoked chocolate chip cookies stacked on a metal cooling rack.

Smoked Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’re a fan of baked goods during the holidays, step it up a smoky notch and make my Smoked Chocolate Chip Cookies for your co-workers. These chocolate chip cookies are made just like regular cookies with one main twist: you smoke the chocolate chips and pecans prior to mixing the batter.

GET THE REICPE


Small glass jar on its side with smoked salt pouring out of the round opening onto the gray table.

Smoked Salt

Salt? As a neighborhood gift? Um, heck yes! Smoked Salt is a great way to infuse a variety of foods with a nice, smoky flavor. All your neighbors have to do is sprinkle a little on meat, sides, and even desserts for just a punch of smokiness.

GET THE RECIPE


Candied jalapenos in a hinged glass jar.

Candied Jalapenos

Stock up on some mason jars this season; you’re gonna need ’em! These Candied Jalapenos keep well and make an amazing holiday gift for friends. Also known as Cowboy Candy, they’re easy to make and oh-so delicious!

GET THE RECIPE


Smoked salsa garnished with fresh cilantro in a round wooden bowl surrounded by corn tortilla chips.

Smoked Salsa

​This Smoked Salsa is an amazing way to enjoy classic salsa infused with smoky flavor. Fresh tomatoes, jalapeno, onion, and garlic are smoked and then blended with herbs and spices to create a salsa that packs a punch.

GET THE RECIPE


Smoked snack mix in a hinged glass mason jar with a baking dish of snack mix in the background.

Sweet & Spicy Smoked Snack Mix

Skip the sugary baked goods this year, and give your neighbors some Sweet & Spicy Smoked Snack Mix. It’s easy to make, saving you plenty of time to spend prepping for the holidays.

GET THE RECIPE


Slices of smoked candied bacon wrapped in butcher paper.

Smoked Candied Bacon

Smoked Candied Bacon takes the best food of all time (bacon) and makes it BETTER with a sweet coating of maple syrup, brown sugar, and my famous sweet rub seasoning.

GET THE RECIPE


Wedge of smoked gouda on a wooden board.

Smoked Gouda

Help your neighbors prep for holiday get-togethers with a gift of Smoked Gouda . It’s a creamy cheese with a smoky flavor that your friends and family won’t be able to resist.

GET THE RECIPE


Smoked cinnamon almonds in a wooden bowl next to a striped kitchen towel.

​Smoked Cinnamon Almonds

​A kiss of real wood smoke gives my Smoked Cinnamon Almonds a classic, “roasted over an open fire” flavor that can’t be beat!​ They make the PERFECT gift for teachers, neighbors, and more, and they can be packaged in bags, mason jars, or just about anything you have on hand.

GET THE RECIPE


Grilled pineapple salsa in a wooden bowl.

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

A jar of Grilled Pineapple Salsa is a great gift for those friends of yours who would love a tropical escape during these cold winter months. Gift it with a bag of tortilla chips, and you’ll be the favorite neighbor for sure!

GET THE RECIPE


Smoked Chex mix in a hinged mason jar.

Smoked Chex Mix

Give your co-workers and friends something to snack on while they wrap presents and watch all the Christmas movies. My Smoked Chex Mix is smoky, crunchy and oh-so tasty. It’ll satisfy any craving for something salty.

GET THE RECIPE


Cubes of smoked cheese on a metal baking dish.

Smoked Cheese

Smoked Cheese is typically only seen at high-end grocers or specialty stores, and they come with a price tag. Luckily, if you’ve got any type of grill at home, you can easily make your own delicious smoked cheese! Giving the gift of fancy-schmancy smoked cheese for the holidays just might make you the most popular kid in class.

GET THE RECIPE


A dollop of resting steak butter on top of a grilled steak.

Resting Steak Butter

Now, I know what you may be thinking. Resting Steak Butter as a holiday gift? Indeed! Package it in a small jar or wrapped up in parchment paper for easy use, and tell your neighbors to plan for the best steak experience of their lives.

GET THE RECIPE


Homemade BBQ Seasonings and Rubs

For the easiest, most pain-free BBQ gift this holiday season, whipping up a large batch of seasonings is just about as easy as they come. Simply make a double or triple batch of your favorite Hey Grill Hey seasoning, stick them in an airtight glass container, and add a gift tag.

BAM! DONE!

If you aren’t quite sure what seasoning to give out this season, check out just a few of my favorites below. Each one is sure to be a great homemade BBQ gift this holiday season that your neighbors will actually use!

If you’re looking to save even more time, you can buy three of my signature rubs and seasonings from Patio Provisions and have them shipped straight to your door! These are available in 6-oz and 12-oz shaker bottles, and you can even buy a 2-pound bag for refills (because you need a gift this season too!)

The best sweet rub in a glass jar with the words "sweet rub" written in black marker across masking tape across the jar.

The BEST Sweet Rub

If you’re completely at a loss for what to gift this holiday season, my Best Sweet Rub cannot be beat! It’s perfect on beef, chicken, veggies, and more, so your friends can enjoy a versatile rub that’s full of flavor.

GET THE RECIPE


Homemade steak seasoning pouring out of an open glass spice jar onto a wooden cutting board.

Steak Seasoning

Help your co-workers get the most out of their steak with some homemade Steak Seasoning this year. One sprinkle of this, and they’ll be begging you for your secret recipe. 

GET THE RECIPE


Pile of lemon herb chicken seasoning on a wooden cutting board with a white bowl of the same seasoning in the background.

Lemon Herb Chicken Seasoning

Everyone needs a good chicken seasoning, and my Lemon Herb Chicken Seasoning is one that can’t be beat. It’ll make an excellent gift this holiday season and help your neighbors get the most out of their poultry this year.

GET THE RECIPE


Homemade veggie shake in a white bowl.

Homemade Veggie Shake

A little sprinkle of this Homemade Veggie Shake adds a whole lotta flavor to any vegetable you’re grilling. Make up a large batch for friends and neighbors to help them see that veggies can be delicious again.

GET THE RECIPE


South of the border spice rub in a round white bowl.

South of the Border Spice Rub

My South of the Border Spice Rub is amazing on beef, chicken, and pork. Not only that, but it’s the perfect seasoning for tacos, fajitas, chili, and more.

GET THE RECIPE


Spoonful of Memphis dry rub resting on top of a wooden bowl full of more seasoning.

Memphis Dry Rub

For a rub that provides the perfect balance between sweet and salty, this Memphis Dry Rub should do the trick. Gift it with a recipe for Memphis dry rub ribs, and your neighbors are in for a tasty meal!

GET THE RECIPE


Homemade BBQ Sauce

​Another perfect gift to give neighbors this December is a jar of homemade BBQ sauce. Who doesn’t love to BBQ during the holidays? And giving your neighbor a jar of your favorite BBQ sauce can probably clear up any contention you’ve ever had in the past.

Simply cook up your favorite batch of sauce (double or triple the recipe depending on how many people you are giving these to), allow them to cool, and pour them in these great hinged mason jars for a gorgeous holiday gift.

Red basting brush covered in Kansas city style bbq sauce resting on the edge of a glass mason jar full of the same sauce.

Kansas City BBQ Sauce

You can’t go wrong with a classic Kansas City BBQ Sauce this year. It’s a ketchup-based sauce that tastes good on everything from chicken to ribs.

GET THE RECIPE


Metal spoon resting on the the edge of a glass mason jar full of honey BBQ sauce.

Honey BBQ Sauce

Got a neighbor or co-worker with kids? Whip up a batch of this Honey BBQ Sauce for them this holiday season. It’s sweet and savory and perfect for the whole family.

GET THE RECIPE


Spoon of teriyaki BBQ sauce being drizzled into a glass mason jar of the same sauce.

Teriyaki BBQ Sauce

The perfect companion for chicken, and an excellent holiday gift this year is my Teriyaki BBQ Sauce. It’s the right combo of tangy and sweet, and it’s kid-friendly too!

GET THE RECIPE


Whiskey peach BBQ sauce in a glass mason jar next to a white bowl of fresh peaches.

Whiskey Peach BBQ Sauce

Give the gift of flavor this year with a bottle of my Whiskey Peach BBQ Sauce . It’s an awesome, tangy BBQ sauce experience that your loved ones will enjoy.

GET THE RECIPE


Apple jalapeno BBQ sauce in a metal bowl surrounded by whole fresh apples and jalapenos.

Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce

This Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce is a fantastic, spicy BBQ experience that makes an excellent holiday gift. It’s good on any meat you smoke or grill, with just the right balance of sweet and spicy.

GET THE RECIPE


Spoonful of coffee BBQ sauce over a hinged glass mason jar of coffee BBQ sauce.

Coffee BBQ Sauce

Any coffee lovers on your Christmas list? Make them a batch of homemade Coffee BBQ Sauce ! It’s bold, tangy, and sweet, and delicious on BBQ meats.

GET THE RECIPE


Spoonful of cranberry BBQ sauce resting on top of a glass mason jar of cranberry BBQ sauce.

Cranberry BBQ Sauce

For the perfect holiday gift full of holiday flavor, give the gift of homemade Cranberry BBQ Sauce.

GET THE RECIPE


Homemade Jerky

Last up is one of my personal favorite holiday gifts: Jerky! It’s hard not to love this delicious dried out meat, and your friends will love getting a batch of homemade jerky this year.

Check out all of my different flavors. Make up one large batch of your favorite, or mix and match!

Stack of teriyaki beef jerky on the grill grates of a smoker.

Teriyaki Beef Jerky

For a classic jerky that makes a great holiday gift, whip up a batch of Teriyaki Beef Jerky for your friends or neighbors this season.

GET THE RECIPE


Stacks of peppered beef jerky on a rectangular wooden cutting board.

Peppered Beef Jerky

Like your jerky with a little heat? Make a large batch of this Peppered Beef Jerky to gift this holiday season.

GET THE RECIPE


Stack of Dr. Pepper jalapeno beef jerky wrapped in white twine on a gray table surrounded by fresh jalapenos.

Dr. Pepper Jalapeno Beef Jerky

Dr. Pepper Jalapeno Beef Jerky is a jerky that is a bit spicy, and totally addicting. Turn it into a holiday tradition and gift this jerky each year!

GET THE RECIPE


Sweet java beef jerky sticking out of a glass mason jar surrounded by coffee beans with a bottle of Coca-Cola in the background.

Sweet Java Beef Jerky

Sweet Java Beef Jerky is an amazing combo of coffee and cola, giving you a jerky experience unlike any other.

GET THE RECIPE


Corned Beef Jerky stacked on the grill grates of a smoker.

Corned Beef Jerky

If you love corned beef, you’ll love this Corned Beef Jerky. It’s super easy to make and even easier to gift! 

GET THE RECIPE


Feeling inspired to make your own homemade BBQ for holiday gifts this year? If so, share your awesome results on one of our social pages! I’m all about helping you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero. If you want to see more of my recipes and videos follow along on my social channels. You can find me on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube!

About

FOUNDER/BBQ BOSS LADY

Susie is the BBQ Brain behind the Hey Grill Hey website. Her passion for smoked meats and developing fun, new recipes have landed her on the Food Network, cooking turkeys with Shaq, and on a couple of Guinness World Records. When she’s not grilling, she is hanging out with Todd and their three kids, preferably outdoors!

Related Recipes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *