Turn Up The Flavor This Holiday Season

(StatePoint) Holiday meals are a big deal. So why should the grill sit these occasions out? This year, take classic dishes and favorite recipes outdoors, adding a fresh twist and a boost of bold, smoky flavor.

Here to help you add a rich, smoky flavor to all your seasonal spreads is Bear Mountain BBQ, which makes premium, all-natural hardwood products that can help everyone create unforgettable feasts and cherished memories on any grill.

“The holidays are about more than the big meal. They’re neighbors dropping by, unexpected dinner guests, and leftovers worth looking forward to. And the grill belongs in all of it, because great flavor has a way of bringing people together,” says Levi Strayer of Bear Mountain BBQ.

Along with The Grill Dads, Bear Mountain BBQ is sharing two holiday recipes, both of which call for the brand’s Holiday Turkey Blend Pellets – a sweet, smoky, balanced blend of maple, hickory and cherry. First up is Smoked Holiday Turkey, a restaurant-style bird delivering juicy slices, tender dark meat, and a holiday-worthy finish.

Servings: 10-12

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Dry Brine: 24-48 hours

Cook Time: Approximately 2-3 hours, depending on the size of each cut

Ingredients

• Bear Mountain Holiday Turkey BBQ Pellets

• 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)

• The Grill Dads’ Anytime Seasoning, approximately 5.5-7 grams per pound of turkey

• Fresh sage leaves

Instructions

1. Break down the turkey into two leg quarters, the breast, and the wings. Fold the wings into triangles, tucking the tips underneath.

2. Season all sides of the turkey pieces with Anytime Seasoning. Gently slide fresh sage leaves under the skin.

3. Arrange on a wire rack set over a sheet pan and refrigerate uncovered for 24-48 hours to dry-brine and help the skin dry out.

4. Preheat your smoker to 325 degrees using the pellets.

5. Place the turkey pieces on the smoker, leaving space between them for even cooking. Monitor each piece with a meat thermometer and remove the breast when it reaches the appropriate, safe internal temperature. For food safety, turkey breast should reach 165 degrees F; check the thickest part without touching bone.

6. Continue cooking the leg quarters until they reach approximately 175-185 degrees F for tender, well-rendered dark meat. Check the wings for doneness as well, as smaller pieces may finish sooner.

7. Rest the turkey pieces before carving. Arrange on a platter with fresh sage and serve alongside your favorite sides.

Pro tip: Pull the turkey off the grill (or out of the oven) when it reaches 155 degrees F. The carryover cooking will bring it to a safe internal temp without drying the meat out.

Up next is Maple Bourbon Smoked Ham, in which sweet maple syrup, rich bourbon and a hint of warm spice come together to make the perfect holiday centerpiece at festive family feasts.

Servings: 12-16

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2-3 hours

Ingredients

Ham

• Bear Mountain Holiday Turkey BBQ Pellets

• 1 fully cooked bone-in half ham (7-9 pounds)

Maple Bourbon Glaze

• 1 cup pure maple syrup

• 1/2 cup bourbon

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 2 tablespoons butter

• Pinch of cinnamon

• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine the maple syrup, bourbon, brown sugar and Dijon mustard. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until reduced by about one-third. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, cinnamon and cayenne.

2. Score the ham’s fat cap in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut deeply into the meat.

3. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F using the pellets.

4. Place the ham on a roasting rack in a pan and smoke until the center reaches 120-130 degrees F, since the ham is already fully cooked.

5. During the final 30-45 minutes, brush the ham with the maple bourbon glaze every 15 minutes, allowing the glaze to set and develop a glossy finish.

6. Remove the ham from the smoker and let it rest briefly before slicing.

7. Serve with extra glaze, whole-grain mustard and your favorite holiday sides.

Bear Mountain BBQ pellets are available online and at retailers nationwide, including The Home Depot, Amazon, Lowes and more. For more holiday recipes, visit https://bearmountainbbq.com, where you can download a complete holiday cookbook for free.

Holiday traditions are great, so don’t forgo the classics. Turn things up a notch with a smoky twist on mains, sides and even desserts, making every bite a flavor-packed celebration.