It has been said, “Where there is happiness and laughter, there is a BBQ,” and y’all, that couldn’t ring truer when it comes to the holidays at Goode Company. Here in Texas, adding a twist to your holiday meal doesn’t just mean tossing some smoked brisket or mesquite turkey on the table—it means loading up on tamales and queso and all the flavors that make Tex-Mex and BBQ so downright delectable. It’s about serving, bringing warmth, tradition, and a little spice to your festive gatherings.
So, whether y’all are dishing out slow-cooked meats, festive BBQ, Tex-Mex, or ending the meal with a classic southern dessert, these ideas and a little help from us about hosting a Texas-style BBQ at home and we’ll have your friends and family asking for seconds and maybe even thirds!
Festive Fixings with a BBQ twist!
If you’re getting tired of the same old roasted turkey or ham with mashed potatoes and baked beans, it’s high time to shake up your holiday spread with some Texas BBQ holiday menu ideas.
Smoked Turkey
Have a smoker? Try smoked turkey for this year’s holidays. With its savory herb-heavy profile, Goode's Poultry Rub will add a rich flavor to your turkey that’ll knock their boots off. Packed with flavor, this rub will make your turkey taste incredible. Just rub it generously over the skin and under it for maximum effect.
And here’s the kicker-you can order this rub as part of our Four-Spice Gift Box Set, perfect for treating yourself or gifting to the BBQ lovers in your life.
BBQ Glaze Ham
Prefer a classic holiday ham? Combine Goode’s Original BBQ Sauce with your favorite mustard-just one of the many specialty sauces from Goode Co. Heat it, brush it over your ham, and reglaze it every 30 minutes as it bakes.
Want to really impress? Serve the ham with a rhubarb orange sauce for an added wow factor to make your diners want to loosen their belts.
Spicy Seafood
For guests more into seafood, try rubbing a fresh piece of salmon, swordfish, or shrimp with Goode’s Seafood Shake. Rub it over the flesh of the fish, remove it from the grill, and finish it with a drizzle of orange and honey. It’s a surefire way to add coastal Creole flair to your Tex-Mex holiday recipes.
Tex-Mex Fixings and Starters for a Hungry Bunch
If you’re hankering to add a true Texas twist to your holiday menu, a mix of Tex-Mex side dishes for the holidays can’t be beaten. From tamales steeped in tradition to creamy queso that brings everyone together or a hearty bowl of beef pozole, these dishes infuse every bite with warmth and flavor.
Tamales
Nothing hollers “Tex-Mex Christmas” louder than a plate piled high of BBQ-smoked pulled pork tamales. These savory little bundles aren’t just a holiday favorite-they’re steeped in tradition. Tamales date back thousands of years to Mesoamerican cultures, where they were a staple for celebrations and gatherings.
Today, they still unite folks around the dinner table or at a tamalada, where the whole family gets in on the tamale-making fun.
For your holiday table, try using our Goode Co. Brisket Rub to season your store-bought pork, giving it that perfect Texas twist. Or, if you want to save a step, go all out with our Classic Mesquite Smoked Brisket for a downright unforgettable flavor.
Queso
Tex-Mex Queso isn’t merely a snack-it’s yet another tradition and a warm bowl of comfort during the holidays to bring families and loved ones together. Whether drizzling this melted cheese delight over tamales or dipping crisp tortilla chips, queso can turn any meal into a festive feast.
For a little holiday flair, why not add a link of jalapeno sausage from our Goode’s Sausage Sampler, smoky chorizo, our Heavy Garlic BBQ sauce, or fresh tomatoes? Queso is a dish that lets you put your spin on the season.
Beef Pozole
Though traditionally a Mexican entree, Pozole is a hominy soup that is downright Texan in spirit, thanks to its tender, slow-cooked meat with its lemon-blend twist and a kick of chiles and garlic. This stick-to-your-ribs version is especially popular during the holidays because you can toss it in the slow cooker with our Jalapeno Garlic BBQ Sauce and let it do its thing while you tend to other things.
Pozole is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd of family and friends: it’s rich, flavorful, and ready to shine at the table. Whether you serve it with toppings like queso, fresh cilantro, salsa, or lime wedges, everyone can make their bowl just as they like it.
Holiday Sweets with a Texas Twist
When wrapping up a holiday feast with a Texas twist, dessert deserves center stage. Y’all, nobody does sweet treats quite like Texans. Whether you’re hankering for the rich goodness of a Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie, the creamy comfort of banana pudding, and the melt-in-your-mouth sweetness of chewy pecan pralines, these southern classics are the perfect way to end your festive meal.
Pecan Pie
The history of Texas desserts can be summed up in one item: the pecan pie, the state’s official pie. The pecan tree is native to the southern U.S., and its first recorded recipe appeared in 19th-century church cookbooks. But it wasn’t until 2013 that it became the official state pie of Texas.
At Goode Co., we’re proud to sell our own Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie, and because it’s our Texas pecan pie with a story behind it, it’s richer and gooier than any other one on the market. Our 9-inch delicacy is packed full of mammoth Texas pecans harvested from the banks of the Brazos River and delivered straight to you.
Banana Pudding
Banana Pudding may not have started in Texas, but it’s found home here. Originating in the second half of the 19th century, when bananas became more common, this layered delight of custard, fresh bananas, vanilla wafers, and whipped cream quickly stole hearts across the country. This creamy, dreamy crowd-pleaser is as comforting as a warm Texas night.
Pecan Pralines
French settlers brought the praline tradition to Louisiana, where pecans and sugar cane were plentiful. It didn’t take long for Texas to put its spin on this sweet treat. Goode Co.’s Praline Delight, available in chewy, original, or an assorted box, is Texas-sized and Texas-sweet. It is made with dairy, sugar, and pecans.
Whether you order one for yourself or an entire box for your holiday guests, they won’t last long.
Drinks to Pair Perfectly with Texas-Style Holiday Feasts
Drinks are a critical part of any Texas BBQ menu, and the holidays are no different. Pairing drinks with a BBQ menu can really enhance the flavors at your table. For the holidays, you can’t go wrong with classics!
Egg Nog
The quintessential Christmas drink? Ya’ll know it’s Egg Nog. With eggs, heavy cream, a splash of rum, and a good pour of bourbon, every family’s treasured egg nog recipe comes with a little secret ingredient or two guarded tighter than a ranch gate.
A glass of this creamy holiday classic pairs mighty fine with The Davy Crockett, which includes brisket, jalapeno sausage, and a rack of ribs.
Cranberry Sangria
A Texas twist of the classic sangria-cranberry sangria is down-home delicious, easy as pie to create, and perfect for a holiday crowd, especially since its fruit flavors can charm just about anyone. Serve it in large festive pitchers with ice and watch the crowds roll in.
Have a Goode Time for the Holidays
At Goode Co., we’re all about sharing the heart and soul of Texas through our recipes. Our Goode Company holiday recipes are crafted to make your meal unforgettable, whether you’re grilling, smoking, or sweetening things up with a slice of our Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie.
So fire up that smoker, whip up a batch of queso, and finish it off with holiday desserts that’ll have everyone talking. Because when it comes to celebrating the season, nothing says “Happy Holidays, y’all!” like a table full of Texas flavors shared with the folks you hold dear.