You heard it here first: Winter shouldn’t shut down the grill. With colder temps, shorter days, and unpredictable weather, the pitmaster’s job gets tougher. But for those who refuse to let snow or frost kill the vibe, winter grilling can deliver the richest flavors of the year.

Here’s how to make your cold-weather cookouts as legit as summer sizzles, recipes included.

Recipes Worth Braving the Cold For

Per Barbecue Bible’s latest winter grilling roundup, December is loaded with opportunities for grilling goodness:

Smoky Dutch Pancakes: Breakfast belongs on the grill. This Dutch baby puffs up for a warm December breakfast by a morning fire.

Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwiches: Turkey fatigue is real. Switch things up with thin-sliced beef dripping in au jus. Just don’t start a debate with anyone from Chicago about whose version is “the real one.” You’ve been warned.

Barbecued Salmon with Brown Sugar Glaze: Alaska-approved and cedar-plank classy. Sweet glaze, smoky char, and suddenly, fish sounds like a power move for winter grilling.

Rack of Lamb with Mustard Crust: Now THIS is holiday centerpiece energy without the boring ham. Ask your butcher to French the bones, tip well, and enjoy feeling like royalty with grill tongs.

Gear, Prep & Hacks for Cold-Weather Grilling

Cold air, snow, propane tanks covered in ice… Grilling in winter is a different beast. This is where the right gear earns its keep. Stay warm, stay lit, and keep the meat moving.

Light the Night: Might be time to consider some grill-mounted lights or outdoor-rated flood lamps to keep the cook visible and the eyebrows intact.

Heat the Hands: Cold fingers make sloppy grill marks. Instead, think about picking up some insulated, heat-resistant gloves to keep the hands warm, but not burning hot.

Warm the Perimeter: A propane patio heater is the perfect fit for an all-winter griller. Stay toasty, grill longer, and pretend winter isn’t happening.

Fire Doesn’t Take a Season Off

Winter cooks require a little more planning, a little more gear, and a lot more swagger. But the payoff is unbeatable.