Top 5 BBQ Dishes in Dubai This Winter 2025

The cool breeze has returned, the evenings are golden, and Dubai’s villas are flickering with firelight again.
It’s BBQ season — the time of year when outdoor living takes over, and the smell of smoke and spice drifts across every neighbourhood.

Whether you’ve just installed a built-in BBQ or dusted off your favourite grill, here are five dishes that capture the flavour of Dubai’s winter 2025 — combining local ingredients, global inspiration, and the joy of eating outdoors.

1. Spiced Lamb Kofta with Pomegranate & Mint Yogurt

Few dishes represent the Middle East’s grilling heritage quite like lamb kofta — juicy, aromatic, and quick to cook.
Dubai’s butchers sell minced lamb blends seasoned for kebabs, but making your own allows total control.

Ingredients:

  • 500 g minced lamb (20% fat ideal for tenderness)

  • 1 tsp ground cumin

  • 1 tsp coriander

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

  • ½ tsp chilli flakes

  • Handful chopped parsley

  • Salt & black pepper

Method:
Mix, shape onto skewers, and grill over medium-high charcoal heat until lightly charred (about 4–5 minutes per side).
Serve with mint yogurt, a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, and warm Arabic bread.

💡 Perfect on charcoal grills or hybrid BBQs for authentic flavour.

2. Gulf King Prawns with Lemon-Garlic Butter

Seafood and the Dubai coast are inseparable, and nothing beats the sweetness of fresh Gulf prawns sizzling over open flame.

Prep Tips:

  • Marinate prawns in olive oil, lemon zest, crushed garlic, and a touch of chilli.

  • Skewer through the tail and head to keep them flat for even cooking.

  • Grill 2–3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly blistered.

Brush with melted butter, finish with sea salt and chopped coriander, and serve straight from the skewer.

🔥 Gas grills make it easy to control temperature and avoid overcooking delicate seafood.

3. Charred Halloumi & Vegetable Skewers

Not every BBQ dish needs meat. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian option is a crowd-pleaser and visually stunning.

Ingredients:

  • Halloumi cubes

  • Bell peppers, red onion, and courgette

  • Olive oil, lemon, oregano, and black pepper

Method:
Marinate for 20 minutes, then grill until the halloumi edges brown and the vegetables caramelise.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze or serve with tzatziki.

🧀 Perfect for quick weekday grilling — zero prep stress, full flavour.

4. Australian Rib-Eye Steaks with Arabic Coffee Rub

Dubai’s supermarkets are full of incredible imported meats — and a thick-cut rib-eye belongs on every winter BBQ.

Coffee Rub Mix:

  • 1 tbsp finely ground Arabic coffee

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • ½ tsp cumin

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • Pinch of salt

Rub generously on both sides and let rest for 20 minutes before grilling.
Cook over high gas heat (or hybrid sear burner) — 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare.
Finish with a brush of butter and rest before slicing.

🥩 Use your grill’s sear zone or infrared burner for restaurant-quality crust.

5. Wood-Fired Pizza with Truffle Mushrooms & Burrata

For those lucky enough to own a pizza oven or built-in stone grill, this dish turns dinner into theatre.

Base: Thin Italian dough (store-bought or homemade).
Topping:

  • Olive oil & garlic base

  • Sautéed mushrooms with truffle oil

  • Mozzarella, then burrata added post-bake

  • Sprinkle of thyme & cracked pepper

Bake at 400–450 °C for 2–3 minutes until bubbling and charred at the edges.

🍕 A show-stopper for outdoor parties — best served under Dubai’s winter stars.

Bonus Tip: Local Flavour Meets Global Technique

Dubai’s cosmopolitan crowd loves fusion — try:

  • Shawarma-spiced chicken wings

  • BBQ camel sliders (available at gourmet butchers)

  • Date-glazed ribs for a sweet-savory twist

  • Or a South-Asian tandoor-style lamb leg in your hybrid grill.

The possibilities are endless when cultures — and cuisines — meet by the fire.

6. Preparing for Your Winter 2025 BBQ Season

  • Inspect burners & hoses: ensure safety after summer storage.

  • Stock up on charcoal or gas: demand surges in November!

  • Refresh your setup: clean grates, replace covers, check lighting.

  • Plan your menu early: Friday brunches book up fast!

Winter in Dubai is short — make every weekend count.

7. Where to Get the Perfect Setup

At BBQDubai.ae, we specialise in built-in BBQs, outdoor kitchens, gas grills, and pizza ovens engineered for the UAE climate.
Whether you’re searing Gulf prawns on a hybrid grill or baking truffle pizzas in a stone oven, our collection helps you cook like a pro — and look good doing it.

👉 Explore: Outdoor Kitchens & Built-In BBQs
👉 Shop: Gas, Charcoal & Hybrid Grills
👉 Read: Safety & Usage Guide