You might be a veteran meat smoker or a beginner looking to try your hand at pellet grilling for the first time ever. Either way, here are plenty of recipes for the beginner and expert alike to appreciate and try something new. We’re sure your friends and family will appreciate it!
Beginner-Level Smoker Recipes:
Pellet Grilled Chicken Breasts
Preheat your pellet grill to 375°F. Rub 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Smoked Pork Chops
Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F. Rub 4 pork chops with a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place the pork chops on the grill and smoke for 1-2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Let the pork chops rest for a few minutes before serving.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
Preheat your pellet grill to 400°F. Cut 2 zucchinis, 1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper, and 1 red onion into bite-sized pieces. Thread the veggies onto skewers, alternating between each type of vegetable. Brush the skewers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
Smoked Turkey Breast
Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F. Rub a 4-pound turkey breast with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the turkey breast on the grill and smoke for 2-3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the turkey breast rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Grilled Ribeye Steak
Preheat your pellet grill to 450°F. Rub 2 ribeye steaks with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the steaks on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare. Let the steaks rest for a few minutes before serving.
Smoked Salmon
Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F. Rub a salmon filet with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the salmon filet on the grill and smoke for 1-2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Let the salmon rest for a few minutes before serving.
Grilled Pineapple
Preheat your pellet grill to 400°F. Cut a pineapple into slices or wedges. Grill the pineapple for 5-7 minutes per side or until the pineapple is caramelized and tender. Serve the grilled pineapple as a side dish or dessert.
Moderate-Level Smoker Recipes:
Smoked Chicken Wings
Rub chicken wings with a mixture of salt, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Smoke on the pellet grill at 225°F for 1-2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Smoked Pork Tenderloin
Rub pork tenderloin with a mixture of brown sugar, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Smoke on the pellet grill at 275°F for 1-2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Smoked Meatloaf
Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, diced onions, minced garlic, eggs, and your favorite seasonings together in a bowl. Form into a loaf and place on the pellet grill at 275°F for 2-3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Smoked Salmon
Rub salmon filets with a mixture of salt, brown sugar, and dill. Smoke on the pellet grill at 225°F for 1-2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Serve with lemon wedges.
Smoked Brisket
Rub a beef brisket with a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Smoke on the pellet grill at 225°F for 10-12 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F. Let rest for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Smoked Stuffed Peppers
Cut the tops off of bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Stuff with a mixture of cooked rice, ground beef, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Smoke on the pellet grill at 275°F for 1-2 hours or until the peppers are tender and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Cook macaroni according to package instructions and mix with shredded cheddar cheese, milk, butter, and your favorite seasonings. Place in a cast-iron skillet and top with breadcrumbs. Smoke on the pellet grill at 275°F for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Expert-Level Smoker Recipes:
Smoked Brisket
This recipe requires a lot of patience and attention to detail, but the end result is worth it. Rub a 12-pound brisket with your favorite spice rub and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F and smoke the brisket for 10-12 hours until the internal temperature reaches 200°F. Rest the brisket for 1 hour before slicing and serving.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
For a spicy and savory appetizer, try these bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers. Cut the stems off of 24 jalapeños and remove the seeds and membranes. Fill each jalapeño with a mixture of cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese, then wrap each one with a slice of bacon. Smoke on your pellet grill at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the filling is melted.
Smoked Whole Chicken
Smoking a whole chicken requires some skill, but it’s a great way to feed a crowd. Brine a 5-pound chicken for at least 4 hours, then pat it dry and season it with your favorite rub. Preheat your pellet grill to 250°F and smoke the chicken for 3-4 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the meat.
Smoked Beef Ribs
For a hearty and flavorful meal, try smoking beef ribs. Rub a rack of beef ribs with your favorite spice blend and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Preheat your pellet grill to 250°F and smoke the ribs for 6-8 hours until the meat is tender and pulls away from the bones.
Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Pork belly burnt ends are a delicious and indulgent treat that requires a little extra effort. Cut a 5-pound pork belly into cubes and season with your favorite rub. Smoke on your pellet grill at 250°F for 4-5 hours until the meat is tender. Toss the cubes in a sauce made with brown sugar, honey, and barbecue sauce, then smoke for another 1-2 hours until caramelized.
Smoked Duck Breast
For a unique and flavorful dish, try smoking duck breast. Season 4 duck breasts with salt and pepper, then smoke on your pellet grill at 250°F for 2-3 hours until the internal temperature reaches 135°F. Finish the breasts on a hot grill or in a cast iron skillet to crisp up the skin.
Smoked Lobster Tails
For a decadent seafood dish, try smoking lobster tails. Cut the top of each tail and remove the meat, leaving it attached at the bottom. Brush the meat with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Smoke on your pellet grill at 250°F for 30-40 minutes until the meat is opaque and the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
