Our 15 Best Pellet Grill Recipes To Try

Whether we’re cooking on a budget-friendly Pit Boss or a high-end Yoder, these are the recipes we come back to again and again.

From crowd-pleasers like smoked brisket and pulled pork to party favorites like shotgun shells and hot dog burnt ends, this list covers the essential pellet grill cooks every backyard pitmaster should have in their playbook.

Check out our complete collection of pellet grill recipes for even more ideas.

The best pellet grill recipes

Pellet grills are capable of producing truly excellent barbecue. Thanks to their ease of operation, they’ve opened up the world of barbecue to a huge new audience.

If you’re a complete beginner to cooking on a pellet grill, check out our guide on how to use a pellet grill in 9 simple steps. Then, you’ll be ready to start cooking recipes from this list.

1. Smoked pellet grill brisket

Can you cook an authentic brisket on a pellet grill? Hell yes!

This brisket is moist and tender with a smoky flavor and great bark.

I’ll give you my best tips on how to get that authentic smoked beef brisket flavor on a pellet grill from trimming through to resting.

Recipe: Smoked Pellet Grill Brisket

2. How to make the best pellet grill pulled pork

Do you want to achieve classic pulled pork on your pellet grill?

Although this is a slightly expedited version of smoked pulled pork, we are still cooking it low and slow.

At the end of the cook, you still get smokey, juicy pulled pork that is easily teased apart using a couple of forks.

Recipe: How to make the best pellet grill pulled pork

3. Pellet Grill Steaks

If you’re looking for a foolproof way to cook thick-cut steaks, our pellet grill steak recipe delivers every time.

You’ll smoke the steaks low and slow for even doneness and wood-fired flavor, then finish with a hot sear for that crave-worthy crust. Whether you’re cooking ribeye, sirloin, or strip, the reverse sear method takes the guesswork out and brings steakhouse-quality results to your backyard

4. Whole smoked chicken on a pellet grill

Do you want crispy skin? We’ve got just the recipe.

A pellet grill is a fantastic tool for cooking chicken. If you smoke low and slow the whole way, you will end up with disgusting, rubbery skin. Using a pellet smoker makes it easy to start off slow and then crank the heat to let the skin get nice and crisp.

You can use your favorite smoked chicken seasoning.

We use a particular technique when cooking our chickens on the pellet grill, so click the link below to find out how you can get that chicken skin crispy as well.

Recipe: Whole smoked chicken on a pellet grill

5. Pellet Grill Smoked Burgers

For a juicy burger with smoky depth and a tender center, you can’t beat this pellet grill burger recipe. Smoked low and slow, the patties absorb wood-fired flavor and stay ultra-moist without the risk of flare-ups or shrinkage.

A homemade steak rub, smoked bacon, and simple sauce take it to the next level without overcomplicating the cook.

6. Smoked beef ribs

Big on size, big on flavor.

Beef ribs are surprisingly easy to cook, even though they take longer than your average pork rib to smoke.

If you can get your hands on hickory wood pellets I highly recommend them for this recipe, but you could use any fruit wood or oak.

Follow the simple steps we guide you through, from using a simple classic rub that intensifies the natural beefy flavor to creating a great bark. You’ll find these ribs are well worth your time.

Recipe: Pellet Grill Beef Ribs

7. How to smoke a turkey on the pellet grill

Change things up this Thanksgiving by spatchcocking your turkey and smoking it on your pellet grill.

Spatchcocking your turkey has so many advantages: you get a more even coating of rub across the whole bird, it cooks faster, and more of the surface can absorb that smoky flavor you’re after.

Presentation-wise, what more can we say, this is definitely a centerpiece worth bragging about.

Recipe: How to smoke a turkey on a pellet grill

8. Smoked baby back ribs on a pellet grill

Smoke, wrap, and glaze. You can’t go wrong with these slow-smoked baby back ribs.

Here, we give you a two-for-one deal: flavor-rich dry ribs seasoned with pork rub and tender, sticky ribs glazed with homemade BBQ sauce.

You’ll have the formula to cater to the dry rib lover and the sticky finger-licking rib lover making your next BBQ a winner with all.

Recipe: Smoked baby back ribs on a pellet grill

9. Smoked shotgun shells

A simple but tasty barbecue snack!

Who’d have thought you could cook pasta on your smoker?

Well, you can, and we can vouch for the fact that they are delicious. I mean, how can they not be? Manicotti tubes stuffed with ground beef and cheese, wrapped in bacon, and brushed with bbq sauce. The ultimate BBQ snack.

Recipe: Smoked shotgun shells

10. Pellet Grill Over the Top Chili

Your pellet grill can turn a humble pot of chili into a smoky showstopper. This viral Over the Top Chili method smokes a seasoned beef log directly above the pot, letting rich juices drip into the beans and tomatoes as it cooks.

The result? A hearty, flavor-packed smoked over the top chili with a depth you can’t get on the stovetop.

Recipe: Over the Top Chili

11. Hot dog burnt ends

You thought you’d tried every burnt end? Maybe not.

Turn the quintessential hotdog on its end by giving it a little bit of seasoning, a little bit of smoke, and then a good bath in some sticky, sweet BBQ sauce.

These little morsels can be whipped up in about 90 minutes and would be a great snack or appetizer at your next BBQ.

Recipe: Hot dog burnt ends

12. Smoked chicken wings on the pellet grill

Crispy, cheesy, and garlicky, what more could you ask for in a wing?

Wings are always the perfect appetizer for adults and little hands alike.

But why just an appetizer. Wings make a great meal, great tailgate, and picnic food. We like to pair these garlicky good things with our crispy smashed potatoes with horseradish sauce or our Best Pasta Salad for BBQ.

Recipe: Smoked chicken wings with garlic and parmesan

13. Smoked salmon burnt ends

Meet your new BBQ addiction!

These smoked salmon burnt ends take fish to a whole new level. Sticky and sweet with a hit of lemon to offset the richness and then the lingering heat of black pepper.

Serve these hot off the grill, cold on a grazing platter, or smashed on a bagel with cream cheese.

Recipe: Smoked salmon burnt ends

14. Perfect smoked prime rib roast

After a show stopper, then this is your baby.

As impressive as it looks, this really is a simple recipe to make.

After you’ve selected your prime rib, tidy it up a bit to make for an on-point presentation, give it an overnight dry brine to ensure even those thick parts are seasoned, then a nice thick coating of butter and BBQ rub before it goes into the smoker.

Not sure how long to cook it for? We’ve included a smoking guide to take the guesswork out for you.

Recipe: Smoked prime rib roast

15. Smoked chicken thighs

This is a great cut of chicken for the smoker, you’ll have to try really hard to dry it out.

Smoky, sticky, and juicy. These thighs are packed with natural flavor from the brown meat, a little acidity from the marinade, and a bit more flavor from the homemade rub.

They make a great dinner with a few sides. Get a two for the price of one deal and cook a couple extra, so the next night you can shred them up and put them in a taco or a quesadilla.

Recipe: Smoked chicken thighs

More tips to help you master your pellet grill

If you’re a pellet grill newbie or even a seasoned pellet griller, check out our articles below for helpful tips and advice on how to get the best out of your pellet grill.

• How long do pellets last in a pellet grill?
• How to store wood pellets
• How to get more smoke flavor from your pellet grill
• How to use a smoke tube on a pellet grill
• 9 best wood pellets for smoking
• How to clean a pellet grill