Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze on a round platter.

23 Pellet Grill Recipes That Make Whoever Tends the Smoker the Most Important Person at the Party

A party around the smoker gets easier to plan when the main dishes can cook low and slow while the rest of the food comes together. These 23 pellet grill recipes cover pork chops, chicken, wings, burgers, lamb, beef roasts, pulled pork, stuffed peppers, and one smart use for leftover smoked rib roast. Some finish in about an hour, while larger cuts such as beef shank, chuck roast, and pork butt turn the smoker into an all-day project with a big payoff at serving time. The range gives whoever is tending the pellets plenty of ways to keep the table supplied from the first appetizer to the final sliced roast.

Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze on a round platter.
Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoked Thick-Cut Pork Chops

Four pieces of smoked thick-cut pork chops on a white rectangular plate, with a lemon-patterned napkin and basil leaves nearby.
Smoked Thick-Cut Pork Chops. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Thick pork chops get a two-stage finish in Smoked Thick-Cut Pork Chops, which serves four in 1 hour and 25 minutes. Brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cayenne, salt, and pepper form the rub before the chops smoke at 225°F. Once they reach about 125°F, higher heat finishes the exterior and brings the center to temperature. Set them beside slaw, beans, or corn for a substantial party plate.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Thick-Cut Pork Chops

Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

A stack of chicken and pineapple on a vertical skewer on a cutting board.
Smoked Chicken Al Pastor. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Pineapple and chile flavors run through Smoked Chicken Al Pastor, an eight-serving recipe built from three pounds of boneless chicken thighs. Guajillo chiles, achiote paste, garlic, citrus juices, cider vinegar, cumin, oregano, and chipotle season the meat during an eight-hour marinade. The smoker starts at 180°F before rising to 300°F for the longer finish. Slice the chicken for tacos or bowls and let everyone add onions, cilantro, salsa, or extra pineapple.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe

Two seasoned, baked turkey legs on a white rectangular plate, with a floral-patterned cloth in the background.
Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Four generously seasoned legs make Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe a four-serving centerpiece with plenty of backyard-party appeal. Montreal-style seasoning and olive oil coat the turkey before it smokes at 225°F until the thickest part reaches 155°F. The pellet grill then climbs to 450°F for a short hot finish that brings the meat to 165°F and deepens the skin. With 15 minutes of prep and 3 hours of cooking, the full recipe takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe

Smoked Lamb Chops

Smoked lamb chops on a white plate with a green napkin.
Smoked Lamb Chops. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Rosemary, garlic, and red wine vinegar keep Smoked Lamb Chops focused on a short ingredient list while the smoker handles most of the work. Eight to ten loin chops make four servings after about 50 minutes of prep and cooking, plus 30 minutes to two hours of marinating. The lamb smokes at 225°F before a hot griddle or cast-iron sear adds color. Serve the chops with grilled vegetables, couscous, or a bright salad at the party.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lamb Chops

Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe

Four Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters are arranged in a row on a white plate.
Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Leg and thigh meat stay together in Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe, giving four servings from four substantial pieces of chicken. Brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, smoked hot paprika, salt, and pepper form the rub. The quarters smoke at 225°F for roughly 1½ to 2 hours, then finish at 400°F to tighten the skin. This format works well for a cookout where each guest can take one complete portion.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe

Smoked Thor’s Hammer

A large roasted meat shank on a bone, displayed upright in a skillet surrounded by nachos, with bowls of lime wedges and sauce nearby.
Smoked Thor’s Hammer. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Few smoker centerpieces look as dramatic as Smoked Thor’s Hammer, which starts with an eight- to ten-pound beef shank and serves eight. Salt and black pepper season the exterior, while a chipotle-garlic compound butter goes into the wrapped stage later in the cook. The beef begins at 180°F and spends about 10 hours becoming tender enough to pull apart. Bring it out whole, then shred the meat for tacos, nachos, buns, or loaded potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Thor’s Hammer

Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings

Chicken wings with garlic and Parmesan on a white plate.
Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Garlic butter and Parmesan finish Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings after the smoke has already seasoned two pounds of chicken. The six-serving batch takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes, starting at 225°F before the heat climbs to 450°F for crisping. Garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon, butter, and Parmesan form the final coating. Put the wings out with celery, ranch, or a simple salad when the party needs something easy to grab between conversations.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings

Smoked Burgers Recipe With a Reverse Sear

A smoked burger with lettuce and a slice of cheddar cheese on a bun, served with potato chips on a wooden board.
Smoked Burgers Recipe With a Reverse Sear. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Instead of going straight to high heat, Smoked Burgers Recipe With a Reverse Sear gives four eight-ounce beef patties time over smoke first. The patties chill for 30 minutes, cook at 225°F until the centers reach about 135°F, then finish over high heat or in cast iron. Salt, pepper, cheese, and buns keep the ingredient list straightforward. Set out pickles, onions, sauces, and other toppings so guests can finish their burgers at the table.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Burgers Recipe With a Reverse Sear

Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

Smoked jalapeno poppers on a platter.
Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bacon wraps around Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers, where jalapeno halves hold seasoned ground pork, cream cheese, green onion, and cilantro. Twelve peppers, one pound of pork, and one pound of bacon make four servings after about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The smoker starts low at 180°F, rises to 250°F, then finishes at 400°F to help the bacon brown. These work especially well as a starter while larger cuts continue smoking.
Get the Recipe: Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

Smoked Peach-Chipotle Wings

Smoked and glazed peach-chipotle chicken wings on a black plate.
Smoked Peach-Chipotle Wings. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Peach jam and chipotle turn Smoked Peach-Chipotle Wings into a sweet-smoky batch with enough heat to keep the sauce from leaning one-note. Two pounds of wings make four servings in about 1 hour and 5 minutes. They smoke at 180°F until cooked through, then crisp at 450°F before being tossed with peach jam, chipotle, adobo sauce, and cider vinegar. Serve them with cool slaw or raw vegetables to balance the glaze.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Peach-Chipotle Wings

Smoked Beef Tenderloin

A sliced smoked beef tenderloin on a white plate.
Smoked Beef Tenderloin. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

A whole tenderloin keeps Smoked Beef Tenderloin centered on the meat while a short marinade adds extra depth. The two-pound roast serves six and takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes, using Dijon, garlic, whiskey, Worcestershire, and brown sugar around the beef. It smokes at 180°F until the center reaches roughly 125°F for medium rare, then rests before slicing. Arrange thin slices on a platter with horseradish sauce, rolls, or roasted vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Beef Tenderloin

Smoked Carver Ham

Smoked sliced ham on a cutting board.
Smoked Carver Ham. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Maple, brown sugar, Dijon, and warm spices give Smoked Carver Ham a glossy finish while the smoker reheats a four-pound ham. The recipe serves eight in about 2 hours and 10 minutes at 300°F. Cider vinegar, cinnamon, onion powder, garlic powder, cloves, and chipotle powder round out the glaze. Slice it for a party buffet with rolls and mustard, or set it beside potatoes, green beans, and salad for a fuller meal.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Carver Ham

Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock

Roasted chicken on a slate board with carving knife and fork.
Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Spatchcocking helps Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock cook more evenly while exposing more skin to the smoker. One whole chicken and Montreal chicken seasoning make six servings in about 2 hours and 10 minutes. The bird spends an hour at 180°F, continues at 225°F until cooked through, then gets a short 450°F finish for crisper skin. Rest it before carving, then serve the pieces with corn, slaw, potato salad, or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock

Smoked Ribeye Roast

Sliced smoked ribeye beef on a cutting board.
Smoked Ribeye Roast. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Only olive oil and Montreal steak seasoning stand between the beef and smoke in Smoked Ribeye Roast. A four-pound roast makes six servings, with five minutes of prep and about 2½ hours of cooking. The pellet smoker starts at 180°F, then rises to 225°F until the center reaches around 125°F for medium rare. After a 15-minute rest, slice the roast across the grain and serve it with potatoes, vegetables, or crusty rolls.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Ribeye Roast

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches with Smoked Rib Roast

A Philly cheesesteak sandwich with melted cheese, green peppers, and onions in a hoagie roll, served with potato chips on a white plate.
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches with Smoked Rib Roast. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Leftover smoked beef gets another party-ready use in Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches with Smoked Rib Roast, which makes two sandwiches in 25 minutes. Twelve ounces of smoked rib roast join provolone, green bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, butter, and hoagie rolls on a skillet or griddle. The beef only needs a brief warm-through so it does not overcook. This entry uses meat from the smoker rather than smoking during the recipe itself, making it useful for next-day leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches with Smoked Rib Roast

Smoked Pulled Pork

Two cast iron skillets with smoked pulled pork in them.
Smoked Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Long, low heat gives Smoked Pulled Pork time to turn a five-pound pork butt into 12 servings. Mustard helps a rub of brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper cling to the meat before it goes onto a 225°F pellet smoker. The cook runs about 12 hours, including a wrapped stage and a long rest. Shred the pork for buns, tacos, nachos, or baked potatoes at a larger party.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pulled Pork

Smoked Dry Rubbed Wings

Smoked dry rubbed chicken wings on a white plate with garlic.
Smoked Dry Rubbed Wings. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

A dry spice coating keeps Smoked Dry Rubbed Wings easy to serve without a sticky sauce. Two pounds of wings make six servings with chili powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, smoked hot paprika, salt, pepper, and olive oil. They smoke at 225°F for about an hour, then finish at 450°F for a crisper exterior. Bring out ranch, blue cheese dressing, celery, or pickles so guests can build their own wing plate.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Dry Rubbed Wings

Smoked Chuck Roast

Sliced smoked chuck roast arranged on a white plate, showing a pink smoke ring and seasoned crust, with grape tomatoes in the background.
Smoked Chuck Roast. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Chuck roast takes on brisket-like treatment in Smoked Chuck Roast, a smaller cut that serves eight after about 9 hours and 15 minutes. A three-and-a-half to four-pound roast gets Montreal-style steak seasoning before smoking at 225°F. Once the center reaches about 165°F, butcher paper wraps the beef for the final stage at 250°F until tender. Rest it for 30 to 45 minutes, then slice or shred it for sandwiches, tacos, or hearty plates.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chuck Roast

Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb

Whole cooked leg of lamb on a board with a knife.
Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Rosemary, thyme, and garlic give Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb an herb-heavy crust without covering the flavor of the meat. One leg serves six and starts over low smoke at 180°F before the temperature rises to 225°F for the remaining cook. Olive oil helps the garlic and herbs cling to the surface, and the lamb rests for 20 minutes before slicing. Serve it with roasted potatoes, flatbreads, grilled vegetables, or cucumber salad for a varied party spread.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb

Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter

Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter on a plate with asparagus.
Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

This Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter starts four steaks over low smoke before the final cast-iron sear. New York strips are seasoned with Montreal steak seasoning and smoked at 180°F until they reach about 125°F. A hot skillet adds the browned exterior, while butter mixed with smoked garlic, parsley, and chipotle melts over the top. The full recipe runs about 1 hour and 5 minutes, making individual steaks manageable when the party has a smaller guest count.
Get the Recipe: Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter

Smoked New York Strip Roast

A piece of smoked New York strip roast meat on a cutting board next to a knife.
Smoked New York Strip Roast. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Coffee and ancho chile give Smoked New York Strip Roast a deeply seasoned crust around a four-pound cut of beef. The six-serving roast takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes, beginning at 180°F before the pellet smoker rises to 225°F. Brown sugar, black pepper, instant coffee, ancho chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne make up the rub. Rest the roast for 10 to 15 minutes, then slice it thinly for a buffet or plated dinner.
Get the Recipe: Smoked New York Strip Roast

Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Mezcal BBQ Sauce

A plate of Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill-Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Mezcal BBQ Sauce.
Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Mezcal BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

A pellet-powered outdoor grill keeps Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Mezcal BBQ Sauce moving quickly, with six servings ready in about 30 minutes. Two pork tenderloins get a brown sugar, paprika, chili, garlic, onion, thyme, and chipotle rub before smoking at 250°F. The separate sauce combines ketchup, beer, fruit juice, mezcal, cider vinegar, and spices. Slice the pork once it reaches 145°F and serve the sauce alongside so guests can add as much as they like.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Mezcal BBQ Sauce

Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze on a round platter.
Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Red pepper jelly, bourbon, and Sriracha give Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze a sticky finish after the chicken has spent time over low smoke. Three pounds of legs make six servings, seasoned first with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper. The chicken starts at 225°F, gets glazed around 155°F, then finishes at 375°F until cooked through. Arrange the legs on a platter with napkins and simple sides for easy party serving.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

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