45 Best Smoker Recipes For Beginners

These 45 Best Smoker Recipes For Beginners are easy, delicious, and can be made year-round. From classic pellet grill favorites to creative twists on smoked dishes, these recipes will have your friends and family begging for more. So fire up your smoker and learn how to make these easy smoker recipes!

A collage of various easy first time smoker recipes.

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If you have a pellet smoker, these easy-to-make recipes are for you! There's something for everyone, from delicious appetizers to juicy meat dishes and smoky side dishes.

A smoker grill is great for any cut of meat, and because the meat cooks at a low temperature, the connective tissue breaks down until you have flavorful, tender meat.

Change up your wood pellets or wood chips to change the flavor! I have also included a few of my favorite dry rub recipes at the end - give them a try!

Best Smoker Recipes For Beginners

Smoked Chicken Recipes

Smoked chicken wings on white paper with dipping sauce in the background and a green salad

Pit Boss Smoker Chicken Wings with Dry Rub

Pit Boss Smoker Chicken Wings with Dry Rub is an easy recipe that gives you that crispy chicken skin we all love! The chicken wings are coated in a homemade dry rub that gives these wings so much flavor.

Pit Boss Chicken Wings

Closeup of smoked chicken thighs stacked on a white plate.

Best Smoked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs On A Pellet Grill

Smoked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs are incredibly juicy and flavorful. The sweet, smoky flavor is so delicious it's hard to believe it takes only 10 minutes of prep time, making these perfect for a weeknight meal!

Smoked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

Smoked Chicken Breasts

This easy Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe does not require marinating or brining, and the smoking process only takes 1 hour, making it a perfect meal for busy weeknights.

Smoked Chicken Breasts

Chili lime chicken smoked to perfection served with slices of fresh lime.

The Best Smoked Chili Lime Chicken Breasts

This Chili Lime Chicken is so easy to make! Boneless chicken breasts are marinated in a delicious homemade chili-lime marinade and then smoked to perfection on the grill.

Smoked Chili Lime Chicken Breasts

Smoked Chicken Legs

These Smoked Chicken Legs are coated with a homemade dry rub and then cooked in flavorful smoke until you have juicy, tender chicken inside. The crispy, crackly skin is full of fantastic flavor that will have everyone returning for seconds.

Smoked Chicken Legs

A smoked whole chicken sitting upright in a holder.

Smoked Whole Chicken On A Pellet Grill

This Smoked Whole Chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices and smoked over low heat. It is juicy, flavorful, and will be a hit with your guests.

Smoked Whole Chicken On A Pellet Grill

Smoked Turkey Recipes

Smoked Turkey Breast

Try this Smoked Turkey Breast recipe for a juicy and flavorful holiday meal or Sunday supper. With a delicious dry rub and no need for brining, it's an easy and impressive main dish your guests will love.

Smoked Turkey Breast

A whole turkey being smoked on a pellet grill, covered in spice rub, with wisps of smoke behind it on the pellet grill.

Smoked Whole Turkey on Pellet Grill

This is hands down the easiest turkey recipe you will ever make. The bird is seasoned with a dry spice rub that adds fantastic flavor and leaves a crispy exterior on the turkey and smoked until ready.

Smoked Whole Turkey on Pellet Grill

An overhead picture of smoked turkey thighs on a white serving platter.

Smoked Turkey Thighs on Pellet Grill

These Smoked Turkey Thighs are juicy and delicious with crispy skin. And no overnight brine is required!

Smoked Turkey Thighs

Smoked Beef Recipes

Burgers topped with cheese smoking on the grill

Smoked Pellet Grill Burgers

Smoking burgers on the pellet grill is the best way to cook a burger. These are quick to prepare and even easier to cook. Let the pellet smoker do the work for one hour, and then do a quick sear on each side and... done! You will be enjoying the best-tasting burgers in no time!

Smoked Pellet Grill Burgers

Juicy pellet smoked chuck roast cut in thin slices for serving.

Smoked Pellet Grill Chuck Roast

Smoked Chuck Roast will be the star of your backyard barbecue. This roast is easy to make; the hardest part involves mixing up a delicious homemade rub with a prep time of only 5 minutes; then, the chuck roast gets covered in the rub and slow-cooked in the smoker, resulting in amazing flavor!

Smoked Pellet Grill Chuck Roast

The juicy brisket cut into thin slices on a wooden cutting board.

Pellet Grill Smoked Brisket

This easy Pellet Grill Smoked Brisket recipe will produce the most tender, fall-apart, and juicy brisket you've ever tasted. The recipe requires no brisket trimming. Just coat it in a delicious dry rub before slowly smoking it on a pellet grill. Then, finish it in the oven with red wine or apple juice for added moisture.

Pellet Grill Smoked Brisket

Smoked stuffed peppers on baking tray, with melty cheese.

Smoked Stuffed Bell Peppers

Smoked stuffed peppers are a super easy dinner recipe that everyone will love. Stuffed peppers are always delicious, but the flavor is hugely intensified when you pop them on the smoker to finish cooking.

Smoked Stuffed Bell Peppers

Smoked chili served in small casserole dishes, topped with sliced jalapeno peppers.

Easy Smoked Chili

Do you know what's better than a bowl of chili? Smoked Chili! It's hearty, full-bodied, and chock full of flavor with just enough smoky twist to make it unforgettable!

Easy Smoked Chili

Two smoked beef back ribs on a serving plate with a green salad.

Perfect Smoked Beef Back Ribs on Pellet Grill

Be the BBQ hero at your next cookout with these tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone Smoked Beef Ribs! This easy recipe does require some patience, but it's worth it! All you have to do is sit back, relax, and let the pellet grill work its magic!

Smoked Beef Back Ribs

A smoked brisket on a wooden cutting board.

Smoked Brisket in Electric Smoker

This smoked beef brisket is juicy and fall-apart tender, with a lovely bark, delicious smoky flavor, and a beautiful smoke ring. This recipe has step-by-step instructions and is simple and easy to follow, even for beginners.

Smoked Brisket in Electric Smoker

Smoked Pork Recipes

Smoked Sausage

These Smoked Sausages are juicy and flavorful and so easy to make on the smoker.

Smoked Sausage

Smoked pork chops with grill marks stacked on a white platter.

How To Smoke Pork Chops on Pellet Grill

There's nothing quite like smoked pork chops. They're thick, juicy, and full of flavor. Not to mention, they're really easy to make on a pellet grill! The pork chops are first covered in a delicious pork rub that gives them a nice crusty exterior, and the inside is so tender with a lovely smoke flavor.

Smoked Pork Chops on Pellet Grill

Smoked pork tenderloin sliced on a serving platter, garnished with fresh herbs.

Best Smoked Pork Tenderloin on Pellet Grill

Smoked pork tenderloin is a delicious and easy recipe that can be served as the main course for a dinner party, as an appetizer for a football game, or as part of an outdoor barbecue.

Smoked Pork Tenderloin

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

This Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Recipe is perfect for any occasion. The pork tenderloin is tender, juicy, and full of smoky flavor.

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

An aluminum tray filled with smoked pork belly burnt ends.

Best Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends on Pellet Grill

Elevate your BBQ game with this Best Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends on Pellet Grill recipe! These are the most tender and juicy pork belly cubes kissed with a hint of smoke and glazed to perfection. These bite-sized morsels are pure BBQ gold.

Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Shredded smoked pork butt on a large sheet pan.

Easy Smoked Pork Butt Recipe

This easy recipe for Smoked Pork Butt (Smoked Pulled Pork) is easy to make, so even beginners will have success with this recipe. All that's needed is some BBQ sauce if you like!

Smoked Pork Butt

Smoked 3-2-1 ribs on a white plate with a bowl of baked beans.

Best Fall Off The Bone Smoked 3-2-1 Ribs Recipe

Make juicy, tender, flavorful, and fall-off-the-bone ribs with this easy Smoked 3-2-1 Ribs recipe! This foolproof method guarantees amazing results. Cooked low and slow, these ribs are incredibly easy to make and taste amazing!

Smoked 3-2-1 Ribs

Sliced pork loin roast on a wooden cutting board.

Best Smoked Pork Loin Roast Recipe

This smoked pork roast is one of my favorite go-to recipes. All you need to do is cover it with an easy wet rub and cook it in the smoker for a couple of hours.

Smoked Pork Loin Roast

A double smoked ham on a white serving platter, a few pieces sliced, sitting on top of green lettuce.

Double Smoked Ham with Brown Sugar Maple Glaze

This Double Smoked Ham Recipe makes the perfect ham with a sweet and sticky brown sugar maple glaze. It is out of this world delicious and perfect for any occasion, any time of year.

Double Smoked Ham

Smoked Seafood Recipes

Honey glazed smoked salmon on a serving platter with chopsticks beside it.

Honey Glazed Smoked Salmon Recipe on Pellet Grill

This Honey Glazed Smoked Salmon is juicy, tender, and full of flavor, thanks to the homemade honey glaze. Cooked low and slow on the pellet smoker, this salmon has a delicious smoke flavor and will be the talk of your family dinner.

Honey Glazed Smoked Salmon

A fork with a piece of smoked salmon on it.

Masterbuilt Smoker Salmon

You've got to try this easy recipe for Masterbuilt Smoker Salmon! The salmon is seasoned with the perfect blend of spices and smoked perfectly, making it super juicy and fall-apart tender with incredible flavor.

Masterbuilt Smoker Salmon

Smoked shrimp on a white serving platter, with a side of lemon wedges and seafood sauce.

Easy Smoked Shrimp Recipe on Pellet Grill

Smoked shrimp is one of the quickest and easiest recipes on the pellet grill. Simply marinate for 15-30 minutes, then pop on the grill for another 30 minutes.

Smoked Shrimp on Pellet Grill

Smoked salmon fillet baked to perfection, placed on a slate board with slices of lemon beside it.

Best Smoked Salmon on Pellet Grill

This smoked salmon recipe turns an ordinary piece of fish into an extraordinary, delectable, melt-in-your-mouth, flavorful dish that will become your new favorite with your first bite. What is amazing is how easy it is.

Best Smoked Salmon on Pellet Grill

Smoked Venison Recipes

Smoked venison meatballs garnished with fresh parsley and sesame seeds.

Smoked Venison Meatballs On Pellet Grill

These Smoked Venison Meatballs on Pellet Grill aren't your ordinary meatballs! Cooked low and slow and then tossed in a sweet and sticky glaze, these tasty meatballs are a weeknight dinner winner!

Smoked Venison Meatballs

Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Venison Backstraps

The next time you bring home a deer (or elk or moose), make Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Venison Backstraps. The flavor of the venison backstraps wrapped in crispy bacon, seasoned perfectly, and smoked on the pellet smoker is nothing short of amazing.

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Venison Backstrap

Smoked venison roast placed on a white table, with a few slices cut off, with wedge fries around it.

Best Smoked Venison Roast

If you love smoked meat, you will love this recipe for smoked venison roast! This recipe is simple and easy to follow, and it will yield some of the most delicious smoked deer meat you have ever tasted!

Best Smoked Venison Roast

Smoked Side Dishes

A closeup of a wooden spoon scooping up homemade smoked macaroni and cheese out of a cast iron skillet.

Best Smoked Mac and Cheese on a Pellet Grill

There is no better comfort food than a piping hot bowl of Smoked Mac and Cheese. With creamy macaroni and cheesy sauce, it's the perfect side dish or main dish!

Smoked Mac and Cheese on Pellet Grill

Closeup of baked potatoes with sour cream.

Smoked Baked Potatoes on Pellet Grill

Smoked Baked Potatoes is an easy recipe that only requires a few simple ingredients, and the result is a delicious, flavorful potato that is perfectly cooked and packed full of flavor.

Smoked Baked Potatoes on Pellet Grill

Smoked Baked Beans topped with crispy bacon in a large cast iron skillet.

Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon

This Smoked Baked Beans Recipe makes the perfect side dish. This is a quick and easy recipe made with canned beans that are kicked up a notch with a thick and bubbly brown sugar sauce and then topped with crisp, smoky bacon.

Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon

Smoked corn on the cob with melted butter and salt and pepper on a white dinner plate.

Easy Smoked Corn on the Cob in Foil

Smoked Corn on the Cob is the absolute best way to cook corn. The corn steams inside tin foil with butter, while the delicate smoky flavor infuses every kernel of corn. The result is perfectly cooked corn, super juicy, and so flavorful! And no need to soak the corn beforehand as we don't leave the husks on!

Smoked Corn on the Cob in Foil

An overhead picture of smoked corn on the cob on a baking sheet.

Traeger Smoked Corn on the Cob

Traeger Smoked Corn on the Cob is slowly smoked until tender. The kernels are slightly charred and full of smoky flavor, making them irresistible.

Traeger Smoked Corn on the Cob

Smoked Appetizers

A closeup of smoked perogies wrapped in bacon on a grilling tray.

The Best Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Perogies

Smoked bacon-wrapped perogies are the ultimate comfort food. These perogies are soft and pillowy, while the bacon is crispy and salty. Simply wrap each perogy in a piece of bacon, then cook in the smoker until the bacon is crisp.

Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Perogies

Smoked queso dip in an aluminum pan, on a cooling rack, with tortilla chips beside the pan on the table.

The Best Smoked Queso Dip Recipe (Pellet Grill)

Smoked Queso is the ultimate cheese dip! It is easy to make and tastes delicious! Serve it with tortilla chips and crackers, or use it as a pasta sauce!

Smoked Queso Dip on Pellet Grill

Crispy smoked shotgun shells stacked in a pyramid style on a wooden cutting board.

Smoked Shotgun Shells on Pellet Grill

These Smoked Shotgun Shells on Pellet Grill aren't your average appetizer! With minimal ingredients and effort, your guests will be impressed with this unique dish that will have everyone coming back for more!

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Smoked chex mix piled high in a glass bowl, with a tray in the background.

Smoked Chex Mix on Pellet Grill

This irresistible Smoked Chex Mix is a unique take on the classic snack mix, combining smoky flavor with crunchy cereal, pretzel sticks, and nuts. Perfect for any occasion, this snack will quickly become a new favorite.

Smoked Chex Mix

A closeup of the smoked jalapeno poppers on a grilling tray.

Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

These Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers are seriously delicious and definitely worth making. The jalapeño peppers are stuffed with a cheesy filling, wrapped in bacon, then smoked until the bacon is nice and crispy.

Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Best Dry Rub Recipes

Smoked rub in a white bowl with a small spoon beside it.

Best Homemade Smoked Brisket Rub Recipe

This smoked brisket rub is the key to creating the perfect smoked brisket and will give your brisket a ton of flavor. Plus, it results in a beautiful bark just as delicious as the meat itself.

Smoked Brisket Rub

Homemade pork rub for smoker in a glass jar with green herbs behind it.

Best Pork Rub Recipe For Smoker

This homemade Pork Rub Recipe For Smoker is perfect for all kinds of smoked pork dishes such as pulled pork, pork ribs, pork tenderloin, pork belly, pork butt, and pork shoulder.

Best Pork Rub For Smoker

Dry spice rub for smoked chicken in a mason jar with a white spoon.

Best Dry Rub For Smoked Chicken

This homemade Dry Rub for Chicken is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and spicy, made with everyday ingredients. This BBQ rub for chicken leaves a beautifully caramelized crusty and crackly exterior.

Best Dry Rub For Smoked Chicken

Top Tips For Beginners

Trim the fat. While you do want some fat on your meat, you don't want too much. Trim away any large chunks of fat before smoking.
Season the meat. Before putting the meat in the smoker, season it with your favorite rub or marinade. This will help to add flavor and prevent the meat from drying out.
Preheat the smoker. Always prepare your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Don't overcrowd. Place your food on the racks in the smoker, making sure not to overcrowd them.
Check temperature. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness - you're looking for an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for chicken, 145 degrees F for pork, and 145 degrees Fahrenheit for fish.
Let the meat rest. Once your meat is cooked through, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Common FAQs

What is the best thing to cook on a smoker grill?

Well, the answer to that is ... everything! The flavor from a smoker grill gives you a unique flavor you just can't get with any other cooking method. So whether it's pork, beef, turkey, chicken, seafood, or vegetables, everything can be cooked on a pellet grill.

Will these recipes work for any smoker?

There are many different types of smokers out there, and these recipes will work with any of them. Whether you have a Traeger pellet grill, a Pit Boss pellet grill, a Masterbuilt electric smoker (I have all three), or another type of smoker, these easy recipes can be made in any one of them.