From smoky poor man's burnt ends, grilled pineapple pork tenderloin to grilled chicken skewers, Moroccan chicken thighs and smoked chuck roast, these 20 grill and smoker recipes are your go-to all season long.
New to grilling? Before you dive into these recipes, check out my beginner guide to grilling for step‑by‑step tips, gear basics, and foolproof temperature pointers. Then check out What Temperature to Grill Steak (Plus Internal Temps for Doneness) and How to Grill Pork Chops (Best Cuts, How to Marinate and Grill Times) to dial in perfect doneness every time.
The Two-Zone Grilling Method Explained is a must‑read refresher before you fire up the grill!
When the weather warms up, everything tastes better cooked over flame and smoke. These grilling and smoker recipes cover it all: smoky tri‑tip, poor man's burnt ends, grilled pork tenderloin, BBQ chicken, skewers, and even party appetizers you can grill, smoke, or bake.
Skewers deserve their own spotlight. If you're looking for kebabs from around the world - from Middle Eastern beef kofta and Indian-style tandoori chicken to Hawaiian teriyaki pineapple skewers - I put together a dedicated roundup that covers all the best kebab and skewer recipes in one place, with tips for grilling or baking them indoors year-round.
👉 15 Best Kebab & Skewer Recipes From Around the World
Grill & Smoker Recipes From What's in the Pan
Smoker Recipes and Grilled Mains
Moroccan Chicken Thighs in Lemon Herb Marinade (Bake, Pan-Sear or Grill)
Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy Moroccan Chicken recipe is bursting with warm spices and fresh flavor. A quick lemon-herb marinade keeps the chicken juicy whether you bake, pan-sear, or grill it. You can use either chicken thighs or chicken breasts - the recipe is highly adaptable.
1. Pig Shots (Grill, Smoke or Bake)
These addictive pig shots layer smoked sausage and bacon into little cups stuffed with a creamy, cheesy filling. Make them on the grill, in the smoker, or in the oven - but they're especially irresistible when they pick up smoky BBQ flavor. They disappear fast at every party.
2. Santa Maria-Style Tri-Tip, Smoked
This recipe walks you through a bold Santa Maria-style dry rub, low‑and‑slow smoking (or oven roasting), and a high-heat reverse-sear finish that locks in every drop of juice. It's a showstopper centerpiece for weekend cookouts or anytime you want to impress a crowd.
3. Poor Man's Burnt Ends
You don't need a full packer brisket to make incredible burnt ends. This recipe uses chuck roast, smoked low and slow and finished with BBQ sauce until caramelized, sticky, and deeply smoky. Works beautifully on a pellet, charcoal, or electric smoker.
4. Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri Sauce
Juicy, marinated pork tenderloin is seared over direct heat, then finished over indirect heat for a perfectly cooked center. A bright, fresh chimichurri sauce cuts through the richness and adds herbaceous summer flavor in every bite.
5. Grilled Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
6. Grilled Honey Sriracha Chicken Drumsticks
Honey Sriracha Chicken Drumsticks on the grill, then smothered in a sweet and spicy sticky sauce! Amazing crunchy crust and lots of flavor from delicious combo of sauces and seasonings. With just a few simple steps, these yummy legs recipe turns out excellent every single time.
7. Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa cooks quickly, stays nice and juicy. Plus, it's an easy dish when you're craving something bold, sweet and tropical. Whether you grill it or roast it - the end result is a delicious tenderloin that's crispy on the outside and juicy & tender on the inside.
8. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
When you don't feel like standing over the grill, these BBQ chicken thighs deliver fall-apart, saucy, smoky flavor straight from the slow cooker. Finish them under the broiler or on a hot grill grate for a beautiful caramelized glaze.
Skewers & Kebabs (Grill or Oven)
9. Marinated Beef Kebabs
Classic shish kebabs with marinated beef cubes, bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onion grilled until lightly charred on the outside and tender inside. A go-to backyard BBQ recipe the whole family asks for every summer.
10. Beef Kofta
Seasoned ground beef shaped around skewers and grilled until juicy with crispy charred edges. Serve them with warm flatbread, creamy yogurt sauce, and fresh herbs for a dinner that feels straight off a Middle Eastern street-food grill.
11. Chicken Fajita Skewers with Citrus Marinade
All the bold, zesty flavors of sizzling fajitas - on a stick. A bright citrus marinade keeps the chicken incredibly juicy, and the colorful peppers and onions make these as gorgeous as they are delicious. Works on the grill or in the oven.
12. Tandoori Grilled Chicken Skewers
Yogurt and warm Indian spices create ultra-flavorful chicken skewers that bake on a rack and finish under the broiler for charred, tandoori-style edges - no outdoor grill needed. Perfect for weeknights or rainy days when you still want that smoky grilled flavor.
13. BBQ Chicken Kebabs
Sticky, saucy, and smoky BBQ chicken on skewers that caramelize beautifully on the grill. These are a cookout essential and pair perfectly with corn on the cob, coleslaw, and potato salad.
14. Pineapple Shrimp Skewers with Sweet Chili Sauce
Sweet pineapple, juicy shrimp, and a sweet chili glaze come together for a bright, tropical skewer that cooks in just minutes on the grill. Serve them as a main or pass them as an appetizer at your next cookout.
15. Grilled Chicken and Bacon Shish Kebabs
Chicken and Bacon Shish Kebabs on the grill! Perfectly seasoned chicken pieces weaved in between bacon and grilled over indirect heat before crisping up with direct heat. The BBQ sauce fully coats the skewers for maximum flavor!
Grilled Mains From Julia's Album
16. Grilled Pork Tenderloin
A flavor-packed marinade and a quick turn on the grill give this pork tenderloin beautifully caramelized grill marks and a juicy, tender center. Detailed instructions cover both outdoor grill and stovetop grill pan so you can cook it any way you like.
17. Grilled Chicken Breasts
Lemon, garlic, and honey come together in a simple marinade that keeps these grilled chicken breasts moist and never rubbery. The post includes step-by-step guidance for heat zones, oiling the grates, and knowing exactly when your chicken is done.
18. Hawaiian Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Skewers
Chicken and pineapple threaded onto skewers, glazed with homemade teriyaki sauce, and grilled until caramelized and glossy. This Hawaiian-inspired skewer is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any summer cookout.
19. Grilled Marinated Pork Chops with Mango Salsa
Marinated pork chops hit the grill and get topped with a bright, fresh mango salsa that adds the perfect sweet-and-spicy contrast. These are tailor-made for warm summer evenings and look stunning on the plate.
Sauce & Recipe Hub
20. Kansas City Barbecue Sauce
A thick, sweet, and smoky BBQ sauce made with smoked paprika and just the right amount of tang - the perfect brush-on glaze for anything you throw on the grill. Make a big batch on Sunday and use it all week long.
Bonus Skewer Recipe
21. Jerk Chicken Thighs Skewers
A flavorful, spicy grilled dish made by marinating boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a blend of Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, and ginger. The chicken is cubed, marinated for at least 2 hours (ideally overnight), threaded onto skewers-often with bell peppers and onions-and grilled over medium-high heat for 12-20 minutes until reaching an internal temperature of 165F.
Publishing Soon
22. Souvlaki Skewers (publishing soon)
A popular Greek street food consisting of marinated, grilled chicken-threaded on skewers and served hot. They are famously marinated in lemon, olive oil, and oregano, then grilled until tender, often served with tzatziki, pita bread, and salads.
23. Air fryer Korean chicken skewers with Gochujang Sauce (publishing soon)
A quick 30-minute dish. Simply marinate cubed chicken thighs for at least 20-30 minutes, thread onto skewers, and air fry at for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway until caramelized and fully cooked.
24. Thai Chicken Satay Skewers in the Secret Peanut Sauce (publishing soon)
Love kebabs? Don't miss 10 Best Kebab & Skewer Recipes From Around the World - chicken, beef, shrimp, and caprese skewers, grilled or oven-baked.
Tips for Grilling and Smoking All Summer Long
- Preheat your grill or smoker: Always allow 10-15 minutes of preheating so grates are hot, clean, and ready to sear - this prevents sticking and gives you better grill marks.
- Set up two heat zones: Create a direct (high heat) zone for searing and an indirect (lower heat) zone for finishing. This is essential for thick cuts like pork tenderloin and tri-tip.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Don't guess - use an Instant Read Thermometer: to hit safe, perfect internal temperatures every time.
- Rest your meat: Let grilled and smoked meats rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing so juices redistribute and every bite stays moist.
- Soak wooden skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling so they don't burn over the flame.
Milya says
Love the moroccan chicken recipe! Want to make it with both thighs and whole chicken to increase the amount of meat on the plate next weekend.