Ready to stop sweating over a hot stove this August? These 35 grilling and smoking recipes prove you can create incredible meals without turning your kitchen into a sauna. From vegetables that’ll convert the pickiest eaters to fall-off-the-bone ribs that taste like you’ve been perfecting them for decades, every single recipe is designed to keep you cool while delivering flavors that’ll have your friends “accidentally” wandering over around dinner time. No more sad summer salads or boring grilled chicken – these tested techniques guarantee restaurant-quality results that make people think you’re secretly a pitmaster!
Crispy-Skin Smoked Chicken Thighs
Most smoked chicken ends up with rubbery skin, but this dual-method technique delivers both tender meat and crispy skin that rivals any fried chicken. The secret searing step at the end creates the perfect contrast that’ll make these thighs your new weeknight obsession.
Get the Recipe: Crispy-Skin Smoked Chicken Thighs
Budget-Friendly Smoked Picnic Shoulder
Skip expensive Boston butt – this overlooked cut from the meat case costs half the price but delivers the same melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork results. Our step-by-step method turns this tough, cheap cut into BBQ gold that’ll have your friends convinced you’re a pitmaster.
Get the Recipe: Budget-Friendly Smoked Picnic Shoulder
Massive Smoked Beef Ribs
These prehistoric-looking “dino ribs” create the kind of Instagram-worthy barbecue that makes your neighbors extremely jealous. The simple three-ingredient rub lets the beef shine while low-and-slow smoking creates tender meat that pulls away from the bone like butter.
Get the Recipe: Massive Smoked Beef Ribs
Smoky Half Chickens
Half chickens cook faster and more evenly than whole birds while delivering that impressive presentation everyone craves. This method creates juicy meat with crispy skin that puts rotisserie chicken to shame – your family will never settle for store-bought again.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Half Chickens
Smoky Grilled Chicken Caesar
Ditch boring lettuce-only salads for this game-changer where smoky char meets creamy tang in perfect harmony. The grilled chicken technique adds depth that makes this Caesar actually exciting – watch it become your new go-to dinner solution.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Grilled Chicken Caesar
Juicy Beer Can Chicken
This isn’t just a gimmick – the beer actually steams the chicken from inside while the smoker works its magic on the outside. In just 90 minutes, you’ll have the most tender, flavorful chicken that’ll make your neighbors peek over the fence to see what smells so incredible.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Beer Can Chicken
Crispy Grilled Chicken Thighs
Forget timing chicken by minutes – this internal temperature trick guarantees juicy meat with crispy skin every single time in just 15-20 minutes. Once you master this foolproof method, you’ll wonder why you ever struggled with dry, rubbery chicken before.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Grilled Chicken Thighs
Loaded Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
This isn’t your typical sad desk salad – our kabob trick infuses way more flavor into every bite than regular grilled chicken ever could. The charred chicken paired with fresh fixings creates a satisfying meal that actually fills you up and tastes amazing.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
Decadent Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger
This isn’t just another burger – the garlic butter technique creates an indulgent experience that makes regular burgers taste boring by comparison. Every element works together to create the kind of over-the-top flavor that turns casual cookouts into memorable feasts.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger
Sizzling Skirt Steak Tacos
Skip the expensive taqueria – this char-grilled technique creates restaurant-quality tacos in your own backyard for a fraction of the cost. The secret to perfectly tender skirt steak ensures every bite is juicy and flavorful, not chewy like most people’s attempts.
Get the Recipe: Sizzling Skirt Steak Tacos
Perfect Grilled Tri-Tip
Discover why West Coast grillers call this the “poor man’s brisket” – tri-tip delivers premium flavor at budget-friendly prices when you know the right technique. This method creates tender slices perfect for sandwiches, tacos, and impressing anyone who thinks good beef has to cost a fortune.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Grilled Tri-Tip
Peruvian-Style Steak Kabobs
These aren’t your average kabobs – the Peruvian-inspired flavors create a unique twist that camping enthusiasts and backyard grillers absolutely love. The steak and potato combination delivers hearty satisfaction that keeps people coming back for more all night long.
Get the Recipe: Peruvian-Style Steak Kabobs
Classic Kansas City Strip Steak
Sometimes simple is best – this straightforward approach to strip steak over coals creates the kind of perfectly charred, juicy results that remind you why steak is king. No fancy tricks needed, just proven technique that delivers steakhouse quality every single time.
Get the Recipe: Classic Kansas City Strip Steak
BBQ Pork Steaks
These aren’t your typical pork chops – the compound butter finish creates restaurant-level flavor that’ll have your family begging for this recipe. Ready in just 20 minutes, this technique turns budget-friendly cuts into something truly special.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pork Steaks
Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Most people turn this lean cut into shoe leather, but our tested method locks in moisture while creating a perfect crust. This technique delivers restaurant-quality results that’ll make you wonder why you ever avoided cooking pork tenderloin at home.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Spicy Hatch Chile Pork Burgers
Forget boring beef burgers – these pork patties stuffed with smoky hatch chiles and melted havarti create flavor combinations your guests have never experienced. The secret stuffing technique keeps every bite perfectly seasoned and impossibly juicy.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Hatch Chile Pork Burgers
Tender Grilled Pork Chops
Stop serving dry, tough pork chops – this step-by-step method guarantees juicy results that actually taste better than expensive restaurant versions. Once you nail this technique, pork chops will become your go-to weeknight winner.
Get the Recipe: Tender Grilled Pork Chops
Fall-Off-The-Bone Smoked Ribs
This beginner-friendly dry rub method produces competition-quality ribs without any fancy equipment or years of practice. The timing secrets ensure tender, perfectly seasoned ribs that’ll have your neighbors wondering what amazing BBQ joint you ordered from.
Get the Recipe: Fall-Off-The-Bone Smoked Ribs
Foolproof Grilled Salmon
Stop overcooking expensive salmon – this method guarantees perfectly flaky fish with gorgeous grill marks every single time. Once you master these simple timing tricks, you’ll never waste another pricey piece of fish again.
Get the Recipe: Foolproof Grilled Salmon
Elegant Stuffed Rainbow Trout
Most people avoid whole fish because they’re intimidated, but this stunning presentation actually impresses guests more than any fillet ever could. The secret stuffing technique keeps the fish moist while creating a restaurant-worthy centerpiece that’ll have everyone asking how you pulled it off.
Get the Recipe: Elegant Stuffed Rainbow Trout
Quick BBQ Shrimp Skewers
Get restaurant-quality shrimp in just 30 minutes with this double-sauce technique that prevents the rubbery disasters most people create. The chimichurri finish is the secret weapon that makes these skewers disappear faster than any appetizer at your party.
Get the Recipe: Quick BBQ Shrimp Skewers
Cedar-Planked Salmon
This traditional plank method infuses salmon with woodsy flavors that grilling alone can’t achieve while preventing the sticking disasters that ruin most fish. Your guests will taste the difference immediately and wonder why their salmon never has this incredible depth of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cedar-Planked Salmon
Butter Drenched Grilled Lobster
Skip the expensive restaurant markup – grilling lobster at home is easier than you think and tastes infinitely better than boiled. This zesty butter sauce technique creates the kind of impressive meal that makes special occasions truly memorable.
Get the Recipe: Butter Drenched Grilled Lobster
Smoky Potato Salad
Forget store-bought potato salad – this smoky version delivers restaurant-quality flavor that’ll have everyone asking for your secret. The smoky twist elevates this classic side into something your guests will actually remember.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Potato Salad
Lazy Grilled Corn
Skip the shucking mess – grilling corn in husks creates natural steam pockets that lock in sweetness better than any fancy technique. This hands-off method produces corn so tender and flavorful, you’ll never go back to your old way.
Get the Recipe: Lazy Grilled Corn
Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Most people ruin bacon-wrapped asparagus by overcooking one or undercooking the other – this technique nails the timing perfectly. Get crispy bacon and tender asparagus every time with this game-changing method that actually works.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Grilled Corn Salad That Disappears Fast
This isn’t just corn thrown in a bowl – grilling first adds a smoky sweetness that makes this salad irresistible at potlucks. Watch it vanish while other salads sit untouched because people actually crave this one.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Salad That Disappears Fast
Gourmet Smoked Baked Beans
Start with basic canned beans and watch them become the side dish everyone raves about with added pulled pork and smoky magic. This shortcut method delivers gourmet results that’ll have people convinced you slaved over these beans all day.
Get the Recipe: Gourmet Smoked Baked Beans
Perfect Smoked Pork Butt
This 10-pound beauty transforms into silky pulled pork that puts every BBQ joint to shame with just salt, smoke, and patience. Our community swears this foolproof method creates the kind of tender, juicy results that’ll have people driving across town just to taste your cooking.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Smoked Pork Butt
Legendary 3-2-1 Ribs
The 3-2-1 method isn’t just hype – it’s the proven formula that guarantees fall-off-the-bone ribs every single time without any guesswork. Once you nail this technique, you’ll understand why our meat nerds consider this the gold standard for perfect ribs.
Get the Recipe: Legendary 3-2-1 Ribs
Authentic New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
This isn’t your typical BBQ – it’s the buttery, spicy New Orleans classic that takes just 30 minutes but tastes like you’ve been perfecting it for years. The secret spice blend creates addictive flavors that’ll have everyone sopping up every drop with crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Authentic New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
Exotic Grilled Lamb Ribs
Most people have never tried lamb ribs, but our community considers them the ultimate hidden gem of grilling. These tender, flavorful cuts offer a completely different experience from pork or beef ribs that’ll make you wonder why more people don’t know about this incredible cut.
Get the Recipe: Exotic Grilled Lamb Ribs
Game-Day Buttermilk Chicken Wings
The buttermilk brine is the secret weapon that creates incredibly tender wings with crispy skin that stays crispy even after sitting out. This technique delivers the kind of wings that disappear so fast at parties, people start hoarding them on their plates.
Get the Recipe: Game-Day Buttermilk Chicken Wings
