There’s something about firing up the smoker with a full backyard of people that never gets old — it’s one of my favorite excuses to cook all day. Whether you’re throwing a birthday bash, a long weekend cookout, or just using any excuse to get the smoker going, a good spread makes the whole thing.
Wings, burgers, ribs, dips — I’ve rounded up my go-to mains, sides, apps, and a couple of desserts so you’ve got the whole party covered — no last-minute dash to the shops needed.
No time to read all the recipes? Pin it to read later ⤵️
Mains
Smoked Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone ribs with a sticky glaze — the centerpiece every BBQ party needs.
Recipe: Smoked Rib Recipe
Traeger Pulled Pork
Low and slow pork shoulder shredded down to tender, smoky perfection. Great piled onto buns or served straight off the tray.
Recipe: Traeger Pulled Pork
Texas Style Smoked Brisket
The ultimate showstopper. A proper smoked brisket takes patience, but it’s worth every minute for that peppery bark and melt-in-your-mouth center.
Recipe: Texas Style Smoked Brisket
Grilled Chicken Skewers
Juicy marinated chicken threaded onto skewers and grilled until golden with a light char. Easy to prep ahead and always a hit with the kids.
Recipe: Grilled Chicken Skewers
Smoked Brats
Snappy, smoky bratwurst straight off the pellet grill. Simple, fast, and always a crowd favorite.
Recipe: Smoked Brats on a Pellet Grill
Grilled Lamb Koftas
Spiced ground lamb shaped onto skewers and grilled until charred and juicy. Serve with flatbread and yogurt sauce for a flavorful BBQ main with a Middle Eastern flair.
Recipe: Grilled Lamb Koftas
Shish Kabobs
Marinated beef and veggies threaded onto skewers and grilled over high heat until charred and juicy. A classic BBQ party main that’s easy to customize for any crowd.
Recipe: Shish Kabobs
Sides
Corn on the Cob
Smoky, buttery corn on the cob straight off the smoker. A BBQ party staple that takes almost no effort.
Recipe: Pit Boss Smoker Corn on the Cob
Smoked Baked Beans
Rich, smoky baked beans that soak up all that BBQ flavor. The perfect partner for ribs or pulled pork.
Recipe: Smoked Baked Beans
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy mac and cheese with a stint on the smoker for extra depth. A side that steals the show every time.
Recipe: Pit Boss Smoked Mac and Cheese
Grilled Cornbread
Soft, slightly sweet cornbread cooked on the grill for a smoky, golden crust. Perfect alongside any of the mains above.
Recipe: Grilled Cornbread
Refrigerator Pickles
Quick, crunchy pickles made in the fridge with no canning required. A fresh, tangy bite that cuts through all the rich BBQ flavors.
Recipe: Refrigerator Pickles
Appetizers & Dips
Smoked Pig Shots
Crispy bacon cups filled with sausage, cream cheese, cheddar, and jalapeño then smoked until golden. People will be lining up for seconds.
Recipe: Smoked Pig Shots
Smoked Shotgun Shells
Manicotti pasta stuffed with seasoned ground beef, Italian sausage, and cream cheese, wrapped in bacon and smoked. My most-requested appetizer at any cookout.
Recipe: Smoked Shotgun Shells
Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
Hot, bubbly, and golden — creamy buffalo chicken dip loaded with shredded chicken, cheddar, and buffalo sauce. Serve with chips or celery.
Recipe: Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
Loaded Nachos
A sheet pan piled high with seasoned ground beef, black beans, and a double cheese blend baked until bubbly. Topped with guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo.
Recipe: Loaded Nachos
Grilled Jalapeño Poppers
Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers with a crispy exterior and gooey cream cheese center. Perfect while you wait for the mains to come off the grill.
Recipe: Grilled Jalapeño Poppers
Baked Queso Dip
A rich, gooey blend of cream cheese, fontina, white cheddar, and pepper jack baked until golden and bubbling. Serve with chips, crackers, or crostini.
Recipe: Baked Queso Dip
Crunchy Meatballs
Classic meatballs taken up a notch with crushed corn chips mixed in for extra crunch. Coated in BBQ sauce and rolled in chips to finish — easy, fun, and always a hit.
Recipe: Crunchy Meatballs
Mini Cheese Ball Bites
Creamy, savory cheese balls rolled in crushed Doritos for an irresistible crunch. A no-cook appetizer you can prep ahead and serve straight from the fridge.
Recipe: Mini Cheese Ball Bites
Smoked Cheez-Its
Your favorite crackers tossed in olive oil and seasoning then smoked low and slow until extra crispy and packed with bold smoky flavor.
Recipe: Smoked Cheez-Its
Rotel Dip
Velveeta, pepper jack, ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, and jalapeños smoked together into one bold, cheesy, spicy dip. Serve with tortilla chips and prepare for it to vanish fast.
Recipe: Rotel Dip
Texas Twinkies
Jalapeños stuffed with smoked brisket, cream cheese, and cheddar, wrapped in bacon and smoked until perfectly crispy. The ultimate way to use leftover brisket.
Recipe: Texas Twinkies
Meatball Sliders
Homemade beef and pork meatballs topped with melted fresh mozzarella and marinara, served on garlic-buttered toasted buns. A reliable crowd-pleaser every single time.
Recipe: Meatball Sliders
Brisket Sausage Rolls
Flaky pastry wrapped around a smoky brisket and sausage filling, baked until golden. A BBQ twist on a classic party snack that never lasts long on the platter.
Recipe: Brisket Sausage Rolls
Baked Buffalo Wings
Crispy oven-baked wings tossed in classic buffalo sauce — all the heat and flavor without the deep fryer. A BBQ party essential.
Recipe: Baked Buffalo Wings
Smoked Onion Bombs
Whole onions stuffed with seasoned ground pork and cheese, wrapped in bacon, smoked for three hours, and glazed with BBQ sauce. A jaw-dropping appetizer that oozes cheese when you cut in.
Recipe: Smoked Onion Bombs
Desserts
Smoked Cheesecake
Creamy, dense cheesecake with a subtle smoky finish that’ll surprise your guests in the best way. A sweet way to close out the party.
Recipe: Smoked Cheesecake
Smoked Brownies with Caramel and Bacon Salt
Fudgy brownies smoked low and slow, then finished with gooey caramel and a hit of bacon salt. Sweet, salty, and a little bit smoky.
Recipe: Smoked Brownies
Smoke On!
Charlie
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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