20 Smoked and Grilled Mains for the Backyard

Great grilling recipes make summer cooking feel effortless without sacrificing flavor. These meals are packed with smoky, juicy goodness and simple techniques that work just as well for quick family dinners as they do for weekend cookouts. They're the kind of recipes you'll keep coming back to whenever it's time to fire up the grill.

Easy Hot Smoked Salmon Fillet with Brown Sugar Spice Rub

A simple brown sugar spice rub adds the perfect balance of sweetness and smoky flavor while keeping the fish tender and flaky. It comes together without a long prep time, making it a great choice when you want something impressive without the extra work.
Get the Recipe: Easy Hot Smoked Salmon Fillet with Brown Sugar Spice Rub

Easy Smoked Kalua Pork Recipe

Rich, smoky pork turns out incredibly tender with flavors that taste like they came straight from a traditional cookout. It's a great recipe when you're feeding family or a hungry crowd.
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Kalua Pork Recipe

Juicy Smoked Chicken Thighs

Crispy skin, juicy meat, and a flavorful barbecue glaze make this an easy dinner everyone will look forward to. The homemade seasoning adds plenty of smoky goodness that pairs perfectly with your favorite backyard sides.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Smoked Chicken Thighs

Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Juicy steak shares the grill with sweet peaches and onions for a meal full of smoky summer flavor. A drizzle of balsamic and basil pesto brings everything together beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

A flavorful marinade helps create juicy steak with beautifully charred edges in just minutes. Slice it up for dinner, tacos, salads, or whatever sounds good that day.
Get the Recipe: Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

Easy Smoked Shrimp

Smoky, juicy shrimp cook quickly and are packed with flavor in every bite. They're just as delicious served on their own as they are alongside your favorite summer sides.
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Shrimp

Grilled Pork Kabobs with Fresh Peaches

Tender pork and colorful vegetables cook alongside sweet peaches for a fresh take on summer grilling. They're fun to serve, easy to share, and packed with smoky flavor.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Kabobs with Fresh Peaches

Classic Smoked Brisket

Slow smoking creates tender slices with a deep, rich flavor that's worth every minute. It's the kind of main dish that easily becomes the centerpiece of any backyard gathering.
Get the Recipe: Classic Smoked Brisket

Carolina Barbecue Grilled Chicken

Sweet and tangy barbecue flavors coat juicy grilled chicken for a meal that's always a hit at cookouts. It pairs beautifully with classic picnic sides and plenty of sunshine.
Get the Recipe: Carolina Barbecue Grilled Chicken

Easy Smoked Oysters

Fresh oysters take on a rich smoky flavor while staying tender and juicy. They're surprisingly simple to prepare and make a memorable appetizer or main dish for seafood lovers.
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Oysters

Smoked Party Ribs for Every Cookout

Individual ribs cook up tender with a flavorful seasoning and a sticky caramelized glaze. They're easy to serve, fun to eat, and always one of the first things to disappear from the table.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Party Ribs for Every Cookout

20-Minute Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado

Fresh pesto keeps the chicken juicy while charred tomatoes and creamy avocado add bright summer flavor. Dinner comes together quickly but still feels like something you'd happily serve to guests.
Get the Recipe: 20-Minute Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado

Grilled Pizza with Arugula Pesto, Corn and Ham

Crisp grilled crust is topped with sweet corn, savory ham, and peppery pesto for a fresh twist on pizza night. It's a fun way to enjoy pizza while making the most of grilling season.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pizza with Arugula Pesto, Corn and Ham

Grilled Bacon Avocado Cheeseburger with Honey Sriracha Mayo

Thick, juicy beef is layered with crispy bacon, creamy avocado, melted cheese, and a sweet and spicy sauce. It's the kind of burger that makes firing up the grill completely worth it.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bacon Avocado Cheeseburger with Honey Sriracha Mayo

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Peach Glaze

Juicy chicken develops plenty of smoky flavor before being finished with a sweet peach glaze. Every bite is tender, flavorful, and perfect for serving at your next backyard barbecue.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Peach Glaze

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

A lemony herb marinade gives every bite plenty of fresh Mediterranean flavor before the chicken hits the grill. They're simple enough for weeknights but special enough for weekend cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Lamb Shoulder Chop with Feta Gremolata

Tender lamb picks up delicious smoky flavor on the grill before being finished with a bright and flavorful feta topping. It's an easy way to bring bold Mediterranean flavors to your backyard dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lamb Shoulder Chop with Feta Gremolata

Simple Easy Grilled Prawns

Fresh prawns cook in minutes while picking up plenty of smoky flavor from the grill. They're an effortless choice whether you're serving a casual dinner or entertaining friends outdoors.
Get the Recipe: Simple Easy Grilled Prawns

Vietnamese Grilled Pork with Lemongrass

A fragrant lemongrass marinade gives every bite a fresh, savory flavor with just the right amount of char from the grill. Serve it with a flavorful dipping sauce for an easy meal that feels a little different from the usual barbecue.
Get the Recipe: Vietnamese Grilled Pork with Lemongrass

Smoked Lobster on Traeger Grill

Sweet lobster becomes even more irresistible with buttery richness and a gentle smoky finish. Every bite is tender and feels perfect for celebrating a special meal outdoors.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lobster on Traeger Grill