22 Smoked and Grilled Dinners for the Last Warm Weekends

There's something special about a weekend meal cooked outdoors while everyone takes their time around the table. These late-summer grilling recipes give you plenty of ways to make that happen, from easy dinners to dishes worth lingering over. Light the grill and find your next warm-weather favourite.

Hot Smoked Salmon Fillet with Brown Sugar Spice Rub

Close-up of a seasoned, flaky baked salmon fillet on a white plate with a sprig of cilantro nearby. — Hot Smoked Salmon Fillet. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Tender salmon gets a gentle smoky finish with a sweet and savory spice coating that adds plenty of flavor. It’s a lovely choice for those last warm evenings when you want a dinner that feels special without a long wait.
Get the Recipe: Hot Smoked Salmon Fillet with Brown Sugar Spice Rub

Crispy Smoked Chicken Thighs with BBQ Flavor

Tongs holding a saucy, cooked chicken wing above a bowl of dipping sauce and more wings. — Smoked Chicken Thighs with BBQ Flavor. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Juicy chicken thighs come off the smoker with crisp skin, smoky flavor, and a sweet barbecue finish. They’re an easy choice for a relaxed weeknight dinner when you want something hearty without much fuss.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smoked Chicken Thighs with BBQ Flavor

Smoked Garlic Butter Prime Rib for Dinner

A close-up of a cooked prime rib roast resting on a wooden cutting board. — Smoked Garlic Butter Prime Rib. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Rich, buttery flavors pair beautifully with tender prime rib in this impressive smoked main. The beef turns wonderfully juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender, making it a great pick for a special weekend meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Garlic Butter Prime Rib for Dinner

Smoky Chorizo Stuffed Peppers

Colorful peppers are filled with savory chorizo and take on a delicious smoky character as they cook. They’re hearty enough for dinner and simple enough to become a regular favorite on busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Chorizo Stuffed Peppers

Zesty Grilled Tequila Marinated Chicken Thighs

Grilled Tequila Marinated Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chicken thighs soak up bright lime, tequila, and spices before hitting the grill for a juicy, smoky finish. The bold flavor makes them especially good for those final summer cookouts when you want dinner with a little kick.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Grilled Tequila Marinated Chicken Thighs

Easy Garlic Herb Chicken Kabobs

Garlic Herb Chicken Kabobs. Photo credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

Juicy chicken and colorful vegetables are threaded onto skewers and grilled until lightly charred and flavorful. They’re such an easy dinner for a warm evening, especially when you want something fresh that everyone can enjoy straight from the grill.
Get the Recipe: Easy Garlic Herb Chicken Kabobs

Easy Fire Grilled Pizza

A pepperoni pizza with melted cheese and fresh basil leaves on a wooden plate. — Fire Grilled Pizza. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

Store-bought dough and a hot grill make homemade-style pizza surprisingly simple for a busy evening. The crust picks up a delicious char while dinner comes together without heating up the kitchen for hours.
Get the Recipe: Easy Fire Grilled Pizza

Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Juicy grilled steak gets a lovely sweet-savory contrast from peaches and onions, with bright basil and balsamic notes tying everything together. It’s a relaxed but impressive dinner that lets you enjoy the warm weather while keeping the cooking outdoors.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Tender Smoked Ribeye Steak

Smoked Ribeye Steak. Photo credit: Recipes From A Pantry.

A ribeye slowly picks up a deep smoky flavor while staying juicy and tender inside. It takes a little patience, but that rich beefy result makes it feel completely worth saving for a leisurely weekend dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tender Smoked Ribeye Steak

Bacon Wrapped Venison Backstrap Medallions

Tender venison is wrapped in crisp, smoky bacon for a dinner that feels wonderfully indulgent without being complicated. The combination gives you juicy meat and plenty of savory flavor, making it a fun choice when you want to serve something a little different.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Venison Backstrap Medallions

3-2-1 Smoked Ribs for the Weekend

3-2-1 Smoked Ribs Photo credit: Plating Pixels.

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These ribs develop deep smoky flavor and a wonderfully tender texture through the classic 3-2-1 approach. They’re made for a slow weekend meal when you have time to relax and let the smoker do its thing.
Get the Recipe: 3-2-1 Smoked Ribs for the Weekend

Easy Smoked Oysters

Oysters on the half shell topped with sauce, served with slices of brown bread on a white plate. — Smoked Oysters. Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

Smoky oysters make an elegant change from the usual grilled dinner lineup while bringing plenty of briny, savory flavor to the table. They’re surprisingly approachable and perfect for sharing when friends are over for a casual evening outdoors.
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Oysters

Vietnamese Grilled Pork with Lemongrass

Vietnamese Grilled Pork. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Pork gets infused with fragrant lemongrass before being grilled until beautifully browned and tender. A bright dipping sauce brings everything together, making this a flavorful dinner for a warm night.
Get the Recipe: Vietnamese Grilled Pork with Lemongrass

Easy Smoked Meatballs with Bold Wood-Fired Flavor

Smoked Meatballs. Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

Classic meatballs take on an irresistible smoky depth that works wonderfully with pasta, sandwiches, or a simple side. They’re a fun way to change up an everyday dinner while letting the grill add most of the character.
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Meatballs with Bold Wood-Fired Flavor

Grilled Lamb Shoulder Chops with Feta Gremolata

Tender lamb chops are marinated for plenty of flavor before getting a beautiful char on the grill. A fresh feta gremolata adds a bright finishing touch, making this an easy dinner that feels a little more special.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lamb Shoulder Chops with Feta Gremolata

Tender Smoked Beef Short Ribs

Smoked Beef Short Ribs. Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

Slow smoking transforms hearty beef short ribs into deeply flavorful, fork-tender meat with plenty of smoky barbecue character. It’s the kind of comforting dinner that feels perfect for a relaxed weekend when you have time to savor every bite.
Get the Recipe: Tender Smoked Beef Short Ribs

Smoked Lobster on Traeger

Smoked Lobster. Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

Lobster tails are cooked with butter and kissed with smoke for a sweet, succulent finish. This is a wonderful option when you want a warm-weather dinner to feel celebratory without making the meal overly complicated.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lobster on Traeger

The Juiciest Bone-In Grilled Pork Chops

Bone-In Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Thick bone-in pork chops develop juicy centers and beautifully charred edges with simple seasoning that lets the meat shine. They’re dependable enough for a weeknight yet satisfying enough to serve when friends come over for dinner.
Get the Recipe: The Juiciest Bone-In Grilled Pork Chops

Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Pineapple

Juicy shrimp and sweet pineapple pick up light char on the grill, while lemon and garlic add a bright finish. They cook quickly, so you can have a fresh and colorful dinner on the table without spending your whole evening outside.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Pineapple

Grilled Bacon-Avocado Cheeseburger with Honey Sriracha Mayo

A thick, juicy burger gets loaded with smoky bacon, creamy avocado, melty cheese, and a sweet-spicy sauce. It’s wonderfully indulgent and exactly the kind of meal that makes firing up the grill feel worthwhile on a warm evening.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bacon-Avocado Cheeseburger with Honey Sriracha Mayo

Brisket-Style Smoked Pork Belly

Pork belly cooks low and slow until it becomes incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with rich smoky flavor. The brisket-inspired approach makes this a hearty weekend dinner when you’re craving serious barbecue comfort.
Get the Recipe: Brisket-Style Smoked Pork Belly

Easy Grilled Chicken Gyros

Grilled Chicken Gyros. Photo credit: Risa's Family Kitchen.

Yogurt-marinated chicken gets a smoky grilled finish before being tucked into soft pita with creamy tzatziki and crisp vegetables. It’s a fresh, satisfying dinner that brings the feeling of a casual Greek meal right to your own table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Chicken Gyros