Home » Trending » 29 Smoked Dinners That Don’t Need a Lot of Fuss—Just Good Meat, Good Wood, and a Lot of Time

29 Smoked Dinners That Don’t Need a Lot of Fuss—Just Good Meat, Good Wood, and a Lot of Time

Good meat, steady heat, and just enough smoke to make the neighbors jealous. That’s the formula behind these 29 smoked dinners, built for anyone who likes results more than rules. These meals don’t care if you’re a purist or just here for the crust, they just want to be devoured. And yes, they smell as good as they look, so maybe shut the windows if you’re not sharing.

A spoon lifts a portion of Smoked Berry Crisp from a bowl.
Smoked Berry Crisp. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Smoked Dill Pickle Wings

Smoked chicken wings with pickles on a black plate.
Smoked Dill Pickle Wings. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Some meals start conversations before anyone even takes a bite. That’s exactly what happens when Smoked Dill Pickle Wings hit the table. The flavor’s bold, the smoke is steady, and suddenly no one remembers the other snacks. These wings are built for people who want something a little different without getting complicated. You’ll know they worked when there’s a pile of bones and not a word of complaint.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Dill Pickle Wings

Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

Smoked jalapeno poppers on a platter.
Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s no need to complicate things when smoke does the heavy lifting. Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers take their time, soak in the heat, and come out ready to make regular appetizers feel like they’re not even trying. They’re built for backyard hangouts, game-day spreads, or just claiming snack champion status. No one will ask what’s in them—they’ll just ask how many are left. Don’t be surprised if they disappear before they hit the plate.
Get the Recipe: Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

Chef Jenn's Cookbook
50+ Smoker Recipes eBook

This full-color ebook cookbook features more than 50 of Chef Jenn’s tried, tested, and favorite smoker recipes! Enjoy:

  • Smoked Beef Kabobs
  • Smoked Chicken Thighs
  • Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pork Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
  • Smoked Spaghetti Squash with Herbs and so much more!
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Smoked Lil Smokies

A bowl of smoked lil smokies with sauce and dipping sauce.
Smoked Lil Smokies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

These don’t show up for attention—they just steal it anyway. Smoked Lil Smokies keep it simple, keep it hot, and somehow disappear faster than anything else on the table. They’re ideal for feeding a group without making it a big deal. You won’t be explaining what they are. You’ll be explaining why you didn’t make more.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lil Smokies

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup in two white bowls with garnishes nearby.
Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

It hits like comfort food but with way more attitude. Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup doesn’t ask for a lot of work, just time in the smoke and a bowl that can handle seconds. This is the kind of soup that makes people rethink what they thought smoked dinners could be. Easy to make, hard to forget. Don’t bother saving any—it won’t last.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Grilled Smoked Turkey Breast

Sliced roasted turkey breast arranged on a white plate.
Grilled Smoked Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

It’s not just for holidays, and it’s not trying to be fancy. Grilled Smoked Turkey Breast handles the smoke like a pro and proves you don’t need a big event to make dinner feel like it matters. It feeds a crowd or just makes sure leftovers are worth looking forward to. The simplicity is the point, not a shortcut. This one shows up, does its job, and makes it hard to go back to the usual.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Turkey Breast

Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

A stack of chicken and pineapple on a vertical skewer on a cutting board.
Smoked Chicken Al Pastor. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Fire and time are really all it needs. Smoked Chicken Al Pastor shows that bold flavor doesn’t require a complicated plan or an expensive setup. It brings a deep smoky edge that earns repeat appearances on the dinner list. No stress, no hard rules, just solid results. And yes, someone will probably ask for the recipe like it was some big secret.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

Smoked Brisket Chili

Two bowls of smoked brisket chili, tomatoes, and bread.
Smoked Brisket Chili. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When dinner needs to feel like an event without turning into a project, this is the one. Smoked Brisket Chili leans into the long cook and rewards you with something that feels like it took even longer. It’s built for second helpings, football Sundays, and quiet nights that need a little more weight. You don’t have to be a pitmaster to pull this off. Just give it time and step back while it handles the rest.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brisket Chili

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Smoked shotgun shells on a white plate.
Smoked Shotgun Shells. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

You won’t need anything fancy to pull off Smoked Shotgun Shells, and that’s why they’re a go-to for casual nights with big flavor. They take up space on the smoker like they belong there, and they hold their own against anything else on the table. You’ll get all the right texture and flavor without trying to overthink it. This one’s built for people who know not every good dinner needs to be a whole production. Just enough planning, just enough heat, and a whole lot of patience.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Shotgun Shells

Smoked Lamb Chops

Smoked lamb chops on a white plate with a green napkin.
Smoked Lamb Chops. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s something about Smoked Lamb Chops that makes them feel like they should be reserved for special occasions, but they don’t actually ask for much. Set the heat, keep it steady, and let time do the rest. The flavor builds low and slow, no need to over-season or complicate things. If you’re feeding people who appreciate a bold plate without a dozen moving parts, this is the one to bring out. It’s simple, but it never feels small.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lamb Chops

Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork

Shredded Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Smoked Pulled Pork on a white plate.
Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

You already know what pulled pork can do, but Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork pushes it a little further without making things complicated. It keeps the comfort but adds just enough char to make things interesting. This is how you make the familiar feel new again without trying too hard. You’re not looking for fancy—just something that holds its own in a sandwich or on a plate. And this does, every single time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork

Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock

Roasted chicken on a slate board with carving knife and fork.
Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Don’t let the name scare you off—Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock is as practical as it gets. It cooks evenly, picks up the smoke like it was built for it, and doesn’t ask for babysitting. You’re getting full flavor, not extra work, and that’s always a win on a long day. This one works whether you’re feeding a crowd or just banking on leftovers that’ll actually get eaten. It’s straightforward, reliable, and good in all the ways that matter.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock

Smoked Pork Shots

Smoked pork shots in a skillet with basil and tomatoes.
Smoked Pork Shots. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s no subtlety here, and that’s kind of the point. Smoked Pork Shots come in hot, bold, and ready to throw down with whatever else you’re serving. They bring smoke, crunch, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. Great for feeding a crew or making a regular night feel like something more. Don’t blink—they’re gone fast.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pork Shots

Smoked Ribeye Roast

Sliced smoked ribeye beef on a cutting board.
Smoked Ribeye Roast. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This one’s all about playing the long game. Smoked Ribeye Roast doesn’t need bells, whistles, or last-minute prep—it just needs time and space to do what it does best. The payoff feels bigger than the effort, which is exactly how it should be. It feeds a table and shuts up the usual complaints. You’ll hear more chewing than talking, and that’s always a win.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Ribeye Roast

Smoked Shrimp

Two pans of smoked shrimp on a table.
Smoked Shrimp. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Fast-cooking, high-impact, and never boring. Smoked Shrimp steps in when dinner needs something quick but still memorable. It proves you don’t need a massive cut of meat to make smoke worth the effort. Great on its own or next to just about anything. If you blink, you’ll miss your share.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Shrimp

Smoked Pulled Pork

Two cast iron skillets with smoked pulled pork in them.
Smoked Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s no rushing this one, and that’s the whole point. Smoked Pulled Pork lets the heat do the heavy lifting while you focus on anything else—or nothing at all. It’s the kind of thing you throw on when you’ve got time to let things unfold slowly and properly. The result is exactly what you want when you’re not trying too hard but still expect dinner to be solid. This isn’t about reinventing anything, just sticking to what works.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pulled Pork

Smoked Gimlet Cocktail

Two lime gimlets with smoke on top.
Smoked Gimlet Cocktail. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you’re already smoking dinner, why stop at food? The Smoked Gimlet Cocktail brings the same laid-back approach to drinks that your meal has. It’s not just a conversation starter—it’s something that keeps people lingering a little longer. No weird techniques or tools needed, just the right idea and some patience. It matches the pace of the meal perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gimlet Cocktail

Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb

Whole cooked leg of lamb on a board with a knife.
Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Big enough for a group, relaxed enough for a weekend. Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb doesn’t need much more than space on the smoker and some time. The flavor takes care of itself, and so does the tenderness if you leave it alone. You’re not looking to impress—you’re looking to feed people well, and this handles that with no drama. A steady cook and a solid endgame.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb

Smoked Carver Ham

Smoked sliced ham on a cutting board.
Smoked Carver Ham. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This is the move when you want something that feeds a crowd and keeps your hands free. Smoked Carver Ham holds up without babysitting, and it slices clean with every pass. No one’s going to ask what you did to make it good—they’ll just know it is. It’s a straightforward smoker win that keeps showing up at all the right gatherings. And when there’s leftovers, they’re worth keeping.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Carver Ham

Smoked Thor’s Hammer

A large roasted meat shank on a bone, displayed upright in a skillet surrounded by nachos, with bowls of lime wedges and sauce nearby.
Smoked Thor’s Hammer. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

The name sounds intense, and honestly, Smoked Thor’s Hammer delivers without being over the top. It’s the kind of centerpiece that makes people pause when you pull it out. But the beauty is, it doesn’t ask for anything more than time and steady heat. If you’re looking for something with presence that still keeps things simple, this one’s it. All show, all flavor, no stress.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Thor’s Hammer

Spicy Smoked Chex Mix

Two bowls of snack mix with pretzels and cereal on a wooden table, accompanied by decorative balls and a colorful napkin.
Spicy Smoked Chex Mix. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This is snack food that earns a spot next to the main dish. Spicy Smoked Chex Mix has that bold edge you didn’t know you needed until the second handful. It’s perfect for backyard hangs, slow afternoons, and anytime you need something salty with your drink. No one asks how it was made—they just ask if there’s more. You could skip it, but you’d regret it.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Smoked Chex Mix

Smoked Queso

Smoked queso in a black pot.
Smoked Queso. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

The kind of thing you put on the smoker “just because” and end up needing to make again next weekend. Smoked Queso holds down the snack table without stealing the spotlight from the main dish. It’s hot, it’s smoky, and it doesn’t need dressing up to get attention. You want something that disappears fast without a bunch of prep? This is it. It’s not complicated, but it hits every time.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Queso

Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob

Three ears of husked corn were arranged on a dark slate plate.
Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

This is one of those things that sneaks onto the smoker and somehow becomes the part everyone talks about. Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob doesn’t need much—just time and heat to bring everything together. It works next to whatever else is going, and it pulls its weight with zero fuss. No one’s asking for a full plate of it, but somehow they always go back for seconds. That’s the kind of side you want.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob

Smoked Jalapenos

Smoked Jalapenos in 2 cast iron pans.
Smoked Jalapenos. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Some sides bring balance, others bring heat. Smoked Jalapenos do both, without trying to steal the show. They’re bold enough to remember, but they still play well with everything else on the smoker. This is how you round out a plate without making it complicated. Small package, big payoff—no filler.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Jalapenos

Smoked Cream Cheese

Two slices of smoked cream cheese on a white plate.
Smoked Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Set it on the smoker and forget about it until you’re ready to eat. Smoked Cream Cheese is the kind of thing that shows up on the table without warning and disappears fast. It’s soft, smoky, and somehow always the first thing gone. You can spread it, dip into it, or just go in with a spoon—no judgment. It’s snack food with real staying power.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cream Cheese

Smoked Blackberry Margarita

Smoked Blackberry Margarita with smoke coming out the top of the glass.
Smoked Blackberry Margarita. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This one fits right into the smoker lineup without trying to steal attention. Smoked Blackberry Margarita is fresh enough for summer, strong enough to matter, and smoky enough to belong next to the meat. It gives you something cold to hold while the heat works its magic. There’s nothing complicated about it, and that’s why it works. A solid sip for long afternoons.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Blackberry Margarita

Smoked Eye of Round

A whole and sliced smoked eye of round with on a wooden cutting board.
Smoked Eye of Round. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

It’s lean, it’s straightforward, and it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. Smoked Eye of Round handles long smokes well and doesn’t demand a lot of prep or effort. The trick is letting it go low and slow without messing with it too much. It slices clean, holds flavor, and doesn’t overcomplicate the meal. A reliable move when you want things simple but still worth the time.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Eye of Round

Traeger Smoked Turkey

A smoked turkey on a wooden cutting board.
Traeger Smoked Turkey. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This isn’t just for holidays. Traeger Smoked Turkey earns a place in regular rotation once you realize how hands-off it really is. Big enough to feed a table, easy enough to not feel like work. It hits that balance of hearty and hassle-free that’s harder to find than it should be. And the leftovers? Just as good.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Turkey

Smoked Tomatoes

Smoked tomatoes in a dish with grilled bread.
Smoked Tomatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Toss these on the smoker while everything else is going and let them do their thing. Smoked Tomatoes aren’t fussy, but they bring a lot to the table—literally. You can throw them into anything or just eat them straight and not feel like you missed a step. They don’t take over the plate, but they change the whole tone of the meal. Easy add-on, big return.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Tomatoes

Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings

Chicken wings with garlic and Parmesan on a white plate.
Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Wings are always a good idea, but Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings hit different when the smoke’s part of the equation. You don’t need to fry or sauce them to death—just give them time and space. They come out rich, crisp, and packed without needing a thing added. People show up early for these, then stay late hoping there’s more. It’s that kind of dish.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings

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