There are meats that wait to be saved by sauce, and then there are these 29 smoked meats that show up already doing the heavy lifting. The kind of flavor that clings to your fingers, your memory, and possibly your dreams, without needing any sugary assist. This is the kind of grilling that doesn’t ask for attention, it just earns it. If anything, the sauce is now the sidekick asking for a role.
Smoked Dill Pickle Wings
These wings know what they’re doing, and they’re not looking for a dip to do the heavy lifting. Smoked Dill Pickle Wings are sharp, smoky, and straight to the point. If there’s sauce on the table, it’s getting ignored. You don’t need backup when the smoke brings this much flavor. This is what confidence on a bone looks like.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Dill Pickle Wings
Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
There’s no sauce in sight, and they’re still the first thing gone. Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers bring just enough heat and smoke to keep you going back for more. These don’t rely on anything extra—they bring everything they need straight off the grill. It’s the kind of snack that disappears before it ever makes it to a plate. Bring napkins, not excuses.
Get the Recipe: Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
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!
Smoked Chicken Al Pastor
There’s no glaze, drizzle, or dunk involved here. Smoked Chicken Al Pastor hits the grill with enough boldness to stand tall on its own. You get big flavor without any of the extras, and the only thing left behind is an empty plate. If you’re waiting for someone to pass the sauce, you’ll be waiting a long time. That’s what happens when the smoke handles everything.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Al Pastor
Smoked Shotgun Shells
The name might make people look twice, but one bite explains everything. Smoked Shotgun Shells come off the grill full of flavor and zero need for sauce. They’re bold, smoky, and not trying to be subtle about any of it. Once they hit the table, they’re gone before you can even think of grabbing something to pour on top. Keep your hands ready and your expectations high.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Shotgun Shells
Smoked Brisket Chili
It’s chili, but not the kind that needs fixing with a splash of anything. Smoked Brisket Chili brings that smoky depth that keeps spoons moving without pause. No sauce is required because the flavor’s already doing everything it needs to. It’s hearty, smoky, and probably better than whatever you were planning to serve next. Consider your leftovers officially endangered.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brisket Chili
Smoked Eye of Round
It’s lean, it’s rich, and it doesn’t come asking for sauce. Smoked Eye of Round comes off the grill full of flavor and ready to land on any plate without backup. No gimmicks, no distractions—just bold, straight-forward meat. This is the kind of cut that gets noticed even next to fancier stuff. No one’s asking what it’s missing.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Eye of Round
Smoked Beef Tenderloin
This cut doesn’t need butter or sauce to earn a second helping. Smoked Beef Tenderloin delivers all the richness you want, with nothing getting in the way. It’s smoky, tender, and balanced enough to keep the table quiet for once. There’s a reason it doesn’t need an intro. Let the knife do the talking.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork
This one skips the sauce and still steals the whole spread. Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork shows up full of flavor, without needing to be drowned in anything sticky. The texture is just right and the smoke does all the work. It’s the kind of meat that doesn’t need fixing, topping, or explaining. People will come back for seconds, and maybe ask for a fork just to speed things up.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork
Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock
No one’s reaching for the sauce when this hits the table. Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock is all about big flavor locked in from the grill, not the bottle. Every bite lands the way it’s supposed to—bold, balanced, and no fuss. It’s easy to carve, easy to serve, and even easier to finish off. You won’t hear any leftovers complaining.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock
Grilled Smoked Turkey Breast
No sauce, no problem—this one’s pulling its own weight. Grilled Smoked Turkey Breast locks in enough smoky flavor to make gravy feel optional. It slices like a dream and disappears faster than anyone expects. When the grill does the job right, nothing else needs to step in. This isn’t your average dry holiday roast.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Turkey Breast
Smoked Pulled Pork
Everyone thinks pulled pork needs sauce, until they try this. Smoked Pulled Pork is juicy, smoky, and has more flavor than most people are ready for. No need to drown it in anything to make it worth the bun. It holds its own just fine, and maybe even better, solo. Sauce is sitting this one out.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pulled Pork
Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
You won’t find anyone reaching for hot sauce or sour cream here. Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup shows up with everything already dialed in. The smoke adds a layer that makes each spoonful something worth slowing down for. It’s not fussy, not flashy, just solid all the way through. You’ll forget soup could even be bland.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
Smoked Carver Ham
Forget the glaze—this one comes ready. Smoked Carver Ham doesn’t lean on anything sweet to make it worth carving. Every slice brings enough boldness that even leftovers aren’t getting a second chance. The smoke does all the heavy lifting here. Just slice, serve, and stand back.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Carver Ham
Smoked Lamb Chops
No one’s asking what sauce goes with these—they’re not missing anything. Smoked Lamb Chops come off the grill with enough built-in flavor to shut down the side conversations. Each bite holds its own, no drizzle needed. They’re bold without being loud, and rich without being covered in anything. Just meat doing what it was meant to do.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lamb Chops
Smoked Tomatoes
Some things were just meant for the smoker, and these are one of them. Smoked Tomatoes bring a deep, bold flavor that makes everything else on the plate try a little harder. They don’t need dressing up or covering up to steal the spotlight. This is what happens when the grill does its job and the ingredients don’t get in the way. You’ll wonder why anyone ever bothered with them raw.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Tomatoes
Smoked Berry Crisp
This one flips expectations in the best way. Smoked Berry Crisp takes on a smoky depth that doesn’t lean on sweetness to carry it. No sauce, no syrups, no distractions—just an edge that makes you pause between bites. It’s the kind of dessert that doesn’t need help standing out. Even people who “don’t like dessert” will be rethinking everything.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Berry Crisp
Smoked Lil Smokies
These tiny bites carry a punch bigger than they look. Smoked Lil Smokies don’t hide behind toothpicks and definitely don’t ask for sauce. The smoke brings out something that no dip ever could. They’re the kind of snack that disappears faster than anyone’s willing to admit. Just throw them on and act like you didn’t see how fast they vanished.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lil Smokies
Smoked Thor’s Hammer
No sauce dares touch this. Smoked Thor’s Hammer lands on the table like it just dropped from the sky, and nobody’s looking for a bottle of anything. It’s the kind of meat that demands attention and brings flavor in every bite. You’ll need a knife, a plan, and maybe a warning sign. This is serious grill business.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Thor’s Hammer
Spicy Smoked Chex Mix
Forget the bowl of boring snacks. Spicy Smoked Chex Mix delivers enough smoky heat to make everything else feel under-seasoned. No dips, no dressing—it doesn’t need them. This is how you get people hovering by the snack table long after they swore they weren’t hungry. One handful turns into ten, and nobody’s mad about it.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Smoked Chex Mix
Smoked Queso
The grill takes over and does the job right. Smoked Queso is thick, bold, and built to hold its own without needing anything fancy. It’s smoky in all the right ways, and there’s no topping or sauce that could improve what’s already working. You don’t scoop this—you commit to it. If it’s on the table, it’s not staying there long.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Queso
Smoked Pork Shots
These don’t need to be dipped, dunked, or drizzled—they’ve already got everything going for them. Smoked Pork Shots come off the smoker bold and ready to be eaten straight from the tray. There’s no waiting, no plating, no excuses. Just grab one and pretend you’re only having a couple. Everyone else will be doing the same.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pork Shots
Smoked Gimlet Cocktail
It’s smoky, strong, and doesn’t need a sugar rim to get attention. Smoked Gimlet Cocktail brings that bold edge without needing to be dressed up. It’s the drink that makes everything else at the party feel like an afterthought. No syrups, no extras—just solid flavor that stands on its own. Even the garnish knows to stay out of the way.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gimlet Cocktail
Smoked Cream Cheese
There’s nothing subtle about this one. Smoked Cream Cheese turns something basic into the thing everyone’s suddenly hovering around. It’s rich, bold, and doesn’t need a cracker or topping to make it worth the hype. The smoke does the talking, and the texture keeps people coming back for more. It’s not an appetizer, it’s the reason people show up early.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cream Cheese
Smoked Blackberry Margarita
It’s not sweet and polite—it’s smoky and sharp in the best way. Smoked Blackberry Margarita skips the syrupy fluff and leans into real depth. This is the kind of cocktail that makes everyone pause mid-sip. No umbrella, no frills, just a solid drink that earns its spot. It’s the smoke that keeps people coming back.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Blackberry Margarita
Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob
No butter? No problem. Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob locks in flavor straight from the grill, no toppings needed. It’s smoky, simple, and honestly better than anything you’ve had on a stick at a fair. Even people who say they don’t like corn will grab one and keep eating. It’s all in the char, not the extras.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob
Smoked Jalapenos
These come out hot, bold, and not waiting around for anything to cool them down. Smoked Jalapenos bring heat and flavor that don’t need a dip to make an impression. They’re small, but they don’t play small. One bite and the smoky kick does all the talking. Don’t expect leftovers—just expect people asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Jalapenos
Traeger Smoked Turkey
Thanksgiving called, and it wants this version instead. Traeger Smoked Turkey shows up ready, without needing gravy or sauce to carry the weight. Every slice has that smoky edge that makes it memorable well past the holiday. It’s not just for big dinners either—this one earns a spot year-round. Put it on the table and forget about leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Turkey
Smoked Ribeye Roast
Sauce is off the clock for this one. Smoked Ribeye Roast handles all the heavy lifting with bold flavor straight from the smoker. Every slice has enough presence to stand on its own. There’s no need for extra steps or extra toppings—this one delivers with nothing but heat and time. You’ll want to plan your next meal around it.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Ribeye Roast
Smoked Shrimp
These aren’t playing around with fancy glazes or dips. Smoked Shrimp come in hot with bold, smoky flavor that makes sauce feel like an afterthought. They’re fast, punchy, and disappear before the plate hits the table. No one’s waiting for cocktail sauce when this much flavor hits all at once. Just grab, eat, and move out of the way.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Shrimp