My husband has always been into grilling or smoking meat, but since we moved more inland in CA and the weather is warmer, we have really stepped it up! Most of our summer meals include grilled or smoked meat. When our children and their families come over for a BBQ, the meat is always the first food to disappear, often with grandkids requesting “more grandpa meat please!”. Save this collection of the best smoked and grilled meats as a guide for your summer cooking.
Content Covered Here
Chicken Recipes
Chicken is a staple in our home- it’s quick, easy, and everyone loves it! The fattier meats like thighs and legs are perfect for beginner BBQ’ers because they are difficult to overcook and dry out. If you have kids (or love “kid food”!!) try our Chik Fil A copycat recipe below.
Pork Recipes
You can’t go wrong with smoked ribs or tenderloin. Both recipes easily feed enough people when you have company and the smoked flavor feels like summer on a plate.
Seafood Recipes
Most people think steak when they picture grilling, but with shrimp and rockfish tacos we take grilling up a notch. While these recipes might seem intimidating, they are actually quite simple to make- the grill does all the work for you!
Beef Recipes
Our two beef recipes below are family favorites. Brisket is always the number one recommended recipe when we get together as a family. There is always plenty of meat and the leftovers are always appreciated. Cowboy ribeye is similar to a tomahawk steak and is a perfect recipe for special occasions.
Turkey Recipes
The final recipe in our collection is our turkey burger recipe. Pair it with our home made hamburger buns and these will be an instant hit!
The best meats to grill for summer are pork rubs, brisket, chicken, pork tenderloin and burgers. They feed a lot of people and hold up well for BBQs. Plus, these are easy, beginner-friendly recipes!
Most meats smoke well at 225°F, this low and slow temperature allows the meat to come up in temperature gradually ensuring it is juicy with a smokey flavor.
Yes! There are products you can buy for your outdoor grill that allow you to get a similar “smokey” flavor. You’ll want to set your grill up for indirect heat and use a smoker box filled with wood chips (these chips are made for smoking on a grill)
Fruit woods are an easy choice for chicken and pork and they include apple, cherry and peach wood. For a bolder smoke flavor on red meats we recommend pecan.
Summer Side Dishes for BBQ
- Red White Blue Cheesecake Salad
- Carrot Raisin Salad
- 30 Minute Dinner Rolls
- Smoked Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Save This Recipe!
Enter your email below, and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.
Leave a Reply