What’s Best to Cook on a Traeger Grill? Top Recipes for Smoky Perfection -

Introduction

Traeger grills have revolutionized the world of backyard barbecuing with their wood pellet system, allowing anyone to infuse their meals with the irresistible smoky flavor of a traditional smoker. Whether you’re a BBQ enthusiast or just starting, the versatility of the Traeger grill can take your culinary creations to the next level. So, what’s the best food to cook on a Traeger?

From tender brisket and mouth-watering ribs to wood-fired pizza and even desserts, this guide covers the top recipes and ingredients that truly shine when cooked on a Traeger. Ready to up your grill game? Let’s get smoking!

1. Smoked Brisket: The King of BBQ

If there’s one dish that screams Traeger, it’s smoked brisket. Known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep, smoky flavor, brisket is a BBQ classic. However, it requires low-and-slow cooking, which the Traeger excels at thanks to its precise temperature control.

How to Cook It:

Season your brisket generously with a dry rub (a mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika is a good start).
Smoke at 225°F for 10-12 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F.
Let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing.

Best Wood Pellets: Hickory or Mesquite for bold, smoky flavors.

Pro Tip: Spritz your brisket with apple cider vinegar or beef broth every hour to keep it moist during the long cook time.

2. Pork Ribs: Fall-Off-the-Bone Goodness

Ribs are another crowd-pleaser, and a Traeger can take them to new heights. Whether you prefer baby back ribs or spare ribs, cooking them on a Traeger will give you that perfect balance of smoky flavor and tender meat that falls right off the bone.

How to Cook It:

Season your ribs with your favorite dry rub.
Smoke at 225°F for 3 hours, then wrap them in foil with a little apple juice or butter and cook for another 2 hours.
Unwrap and finish them off with a glaze of BBQ sauce, smoking for 1 more hour.

Best Wood Pellets: Apple or Cherry wood for a sweet, smoky finish.

Pro Tip: For that extra glaze and caramelization, crank up the heat to 275°F for the last 30 minutes.

3. Pulled Pork: BBQ Comfort Food

Pulled pork, made from pork shoulder or pork butt, is a BBQ staple, and the Traeger grill makes it easy to achieve the perfect balance of tenderness and smokiness. This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd and makes for delicious leftovers.

How to Cook It:

Rub the pork shoulder with a mix of brown sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin.
Smoke at 225°F for 8-10 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 190-205°F.
Let it rest before shredding with forks.

Best Wood Pellets: Hickory or Maple for a sweet, rich flavor.

Pro Tip: For the ultimate sandwich, serve your pulled pork on a bun with coleslaw and a drizzle of tangy BBQ sauce.

4. Wood-Fired Pizza: Crisp and Flavorful

Yes, you read that right—pizza! The Traeger’s wood-fired system makes it perfect for cooking crispy, flavorful pizzas with that authentic, smoky char. Once you try pizza on a Traeger, you might never go back to your oven.

How to Cook It:

Preheat your Traeger to 450°F.
Use a pizza stone for an even, crispy crust.
Top your pizza dough with sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings.
Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden.

Best Wood Pellets: Oak or Applewood for a mild, wood-fired flavor that won’t overpower the toppings.

Pro Tip: Rotate your pizza halfway through cooking to ensure even heat distribution for that perfect crust.

5. Smoked Salmon: A Healthy, Flavorful Option

If you’re looking for a lighter option that still delivers big on flavor, smoked salmon on a Traeger is a fantastic choice. It’s healthy, packed with Omega-3s, and the gentle wood smoke takes it to a whole new level.

How to Cook It:

Brine the salmon for a few hours in a mixture of salt, brown sugar, and water.
Smoke at 180°F for 3-4 hours, depending on the thickness of the fillet.
The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Best Wood Pellets: Alder or Cherrywood for a mild, sweet smoke that pairs well with the delicate flavor of salmon.

Pro Tip: Brush your salmon with a maple glaze during the last hour of cooking for a sweet finish.

6. Grilled Vegetables: A Smoky, Healthy Side

Traeger grills aren’t just for meats—you can also cook up a variety of vegetables for a smoky, healthy side dish. From bell peppers to zucchini, asparagus to mushrooms, wood-fired vegetables bring a depth of flavor that’ll make even veggie skeptics come back for more.

How to Cook It:

Toss your veggies in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Grill at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes, turning halfway through until they’re tender with nice grill marks.

Best Wood Pellets: Oak or Pecan for a mild, nutty flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the vegetables.

Pro Tip: For an added burst of flavor, sprinkle some smoked paprika or toss the veggies with balsamic vinegar right before serving.

7. Smoked Turkey: Not Just for Thanksgiving

If you’ve only ever cooked turkey in the oven, you’re missing out on the wood-smoked magic a Traeger can offer. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or just a weekend dinner, smoked turkey comes out juicy with a wonderfully smoky flavor.

How to Cook It:

Brine your turkey overnight to keep it moist.
Smoke at 225°F until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 165°F (around 4-6 hours depending on the size).
Rest the turkey for 30 minutes before carving.

Best Wood Pellets: Pecan or Maple for a sweet, mild smoke that won’t overpower the delicate turkey meat.

Pro Tip: Baste the turkey with melted butter and herbs for extra flavor and to keep the skin crispy.

8. Dessert on a Traeger: Smoked Apple Pie

Who says Traegers are just for savory dishes? You can also bake dessert, and smoked apple pie is an absolute game-changer. The slight hint of smoke pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the apples and the buttery, flaky crust.

How to Cook It:

Prepare your favorite apple pie recipe (homemade or store-bought crust, your call).
Smoke at 350°F for 45-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.

Best Wood Pellets: Apple or Cherrywood for a sweet, fruity smoke that complements the apples.

Pro Tip: Serve your pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect ending to your Traeger meal.

Wrapping It Up: What Will You Cook Next on Your Traeger?

With its ability to grill, smoke, bake, and roast, the Traeger grill opens up a world of possibilities for what you can cook. Whether you’re craving the classic BBQ flavors of smoked brisket and ribs, looking to try wood-fired pizza, or even experimenting with dessert, the options are truly endless.

So, what’s next on your Traeger? Fire it up, try out some of these recipes, and prepare to impress your friends and family with your wood-fired creations!