20 Best Z Grill Recipes (2024)

This list of 20 Z Grill recipes contains all kinds of great things, from smoked salmon and smoked brats to mac and cheese and homemade dinner rolls.

I know, right?! That’s a pretty wide variety of things you can make on a grill, but Z Grills are awesome.

20 Best Z Grill Recipes (1)

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If you’re not familiar with them, Z Grills are similar to the more widely known Traeger grills.

They’re smokers/grills with full hatch covers that burn wood pellets and release smoke from a smokestack-like apparatus off to the side.

However, if you don’t have one – or if you have a Traeger, Pit Boss, or another similar grill – you can still make most (if not all) of these dishes on other grills.

1. Smoked Brisket

People often see the 6+ hour cook time on smoked brisket and think, “That’s just not for me.”

But if you’re a beginning griller, briskets are one of the easiest things you can cook.

As long as you get your marinade (mop sauce) right and don’t forget to slather it on every hour or so, you’ll be fine.

You can basically leave it alone and let it do its thing.

2. Homemade Dinner Rolls

Most people don’t think about making homemade dinner rolls on a grill, but you can.

All you’ll need is flour, rapid rise yeast, sugar, salt, milk, butter, an egg, and your Z Grill set to 176 °C.

It’s a super-easy way to make them, and they turn out just as gorgeously golden and buttery as they would if you made them in the oven instead.

3. Smoked Cheeseburger

If you’re hoping to make the thickest, juiciest, and tastiest smoked cheeseburgers, pull out your grill, some ground chuck, and your seasonings (salt, black pepper, and garlic powder).

Once they’re ready, slap them on some warmed buns with cheddar cheese and all your favorite toppings.

4. Smoked Ribeye Steaks

You’ve not truly enjoyed ribeye steaks until you’ve had them grilled over wood pellets in your Z grill. You can choose your favorite seasoning or rub for this one.

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Just be sure you cook it so that you get a nice, seasoned sear on the outside while leaving the center juicy and pink.

5. Smoked Salmon

There are four steps to smoking the perfect salmon on your Z Grill:

  1. Cure it.
  2. Dry it.
  3. Smoke it.
  4. Baste it.

Do it right, and you’ll have the most beautiful piece of salmon you’ve ever seen.

It’ll have a great color and an even better sweet and smoky flavor that’s out of this world.

6. Full Turkey on Z Grills

With the right Z Grill, you can even cook an entire 18-pound turkey in about 4 hours!

All you’ll need is your turkey, your ingredients for your dry brine (salt and baking soda), and your rub (salt, garlic, and poultry seasoning).

The result is a gorgeous golden-brown bird that’s juicy, has perfectly crispy skin, and tastes amazing in every way.

7. Whole Roaster Chicken

And it goes without saying that if you can make an entire turkey, a roasting chicken won’t be any problem at all.

I like this recipe because it uses garlic, dry rub, red onions, and lemon for taste.

It gives it an herby, zesty flavor that’s hard not to love. I usually add a dash of rosemary (and sometimes even cayenne pepper) to mine, as well.

8. Smoked Meatloaf

This smoked meatloaf has everything you could want in a traditional meatloaf – bread crumbs, onion, mozzarella, parmesan, salt, BBQ sauce, dry rub, and more.

It has a wonderfully smoked barbecue flavor but doesn’t get too dry.

9. Smoked Pork Steaks

Pork steaks are another thing that’s hard to get wrong on a Z Grill. As long as you season your steaks correctly beforehand, cooking them is a breeze.

You’ll need paprika, seasoned salt, chili powder, black pepper, and sugar for the dry rub to get the flavor just right.

Then, add your favorite BBQ sauce while the steaks are cooking.

The steaks are succulent, and each bite seems to pack more flavor than the one before it.

Just be sure you prepare enough for everyone because this isn’t one of those meals you’ll want to half with someone else.

10. Smoked Chicken Wings

When it comes to grilled chicken wing recipes, these smoky, saucy bad boys are some of my favorites. Trust me, this easy-to-make Z Grill recipe issure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Besides the chicken, all you’ll need is a bit of olive oil, some chicken rub, Traeger rub, and whatever barbecue sauce you like best.

After all, if Fried Green Tomatoes taught us anything, it’s that the secret’s in the sauce.

11. Pellet Grill Smoked Spare Ribs

These ribs have it all. They’re buttery, saucy, juicy, and full of that incredible Cajun seasoning flavor that makes everything taste better.

It takes about 6 hours to cook them. However, much like the brisket, except for two hands-on steps about 3 and 5 hours in, there’s not much to cooking them at all.

12. Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs

If you prefer your ribs with more of a sweet and tangy flavor, you might enjoy these smoked St. Louis style ribs instead.

They’re just as fall-off-the-bone tender as the ones above, but the flavor is subtly different and has more of a sweetness to it than the others.

13. Smoked Cornish Game Hens

I love smoked Cornish game hens. They have such crispy, flavorful skin and tender, succulent meat.

Plus, they’re (relatively) quick and easy to cook compared to other options like ribs and turkey.

These have a fantastic buttery and herby flavor that’s almost rotisserie-like. You won’t get an overwhelmingly smoky taste.

Instead, the meat tastes fresh, clean, and somehow healthy.

14. Smoked Tri Tip

The trick to making a delectable tri tip is getting your seasonings just right and ensuring you don’t overcook it.

The “seasonings” for this one include Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, turbinado sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, onion powder, chipotle powder, and MSG.

The cooking time is about 90 minutes. Get those things right, and you’ll have a delicious, juicy meal on your table in no time.

15. Pellet Grill Filet Mignon

Who doesn’t love a perfectly prepared filet mignon? I know I do. And this one is beyond perfect; I’m not even sure there’s a word good enough to describe it.

You’ll use simple seasonings and surround each cut with thick, salty bacon. Slather it in bleu cheese butter and cook it over applewood pellets.

It incorporates so many different flavor profiles into every bite – salty, savory, sweetly tart, smoky, and more. There’s nothing about this not to like.

16. Smoked Brats

Not everything you make on your Z Grill has to be fancy and take hours and hours to cook. Sometimes, you’re just in the mood for some smoky brats.

All you’ll need to make these is a pack of bratwurst sausages, hot dog buns, yellow mustard, and chopped onions.

Of course, you can add whatever toppings you like best.

17. Pellet Grill Mac and Cheese

If you’ve never had mac and cheese made on a grill, you’re in for a real treat.

It’s supremely cheesy and creamy, and there’s just a hint of smoky yumminess that makes it unbeatable.

I like to use macaroni noodles, but some people prefer shells.

Either way, you’ll also need butter, flour, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, cheddar, and gouda.

That’s for the macaroni and cheese itself.

You’ll also want to add a crunchy, flavorful topping of Panko breadcrumbs, butter, and shredded cheddar cheese.

It makes it wonderfully gooey and insanely good.

18. Brisket Sandwich

If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy your brisket, give this brisket sandwich a try.

You’ll need brisket flat, beef stock, brine, your sauces, kaiser rolls, and provolone cheese.

It turns an already delicious dinner into a complete meal, especially if you make the recommended beer-batter onion rings to go with the sandwiches.

19. Pellet Grill Smoked Turkey Breast

If you’re looking for something simple, herby, and truly flavorful, give the pellet grill smoked turkey breast a try.

Just remember that the turkey needs to chill in the brine for a couple of days before you decide to cook it, so go ahead and do that part beforehand.

The longer it sits in the mixture of salt, thyme, Greek oregano, black pepper, and minced onion, the more robust and rich the final flavor will be.

20. Smoked Pork Loin

For something with a sweet and smoky flavor, smoked pork loin is the way to go.

You’ll flavor it with a mixture of apple juice, honey, brown sugar, pork rub, black pepper, and oregano.

Doing so gives it a fantastic flavor that seeps into every molecule of the meat, thanks to the slow cooking.

It takes a bit over 5 hours to make in total, but it’s worth every second of time that it takes.

20 Best Z Grill Recipes (2)

20 Best Z Grill Foods Recipe Collection

The Z Grill recipes will make you appreciate your grill even more! From brisket to steaks to salmon and meatloaf, put a smoky spin on dinner with these easy meals.

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a Z Grill recipe in 30 minutes or less!
20 Best Z Grill Recipes (3)

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20 Best Z Grill Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What meat is best for pellet grilling? ›

Smoking Salmon
  • Smoking Tri Tip. ...
  • Smoking Pork Ribs. ...
  • Smoking Whole Chicken. ...
  • Smoking Prime Rib. ...
  • Smoking Brisket. ...
  • Smoking Beef Ribs. ...
  • Recommended wood pellet flavor: Cherry. Think of the beef rib as a canvas for your flavor experiments. ...
  • Smoking Whole Turkey. Recommended wood pellet flavor: Turkey Blend.

What do you cook first on a pellet grill? ›

Pulled pork is the perfect meat to start with when you're new to a pellet grill.

Can I use any pellets in my Z Grill? ›

Although we do recommend you use Z Grills pellets, you can use different brands of pellets with your Z Grills pellet grill based on your preference.

What are the best meats to smoke on pellet grill for beginners? ›

Our top choices are brisket, pork shoulder (for pulled pork), pork chops, and ribs. You can also give our St. Louis Ribs a try in your new smoker. Beef brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs are three cuts that offer sufficient fat to keep them juicy and tender when done.

What is the best meat to smoke on a pellet grill for the first time? ›

A Cut above the rest

In my honest opinion, the good 'ol Pork Butt is the best piece of meat to use for your first big smoke. It's probably the most forgiving, yet incredibly tasty cut there is. No, it's not from THAT part of the pig. Pork Butt is another name for the upper part of the front shoulder.

Do you flip steaks on a pellet grill? ›

Searing an a Traeger
  1. Throw the steak on the grill grates.
  2. Flip every 1 minute and 45 seconds. Each side should cook for a total of 3 minutes 30 seconds.
  3. Pull the steak off the heat, and rest for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Enjoy!

What is the easiest meat to smoke for beginners? ›

Boston Butt (Pulled Pork)

If you're new to meat smoking, this is what we recommend starting with first. As it is often very well-marbled, it's by far the most forgiving cut of meat to smoke and is often a lot cheaper than experimenting on a brisket.

Do you need to flip your meat when smoking? ›

Small cuts of meat will undoubtedly cook faster than larger pieces. If need be, we recommend flipping smaller cuts only once, preferably halfway through cooking. Larger cuts will need at least more than one flip to result in tender and juicy pieces of meat.

What not to do with a pellet grill? ›

9 Common Pellet Grill Mistakes You Don't Want to Make
  1. Being Impatient. ...
  2. Not Fully Preheating the Pellet Grill. ...
  3. Over-Smoking. ...
  4. Not Taking the Time to Allow Your Meat to Rest. ...
  5. Not Being Conscious of Which Pellets You Use. ...
  6. Relying Heavily on Cook Times. ...
  7. Smoking Meat and Only Meat. ...
  8. Over-Saucing.

Should pellet grill vents be open or closed? ›

You might think that trapping the smoke in the grill is a good idea and will add smoke flavor, but instead it will cause temperature issues within the unit. The fire could even die out due to lack of air intake. Please keep these holes open and uncovered.

Is it safe to leave pellet smoker on overnight? ›

It is safe to leave the pellet grill unattended if you do not leave it on for more than a few hours at a time. It is worth leaving the grill unattended for up to 3-4 hours. In some states, leaving a lit fire unattended outside of a building is not legal.

What are the best wood pellets for Z Grill? ›

The best pellets for Z Grills are hardwood pellets that have been made from 100% natural hardwoods such as oak, hickory, and mesquite.

How long do pellets last in Z Grill? ›

So, if you are burning pellets on the “low” setting, say 1 ½ lb./hour (or 12,000 BTU), a bag will last about 26 hours. (40 lbs. divided by 1.5 lbs./hour = 26.67 hours.) If you need a lot of heat, burning five pounds per hour (8,000 BTU x 5 lbs./hour = 40,000 BTU), one bag will last about 8 hours.

Can I use charcoal pellets in my Z Grill? ›

Can charcoal or wood chips be used? No, only wood pellets designed for pellet smokers can be used. To add additional smoke, or flavour from another type of wood a smoke tube can also be used. Wood pellets or chips can be burnt in the tube supplementing the smoke already provided by the Z Grills smoker.

What are pellet grills best used for? ›

Today's pellet grills, however, are capable of just about any type of cooking you can imagine. With temperatures ranging from below 200°F to just over 700°F, pellet cookers can grill, smoke, BBQ, bake, and broil, and a select few can even sear.

What is the easiest thing to smoke on a pellet smoker? ›

Simple, quick, and easy-to-cook foods like beef ribs, pork chops, turkey, duck, and salmon are the finest meats to smoke for a beginner. This will give you a solid foundation on food smoking before moving on to more luscious and flavorful meats like brisket, lamb, pork butt, and tri-tip.

Can you cook everything on a pellet grill? ›

Wood pellet grills have these delicious staples covered, but they also allow you to go so much farther. Offering features from both conventional ovens and traditional grills, you can use your pellet grill to smoke, roast, bake, grill, and sear just about anything.

Are pellet grills good for grilling or just smoking? ›

Pellet grills offer the capabilities of both a grill and a smoker. They're fueled with wood pellets made of compressed hardwood sawdust, which allows them to heat quickly, burn hot and create clean smoke. Pellet grills are very user-friendly and provide consistent, even cooking for a variety of your favorite dishes.

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