Z Grills pellet smokers have revolutionized backyard barbecue, allowing both beginners and pitmasters to achieve wood-fired perfection with ease. Whether you’re smoking meats, seafood, vegetables, or even desserts, these smokers provide consistent heat and an authentic smoky flavor that elevates every dish. In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of Z Grill pellet smoker recipes, offering step-by-step instructions to create delectable meals for any occasion.
1. Smoked Brisket – The Ultimate BBQ Classic
Brisket is the holy grail of barbecue, requiring patience and precision. The Z Grill’s pellet system ensures even heat and smoke penetration, delivering tender, juicy meat with a perfect bark.
Ingredients:
- 10-12 lb whole packer brisket
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- ¼ cup black pepper
- ¼ cup paprika
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Yellow mustard (as a binder)
- ½ cup beef broth (for spritzing)
Instructions:
- Trim excess fat from the brisket, leaving about ¼ inch of fat for moisture retention.
- Rub a light coat of yellow mustard on the brisket to help the seasoning adhere.
- Mix all seasonings and apply evenly across the entire brisket.
- Preheat your Z Grill to 225°F using hickory or oak wood pellets.
- Place the brisket fat-side down on the grates and close the lid.
- Smoke for about 6-8 hours, spritzing with beef broth every hour.
- Once the internal temperature reaches 165°F, wrap the brisket in butcher paper and continue smoking until it reaches 203°F.
- Let the brisket rest for at least 1 hour before slicing against the grain.
2. Smoked Baby Back Ribs – Fall-Off-The-Bone Goodness
Baby back ribs are a BBQ staple, and a Z Grill pellet smoker makes it easy to achieve tender, flavorful ribs with a gorgeous smoke ring.
Ingredients:
- 2 racks of baby back ribs
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- ½ tbsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup apple juice (for spritzing)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
- Mix dry ingredients and rub generously onto the ribs.
- Preheat your Z Grill to 225°F with applewood pellets.
- Place ribs meat-side up on the smoker grates.
- Smoke for 3 hours, spritzing with apple juice every hour.
- Wrap the ribs in foil and smoke for another 2 hours.
- Unwrap, brush with BBQ sauce, and smoke for a final hour.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
3. Smoked Whole Chicken – Juicy and Flavorful
A smoked whole chicken on a Z Grill delivers incredibly juicy meat and crispy skin, making it a showstopper at any gathering.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (4-5 lbs)
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 2 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon (halved)
- 4 garlic cloves (crushed)
Instructions:
- Pat the chicken dry and rub it with olive oil.
- Mix seasonings and coat the entire chicken.
- Stuff the cavity with lemon halves and garlic cloves.
- Preheat your Z Grill to 275°F with cherrywood pellets.
- Place the chicken breast-side up on the grates.
- Smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the breast (about 2-3 hours).
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.
4. Smoked Salmon – Restaurant-Quality Perfection
Smoked salmon is a delicate yet flavorful dish that the Z Grill excels at, thanks to its precise temperature control.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs salmon fillet (skin on)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp dill (optional)
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
Instructions:
- Mix brown sugar, salt, and pepper, then rub onto the salmon.
- Let the salmon cure in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Preheat your Z Grill to 180°F with alderwood pellets.
- Place salmon skin-side down on the grates.
- Smoke for 2-3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Brush with honey or maple syrup in the last 30 minutes.
- Serve with fresh lemon wedges.
5. Smoked Mac and Cheese – A BBQ Side Dish Favorite
Take mac and cheese to the next level by smoking it on your Z Grill.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded gouda
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions:
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
- In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour, and whisk until smooth.
- Gradually add milk and heavy cream, stirring until thickened.
- Stir in shredded cheeses, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Mix cheese sauce with macaroni and transfer to a cast-iron skillet.
- Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top.
- Preheat your Z Grill to 225°F with pecan pellets.
- Smoke for 1 hour until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve hot.
6. Smoked Peach Cobbler – A Sweet Smoky Dessert
Yes, you can make desserts in your Z Grill! Smoked peach cobbler is a crowd-pleaser with a subtle smoky flavor.
Ingredients:
- 6 fresh peaches (sliced)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Vanilla ice cream (for serving)
Instructions:
- Preheat your Z Grill to 350°F with fruitwood pellets.
- Mix peaches, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
- In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and milk until smooth.
- Pour melted butter into a cast-iron skillet.
- Add the batter, then layer the peach mixture on top.
- Smoke for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Final Thoughts
The Z Grill pellet smoker is incredibly versatile, allowing you to smoke meats, seafood, sides, and even desserts with ease. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pitmaster, these recipes will help you make the most of your pellet smoker. Try these dishes and experiment with different wood pellets to customize flavors to your liking.
Now fire up your Z Grill and get smoking! 🍖🔥
