Three Pellet Smoker Ideas Besides Meat
By Kent Whitaker
There’s no question that pellet smokers and grills are amazing cooking tools when it comes to meat. But don’t get stuck in a rut! Pellet smokers can be used for cooking addition items besides ribs, birds, and Boston butts! As it turns out, they are also ideal for adding smoked flavor to a whole bunch of side dishes, finger foods, and snacks!
The easiest method for using your pellet grill to add flavor to something like a side-dish is to simply finish cooking inside the closed chamber. Make a green bean casserole like you normally would, but before topping with crispy onions, place the dish in the preheated pellet smoker and close the lid. Stir a few times when you check to add a bit of flavor.
When the casserole is done go ahead and finish with the crispy onions! You can do this with a whole bunch of different side dishes. The idea is too just add a hint of smoked flavor. And, in case you needed a couple of ideas to get your imagination going, here are three pellet smoker recipe ideas besides meat!
Grilled Smoked Fruit
Pineapple and apples have longed been cooked on regular grills so why not move those items over to your pellet grill and smoker? In fact, those smoked fruit items can be the base for a tasty fruit salad or even smoked topping for ice cream. Imagine smoked peach slices served up with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream! Your choice of wood pellets could range from apple and oak to a mixture with some hickory or cherry added in.
Bread, Cornbread, and Biscuits
Don’t just heat up slices of Texas toast and buns for your next batch of burgers. Use your covered pellet grill as a good old fashioned wood-fired oven! Grab your favorite recipes for everything from nut bread to beer bread and cornbread to country style cathead biscuits. Prepare as you normally would but cook on the smoker with the lid closed to mimic the baking process of your oven. Even the cooking process is the same as covered grills will have hot spots just like an oven. So, rotating your pan may be required to ensure even cooking. Your choice of wood pellets will vary depending on the baked good. Bread and biscuits lend themselves to oak and apple while a jalapeno bacon cornbread screams for a mixture of hickory and mesquite.
More than Smoked Almonds
Smoked almonds are full of flavor but why stop there. Grab any nut you can think of and spread them out on a cookie sheet and toss them in! If you want to add bonus flavor with some of your favorite spices then simply toss the assorted nuts in some melted butter or olive oil and then sprinkle with your chosen spice! And here’s the kicker! When your smoked nuts are done then they are perfect for use in candy recipes. Smoked mixed nuts may seem like an easy suggestion to list here – but the other recipes you can use them in are wide open. Toss them in salads, chicken salad, nut bread, muffins, and even an oriental style grilled chicken and cashew dish! Or, just by the handful.
Pellet grills can be used for more than just meat! Try out some of the suggestions above and let your culinary imagination kick in.
Author Bio: Kent Whitaker, also known as “The Deck Chef,” is an award-winning culinary writer and cookbook author. He’s also penned Young Reader, NASCAR and History titles. The former winner of the Emeril Live Food Network Barbecue Contest also covers football, motorsports, and bass fishing. Kent currently lives in East Tennessee with his wife, son, and a couple of dogs that love when he fires up the smoker or grill. You can reach out to Kent at www.thedeckchef.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.