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The Best Grilled and Smoked Appetizers

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Try our best grilled and smoked appetizers at your next cookout!

best grilled and smoked appetizers


Appetizers are a key part of any party or cookout. It allows you and your guests a chance to eat small bites while you mingle. We recommend serving our best grilled and smoked appetizers at holiday parties, game days events like Super Bowl, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July, birthdays, graduation parties, and pot lucks! The opportunities are limitless, and some of these recipes make great snacks too! Now without further adieux, please meet our most popular grilled and smoked appetizer recipes!

1. Grilled Garlic Cheese Bread

grilled garlic cheese bread 2
derrickriches.com

This Grilled Garlic Cheese Bread is one of the easiest and most delicious dishes to prepare on your grill. This garlic bread is perfect served alongside smoked meats like brisket and pulled pork, pasta, Cat-Iron Jumbo Shrimp, or served as an appetizer for game day parties! The ooey-gooey cheesiness and garlic butter goodness are just delectable! Youโ€™ll want to make up more than one loaf. Itโ€™ll be gone before you know it. TRY IT HERE.

2. Bourbon Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Ardbeg Scotch Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Low and slow-cooked pork belly is delicious all on its own, but when you top it with good quality bourbon and citrus barbecue sauce, that is truly a marvelous thing. These Bourbon Pork Belly Burnt Ends are simply amazing. You will be pleasantly surprised by the depth this bourbon brings to the sauce and the pork belly. RECIPE HERE!

3. Smoked Cream Cheese

Smoked Cream Cheese
derrickriches.com

You know we had to include this on our best grilled and smoked appetizers list! Smoked cream cheese is one of the easiest and most economical appetizers out there. If you havenโ€™t tried this one yet, then you are in for a treat! We even include an oven method, and tons of variations. TRY IT HERE.

4. Pulled Pork Spring Rolls

Best Pulled Pork Spring Rolls
derrickriches.com

These pulled pork spring rolls are crazy delicious, make a delicious snack, and so easy to put together! Besides, who doesn’t love a good leftover pulled pork recipe? RECIPE HERE!

5. Pellet Grill Old Bay Chicken Wings

Pellet Grilled Old Bay Chicken Wings

These Pellet Grilled Old Bay Chicken Wings are seasoned with an Old Bay rub, grilled to perfection, then coated in a fantastic honey glaze. They are absolutely delicious and make the perfect appetizer for cookouts, parties, and game nights. TRY IT HERE.

6. Smoked Pimento Cheese Spread

Smoked Pimento Cheese Spread

Pimento cheese is a popular Southern favorite. Whatโ€™s not to love about this delicious, creamy, peppery cheese spread? We take it one step further and make it smoky! There is so much you can do with this smoked pimento cheese spread. Serve it at gatherings with chopped vegetables or crostini. RECIPE HERE!

7. Grilled Potato Skins

BGDR Grilled Potato Skins

Need a quick and easy appetizer idea? Look no further than these game-changing grilled potato skins. Not only are they easy to make, but they are super delicious too! These grilled potato skins are perfect for entertaining and make a fun crunchy bacon and potato snack for any time. TRY IT HERE.

8. Hot Honey Riblets

Garnishing Riblets

These hot honey riblets are grilled to perfection, then coated in a delicious sweet and spicy sauce. Just. WOW! These riblets make an excellent appetizer for any occasion! RECIPE HERE!

9. Grilled Achiote Shrimp Skewers

Grilled Achiote Shrimp Skewers

Achiote is a spice native to the Americas and Caribbean regions of the world. Typically used in Latin cooking, achiote, much like paprika, is used as a coloring agent. Achiote adds either a yellow or reddish color to food and has a subtle smoky flavor that isnโ€™t overpowering. It works beautifully with seafood and pretty much all types of meats and vegetables too. TRY IT HERE.

10. Tabasco Chicken Wings

Tabasco Chicken Wings

These Tabasco Chicken Wings make a delicious appetizer for game days and cookouts! Take these tabasco chicken wings to the grill (or oven), cook and crisp up perfectly, then coat them in a tart and spicy tabasco sauce. So good! Serve them with a big bowl of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. Grab a napkin while youโ€™re at, and dig in! RECIPE HERE!

11. Smoked Cream Cheese Dessert

Pie Filling Smoked Cream Cheese Dessert
derrickrichescom

While this is not technically and appetizer, it is a great shareable item! If you liked our smoked cream cheese recipe, youโ€™re going to love this smoked cream cheese dessert! It tastes just like cherry cheesecake with a little kiss of smoke. Amazingly delicious and so easy to make! TRY IT HERE.

12. Grilled Zucchini Skins

Grilled Zucchini Skins
derrickriches.com

These Grilled Zucchini Skins are perfect for those looking to cut their carb intake. These keto-friendly morsels are a delicious swap out for traditional potato skins. The best part is that these grilled zucchini skins cook quickly, and make a great appetizer! RECIPE HERE!

13. Plank Grilled Brie

Plank Grilled Petite Brie with Fig Preserves
derrickriches.com

This Plank Grilled Brie is one of the easiest appetizers to prepare on the grill. The trick to petite brie is that they come in different varieties, so you can mix and match flavors. I suggest pairing different preserves with each type. Ask your local cheese-monger for a sample and some suggestions. You can also pair each with a different wine. Now you can see why this recipe made it on our best grilled and smoked appetizers list! TRY IT HERE.

14. Apricot-Balsamic Chicken Wings

Grilled Apricot-Balsamic Chicken Wings

These Apricot-Balsamic Chicken Wings are grilled, coated with a delicious fruit and vinegar reduction, then topped with chopped onions and parsley. An insanely delicious appetizer for any party, cookout, or game day event! RECIPE HERE!

15. Grilled Za’atar Shrimp

Grilled Za'atar Shrimp
derrickriches.com

Our Grilled Zaโ€™atar Shrimp recipe makes a delectable Middle-Eastern-inspired appetizer or main dish. I recommend using fresh, not frozen shrimp for these kebabs! RECIPE FOUND HERE!

16. Jalapeno Popper Corn Dip

Jalapeno Popper Corn Dip appetizer
Jalapeno Popper Corn Dip

A delicious creamy jalapeno popper corn that is both versatile and drool-worthy!  Serve it as a side dish, a dip, or a topping for grilled hot dogs, burgers, tacos, and nachos. Perfection! TRY IT HERE.

17. Cajun Pork Riblets

Cajun Pork Riblets appetizer
derrickriches.com

These Cajun Pork Riblets make one fantastic appetizer. They are easy to prepare and even better to eat. Remember to adjust the spices to your liking. This dish is perfect for any occasion and will keep you coming back for more. RECIPE FOUND HERE.

18. Fire Roasted Salsa

Fire Roasted Salsa appetizer

This Fire Roasted Salsa Recipe starts over charcoal, one of my favorite way to infuse fire-roasted flavor into vegetables. It is one of the easiest and quickest ways to add depth to salsa. If youโ€™d like, you could throw an ear or two of corn on the grill then add fire-roasted kernels to the rest of the mixture. Feel free to mix and match flavors and ingredients to suit your needs and preferences. This salsa recipe is simple and a great starting point for novice cooks. RECIPE HERE!

19. Smoked Pumpkin Butter

Smoked Pumpkin Butter appetizer

Smoked Pumpkin butter contains pumpkin puree simmered with sweeteners and spices, yielding a rich, smooth, buttery flavor. Most fruit butters do not contain dairy, but that is up to the chefโ€™s discretion. Pumpkin butter is used as a fruit dip, topping or spread for pancakes, waffles, and ice cream or as a filling in various baked goods. TRY IT HERE!

20. Grilled Apple-Brie Naan Pizzas

Grilled Apple-Brie Naan Pizza appetizer

Grilled apple-brie naan pizza follows a multi-step grilling process of grilling the apples first, then slicing and adding them to the pizza. Think of these as appetizer or personal pizzas where a single naan bread creates the perfect portion for one person, or slice and serve as small bites! TRY IT HERE.

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Recipes

  • Smoked Leg of Lamb
    Looking for a sensational dish? Try this smoked lamb leg infused with lemon, herbs, and garlic. Perfect for holiday feasts and special occasions!
  • Smoked Chorizo Queso
    This indulgent smoked chorizo queso will be the star of your next or gathering!ย 
  • Smoked Baby Back Ribs (2-2-1 Method)
    Sink your teeth into phenomenal smoked baby back ribs! Perfect for seasoned chefs or beginners. Get ready to grill!
  • Garlic Herb Rack of Lamb
    Fire up your grill and give this fantastic garlic herb rack of lamb a try. It’s perfect for the holidays and special occasions!
  • Pineapple-Maple Ham Glaze
    This easy, homemade Pineapple-Maple Ham Glaze will make the perfect caramelized candy coating on ham!
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