Try our best grilled and smoked appetizers at your next cookout!
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
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! You’ll want to make up more than one loaf. It’ll be gone before you know it. TRY IT HERE.
2. Bourbon 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
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 haven’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
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
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
Pimento cheese is a popular Southern favorite. What’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
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
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
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 isn’t overpowering. It works beautifully with seafood and pretty much all types of meats and vegetables too. TRY IT HERE.
10. 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 you’re at, and dig in! RECIPE HERE!
11. Smoked Cream Cheese Dessert
While this is not technically and appetizer, it is a great shareable item! If you liked our smoked cream cheese recipe, you’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
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
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
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
Our Grilled Za’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
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
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
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 you’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 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 chef’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 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.
