Cooking on a Traeger grill is an exciting and rewarding experience that brings out the best flavors in a wide variety of foods. From slow-cooked brisket to perfectly smoked salmon, the versatility of the Traeger is unmatched. This guide will take you through the best things to cook on a Traeger, focusing on meats, vegetables, seafood, and even desserts, giving you the tools and knowledge to create delicious meals at home.
Why Traeger Grills Are So Popular
Traeger grills have become a household name for a reason. The wood pellet mechanism gives food an unparalleled smoky flavor while allowing precise temperature control. This makes Traeger grills ideal for low-and-slow BBQ cooking as well as high-heat grilling. The real magic lies in how the wood pellets impart different flavors—whether it’s hickory, mesquite, or applewood, each adds its own distinct character to the food.
Another key factor that makes Traeger grills stand out is their precision temperature control. Whether you’re cooking a delicate piece of fish or a hefty cut of meat, the grill maintains a steady heat, ensuring consistent results. Plus, knowing how to properly maintain your Traeger grill will keep it functioning at its best for years to come, providing reliable performance for countless meals.
The Best Meats to Cook on a Traeger
The Traeger grill is known for its exceptional ability to cook meat, whether it’s slowly smoking a brisket or searing a steak. Below are the top choices for meats that truly shine when cooked on a Traeger.
1. Smoked Brisket
One of the best things to cook on a Traeger is a smoked brisket. The low-and-slow cooking method combined with the deep smoke penetration creates an incredibly tender and flavorful result. Brisket is best cooked using hickory or oak wood pellets, which give the meat a rich, smoky flavor. A simple rub of salt, pepper, and garlic is all you need to let the smoke do the work.
Pro Tip: Set your Traeger to 225°F and cook the brisket for 10 to 14 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 203°F. This allows the connective tissues in the meat to break down, resulting in a perfectly tender brisket.
2. Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is another classic that thrives on the Traeger. The pork shoulder (or Boston butt) is the ideal cut for this dish. Season it with a dry rub of your choice, then cook it slowly over apple or cherry wood pellets to impart a slightly sweet, smoky flavor. As the pork cooks low and slow, it becomes fall-apart tender, making it perfect for sandwiches or tacos.
Pro Tip: Cook the pork at 225°F for about 8-10 hours, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 205°F for the perfect pulled pork texture.
3. Ribs: Baby Back & St. Louis Style
Ribs are a BBQ staple, and the Traeger grill handles them beautifully. Whether you prefer baby back ribs or the meatier St. Louis style, Traeger grills can cook them to perfection. A dry rub applied before cooking helps build a crust, while the smoke from cherry or hickory pellets penetrates the meat for deep flavor. The slow, steady cooking ensures that the meat becomes tender, while the wood smoke adds a delicious complexity.
Pro Tip: Use the 3-2-1 method for smoking ribs: 3 hours of smoking, 2 hours wrapped in foil, and 1 hour unwrapped for that perfect finish.
4. Whole Chicken
Cooking a whole chicken on a Traeger is a simple way to enjoy incredibly juicy, flavorful poultry. The key is using the right wood pellets, like mesquite or pecan, to add a smoky flavor that complements the natural richness of the chicken. Season with a blend of herbs and spices, and cook at a medium-high temperature to ensure crispy skin and a juicy interior.
Pro Tip: Aim for a grill temperature of 350°F and an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure the chicken is fully cooked without drying out.
5. Steaks
While the Traeger is often associated with slow-cooking methods, it can also handle high-heat searing. Steaks like ribeye or strip steak benefit from a short, intense cooking session at high temperatures. The combination of the wood smoke and the quick sear gives steaks an incredible depth of flavor. Use wood pellets like mesquite or oak for a bolder taste.
Pro Tip: Sear the steaks at 450-500°F for about 4-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness, and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Vegetables and Sides on the Traeger
Vegetables and side dishes also benefit from the Traeger’s wood-fired magic. Whether you’re looking to add a smoky flavor to your veggies or want to try something unique like smoked mac and cheese, the Traeger can handle it all.
1. Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables on a Traeger are an easy, delicious way to incorporate healthy options into your meal. The indirect heat allows the vegetables to cook evenly without charring, while the smoke enhances their natural flavors. Zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and asparagus all perform exceptionally well on a Traeger. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and cook over apple or cherry wood pellets for a subtle smoky taste.
Pro Tip: Set the grill to 400°F and cook the vegetables for 10-15 minutes, turning them halfway through for even grilling.
2. Smoked Mac and Cheese
If you’re a fan of mac and cheese, then you have to try the smoked version. The creamy pasta dish takes on a whole new dimension when cooked on a Traeger. Prepare the mac and cheese as usual, then place it in a cast-iron skillet and smoke it over cherrywood or hickory pellets. The smoky flavor complements the richness of the cheese sauce, turning a comfort food favorite into a show-stopping side dish.
Pro Tip: Smoke the mac and cheese at 225°F for about 45 minutes to an hour for the best flavor.
3. Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is another side that benefits greatly from the Traeger’s wood-fired heat. The gentle smoke from the grill adds a unique twist to the natural sweetness of the corn. Brush the corn with butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill it over maple or pecan wood pellets for a sweet and smoky finish.
Pro Tip: For an extra kick, season the corn with lime juice, chili powder, and cotija cheese after grilling.
Seafood on the Traeger
Seafood may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a Traeger grill, but it is one of the most rewarding categories of food to cook on a wood-pellet grill. The subtle smoke enhances the flavor of seafood without overpowering it, making it an excellent option for Traeger enthusiasts.
1. Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon is one of the best things you can cook on a Traeger. The rich, fatty texture of salmon absorbs smoke beautifully, especially when cooked with milder wood pellets like cedar or alder. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth piece of fish that pairs perfectly with simple seasonings like salt, pepper, lemon, and dill.
Pro Tip: Smoke the salmon at 225°F for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
2. Smoked Shrimp
Shrimp cook quickly on a Traeger but take on a rich, smoky flavor that elevates the dish. Marinate the shrimp in garlic, butter, and herbs, and cook them over mesquite or cherrywood pellets for a simple yet delicious seafood dish.
Pro Tip: Shrimp cook fast, so keep an eye on them and remove them from the grill as soon as they turn pink and opaque, typically after 20-30 minutes.
Delicious Desserts on a cook on Traeger
When it comes to Traeger grills, most people immediately think of meats and savory dishes. However, surprisingly, one of the lesser-known uses for a Traeger is making delicious desserts. The combination of indirect heat and wood smoke can truly transform traditional desserts by adding a unique layer of flavor. With that in mind, let’s take a look at two sweet treats that will surely impress your guests.
1. Smoked Apple Pie
To begin with, apple pie gets a smoky upgrade when baked on a Traeger. The wood smoke, combined with the sweetness of the apples, creates a rich, caramelized flavor that you won’t achieve with a regular oven. In fact, the smoke adds a depth to the apples, bringing out their natural sweetness in a way that’s hard to resist. For best results, use fruitwood pellets like apple or cherry, which pair perfectly with the flavor profile of this dessert. Moreover, baking the pie in a cast-iron skillet ensures even cooking and adds to the rustic appeal of this dish.
Pro Tip: Bake the pie at 350°F until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Finally, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an unforgettable dessert.
2. Grilled Peaches
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a lighter dessert, grilled peaches are a simple yet elegant option that’s perfect for a summer barbecue. The natural sugars in the peaches caramelize when exposed to the heat of the Traeger, creating a deliciously sweet and smoky treat. Not only that, the slight char from the grill adds an irresistible texture that enhances the juiciness of the peaches. For the best outcome, brush the peaches with honey and cinnamon, and grill them over pecan or maple wood pellets.
Pro Tip: Additionally, serve the grilled peaches with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful contrast between warm and cold. In short, this is a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
By incorporating desserts into your Traeger cooking repertoire, you’ll elevate your grilling game and surprise your friends and family with unexpected smoky treats. Without a doubt, these desserts showcase the versatility of the Traeger, proving that it’s more than just a grill—it’s an all-in-one cooking machine!
FAQs About Cooking on a Traeger
1. What foods are best smoked on a Traeger?
The best foods to smoke on a Traeger include brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and salmon. These proteins benefit the most from the low-and-slow cooking method and the infusion of wood smoke.
2. What is the easiest thing to cook on a Traeger?
For beginners, the easiest things to cook on a Traeger are chicken breasts, pork chops, and vegetables. These cook quickly and are forgiving if you’re just getting used to how the grill operates.
3. What temperature should I cook at on a Traeger?
The temperature depends on what you’re cooking. For low-and-slow smoking, set the Traeger to 225°F. For searing, especially steaks, you’ll want to crank the heat up to 450-500°F.
4. How do I maintain my Traeger grill?
Maintaining your Traeger involves cleaning the grill grates regularly, emptying the ash from the fire pot, and ensuring your pellets stay dry and free of moisture. For detailed steps, check out this guide to maintaining your Traeger grill.
Conclusion
The Traeger grill is perfect for a wide variety of dishes. From smoked brisket to grilled vegetables and even apple pie, the possibilities are endless. The wood pellets give every dish a rich, smoky flavor, making it unique. The precise temperature control also helps ensure great results every time.
Experimenting with different flavors of wood pellets opens up new opportunities. You can try everything from hearty BBQ to delicate seafood dishes. By using your Traeger regularly, you’ll discover how versatile it truly is. You’ll be able to turn every meal into a memorable experience.
So, fire up your Traeger and start exploring all the ways you can elevate your cooking. Whether you’re new to wood-pellet grilling or a seasoned expert, there’s always something new to learn. Enjoy the endless possibilities with your Traeger!