A pellet grill is a type of barbecue that uses small pieces of wood to create smoke and heat. They’re known for their ability to cook food evenly and slowly, which makes them ideal for smoking meat or other proteins.
The reason why you should consider using your pellet grill as an appetizer station is because it’s easy to control the temperature and keep everything warm while you cook other things on the main cooking surface.
Plus, they look really cool!
Top Pellet Grill Appetizers
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Grilled Artichokes
- Grilled Pineapple Slices
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and spices until well combined.
Pour over shrimp in a large resealable plastic bag; seal bag tightly and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to overnight.
Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before grilling so that they come to room temperature.
Grill on medium heat for about 4 minutes per side until cooked through.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!
Grilled Artichokes
Ingredients:
- Artichokes, trimmed and halved
- Olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 350 degrees).
- Brush the cut sides of each artichoke half with olive oil, then place them cut side down on the grill grate. Grill until lightly browned and tender when pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes per side (20 minutes total). Remove from heat and serve warm or at room temperature with melted butter for dipping if desired!
Grilled Pineapple Slices
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple, peeled and cored
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter, meltedInstructions
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and butter until well-blended.
- Brush both sides of each pineapple slice with this mixture (you may need to do this in batches). 3. Heat your grill to medium-high heat (about 350 degrees Fahrenheit) and place the pineapple slices on the grill directly over hot coals or gas burners; cook for 2 minutes per side until caramelized slightly around edges but still firm inside (if using an electric grill set it to 350F).
Other Pellet Grill Appetizers
Grilled Veggies
Vegetables are a great way to start the grill and get your guests in the mood for more food. Try these grilled vegetable appetizers:
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms (pictured above)
- Grilled Asparagus Spears with Balsamic Glaze
Grilled Fruit Kabobs
Fruit kabobs are a fun way to serve up some healthy, delicious snacks that everyone will love! These are also great for kids’ parties or family gatherings where you want something sweet but not too sweet. You can make them with whatever fruits you have on hand the possibilities are endless!
Grilled Veggies
Grilled veggies are a great way to get your grill on without having to do much work. They’re also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you might have in your fridge, so if you’ve been meaning to use those green beans or zucchini but haven’t gotten around to it yet, this is the perfect opportunity!
- Ingredients:
-1/2 cup olive oil (you can use less if you like)
-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
-Salt and pepper for seasoning (optional)
Grilled Fruit Kabobs
Ingredients:
- 1 pineapple, peeled and cored
- 1 mango, peeled and pitted
- 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced into rounds
- 1/2 cup strawberries (optional)
Instructions:
Cut the pineapple into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large bowl.
Add the mango, kiwis and strawberries if using them; toss gently to combine. If not using strawberries add an additional 1/2 cup of fruit per serving (about 12 pieces).
You can also use other types of fruit like peaches or nectarines instead of or in addition to these ingredients
Grilled Cheese
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of your favorite bread (I like sourdough)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I use cheddar)
Instructions:
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray or butter, if you prefer.
- Place one slice of bread in the pan and top it with 1/2 cup shredded cheese, then place another slice on top so that both sides are covered in melted goodness! The key is to not press down too hard when adding your toppings so that they don’t get stuck together when flipped over later on!
Conclusion
The best pellet grill appetizers are those that can be made in advance and served at room temperature. They should also be easy to prepare and have minimal ingredients.