Appetizers & Snacks – BBQ Grill People https://bbqgrillpeople.com Wed, 03 Dec 2025 20:08:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://bbqgrillpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-Logo-2-32x32.png Appetizers & Snacks – BBQ Grill People https://bbqgrillpeople.com 32 32 shopengine_activated_templates a:0:{} Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pickles https://bbqgrillpeople.com/smoked-bacon-wrapped-pickles/ Mon, 20 Oct 2025 02:31:53 +0000 https://bbqgrillpeople.com/?p=17732

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pickles

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 45mins

Total Time: 55 mins

Who knew that bacon and pickles would be the perfect combo? Serve these smoked bacon wrapped pickles at a party, and they will disappear first. Best to make a few batches.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

1
  • 14 slices of bacon
  • 28 pickle slices
  • Your choice of BBQ rub

Equipment

  • Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill
  • Z Grills Apple Wood Pellets

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your Z Grills pellet grill to 275°F.
Step 2: Cut the bacon strips in half.
Step 3: Wrap the pickle with the cut bacon.
Step 4: Place seam side down on a rack.
Step 5: Add BBQ rub to the top of the bacon.
Step 6: Smoke for 40-45 minutes until rendered.

]]> BBQ Smoked Pork Belly Kabobs https://bbqgrillpeople.com/smoked-armadillo-eggs-copy/ Mon, 20 Oct 2025 02:27:03 +0000 https://bbqgrillpeople.com/?p=17723

BBQ Smoked Pork Belly Kabobs

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 2 hrs

Resting Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 2hrs 25mins

BBQ pork belly kabob skewers are a great option to have in your barbecue repertoire. They’re so mouth-wateringly good, smokey, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

6
  • 1-2 lbs Pork Belly
  • BBQ Sauce
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Salt

Equipment

  • Z Grills Pellet Smoker
  • Z Grills Hickory Wood Pellets

Instructions

Step 1: Cut pork belly into even square pieces that are 2″ wide and ½” thick. Thread pieces onto skewers.
Step 2: Combine the water, brown sugar, and salt in a large bowl, and soak pork in the brine. Refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
Step 3: Remove pork from the refrigerator.
Step 4: Preheat your Z Grills pellet smoker to 225 °F.
Step 5: Place the kabobs on the smoker.
Step 6: Set a timer for 2 hours and allow it to smoke for 1 hour of that time. After 1 hour, brush all sides with BBQ sauce.
Step 7 : Once the meat has reached 165 °F (about 2 hours), brush with more BBQ sauce and remove from heat.
Step 8: Allow the meat to rest under tented aluminum foil for 10 minutes before serving.

]]> Smoked Armadillo Eggs https://bbqgrillpeople.com/smoked-armadillo-eggs/ Mon, 20 Oct 2025 02:19:48 +0000 https://bbqgrillpeople.com/?p=17717

Smoked Armadillo Eggs

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 2 hrs

Total Time: 2hrs 10mins

Smoked Armadillo Eggs make a seriously tasty and spicy appetizer. Cooking low and slow allows time for the smoky goodness to fully penetrate the Armadillo egg.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

5
  • 5 jalapeños (stems, core, and seeds removed)
  • 1 lb pork or Italian sausage
  • 3 oz cream cheese (soft)
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Equipment

  • Z Grills Pellet Smoker
  • Z Grills Hickory Wood Pellets

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your Z Grills pellet smoker to 250°Fwith hickory pellets or any of your favorite.
Step 2: Mix the cream cheese and shredded cheese together, then stuff the mixture inside each jalapeño.
Step 3: Cutyour sausage into 5 even portions and roll out. Wrap the sausage around the jalapeños. Make sure
Step 4: Place the armadillo eggs in the smoker. Close the lid and smoke for around 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

]]> Smoked Deer Jerky https://bbqgrillpeople.com/smoked-deer-jerky/ Mon, 20 Oct 2025 02:06:46 +0000 https://bbqgrillpeople.com/?p=17702

Smoked Deer Jerky

Prep Time: 5 Min

Cook Time:4hrs

Resting Time: 4hrs 5mins

Deer jerky at its finest. This excellent venison jerky recipe is an easy way to turn your deer meat into something tasty and fun to eat.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

16
  • 1/4 cup Organic Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
  • 2 teaspoons Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar

Equipment

  • Z Grills Pellet Smoker
  • Z Grills Cherry Grill Pellets

Instructions

Step 1: Slice your roast into 1/4″ slices.

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the organic soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, maple syrup, black pepper and apple cider vinegar.

Step 3: Pour the marinade over the sliced deer roasting a zip lock bag. Make sure that all the meat is covered with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag.

Step 4: Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.

Step 5: Preheat your pellet smoker to about 180°F (we suggest hickory pellets).

Step 6: Remove the roast from the marinade and wipe off the excess.

Step 7: Arrange the meat in a single layer directly on the grill grate. Smoke for about 3-4 hours (check the meat after 2 hours).

Step 8: Allow jerky to completely cool before storing in a tightly closed container for up to 2 months.

]]> Super Bowl Grill Fest: 3 Smoky Appetizers for Game Day https://bbqgrillpeople.com/super-bowl-grill-fest-3-smoky-appetizers-for-game-day/ Mon, 20 Oct 2025 01:46:23 +0000 https://bbqgrillpeople.com/?p=17696

Super Bowl Grill Fest: 3 Smoky Appetizers for Game Day

Total Time: 3h 1

Indulge in a delightful trio of smoked appetizers featuring Z Grills’ versatility. Enjoy sweet and smoky Candied Bacon, savory Smoked Sausage Balls packed with cheese and spices, and hearty Stuffed Loaded Potato Skins filled with bacon and melty cheese. Perfect for any gathering, these treats highlight the easy use and consistent results of the Z Grills Multitasker 7052B and Hickory Pellets.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

4

Candied Bacon

  • 7-12 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • A sweet rub of your choice

Smoked Sausage Balls

  • 1 package breakfast sausage or a Mild, Sweet or Hot sausage(1Lb)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese I used white and yellow
  • 1 cup Bisquick Pancake & Baking Mix
  • 1 tbsp chopped garlic
  • 1 tbsp Maple syrup
  • 1/4 c diced jalapeños

Stuffed loaded potato skins

  • 6 small to medium-sized Russet potatoes or a baking potatoes Similar size potatoes works best
  • 1-2 cups ounces fresh shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 slices bacon (for crumbles)
  • 1/4 cup butter half of a stick
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion
  • 1/2 chopped Jalapeno

Equipment

  • Z Grills Multitasker 7052B
  • Z GRILLS HICKORY PELLETS or your favorite pellets

Instructions

Candied Bacon

Step 1: (prep 15 minutes, cook time 30-45 minutes @250-275f)
Step 2: Set up the Z GRILLS to 250f
Step 3: Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on a flat wire rack placed over a cookie sheet.
Step 4: Brush one side with Maple Syrup, then sprinkle with dark brown sugar, then add your favorite rub. Make sure one side is covered.
Step 5: Once your grill comes up to temp, 250-275f add bacon middle rack.
Step 6: Smoke for 15-20 minutes(all brown sugar should be dissolved. Remove bacon.
Step 7: Flip each piece of Bacon and repeat step 2(Maple Syrup, Dark Brown Sugar, and a Sweet Rub)
Step 8: add back to your Z and smoke for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Smoked Sausage Balls

Step 1: (prep 15 minutes, cook time 15-20 minutes @325f internal temperature of 165f)
Step 2: Set up your Z GRILLS @ 325F
Step 3: Arrange the Sausage balls on a wire rack or baking sheet
Step 4: Once that temp is reached, add the Sausage ball’s middle shelf and cook till an internal temperature of 165+f is reached approximately 20 minutes.

Stuffed loaded potato skins

Step 1: (prep 1 hour and 40 minutes, cook time 1 hour and 20 minutes @250-275f)
Step 2: set up your z grills @250-275f
Step 3: Wash Potatoes, dry them off, brush with olive oil then S&P&G or your favorite rub
Step 4: Cook the potatoes @250-275f till an internal temperature of 170-200f is reached.
Step 5: Remove and let cool.
Step 6: Once cooled, split each potato in half, long ways, and remove the flesh leaving approximately 1/4 inch…
Step 7: Add S&P&G or your favorite rub. You can also ass a small teaspoon of butter to each potato half.
Step 8: Add each potato back to the grill and cook @250f-275f until tender, approximately 15 minutes to 30 minutes more
Step 9: Remove the potatoes when tender
Step 10: and your fillings to each potato, Bacon, Cheese, Jalapeno, and Green onion.
Step 11: add back to the z and cook for approximately 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
remove and enjoy!

]]> Marry Me Chicken https://bbqgrillpeople.com/marry-me-chicken/ Sat, 18 Oct 2025 16:37:57 +0000 https://bbqgrillpeople.com/?p=17675

Marry Me Chicken

This Marry Me Chicken recipe brings rich flavor to the Z Grill Pellet Grill with a perfect balance of smoky sear and creamy sauce. Bone-in thighs and chicken breasts are seasoned with a bold homemade rub, then seared in a hot cast-iron skillet over cherry wood pellets for irresistible flavor. After a golden crust is achieved, the chicken is finished with a luscious sauce made from garlic, chicken stock, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, Pecorino Romano, and Dijon mustard. The result is tender, juicy chicken coated in a velvety, smoky-savory sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

4

Chicken

  • 2 medium chicken breasts (medium thickness)
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Custom Rub

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tsp dried thyme)

For Cooking & Sauce

  • 3–4 tbsp olive oil (plus more as needed)
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • ¾–1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 heaping tbsp tomato paste
  • ⅛ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1–3 tbsp Pecorino Romano (or Parmesan), grated
  • 1–3 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • Cherry wood pellets (or similar fruitwood)

Equipment

  • Z Grills Multitasker 7052B

Instructions

Prep the Chicken

Step 1:
  • Trim chicken breasts and thighs of excess fat and skin.
  • Mix rub ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Coat chicken thoroughly with the rub.
  • Let rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Step 2: 
FIRE UP THE ZGRILL
  • Load the Z Grill with cherry pellets.
  • Remove the drip tray for direct flame access.
  • Place a heavy sauté pan or cast iron skillet over the flame.
  • Heat with olive oil until the pan reaches 400–450°F.
Step 3:

Cook the Chicken
Thighs:

  • Place thighs skin-side down in the hot pan. Cook 4 minutes.
  • Flip and cook another 4–5 minutes, then flip again.
  • Total sauté pan time: 14–15 minutes.
  • Move thighs to the middle grate above the pan to continue cooking and allow drippings to fall back in.

Breast
  • Lower sauté pan temperature to about 350°F. Add more olive oil if needed.
  • Cook chicken breasts 4 minutes per side, about 8–10 minutes total.
  • Remove breasts and thighs to a platter. Collect juices for later.
  • Total thigh cook time (pan + grate): ~24 minutes.
Step 4: 
  • Build the Sauce
    Bring sauté pan to ~350°F.
  • Add 1 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp olive oil + 3 cloves chopped garlic. Sauté 1 minute (don’t burn).
  • Stir in ¾–1 cup chicken stock. Mix well.
  • Whisk in 1 heaping tbsp tomato paste until combined.
  • Add ⅛ cup sun-dried tomatoes. Stir.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer at 350°F.
  • Add ½ cup heavy cream, stirring to incorporate. Be careful not to let the cream break.
  • Simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce begins to reduce slightly.
Step 5: 
  • Finish with the Chicken
    Return the chicken thighs and breasts to the sauté pan along with any juices from the platter.
  • Coat the chicken well in the sauce — this will help stabilize pan temperature around 350°F.

Stir in:

  • 1–3 tbsp Pecorino Romano (or Parmesan)
  • 1–3 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • Simmer until the sauce thickens to your liking and chicken is fully coated.

Step 5: 

Serve

  • Remove the sauté pan from heat.
  • Transfer the chicken and sauce to a serving platter.
  • Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.
  • Serve hot with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
]]> Smoky Meatball Sliders with Homemade Tomato Sauce https://bbqgrillpeople.com/bratwurst-popper-boats-2/ Sat, 18 Oct 2025 16:07:48 +0000 https://bbqgrillpeople.com/?p=17649

Smoky Meatball Sliders with Homemade Tomato Sauce

Savor the perfect blend of smoky, savory, and cheesy goodness with these Meatball Sliders. Made on the Z Grills 7052B with cherry wood pellets, this recipe pairs juicy meatballs wrapped in bacon, a rich homemade tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Whether for a family dinner or a party snack, these sliders are sure to impress! Savor the perfect blend of smoky, savory, and cheesy goodness with these Meatball Sliders. Made on the Z Grills 7052B with cherry wood pellets, this recipe pairs juicy meatballs wrapped in bacon, a rich homemade tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Whether for a family dinner or a party snack, these sliders are sure to impress!

Prep Time: 1 hr

Resting hour: 15 min

Cook Time:1 hr

Total Time: 2h 15min

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

4

Sauce Recipe

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 3-5 Garlic cloves crushed/chopped
  • 2-3 tbsp Finely diced onion
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • 2 teaspoon Tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Red wine optional
  • 1 Large can of diced crushed or chopped tomatoes

Meatball Recipe

  • 50% pork to 100% ground beef(80/20)
  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1/2 pound Sweet pork from sausage
  • 1/4 Finely chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons Granulated garlic
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • Melted butter
  • Everything bagel seasoning

Equipment

  • 1 Z GRILLS 7052B
  • 1 Z Grills cherry pellets
     
 

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Sauce: Cook garlic, onions, and seasonings. Add tomatoes and simmer until thickened.
Step 2: Prepare Meatballs: Mix ingredients, shape into meatballs, and top with bacon slices.
Step 3: Cook Meatballs: Grill meatballs at 375°F until fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
Step 4: Assemble Sliders: Layer buns with cheese, meatballs, sauce, and more cheese. Add the top bun, brush with butter, and sprinkle seasoning.
Step 5: Finish on the Grill: Cover sliders with foil and grill for 15 minutes to melt the cheese and toast the buns.
Step 6: Remove from the grill, rest briefly, and enjoy!
]]> Bratwurst Popper Boats https://bbqgrillpeople.com/bratwurst-popper-boats/ Sat, 11 Oct 2025 19:02:26 +0000 https://bbqgrillpeople.com/?p=17605

Bratwurst Popper Boats

Fire up your Z GRILLS pellet grill and get ready for the ultimate game day or backyard BBQ snack—Bratwurst Popper Boats. These flavor-packed boats are stuffed with a creamy, cheesy bacon-pepperoncini filling, topped with jalapeños and extra sharp cheddar, then smoked to perfection over cherry wood pellets. This easy pellet grill recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned grillers alike, delivering bold flavor and juicy results every time. Ready in just 45 minutes, this budget-friendly recipe (under $15!) is a must-try for anyone looking to elevate their BBQ appetizer game.

Prep Time: 15 Min

Cook Time:4h 30min

Total Time: 4h 45min

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

2

Bratwurst

  • 6-10 strips Bacon cooked
  • 3-5 pepperoncini
  • 1 tbsp pepperoncini juice from the jar
  • 2 Jalapeno
  • Extra sharp, freshly grated cheddar cheese
  • worstishire

The mixture

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 4-6 crumbled Bacon leaving 1/2 to top brats
  • 1-2 sliced pepperoncini
  • 3/4 cup cheddar

Equipment

  • 1 Z Grills Multitasker 7052B
  • Z Grills cherry pellets

Instructions

Simple prep

Stuff the Bratwurst

Step 1: Slice each sausage like a canoe, being careful not to cut all the way through
Step 2: Saute 6-10 strips of bacon, chopped when cooled
Step 3: Slice pepperoncini in strips
Step 4: slice 1/8th jalapeno
Step 5: Grate up 1-2 cups fresh extra sharp cheddar
Step 1: Add a good spoonful of the mixture to each bratwurst. Top with some extra sharp cheddar, then add some bacon crumbles then 2 slices of the jalapenos.

Recipe

Step 1: Once your z hits 375f add that wired rack middle shelf and cook for 30 minutes or until your desired doneness is reached, around 30 minutes.
Step 2: In my case, it’s 165-180(i like my brats well done) Still juicy and good at that temp. You can also add a tin underneath to keep your pit clean;)… Remove rest (5 minutes)and serve!!

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