Our Key to The Best Summer BBQ + a bbq recipe!

my top  |  jeans (sold out) similar here + here  |  shoes  |  hat  |  grill

When it comes to Summer, we basically live outside! We cannot get enough of that sunshine and fresh air, and with the addition of the pool it makes things even more fun. If you are like me, the last thing you want to do is come inside from the fun to do dinner. Since that is the case, a lot of our Summer dinners this year have turned into summer bbq’s instead! And we are loving it!! So today I wanted to tell you a little bit more about how we took our BBQ’s to the next level with Traeger, why we were hooked from the first time we used it, and how they turn your everyday BBQ dinner into something way better, all while keeping it super simple! And to prove the simplicity, I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes from Traeger below too!

:: WHY TRAEGER? 

First off, let’s talk about our why. My first why is the ease of using it. If you are unfamiliar with a Traeger, it is a wood pellet grill. When I first heard about them, I instantly felt overwhelmed. I am no grill master. Like a lot of couples, I usually left the grilling to Joe, but always felt like we were missing out when he wasn’t home. The best part about Traeger is you don’t have to be a pro! They have basically taken the ease of using your oven and put it outside. All it takes is putting the pellets in, setting the temp, and letting it do its thing.

Our second why is the FLAVOR! Oh my gosh it is unbeatable. It takes the most basic recipes and elevates them to a whole other level. I don’t think we could ever go back because it is just that good!

And last but for sure not least and maybe our favorite thing of all, is how versatile it is. If you were to ask all your girlfriends what their favorite appliance is right now, chances are they are going to say the instant pot. It is easy to use, doesn’t take a lot of prep, and it is so so versatile. Think of the Traeger as part of the same family. It does all the work for you and unlike your average grill, is so versatile. It definitely does not limit itself with BBQ. You can grill, smoke, bake, roast, and probably so much more. My friend Kristin shares some of the most incredible recipes over on her feed that she does all on the Traeger. Yes there is steak and chicken and burgers, but I’m talking desserts + veggies and everything in between. I cannot wait to brave trying all of those too!

:: LET’S TALK FOOD 

Now that I’ve shared why our Traeger quickly became a favorite around our house, let’s talk about the good stuff, the actual food!! As I mentioned before Traeger doesn’t limit itself to just getting you your hamburgers or steak, but is so much more. It actually blows my mind and is a little overwhelming when I hear all the things I could potentially make on it! You can check out so many recipe ideas on their site or on their mouth watering IG!  We are still rookies, but one of our favorites to make is the Garlic Salmon. I’ve shared the recipe below and cannot wait for you to try it!

:: GARLIC SALMON :: 

-INGREDIENTS-

1 (2-3 lb) Salmon Fillet, skin on

Traeger Fin + Feather Rub

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic

1/2 Tablespoon Minced Parsley

Lemon Wedges

-INSTRUCTIONS-

1. Set your Traeger to 500 degrees and pre-heat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
2. While you are waiting for that to heat up, prep your salmon. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Put the salmon skin side down on the sheet and sprinkle it with some of the Traeger Fin & Feather Rub.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic, and parsley. Brush the salmon with the mixture, and put the baking sheet in the grill.
4. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 140˚F (about 20 to 25 minutes) or until the fish flakes easily.
5. If you want, you can brush it with more of the garlic mixture and add a little lemon to it.

It is honestly so so delicious! We all love it and have it on repeat. And so many of their recipes are just as simple but packed with flavor!! We hope you take this recipe and give it a try at your next Summer BBQ! And if you have a Traeger, we want to know, what is your favorite thing to make?!