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Achieve Iconic Grill Flavor Indoors

Explore Your Options

Who says you need a grill to get that smoky, charred flavor? Not us! With a few simple tricks and techniques, you can replicate the taste of a backyard BBQ without ever stepping outside.

Broil Away

The best part? You likely already have the tools you need: your oven’s broiler. This often-overlooked feature can give you a beautifully charred appearance and smoky flavor without resorting to DIY hacks or special equipment. Just be sure to preheat your broiler, adjust your cooking time, and keep an eye on your food to avoid burning.

Try It: Turmeric Chicken Skewers

Take your favorite grilled kebab recipe and adapt it to the broiler. Simply soak your wooden skewers, preheat your broiler, and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Easy peasy!

Take Up Smoking

Smoking meats indoors may seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think. With a stovetop smoker pan, some wood chips, and a bit of ventilation, you can achieve that authentic BBQ flavor without breaking the bank or taking up too much space.

Try It: Stovetop Smoker Ribs

These baby back ribs get a rub that includes Chinese five spice powder, paprika, and brown sugar, then spend an hour in a smoker on top of the stove over pecan wood chips. Finish them off in the oven with a brief blast from the broiler for a crispy bark.

Plank It

Cedar planks aren’t just for salmon or outdoor grilling. You can cook pretty much anything on a well-soaked plank in the oven, imbuing your dish with a subtle smoky fragrance.

Try It: Cedar Planked Salmon

This classic recipe includes an herbed yogurt sauce, but feel free to experiment with different sauces and flavor combinations. The cedar plank does the rest!

Make It with Bacon

Let’s face it: bacon makes everything better. Sprinkle some crumbled bacon into your dish for a smoky boost, or try mixing it into your hamburger meat for added flavor.

Try It: Triple Bacon Burger

This indulgent burger features sweet-smoky bourbon-bacon jam, bacon garlic aioli, and crisp cooked bacon strips. Need we say more?

Use Liquid Smoke (or Smoky Liquids)

Liquid smoke may get a bad rap, but it’s a useful ingredient that adds a nice hazy tang when used judiciously. You can also try smoked beer, blackstrap molasses, or lapsang souchong tea for added depth.

Try It: Smokerless Smoked Chicken

This beautifully burnished chicken is incredibly simple, with just a few ingredients including liquid smoke, liquid aminos, and blackstrap molasses. Add barbecue sauce if you like, but it’s not necessary!

Use Smoky Spices

Certain spices and seasonings can impart a nice smoky nuance to any dish. Smoked paprika, chipotle, and bacon salt are all great options to add to your marinades, rubs, or sauces.

Try It: Smoky, Sweet, and Spicy Oven Ribs

Smoked paprika and Aleppo pepper bring the hazy flavor to these oven-baked ribs, complemented by beer, honey, and hot sauce. Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Break Out the Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce can’t help but evoke the grill, and many sauces already have smoky elements to balance sweet and spicy flavors. Slather some on ribs, chicken, or burgers for an instant BBQ fix.

Try It: Smoky-Sweet BBQ Beef Short Ribs

These baked beef short ribs are rubbed with a multitude of spices, including paprika, cayenne, and chili powder, then covered in a sweet-smoky sauce accented with chipotles in adobo. Finish them off under the broiler for a crispy finish.

What About Grill Pans?

While grill pans can sear perfect-looking grill marks into meats and vegetables, they’re not necessarily worth investing in if you already have a standard cast iron pan. However, if you want that perfect char, go for it! Just combine it with one of the above flavor tricks for maximum impact.

What About Indoor Grills?

Indoor grills can be a great option if you have limited outdoor space or just want a rainy day alternative. But don’t forget to build layers of smoky flavor in your food via seasoning and/or actual smoke for the best results.