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27 Recipes For Those Special Occasions Only Foods

From rich, smoky meats to fresh seafood favorites, this collection has something for every palate. Whether you’re firing up the grill, breaking out the smoker, or searing in cast iron, these recipes make it easy to cook restaurant-quality meals at home.

Craving bold flavors? Try the herb-crusted venison rack or creamy jerk shrimp rasta pasta. Looking for the ultimate steakhouse experience? The butter-basted prime rib and double-cut pork chops deliver serious indulgence. And if seafood is on the menu, the Dungeness crab roll and Traeger shrimp with vodka cream sauce are sure to impress.

Fire up your grill, grab your favorite ingredients, and get ready to cook up something unforgettable! 🔥

Blackstone Seared Bluefin Tuna with Togarashi

Blackstone Seared Bluefin Tuna with Togarashi. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Sear delicate bluefin tuna to perfection on a Blackstone griddle, locking in its fresh, ocean flavor with a bold togarashi crust.
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Seared Bluefin Tuna with Togarashi

Herb Crusted Roasted Rack of Venison

Herb Crusted Roasted Rack of Venison. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

This herb-crusted rack of venison is tender, juicy, and far from gamey. A simple temperature trick ensures a perfectly pink, restaurant-worthy result.
Get the Recipe: Herb Crusted Roasted Rack of Venison

Traeger Grilled Venison Striploin

Traeger Grilled Venison Striploin. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Grilling venison striploin on a Traeger adds smoky depth to its rich, lean flavor, making it a must-try for wild game enthusiasts.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Grilled Venison Striploin

Marinated Lamb Chops

Marinated Lamb Chops. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Juicy, flavorful lamb chops marinated in herbs and spices, then grilled or pan-fried to perfection. A great choice for a special meal.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Lamb Chops

Traeger Venison Rib Chops

Traeger Venison Rib Chops. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

These venison rib chops are slow-smoked on a Traeger, bringing out their rich, earthy flavor. A delicious way to enjoy game meat.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Venison Rib Chops

Perfect Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Basil Garlic Butter

Perfect Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Basil Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

Juicy, flame-kissed ribeye steaks topped with melted basil garlic butter for an unbeatable combination of flavor and tenderness.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Basil Garlic Butter

Crab Rangoon

Crab Rangoon. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Crispy wonton wrappers filled with creamy, seasoned crab meat make these a crowd-pleasing appetizer, perfect for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Crab Rangoon

Traeger Smoked Short Rib Bites

Traeger Smoked Short Rib Bites. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

These bite-sized short rib pieces are smoked to perfection, delivering deep, beefy flavor in a tender, snackable form.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Short Rib Bites

Traeger Pork Belly Twists

Traeger Pork Belly Twists. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Crispy, smoky, and packed with flavor, these twisted pork belly bites are an innovative take on a barbecue favorite.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Pork Belly Twists

Sous Vide Prime Rib with Au Jus

Sous Vide Prime Rib with Au Jus. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Sous vide ensures perfectly cooked prime rib every time, while a simple au jus trick makes this taste straight out of a high-end steakhouse.
Get the Recipe: Sous Vide Prime Rib with Au Jus

Easy White Fish with Wine Sauce

Easy White Fish with Wine Sauce. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

A delicate and flavorful white fish dish, simmered in a light wine sauce for an elegant, easy-to-make dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy White Fish with Wine Sauce

Herb Butter Prime Rib on Smoker

Herb Butter Prime Rib on Smoker. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A slow-smoked prime rib infused with herb butter, creating a tender, flavorful roast with an edge-to-edge pink interior.
Get the Recipe: Herb Butter Prime Rib on Smoker

Smoked Beef Ribs (Dino Ribs)

Smoked Beef Ribs (Dino Ribs). Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

These massive, meaty ribs are slow-smoked until fall-off-the-bone tender, with a flavorful bark that will have you reaching for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Beef Ribs (Dino Ribs)

Traeger Grilled Venison Chops

Traeger Grilled Venison Chops. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Rich venison chops get a smoky, flavorful upgrade on the Traeger, making this a standout dish for wild game lovers.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Grilled Venison Chops

Dungeness Crab Roll

Dungeness Crab Roll. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Sweet, succulent Dungeness crab nestled in a buttery toasted roll—simple, fresh, and absolutely indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Dungeness Crab Roll

Traeger Shrimp with Vodka Cream Sauce

Traeger Shrimp with Vodka Cream Sauce. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Smoky grilled shrimp meets a rich vodka cream sauce in this luxurious dish, perfect for seafood lovers.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Shrimp with Vodka Cream Sauce

Old Bay Crab Cakes recipe

Old Bay Crab Cakes recipe. Photo credit: Food Fun and Faraway Places.

These crab cakes are loaded with lump crab meat and just enough Old Bay to make them shine—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
Get the Recipe: Old Bay Crab Cakes recipe

Traeger Grilled Venison Backstrap

Traeger Grilled Venison Backstrap. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Venison backstrap is grilled to juicy perfection on a Traeger, enhancing its natural richness with a smoky finish.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Grilled Venison Backstrap

Air Fryer Halibut Scampi

Air Fryer Halibut Scampi. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

A lighter take on classic scampi, this air-fried halibut is crisp, flavorful, and perfect for a quick seafood dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Halibut Scampi

Creamy Jerk Shrimp Rasta Pasta

Creamy Jerk Shrimp Rasta Pasta. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

Tender shrimp tossed in a spicy, creamy Caribbean-style sauce with bell peppers and pasta for a bold, flavorful dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Jerk Shrimp Rasta Pasta

Double-Cut Cast Iron Pork Chops

Double-Cut Cast Iron Pork Chops. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A steakhouse-quality pork chop with a golden crust and juicy center—cooked in cast iron for maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Double-Cut Cast Iron Pork Chops

Perfect Grilled Tomahawk Steak

Perfect Grilled Tomahawk Steak. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

A thick, bone-in tomahawk steak grilled to perfection with a crisp sear and tender, juicy interior. A showstopper for any steak lover.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Grilled Tomahawk Steak

Traeger Grilled London Broil

Traeger Grilled London Broil. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

This Traeger-grilled London broil is smoky, tender, and full of rich beef flavor—perfect for slicing thin and serving with your favorite sides.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Grilled London Broil

Traeger Grilled Salmon with Tingly Salt

Traeger Grilled Salmon with Tingly Salt. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

A unique twist on grilled salmon, featuring a special “tingly” salt that enhances its flavor with just the right kick.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Grilled Salmon with Tingly Salt

Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail

Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A zesty, bold twist on shrimp cocktail, blending the flavors of a Bloody Mary with perfectly chilled shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail

Traeger Smoked Hot Crab Dip

Traeger Smoked Hot Crab Dip. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

This rich and creamy crab dip gets an extra depth of flavor from the Traeger, making it an irresistible appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Hot Crab Dip

Butter-Basted Smoked Prime Rib

Butter-Basted Smoked Prime Rib. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

A slow-smoked prime rib, basted in butter for a juicy, flavorful result that’s perfect for a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Butter-Basted Smoked Prime Rib