Don’t wait for the ground to thaw to fire-up your backyard pellet grill or Traeger smoker. When winter cravings call for juicy, tender meat that is fall-off-the-bone good, brisk temperatures will make huddling around your warm grill that much more gratifying.

Grilling is not just a fair-weather event, but is becoming a year-round passion, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) said. Studies show that flavor (72%), lifestyle (52%), and entertainment (40%) are among the key motivators behind why consumers grill — even when temperatures run chilly, according to the HPBA.

These five dishes are fantastic no matter the weather — and they’re probably something you and your guests haven’t tried on a pellet grill before.

Not your mama’s meatloaf

Nothing says comfort like a well-cooked meatloaf. After trying this next recipe, you’ll never cook meatloaf in an oven again. With just 15 minutes of prep work, this meatloaf recipe is a simple way to produce a flavorful and memorable dinner.

The secret to this recipe is in the grill and the Traeger ‘Que BBQ Sauce glaze which promises to put the "que" in your BBQ. Sweet brown sugar and smoky hickory are melded with tangy vinegar for a sauce made in taste bud heaven.

After combining the ingredients and forming the mixture into an attractive loaf, the meatloaf goes directly on the grill grate. Let it cook on the pellet heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 160℉.

The one-of-a-kind glaze is added to the meatloaf during the last 20 minutes of cooking.

Level of difficulty: ⅖

3-2-1 ribs

When it comes to wowing the taste buds, go beyond traditional grilling go-tos like steaks or chicken and try a new savory cut of meat. Baby back ribs are tender and lean and, when cooked right, can keep your houseguests coming back for more.

This remarkably easy 3-2-1 ribs recipe from Traeger Grills simplifies the cooking process while amplifying flavor. Start by smoking the ribs for three hours, followed by cooking inside foil for two hours and top off the process by removing the ribs from the foil and brushing on the sauce.

Level of difficulty: 2/5

BBQ chicken nachos

Raise the bar of your typical microwave nachos with this smokin’ recipe for BBQ chicken nachos. Featuring wood-fired chicken, Traeger BBQ sauce and must-have toppings, this recipe puts a special twist on a household regular.

While many other dishes take a few hours to properly grill and smoke, this only takes 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes of cook time. In less than an hour, you’ll have a delicious meal or snack — depending on your hunger — to chow down on.

One person who tried the recipe gave it a five-star review with these thoughts

Level of difficulty: 1/5

BBQ pulled pork breakfast burrito

Add a little (or a big) kick to your morning meal with these rich, flavorful breakfast burritos. You’ll want lots of hot peppers and cheese to give these wraps their juicy flavor.

The key to making this recipe is smoking your veggies for a couple of hours. So if you’re the type to get up with the sun, get those veggies on the grill before the rest of the family is awake. See the whole recipe on the Traeger website.

Baked chicken cordon bleu

Reinvent a classic with the wood-fired flavor of this baked chicken cordon bleu recipe from Traeger Grills.

Put a twist on how you grill chicken breast by giving it a French spin. Chicken cordon bleu is fanciful on its own, but this recipe takes it to an entirely new level when left to season and simmer on a pellet grill.

Insert prosciutto and swiss cheese into a butterflied chicken breast, coat it in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs, then finish it off in your Traeger or pellet grill.

Serve whole or slice crosswise into pinwheels with a sharp serrated knife.

Level of difficulty: 3/5

Looking for more?

If you’re a fan of these unique meat dishes, check out everything else you can cook on a Traeger pellet grill. See more than 1,000 grilling recipes on the Traeger website or the Traeger Grills app.

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