You don’t need a $300 night out to enjoy a memorable surf and turf. With your favorite pellet grill and a couple of quality proteins—your preferred cut of steak and a seafood selection—you can create a restaurant-worthy meal at home. This Easy Traeger Surf and Turf approach is flexible: choose the steaks, pick the seafood, fire up the grill, and serve with a few well-chosen sides.
Traeger Surf and Turf
Surf and turf is a classic combination—land and sea on one plate—originating along the Atlantic Coast and embraced nationwide. It’s less about rigid rules and more about pairing a great steak with complementary seafood so both shine. Using a Traeger or any pellet grill lends gentle smoke and consistent heat that make both steak and seafood taste exceptional.
You can mix and match based on what you like and what’s available: shrimp, scallops, lobster, salmon, or flaky white fish paired with ribeye, filet, hanger, or flank steak. Below are serving suggestions and a curated list of Traeger-friendly recipes and ideas to assemble a full surf and turf feast.
Serve This With…
Choosing the right sides will elevate your surf and turf dinner. Pick two or three sides depending on the size of your gathering—mix a starch, a vegetable, and a bright salad for balance.
Pasta & Rice
- One-Pot Creamy Noodles — a comforting, easy pasta base to accompany steak and seafood.
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta — earthy mushrooms and cream add depth without overpowering delicate seafood.
- Smoked Mac and Cheese — a smoky, indulgent side that pairs especially well with steak.
- Stick of Butter Rice — simple, buttery rice that soaks up sauces and pan juices.
- Wild Rice Pilaf — nutty wild rice for texture and flavor contrast.
- Mushroom Risotto — creamy, luxurious risotto as an elegant accompaniment.
Salad
- Greek Salad with Homemade Dressing — bright, tangy, and refreshing.
- Homemade Caesar Salad — classic, creamy, and savory for a crowd-pleasing side.
- Caprese Salad — simple, fresh, and great with shellfish or lighter steaks.
Vegetables
- Grilled Asparagus — quick to cook and smoky from the pellet grill.
- Smoked Smashed Potatoes — crispy outside, tender inside, a hearty side for steak.
- Loaded Smoked Mashed Potato Casserole — comfort food that pleases everyone at the table.
- Grilled Zucchini — light, simple, and versatile.
- Grilled Spaghetti Squash — a lighter option with roasted flavor.
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Traeger Surf & Turf Recipes
FISH
Traeger Rockfish
This easy grilled rockfish cooks in about 20–25 minutes. Fresh rockfish with lemon and simple seasoning lets the fish shine.
Grilled Lingcod
Grilled lingcod highlights the delicate flavor of the fish without heavy seasoning—clean, simple, and delicious.
Crab-Stuffed Lingcod
Tender lingcod or halibut fillets are stuffed with a crab mixture and finished with a lemon cream sauce.
Lemon Pepper Traeger Grilled Salmon
A simple lemon-pepper rub flavors salmon that cooks quickly and tastes bright and fresh.
Traeger Walleye with Lemon Cream Sauce
Flaky walleye grilled on the pellet grill and served with an easy, bright lemon cream sauce.
Grilled Salmon in Foil
Grilling salmon in foil is a foolproof way to achieve tender, perfectly cooked fillets every time.
Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
Salmon tossed in a rich teriyaki glaze for a slightly sweet and savory finish.
SHELLFISH
Traeger Grilled Lobster Tail
Grilled lobster tails make an elegant shellfish option—quick to prepare and special enough for celebrations.
Traeger Lobster Rolls
Bright, tender lobster meat served in a roll with a fresh sauce—great as a lighter surf option beside steak.
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Scallops wrapped in bacon and grilled until the bacon is crisp and the scallops remain tender.
Traeger Grilled Crab Legs
Crab legs seasoned with garlic, Old Bay, and butter, grilled for about 30 minutes for an easy, delicious shellfish side.
Traeger Grilled Scallops
Scallops receive a touch of smoke and stay tender by finishing in a cast-iron butter bath.
Traeger Smoked Shrimp
Teriyaki-style smoked shrimp tossed in a thick sauce and garnished for bold flavor—great for surf and turf combos.
STEAK
Beef steaks are versatile and flavorful. Pick any of these Traeger-friendly cuts and you’ll be satisfied.
Traeger Grilled Hanger Steak
Hanger steak is an economical cut with rich flavor and great tenderness when cooked on a pellet grill.
Traeger Reverse Seared Flank Steak
Reverse searing yields tender, juicy flank steaks cooked evenly and finished with a flavorful crust.
Grilled Reverse Seared Tomahawk Steak
An impressive, meaty tomahawk or cowboy steak that’s easy to cook and perfect for a special surf and turf centerpiece.
Traeger Ribeye
Ribeye on the pellet grill is rich and flavorful; try a traditional sear or reverse sear to suit your preference.
Traeger Grilled New York Strip
Season simply with salt and pepper and grill for a tender, flavorful strip steak.
Traeger Grilled Filet Mignon
Filet mignon cooks quickly on a pellet grill and pairs perfectly with richer seafood like lobster or scallops.
PORK
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chop with Rosemary
Center-cut pork chops wrapped in bacon and rosemary, grilled until the internal temperature reaches a safe, juicy finish and the bacon crisps.
Traeger Smoked Pork Chops
Chops seasoned with a chili-garlic blend, slow-smoked on a pellet grill for tender, flavorful results.
Traeger Blackened Pork Chops
Blackened pork chops deliver bold, savory flavor and juicy texture when cooked over even heat.
Traeger Togarashi Pork Tenderloin
Togarashi-seasoned pork tenderloin offers a flavorful, slightly spicy profile that grills beautifully on a pellet smoker.
Pellet Grill Mustard Pork Tenderloin
A tender pork tenderloin finished with a mustard sauce—moist and fast-cooking on the pellet grill.
Traeger Grilled Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Butterflied and stuffed with cheese and spinach, wrapped in a bacon weave and grilled for an impressive main dish.
Traeger Grilled Bone-in Pork Chops
Bone-in chops grilled on a pellet grill remain juicy and full of flavor, an easy choice for surf and turf variations.