Grilled Beer Marinated Chicken Wings: Juicy, Flavorful, and Unforgettable

Get ready to elevate your grilling game with these incredibly juicy and flavorful Grilled Beer Marinated Chicken Wings. This recipe promises a culinary experience so good, you’ll want to cook your wings this way forever! The secret lies in a simple yet versatile beer marinade that’s not only easy to prepare but also perfectly complements almost any BBQ sauce you can imagine. Indeed, as many grill masters already know, beer is often the key to unlocking pure happiness when it comes to grilling.

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Traeger. As always, all opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!

Chicken wings are a year-round obsession for me, especially when cooked on the grill. While I have a repertoire of cherished wing recipes, often involving intricate homemade sauces and unique spice blends, there are times when I prefer a more relaxed approach. This is where pre-made spice rubs and high-quality BBQ sauces come into play, offering a delicious shortcut without compromising on flavor.

The Magic of Traeger Grills: Elevating Your Grilling Experience

The true genius behind this grilled beer marinated chicken wings recipe, beyond its adaptable marinade, lies in the sheer ease and exceptional results achieved with a Traeger grill. My love affair with Traeger began years ago when my mom got her first one. Suddenly, every week was an opportunity for me to experiment with grilling, smoking, and roasting everything I could get my hands on. So, when Traeger invited me to try out their Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill, I literally jumped with excitement, exclaiming, “I am going to grill and smoke and roast and bake ALL. THE. THINGS!!!!”

Why a Traeger Grill is a Game Changer for Wings

Traeger grills are far from ordinary. They aren’t charcoal, nor are they propane; they are revolutionary wood-fired grills that do much more than just grill. Imagine the convenience of a gas grill combined with the incredible, authentic flavor that only wood pellets can provide. Even if you’re not intentionally smoking a dish, the wood pellets impart just the right amount of smoky essence into every bite, transforming simple chicken wings into a gourmet experience.

The flavor variety of Traeger’s wood pellets is astounding. For these beer-marinated wings, I highly recommend their Cherry or Hickory pellets, as they add a layer of complexity that perfectly complements the marinade and BBQ sauce. This remarkable machine truly does it all: it grills, smokes, roasts, and bakes with unparalleled efficiency and flavor. For this particular recipe, cooking the wings on a high setting delivered them perfectly cooked in a flash, bursting with flavor and ready for their final coating.

After grilling, I generously tossed these wings in Traeger’s Sweet and Tangy Apricot BBQ Sauce. The sauce’s potent flavor profile creates an irresistible combination. You won’t be able to resist getting wonderfully sticky and messy with every single bite of these grilled beer marinated chicken wings. This is just one of many recipes I’ll be sharing featuring this grill, as there’s simply too much to say about it in one post!

Explore More Wing Recipes: Spicy Miso Glazed Chicken Wings / Dry Rub Wings / Grilled Honey Sriracha Wings / Grilled Cajun Wings

Key Ingredients for Flavorful Beer Marinated Wings

Crafting the perfect beer marinated chicken wings starts with selecting the right components. Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in delivering that irresistible juicy, crispy, and deeply flavorful experience.

• Chicken Wings: While pre-cut flats (wingettes) and drummettes are convenient, purchasing whole chicken wings and breaking them down yourself is often more cost-effective. Plus, you can save the wing tips to make a flavorful homemade chicken stock later, minimizing waste and maximizing flavor!
• Cornstarch: This seemingly small addition is vital for achieving that desirable crispy skin on your grilled wings. When tossed with the wings before grilling, cornstarch creates a thin, crisp coating that holds up beautifully to the heat.
• Chicken Rub: A quality chicken rub is the foundation of flavor. We highly recommend Traeger’s Fin and Feather Rub for its balanced profile, but feel free to use your favorite blend. A garlic-based rub is always a fantastic choice for chicken, adding a robust aromatic depth.
• Beer: The star of our marinade! For best results, opt for a pale ale, lager, or a lighter IPA. These beers offer a balanced maltiness and subtle hop notes that tenderize the chicken and infuse it with a unique, savory depth without overpowering the other flavors. Be mindful that stronger, more bitter beers will impart a more pronounced beer flavor, so choose according to your preference. A ginger golden ale, as mentioned in the recipe card, also works wonderfully for a slightly spicier, aromatic kick.
• Soy Sauce: This ingredient is essential for umami and a foundational salty flavor. You can use either low sodium or regular soy sauce, adjusting the added salt in the marinade as needed.
• Honey: Honey introduces a delicate sweetness that beautifully balances the savory and slightly bitter notes from the beer and spices. It also aids in achieving a lovely caramelization on the wings during grilling. Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as alternatives.
• Spices (Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Chili Powder): This trio provides a warm, earthy, and slightly smoky backbone to the marinade. Onion powder adds an aromatic base, smoked paprika brings depth and a hint of smokiness, and chili powder offers a mild warmth and complexity.
• Hot Sauce: For a pleasant kick, a dash of hot sauce is key. Frank’s Red Hot Sauce is a classic choice, offering a balanced heat and tangy flavor that complements chicken perfectly, but any preferred hot sauce will do.
• Vinegar: Acidity is crucial in a marinade for tenderizing and brightening flavors. A mild vinegar like rice wine vinegar is ideal. White wine vinegar or champagne vinegar are good substitutes. Avoid strong white vinegar, as its flavor can be too aggressive.
• BBQ Sauce: The finishing touch! Choose your absolute favorite BBQ sauce to toss the wings in after grilling. We highly recommend Traeger’s Sweet & Tangy Apricot BBQ Sauce for its exceptional fruity and tangy profile that pairs incredibly well with the beer-marinated chicken.
• Traeger Wood Pellets: The fuel for that signature wood-fired flavor. As mentioned, Cherry or Hickory are excellent choices for chicken, imparting a subtle smokiness that elevates the entire dish.

Crafting Your Beer Marinated Wings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly tender, crispy, and flavorful grilled beer marinated chicken wings that will be the star of your next meal.

Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Wings

Begin by thoroughly rinsing your chicken wings under cold water and patting them completely dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is crucial for achieving crispy skin. In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch and your chosen chicken rub, ensuring the wings are evenly coated. This cornstarch layer is key to developing that satisfying crispy texture on the grill.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the beer, soy sauce, honey, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, hot sauce, salt, and rice wine vinegar until well combined. Add the cornstarch-coated wings to this flavorful beer marinade, tossing until every wing is thoroughly covered. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, marinating for up to 8 hours will infuse even deeper flavors into the chicken, making them ideal for meal prep ahead of a party or busy day.

Step 2: Grill to Perfection

When you’re ready to grill, preheat your grill (preferably a Traeger wood-fired grill for superior flavor) to high heat. While it’s heating, prepare your grill grates by coating them lightly with oil, such as avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil, to prevent sticking. This is an important step to ensure your crispy skin doesn’t adhere to the grates.

Arrange the marinated wings in a single layer on the preheated grates, ensuring the skin side is facing up. Grill the wings, covered, over indirect heat for approximately 20 minutes. Maintaining indirect heat helps the wings cook through evenly without burning the exterior, while the high temperature ensures a beautiful crispness.

Step 3: Coat and Serve

After the initial grilling period, it’s time to add that irresistible BBQ flavor. Open the grill and generously brush the wings with your favorite BBQ sauce. Close the lid and continue grilling for another 5 minutes, or until the wings are fully cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Using a meat thermometer is key to ensuring food safety and perfectly cooked chicken.

Once cooked, transfer the remaining BBQ sauce to a large bowl and toss the hot, grilled wings in the sauce until they are thoroughly coated and glistening. Serve your magnificent beer marinated chicken wings immediately on a platter, perhaps with a sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs like parsley or green onion for a vibrant finish. Prepare for rave reviews and sticky fingers!

Essential Tools & Products for Perfect Wings

To truly master this recipe and achieve the best possible results, having the right tools and ingredients makes all the difference. Here’s a rundown of my must-haves for making these killer beer marinated wings.

• Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill: If you don’t already own one, I highly recommend checking out this amazing wood-fired grill. It’s truly a game-changer for all your outdoor cooking needs, especially for developing deep, smoky flavors in your chicken wings.
• Traeger Grills Hickory 100% All-Natural Hardwood Pellets: While any Traeger pellets will infuse great flavor, Hickory is a personal favorite for its robust profile that complements chicken beautifully. Cherry pellets are another excellent choice for a sweeter, milder smoke.
• Traeger Signature Spices Fin & Feather Rub: This is the exact rub I use for these wings, providing a fantastic, balanced spice blend.
• Traeger Grills Sweet & Tangy Apricot BBQ Sauce: An ideal fruity and tangy pairing that really brings out the best in these wings. Its vibrant flavor cuts through the richness of the chicken.
• Traeger BBQ Tongs: Heavy-duty tongs are a must for easily flipping wings on the grill without tearing the skin or losing precious marinade.
• Baking Sheets or Grill Prep Trays: Essential for organizing your wings before and after grilling, making the process smoother and cleaner.
• Traeger Silicone Basting Brush: A good basting brush ensures that juicy BBQ sauce is evenly distributed over every inch of your wings, creating that perfect sticky glaze.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beer Marinated Wings

Can I marinate these wings for longer than 30 minutes?

Absolutely! While 30 minutes is the minimum for the flavors to penetrate, you can definitely marinate these wings for an extended period. For optimal flavor and tenderness, I recommend marinating them for up to 8 hours in the refrigerator. This longer marinating time allows the beer and spices to truly infuse into the chicken, resulting in an even more delicious and succulent outcome. This also makes them a fantastic make-ahead option for parties or gatherings, saving you precious time on the day of the event.

What kind of beer works best for the marinade?

For this recipe, a pale ale, lager, or a lighter IPA are excellent choices. They offer a good balance of malt and subtle hop notes that tenderize the chicken and impart a unique, savory depth without being too overpowering. If you prefer a slightly more aromatic and spicier flavor, a ginger golden ale, as mentioned in the recipe card, can also be a fantastic option. Avoid very dark or heavily hopped beers, as their strong flavors can sometimes overshadow the other ingredients in the marinade.

Can I bake these wings instead of grilling?

Yes, you can absolutely bake these beer-marinated chicken wings if you don’t have a grill or prefer oven cooking. To bake, arrange the marinated wings in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (this helps with air circulation for crispiness). Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 40-50 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and crispy. For the last 5-10 minutes, brush with BBQ sauce and continue baking until the sauce is caramelized. While you won’t get the smoky flavor of a Traeger, they will still be incredibly delicious!

Don’t forget your favorite side dish recipe to complete your meal!

Your Feedback Matters!

Finally, if you make this incredible beer marinated wings recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card below and/or leave a comment! I absolutely love hearing about your culinary creations, and I make sure to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop any questions below as well, I’m happy to help!

Oh, and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! Seeing these recipes come to life in your homes is truly my favorite thing, and I love looking through all your photos. It genuinely means the world to me!

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Grilled Beer Marinated Chicken Wings

The simple beer marinade for these wings is easy-to-make and pairs with almost any BBQ sauce you can think of!

Prep Time:

40 minutes
mins

Cook Time:

30 minutes
mins

Total Time:

1 hour
hr
10 minutes
mins

Servings:
6

4.2 from 26 votes

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Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lbs chicken wings and drumsticks
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp Traeger Fin and Feather Rub
• 2/3 cup beer I used a ginger golden ale but you can use a pale ale, lager, or light IPA
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
• Traeger Wood Pellets I prefer Cherry for this particular recipe, but any will work!
• 2 cups BBQ sauce I used Traeger’s Sweet & Tangy Apricot Sauce
• Garnish: freshly chopped parsley

Instructions

• Rinse chicken wings in cold water and dry well with paper towels.
• In a medium bowl, stir together cornstarch and Traeger Fin and Feather Rub. Add wings to the bowl and toss to coat.
• In a separate bowl, stir together beer, soy sauce, honey, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, salt and rice wine vinegar. Add cornstarch herb coated wings to the marinade.
• Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
• Heat up grill.
• Grill wings skin side up for 20 minutes, covered and over indirect heat.
• Brush wings with BBQ sauce (I used Traeger’s Sweet & Tangy Apricot Sauce). Grill for an additional 5 minutes, or until the wings are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Add the remaining BBQ sauce to a large bowl and toss the wings in the sauce.
• Add wings to a serving bowl or platter and sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcal |
Carbohydrates: 53g |
Protein: 21g |
Fat: 17g |
Saturated Fat: 5g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 7g |
Trans Fat: 0.2g |
Cholesterol: 79mg |
Sodium: 1846mg |
Potassium: 424mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 38g |
Vitamin A: 513IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 55mg |
Iron: 2mg

Calories:
460kcal

Category:
Appetizer