16 Recipes That Will Convince You To Buy A Smoker (2024)

Who says smoking is only for summer time? I've got 16 of the best smoker recipes that will make you want to buy a smoker. When it comes to cooking on your smoker, there are countless possibilities you can enjoy all year!

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I love using my smoker to smoke meat and side dishes! Beef, pork, seafood, chicken...you name it and I'll smoke it. The smoker is one of the best purchases I've ever made! I'm able to make recipes like this smoked bacon wrapped meatloaf stuffed with cheese and these sweet and juicy beef brisket burnt ends.

I'm sharing some of my all time favorite smoker recipes. You'll find the best meats to smoke that are good for both beginners and experienced pitmasters! From smoking baby back ribs using the 2-2-1 method to making a smoked pork butt for pulled pork sandwiches, you'll get all the expert tips for making the best smoker recipes that everyone will enjoy!

Jump to:
  • 1. Bacon Explosion
  • 2. Chinese BBQ Pork
  • 3. Smoked Mac and Cheese
  • 4. Applewood Smoked Whole Chicken
  • 5. Smoked Ham Recipe
  • 6. Smoked Lobster Tail
  • 7. Easy Smoked Prime Rib
  • 8. Whole Smoked Turkey
  • 9. Smoked Brisket
  • 10. Buttery Smoked Corn On The Cob
  • 11. Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters
  • 12. Smoked Pork Butt Tacos
  • 13. Quick Smoked Salmon Recipe
  • 14. Smoked Turkey Breast
  • 15. Smoked Chuck Roast
  • 16. Barbecue Smoked Chicken Wings
  • More BBQ Posts

1. Bacon Explosion

Who doesn't love bacon?! This smoker recipe is perfect for a summer get together, picnic or BBQ. Easy to prep, the bacon and sausageare weavedtogether and it only takes 3 hours to smoke! Incredible juicy flavor in every bite!

Try pairing this with these hickory smoked green beans with bacon and this smoked velveeta mac and cheese!

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Recipe: How To Smoke A Bacon Bomb (Bacon Explosion)

2. Chinese BBQ Pork

Sweet and spicy sums the flavor up perfectly! Delicious and authentic char siu is achievable to make in your own kitchen. Pork shoulder and tofu is used to make this sweet and sticky Chinese BBQ pork and it's out-of-this-world delicious!

Try serving it with this easy rice pilaf recipe and these balsamic green beans and mushrooms!

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Recipe: Sweet and Sticky Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)

3. Smoked Mac and Cheese

Did you know you can smoke macaroni and cheese?Who would have thought? Every good smoked meat needs some good side dishes. And this smoked mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor! Top it with scallions, bacon, or parsley!

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Recipe: Smoked Macaroni and Cheese

4. Applewood Smoked Whole Chicken

Smoking a chicken is so EASY! Wow your taste buds with this melt-in-your-mouth Applewood Smoked Chicken! Prepped with a brown sugar, smoky paprika, and garlic based rub, this smoked chicken tastes amazing! And it's superjuicy! With this smoked chicken recipe, you'll never have to endure dry chicken again!

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Recipe: How To Smoke A Whole Chicken

5. Smoked Ham Recipe

A fail proof smoker recipe!You really can't mess up this BBQ smoked ham because it's already fully cooked. Add several slices of this homemade compound cranberry honey butter and put it on the ham before smoking. Soon, you'll end up with a delicious smoked ham with the most delicious and succulent sweet crust!

And it's perfect for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving or even a summer BBQ! It pairs perfectly with these smoked mini potatoes!

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Recipe: Easy Smoked Ham with Cranberry Compound Butter

6. Smoked Lobster Tail

Smoked Lobster is super easy to make and this recipe only calls for 3 ingredients! These smoked lobster tails are huge on flavor and elegance. Make sure to dip the meat in melted butter or this melted garlic herb compound butter!

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Recipe: Easy Smoked Lobster Tail

7. Easy Smoked Prime Rib

This smoked garlic butter prime rib has a Montreal seasoning rub and is incredibly juicy! Smoked low and slow, this steak forms the most incredible outer bark that is full of succulent flavor in every bite! Try serving this alongside these creamy mashed potatoes.

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Recipe: Smoked Prime Rib With Garlic Herb Butter

8. Whole Smoked Turkey

Smoking a whole turkey is easy and is guaranteed to be juicy if you smoke it to 165°F. You'll brine the turkey for extra juiciness, flavor, and tenderness. Then, you'll massage a rub to perfectly season that turkey. Last, smoke that turkey on the smoker low and slow, basting with a butter-based solution. Absolutely perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

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Recipe: How To Smoke A Whole Turkey

9. Smoked Brisket

When you slow smoke a beef brisket, it's incredibly juicy and absolutely explodes with flavor! But have you ever experienced "the stall"? If so, there is a simple way to get around it. And in this recipe post, there are step-by-step instructions that teaches you how to get past the stall!

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Recipe: How To Smoke A Beef Brisket

10. Buttery Smoked Corn On The Cob

If you love to grill corn on the cob, then you're going to lovemaking it on the smoker! Buttery describes this corn perfectly! Smoked corn on the cob is an easy and crazy flavorful way to spice up this staple side dish! And it's a must have companion for this smoked tri tip and these easy smoked chicken thighs!

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Recipe: Buttery Smoked Corn On The Cob

11. Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters

I love to cut up a chicken and smoke individual pieces! Or you can buy the prepackaged at a local grocery store. If you want to smoke meat that doesn't take all day, then chicken quarters work amazing on the smoker! We're talking 2 hours of smoke time instead of the typical 6-13 hours of smoking! Try using this easy homemade BBQ sauce with this recipe!

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Recipe: How To Smoke Chicken Leg Quarters

12. Smoked Pork Butt Tacos

"Pork butt" is a cut from the shoulder of the pig. This cut of meat has a lot of marbling which meansa lot of tender meat! So why this cut of meat? Versatility! I'm feature some tacos but you can also use this cut to make pulled pork sandwiches! Looking to spice up a homemade pizza? Yep - add some pulled pork and melt the cheese!

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Recipe: How To Make Smoked Pork Butt Tacos

13. Quick Smoked Salmon Recipe

Smoking salmon filets is easy, fast, and crazy flavorful! With only 5 simple ingredients, this salmon will be ready in less than 2 hours! It's the perfect addition to your morning bagel, a protein packed topping for any salad, and the perfect dinner, especially when paired with these crockpot potatoes and these smoked tomatoes!

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Recipe: Brown Sugar Smoked Salmon

14. Smoked Turkey Breast

If you don't feel like messing with the whole turkey, just smoke the turkey breast. And brining will help add a lot of moisture to the white meat. Juicy and delicious, it's easy to smoked and turns out moist, tender, and full of flavor every time!

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Recipe: How To Make The Best Smoked Turkey Breast

15. Smoked Chuck Roast

A simple way to prepare beef, this chuck roastis covered in a simple garlic and herb butter rub that forms the most flavorful bark. It truly is the most perfect meal for dinner on a weekend any occasionduring the year!

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Recipe: Smoked Chuck Roast Recipe

16. Barbecue Smoked Chicken Wings

If you've never smoked wings before, you're going to be amazed at how quick and easy it is! Not only are these tender and juicy, but they are the best wings that you can make at home! You'll get step-by-step instructions to master the art of smoking chicken wingsso you can enjoy these every single timeyou make them!

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Recipe: How To Make The Best Smoked Chicken Wings Every Time

More BBQ Posts

  • Smoked Baby Back Ribs
  • Smoked Beef Short Ribs
  • Smoked Asparagus With Bacon
  • Quick and Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts

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Whether you're new to the practice or just want to brush up on the basics, Smoking Meat Made Easy is your ultimate guide to backyard smoking.

Master the best smoker recipes and the most flavorful techniques with dozens of options that are easy to follow. And, all these smoker recipes will work with any type of smoker!

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16 Recipes That Will Convince You To Buy A Smoker (2024)

FAQs

What foods are best cooked in a smoker? ›

Don't stop with beef and pork when choosing food to make on your smoker! Chicken, turkey, and fish are especially delicious with a little smoky infusion.

What foods need smoking? ›

Smoking adds flavor to the meat, fish, and poultry, and provides a small food preservation effect. Frequently, hams, pork roasts, bacon, beef briskets, whole poultry, salmon, herring, and oysters are smoked.

What kind of smoker should a beginner get? ›

Propane smokers are as simple to use and propane is widely available. The temperature of a gas smoker is controlled similarly to a gas grill or stove, and it's quicker to make changes to the temperature than with a charcoal or pellet burner. Propane is much faster to get started than charcoal.

What can you use instead of a smoker? ›

Alternative Methods

For example, you could try using your oven to smoke your ingredients. To do this, line a pan with aluminium foil and spread your choice of wood chips over the top. You'll then need to place a raised grill in the pan to place your meat on and allow the juices to drip down into the pan.

What is the hardest meat to smoke? ›

Brisket is BBQ royalty and one of the hardest and toughest meats to smoke. It takes many hours, dedication and each brisket has a journey and a story to tell.

What's the easiest meat to smoke? ›

Simple, quick, and easy-to-cook foods like beef ribs, pork chops, turkey, duck, and salmon are the finest meats to smoke for a beginner. This will give you a solid foundation on food smoking before moving on to more luscious and flavorful meats like brisket, lamb, pork butt, and tri-tip.

What are 10 examples of smoked foods? ›

Many types and varieties of sausages are smoked to help preserve them and to add flavor.
  • Ahle Wurst – a hard pork sausage made in northern Hesse, Germany. Its name is a dialectal form of alte Wurst – "old sausage".
  • Alheira.
  • Amsterdam ossenworst.
  • Andouille.
  • Bierwurst.
  • Bockwurst.
  • Bologna sausage and barbecue bologna.
  • Boudin.

Are smoked foods bad for you? ›

Smoked meats can be high in phosphorus and potassium, which can severely impact those with kidney disease. Finally, the potential carcinogenic compounds formed during the smoking process can cause complications for individuals with a history of cancer or those at high risk of developing cancer.

Is pineapple juice good for smokers? ›

Vitamin C (amla, citrus fruits, lemon, pineapple, guava) is important for smokers too, as it can effectively help neutralise the free radicals that smoking creates in the body — and help maintain immunity.

Which smoker gives the best flavor? ›

Electric smokers are easy to use and require minimal effort, while gas smokers are a bit more complicated and require a bit more effort. Charcoal smokers require the most effort, but they offer the most authentic smoky flavor.

What is the most common smoker? ›

One of the most common types of BBQ smokers is offset smokers. These smokers have a box specifically dedicated for the fire and smoke. Since the food and the firebox are in separate chambers, the fire is never in direct contact with the food.

What type of smoker is easiest to clean? ›

Cuisinart Electric Smoker

The chrome-coated racks will never rust or corrode, and the heat can be set from 100 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so you'll have plenty of options for slow cooking or quicker roasting. The water pan and wood chip tray are also designed for easy removal, making cleanup a breeze.

How to make a cheap smoker? ›

Place a hot plate, a metal pie pan filled with wood chips, and a small grill grate in a terracotta pot. Place another, inverted pot on top for a makeshift hot smoker. Set a hot plate, a pie pan with wood chips, and a large grill plate into a galvanized steel trash can to assemble a quick cold smoker.

How do you get a smoky flavor without a smoker? ›

Smoked Paprika

Also called Pimentón de la Vera, this Spanish variety is made from pimiento peppers that have been dried and smoked over an oak fire and then ground into a powder. Just a pinch or two adds an incredibly smoky flavor to dishes — try a little in soup or in a dry rub for meat and fish.

Can I use my oven as a smoker? ›

How to smoke meat in the oven. For the oven, you'll need a roasting pan that has a raised grill to keep the ribs out of their juices. Line the bottom of the pan with foil and then add your soaked chips, topping with the grill. Place your meat on the grill, and then tent a sheet of foil on top of the pan.

What vegetables are good to smoke in a smoker? ›

Bradley Tips and Tricks
VegetableSmoking TimeSmoking Temperature
Mushrooms90 minutes100°C (225°F) or until soft
Onions2 hours100°C (225°F) or until soft
Potatoes2 hours100°C (225°F) or until soft
Tomatoes45 minutes95°C (200°F) or until the skin starts peeling
10 more rows
Jan 13, 2023

Is food cooked in a smoker healthy? ›

Harmful substances called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs) form when meat is cooked at very high temperatures. Though grilled and pan-fried meats can also lead to the formation of PAHs and HCAs, studies show that smoking leads to higher levels of contamination.

Do you flip meat when smoking? ›

Cooking Tips for Smoking on the Grill:

Do NOT flip your meat. You are using an indirect cook, so your meat should cook evenly. Focus on smoke flow (ventilation). You'll want to create enough ventilation for the smoke to escape (so you don't burn the meat), without letting too much oxygen into the smoking process.

What vegetables taste good smoked? ›

Potatoes, mushrooms, onion, corn, and green beans make excellent choices as well if you're craving a caramelized flavor that adds depth to any dish you're looking for, including this smoked tomato salsa that showcases amazing wood-fired flavor.

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