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!

16 Recipes That Will Convince You To Buy A Smoker (1)

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

How to make a cheap homemade 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.

What is the best food to smoke in a smoker? ›

Our top choices are brisket, pork shoulder (for pulled pork), pork chops, and ribs. You can also give our St. Louis Ribs a try in your new smoker. Beef brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs are three cuts that offer sufficient fat to keep them juicy and tender when done.

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 to cook in a smoker for beginners? ›

Meats. Beef, pork, and chicken all work well in the smoker, but beginners should choose carefully to avoid wasting an expensive cut of meat. The most forgiving pieces of meat are pork, especially pork butt. Start here, making sure to garner as much information as possible on smoking any piece of meat.

What is the simplest 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 can I use if I don't have 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 meat absorbs smoke the best? ›

  • Brisket. Considered the king of smoked meats, brisket is famous for its flavorful, tender result after hours of smoking. ...
  • Short Ribs. Beef short ribs are another of the finest beef cuts to smoke. ...
  • Tri-Tip. ...
  • Chuck Roast. ...
  • Ribeye Roast. ...
  • Beef Ribs. ...
  • Sirloin Tip Roast. ...
  • Top Round Roast.
Aug 29, 2023

What are super foods for smokers? ›

Consume a minimum of 2-3 servings of oily fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines per week to nourish the body with Omega-3 fatty acids. Reduce frying and replace it with baking, steaming, and grilling. Increase intake of fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and cereals.

Which smoker gives the best flavor? ›

Hardwood and charcoal are the fuel of choice for smoking purists. This combination creates a high smoke output that maximizes smokey flavor. Maintaining a consistent low temperature takes time to learn, though, and it makes more of a mess.

Is smoked meat 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.

What smokers should not eat? ›

Lung-Damaging Foods to Avoid
  • White Bread. Simple carbohydrates such as white bread should be avoided, as it takes more work for the lungs to metabolize them. ...
  • Potato Chips. Potato chips are filled with salt and saturated fat, two things that are detrimental to lung health. ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Beer. ...
  • Cold Cuts.

Which fruit is good for a smoker? ›

If you are a smoker, you should regularly include citrus fruits in your diet. Oranges, sweet lemons, and other citrus fruits are essential to cleanse nicotine, which remains in your body for several days.

What you need to know before buying a smoker? ›

If you're not sure how to choose a smoker that will fit your needs, consider your budgetary restrictions, what level of convenience you're looking for, what size smoker you want, how versatile you want your smoker to be and, finally, what level of quality and durability you're looking for.

What else can I smoke instead of cigarettes? ›

4 alternatives to cigarettes
  • Herbal cigarettes. Clove cigarettes are the most common cigarette alternative, made up of 60%-70% tobacco blended with cloves and clove oils, as well as additives and flavorings. ...
  • Nicotine chewing gum. ...
  • Prescription medications. ...
  • Laser therapy.

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

How can a chef smoke meat at home without a smoker? ›

How to Smoke Food Without a Smoker
  1. Using long-handled tongs, arrange hot ash-covered coals around a foil pan that's filled with 1 inch of hot water.
  2. Add wood chips or chunks to coals.
  3. Place food on grill rack above water pan and cover grill.
  4. Check food, temperature, and water pan every 45 to 60 minutes.
Sep 14, 2022

How do you make a smoked old fashioned without a smoke gun? ›

If you have no other option, you could try smoking a co*cktail glass by simply burning a small piece of oak, pecan, hickory, or fruit wood on a cutting board and then placing a co*cktail glass over the burning ember. The glass will fill with a small plume of smoke. You can turn the glass over and pour in your co*cktail.

How to make a smoker out of aluminum pans? ›

Make a DIY smoker box by filling the aluminum loaf pan halfway with wood chunks. Cover the smoker box with aluminum foil and poke about 15 holes in the top with a skewer. Place the DIY smoker box next to the water pan on the lit coals. Put the top grill grate back on the grill and you're ready to smoke.

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