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!

Order your of Smoking Meat Made Easy copy today!

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

FAQs

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 is good for a smoker? ›

Oranges, sweet lemons, and other citrus fruits are essential to cleanse nicotine, which remains in your body for several days. It is also recommended that smokers drink ginger tea, as ginger is extremely beneficial to health when used in cooking. Your blood vessels constrict when you smoke.

What you need to know before buying a smoker? ›

Final Considerations When Buying a Smoker
  1. Look for a smoker with great insulation. Heat and smoke retention are among the most important parts of low-and-slow smoking, which makes great insulation a must. ...
  2. Airflow & Temperature. ...
  3. Wood Chips & Chunks. ...
  4. Water Pans & Water Smokers.

What is the hardest food to smoke? ›

Brisket is the holy grail of smoking. Everyone from competitive cooks to dedicated pit masters and barbecue enthusiasts agree that beef brisket is the hardest meat to get right. Since it's lean and doesn't have as much fat content, it has to be cooked just right to transform it into a tender piece of smoked meat.

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's the easiest thing 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.

Is The Green Egg A smoker? ›

Versatility: The Big Green Egg can be used for grilling, smoking, baking, and roasting, making it a versatile cooking tool that can replace multiple other appliances. Efficiency: The Big Green Egg uses natural lump charcoal, which is more efficient and produces less ash than traditional charcoal briquettes.

Is banana good for smokers? ›

Smoking and Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

How many years does a smoker last? ›

We take a look at some stats... Researchers at 'Action on Smoking and Health' have reported that a 30-year-old smoker can expect to live about 35 more years, whereas a 30-year-old non-smoker can expect to live 53 more years.

Which pellets give the most smoke flavor? ›

Hickory, mesquite and pecan grill pellets create the strongest flavors. In general, hardwood pellets will produce more smoke than pellets from fruit trees, like cherry and apple. Cooking at a higher temperature produces less smoke.

What color smoke is good for a smoker? ›

Smoke from wood or charcoal for cooking can range from bluish, to white, to gray, to yellow, brown, and even black. The most desirable smoke is almost invisible with a pale blue tint. You can see it below. Blue smoke is the holy grail of low and slow pitmasters, especially for long cooks.

What is the juiciest meat to smoke? ›

Keep reading for more.
  • Beef Brisket. There's a reason why brisket is one of the all-around best cuts of meat for flavor. ...
  • Beef Ribs. A smoker is a great way to cook beef ribs and other cuts of beef. ...
  • Tri-Tip. ...
  • Chuck Roast. ...
  • Top Sirloin Steak. ...
  • Flank Steak. ...
  • Top Round. ...
  • Top Sirloin Roast aka Coulotte or Picanha.
May 13, 2022

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.

What meat is easiest to smoke? ›

7 Best meats to smoke for beginners
  • Boston Butt (Pulled Pork) If you're new to meat smoking, this is what we recommend starting with first. ...
  • Whole Chicken. ...
  • Beef Brisket. ...
  • Pork Ribs. ...
  • Lamb Shank. ...
  • Beef Cheeks. ...
  • Tomahawk Steak. ...
  • We're all about low and slow.
Sep 29, 2020

What foods should I avoid as a smoker? ›

Knowing what to avoid consuming when trying to quit smoking will help, too. Foods and drinks that have been shown to enhance the taste of cigarettes and trigger a craving to smoke include alcohol, caffeine, meat and sugary or spicy foods.

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

What meat can I smoke in 3 hours? ›

Beef smoking times and temperatures
Smoker TempSmoking Time
Whole ribeye225 – 250°F25 minutes/lb
Tenderloin225 – 250°F2 ½ – 3 hours
Tri-tip225 – 250°F2 – 3 hours
Sausage225 – 250°F30 – 60 mins
7 more rows

Is smoking food in a smoker 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.

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