Discover The Best Meats to Smoke with juicy, delicious, and bursting with flavor results! From Brisket to Ribs we have all the tips for beginners and advance smokers to master the best smoked filled BBQ at home.
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With these simple steps and Easy Smoker Recipes we will help you choose the right meat for a successful BBQ. If you are new to using your smoker, make sure to check out Smoker Recipes for Beginners for even more ideas.
What's in this post: The Best Meats to Smoke
- What Makes a Great Meat for Smoking?
- Best Meat to Smoke for Beginners
- Best Meats to Smoke for Advance Pitmasters
- Smoker Tips
- Easy Smoked Meat Recipes
- 1. Smoked Shrimp
- 2. Smoked Prime Rib
- 3. Smoked Buffalo Wings
- 4. Smoked Halibut
- 5. Cold Smoked Salmon
- 6. Smoked Tuna
- 7. Smoked Ribeye
- 8. Smoked Ham Steak
- 9. Smoked Bacon Wrapped Smokies
- 10. Smoked Chuck Steak
- 11. Smoked Turkey Injection Recipe
- 12. Smoked Pork Belly
- 13. Smoked Pork Steak
- 14. Smoked Pulled Chicken
- 15. Smoked Pulled Ham
- 16. Smoked Flank Steak
- 17. Smoked Chicken Thighs
- 18. Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe
- 19. 3-2-1 Smoked Ribs
- 20. Smoked Chicken Legs
- 21. Smoked Pork Ribs
- 22. Smoked Eye of Round
- 23. Smoked Carnitas
- 24. Smoked Whole Chicken
- 25. Smoked Stuffed Pork Loin
- 26. Smoked Beer Can Chicken
- 27. Smoked Chicken Wings
- 28. Smoked Cornish Hens
- 29. Smoked Tri Tip
- 30. Smoked Brisket
- 31. Double Smoked Ham
- 32. Smoked Turkey
- 33. Smoked London Broil
- 34. Smoked Bologna
- 35. Smoked Roast Beef
- 36. Smoked Italian Sausage
- 37. Smoked Beef Short Ribs
- 38. Smoked Sausage
- 39. Smoked Brats
- 40. Smoked Hot Dogs
- 41. Bacon Wrapped Smoked Pork Loin
- 42. Smoked Turkey Tenderloin
- 43. Smoked Bone-In Turkey Breast
- 44. Smoked Turkey Legs
- 45. Boneless Smoked Ham
- 46. Smoked Pork Chops
- 47. Smoked Chicken Breast
- 48. Smoked Salmon Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes a Great Meat for Smoking?
When choosing a great meat for smoking you want to choose a meat that has a high fat content which will result in a juicy, flavorful meat. If you choose a tough cut meat it will become so tender when slow cooked in the smoker.
Make sure to adjust your cooking time depending on the size or thickness of your choice of meat which will help with the overall flavor and tenderness of your meat.
Best Meat to Smoke for Beginners
If you recently purchased a smoker, these are the meats that I recommend to start with. They are simple options and are hard to mess up.
- Pork Shoulder – This Boston Butt option is very forgiving , fool proof and turns out juicy.
- Chicken – When I first got my smoker I started with a whole chicken because the cooking time were quick. It was the perfect meat to start with because it gave me good practice.
- Pork Ribs – For a classic smoker recipe, make spare ribs or baby back ribs. They are packed with flavor and even topped with your favorite BBQ Sauce.
- Turkey Breast – We think this is a great meat to start with as it has great flavor and gives you practice to carefully monitor the turkey breast.
Best Meats to Smoke for Advance Pitmasters
Now if you are a seasoned pitmaster than you probably already have your favorite meats to smoke. The following meats require a little more skill but with a little practice anyone can cook these crowd pleasing meats.
- Beef Brisket – This meat is a little more tricky as temperature control is the key. But the results are amazing and this is always on the menu when we are hosting friends and family.
- Beef Ribs – This is another classic BBQ Recipe that has impressive results. With a little extra help you will be the star of your family with these smoked ribs.
- Lamb Shoulder – We love the rich flavor and the proper seasoning will result in an impressive smoked meat that is perfect to serve for the holidays.
- Sausages – Watch the temperature control and you will successfully create smoked sausage that everyone will love.
Smoker Tips
- Meat Thermometer – When gathering supplies when smoking meats, make sure you have a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. This will be key to creating the best smoker meat.
- Rest Meat – Once your meat is finished cooking, allow it to rest. This helps to lock in the juice for the best flavor.
- Keep Smoker Closed – These recipes will give you the specific steps on how to smoke the meat. It is important to allow the meat to smoke without constantly opening the door.
- Wood Chips – For the best flavor use the right wood chips such as hickory, oak, cherry or applewood. You can even combine wood chip flavors for an even deeper flavor.
Easy Smoked Meat Recipes
We have gathered our favorite meats to smoke no matter if you recently purchased a smoker or are the ultimate grill master! These recipes are easy and my entire family looks forward to these recipes because of how delicious they are.
1. Smoked Shrimp
Slow smoke shrimp for your next seafood party!
2. Smoked Prime Rib
This is the perfect holiday meat to serve or for your next family barbecue.
3. Smoked Buffalo Wings
Make smoking process a breeze with this easy buffalo wings recipe.
4. Smoked Halibut
This smoked halibut slow cooks in the smoker for the ultimate seafood recipe.
5. Cold Smoked Salmon
This makes the best appetizer for any occasion.
6. Smoked Tuna
All you need is simple seasoning such as salt and pepper for the best flavor.
7. Smoked Ribeye
We love to serve this Ribeye topped with melted butter for an amazing smoked meat recipe.
8. Smoked Ham Steak
We love making this ham steak for a weeknight meal. We even make a sweet glaze with maple syrup and brown sugar to make it a sweet and savory recipe.
9. Smoked Bacon Wrapped Smokies
We love to smoke this recipe but you can even cook them on a charcoal grill.
10. Smoked Chuck Steak
Make chuck steak to serve to a crowd or to meal prep for the week.
11. Smoked Turkey Injection Recipe
Make this Whole Turkey for your next holiday! All you need is simple pantry ingredients.
12. Smoked Pork Belly
Amazing flavor and simple process. This recipe would also work if using a Pork Butt.
13. Smoked Pork Steak
Pork Steak is a budget friendly cut of meat that is delicious smoked with mesquite wood chips or wood pellets.
14. Smoked Pulled Chicken
Top this pulled chicken with BBQ Sauce to make delicious sandwiches.
15. Smoked Pulled Ham
You will love the amazing flavor and the leftovers store easily in the fridge.
16. Smoked Flank Steak
We love using the smoked flank steak to make amazing tacos and quesadillas.
17. Smoked Chicken Thighs
The best smoky flavors and you can even use a dry brine to create the best moist chicken.
18. Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe
We love making this pulled pork for the July 4th holiday. The seasoning blend can even be used to make pork tenderloin.
19. 3-2-1 Smoked Ribs
This 3-2-1 is the best method to make delicious ribs.
20. Smoked Chicken Legs
These chicken legs come out so tender and juicy!
21. Smoked Pork Ribs
Slow smoking ribs is the key to make the best ribs!
22. Smoked Eye of Round
Let the smoker do all the work for an impressive meal the next time you are feeding a crowd.
23. Smoked Carnitas
Shredded pork makes the best Carnitas.
24. Smoked Whole Chicken
If you like getting Rotisserie Chicken at the store, make it at home with simple seasoning.
25. Smoked Stuffed Pork Loin
Easy and simple recipe that is kid approved!
26. Smoked Beer Can Chicken
This makes the perfect summertime chicken and is bursting with flavor.
27. Smoked Chicken Wings
Crispy, delicious and full of flavor chicken wings.
28. Smoked Cornish Hens
The meat turns out so tender!
29. Smoked Tri Tip
I was amazed how easy this tri tip recipe was to make!
30. Smoked Brisket
Brisket is the perfect meat to smoke because of the connective tissue keep the meat so tender.
31. Double Smoked Ham
The next time you get a ham, smoke it! You will love the rich flavors.
32. Smoked Turkey
Skip the classic roasted turkey this holiday and make this smoked turkey.
33. Smoked London Broil
Smoked London Broil is marinated in a simple ingredient marinade to create a smoky flavor steak. Slice and serve with your favorite side dishes.
34. Smoked Bologna
Smoking the bologna gives it amazing flavor, the perfect score marks, and easy to make.
35. Smoked Roast Beef
If you are looking for an easy way to cook your beef roast, smoke it. You will not be disappointed and you will love the way it melts in your mouth.
36. Smoked Italian Sausage
You will never cook Italian Sausage another way once you learn how to smoke it!
37. Smoked Beef Short Ribs
The next time you want to cook ribs, make these Smoked short ribs. You will be so impressed how the meat just fall-off the bones without using a sharp knife.
38. Smoked Sausage
The texture of the sausage has the perfect smoky flavor and is easy to make.
39. Smoked Brats
Instead of using your charcoal to cook you Brats, slow smoke them.
40. Smoked Hot Dogs
Take your hot dogs to the next level by smoking them!
41. Bacon Wrapped Smoked Pork Loin
Adding bacon to any cut of meat locks in the moisture.
42. Smoked Turkey Tenderloin
This Smoked Turkey Tenderloin cooks juicy, tender and is bursting with flavor. The perfect holiday meat or to meal prep with. Learn how easy it is to smoke a turkey tenderloin.
43. Smoked Bone-In Turkey Breast
The meat was so tender that it just falls off the bone.
44. Smoked Turkey Legs
Make Turkey Legs in the smoker for delicious, tender and amazing texture.
45. Boneless Smoked Ham
The ham heats in about 3 hours and then basted with a maple syrup, brown sugar glaze.
46. Smoked Pork Chops
Tender and juicy pork chops that is delicious served with any side dish.
47. Smoked Chicken Breast
This is the perfect recipe to meal prep your chicken for the week.
48. Smoked Salmon Recipe
The salmon turned out so flaky and full of smoke flavors!
Frequently Asked Questions
We having found that the easiest meat to smoke is the Pork Butt. It always turns out juicy and is budget friendly.
Most meats should be smoked at 225 degrees to 250 degrees. This allows the meat to slow cook which results in the most tender meat.
We use an Electric Smoker when making these recipes. But you can also use a Pellet Smoker.
