16 Recipes That Will Convince You To Buy A Smoker

Who says smoking is only for summer time? I've got 16 smoker recipes that I guarantee will make you want to buy a smoker so you can smoke all kinds of yummy food all year round!

Smoker ideas containing tureeky, prime ribs, bacon explosion and sliced Chinese beef.

I am a big time smoker of all things foods! I love my smoker and it's one of the best gifts I've ever received! Yep, you heard me correctly...I got a smoker for a Christmas present....from my HUSBAND! Yep and I love it! Hint, hint...I guess he wanted me to smoke some meat!

Well my friends, I'm about to share 16 of my favorite smoker recipes with you! And a lot of these recipes are great for beginners. If these smoker recipes don't peak your tastebuds, I don't know what will!

Bacon Explosion

Let's start with bacon...I mean, why not?! Who doesn't love bacon! And it's an appetizer! It's so unique and it's absolutely perfect for a summer get together, picnic or BBQ! Let me tell you why you want this recipe...it's easy to prep, it's bacon and sausage weaved together and it only takes 3 hours to smoke! If you want to take your bacon to the next level....THIS is the smoker recipe for you!

Get This Bacon Explosion Recipe Here!

Metal pan containing a bacon appetizer topped with BBQ sauce.

Sweet And Sticky Chinese BBQ Pork

This yummy deliciousness is Chinese BBQ at its best! Sweet and spicy sums the flavor up perfectly! This recipe is also known as "char siu". Keep in mind...most required ingredients can be found at your local grocery store. The red fermented tofu and Korean red pepper flakes can be found at an Asian market. Char Siu can be a complicated food to make, but with this recipe the author makes it look easy! Love the detail provided in the original post!! I bet you'll have the best outcome in flavor because of their step-by-step instructions and based on all the tips and tricks they spell out. Is your mouth watering yet..because mine sure is!

Get The Recipe For This Chinese BBQ Pork Here!

Sliced Sweet and Sticky Chinese BBQ Pork sitting on a wooden table topped with BBQ sauce.

Smoked Mac And Cheese

Let's switch is up a minute and talk smoked side dishes. Did you know you can smoke side dishes? Did you know you can smoke macaroni and cheese? Seriously? Who would have thought? Every good smoker meat needs some good sides. This smoked mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy and full of flavor! Top it with scallions, bacon, Parmesan cheese and so much more! This is also a great VEGETARIAN choice for a BBQ!!

Get This Smoked Mac and Cheese Recipe Right Here!

Applewood Smoked Chicken

I love a whole smoked 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 this chicken is SO juicy! Say goodbye to dried out chicken!

Learn How To Smoke A Whole Chicken!

Raw smoked chicken being placed in a smoker. Cooked Applewood Chicken sitting on a wooden cutting board.

BBQ Smoked Ham

A fail proof smoker recipe! You really can't mess up this BBQ Smoked Ham. Smoked ham with juicy pineapple on top...oh my goodness guys! This is a delicious ham! And so easy to make! Perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving or an summer BBQ! Versatility at its best!

Click Here For This Smoked Ham Recipe!

BBQ Smoked Ham topped with pineapple sitting on a grill.

Smoked Lobster Tails Recipe

Have you thought about smoking Lobster Tail? It's super easy and this recipe only calls for 3 ingredients. Huge on flavor and elegance, yet super easy on preparation. Make sure you dip these smoked lobster tails in melted butter. I'm telling you...scrumptious!

Smoked These Lobster Tails Today!

Blue plate containing Smoked Lobster Tail, a side salad and a fork, butter in background for dipping.

Smoked Prime Rib

I typically bake my prime rib in the oven but just the other day I thought about smoking a prime rib. And what happened next? I made this recipe! This prime rib has a montreal seasoning rub and then covered in a garlic herb butter. It's crazy juicy! Tips and tricks for each step of smoking this prime rib...you're going to love how this one turns out!

Smoke This Compound Butter Prime Rib Today!

Smoked Turkey

A traditional smoked turkey...not that dry oven turkey! This classic beauty offers amazing simplicity and a touch of elegance! 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. Incredible taste! Keep this recipe handy for your upcoming holidays!!

Get This Easy Smoked Turkey Recipe Here!

Traditional Smoked Turkey sitting on a grill, baster with juice.

Smoked Brisket

Smoked brisket is juicy and absolutely explodes with flavor, but have you ever dealt with "the stall" when smoking a brisket? Well, if you have there is a simple way to get around that annoying little stall. And this post reveals the secret! Oh...and that smoke ring!

Learn How To Make A Smoked Beef Brisket!

Buttery Smoked Corn On The Cob

If you love to grill your corn on the cob then you're going to love SMOKING your corn on the cob!! Buttery describes this corn perfectly! Smoking your corn is an easy and crazy flavorful way to spice up this staple side dish! This buttery corn is a MUST HAVE companion for your smoked meat!

Make This Smoked Corn On The Cob!

3 cobs of Buttery Smoked Corn on the Cob sitting on a white plate topped with scallions.

SMOKED CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS

Let's talk smoking chicken pieces for a minute. I love to cut up my chicken and smoke individual pieces! And quarters work amazing on the smoker! If you want a "faster" smoker meal, this recipe is for you! Gosh...what a delicious looking dinner. We're talking 2 hours here instead of your typical 6-13 hours of smoking!

Get This Recipe For These Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters!

Smoked chicken quarters on a slate plate topped with BBQ sauce.

Smoked Pork Butt Tacos

Don't get turned off by the name...pork butt is actually a cut from the shoulder of the pig. This cut of meat has a lot of marbling which means TENDER! 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 that cheese! I'm telling you...amazing flavor combination there!

Make These Amazingly Delicious Smoked Pork Butt Tacos!

Brown table containing a bowl of Smoked Pork Butt Taco meat, 3 corn taco shells on table with lime and jalapenos.

Brown Sugar Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon is hard to beat. It's easy, fast and crazy flavorful! 5 simple ingredients and ready in less than 2 hours! This smoked salmon is the perfect addition to your morning bagel, a topping for your salad and perfect if you're looking for a high protein snack!

Smoke This Salmon Recipe!

White plate containing Brown Sugar Smoked Salmon, wooden fork in background.

Easy Double Smoked Turkey

We talked traditional smoked turkey recipes above, but let's talk about this Double Smoked Turkey. If you don't feel like messing with the whole turkey, just smoke the turkey breast. And they tell you their secret to ensure your turkey isn't dry! Take a coffee mug with melted butter, hot sauce, honey, and a sprinkle of rub. Place the mug over direct heat. And that serves as your basis for the basting mix! Basting is the secret to this juicy and tender smoked turkey breast!

Make This Smoked Turkey Breast!

Easy Double Smoked Turkey on a grill with BBQ sauce.

Barbecue Brisket

Another fantastic smoked brisket recipe...ya'll brisket is THAT good! Get the history of BBQ on this one as they talk about Memphis style, Kansas City style, North Carolina Style and Texas style BBQ. It's a great read and you'll get an amazing recipe! Win Win!

Get This BBQ Brisket Recipe Here!

Seasoned Barbecue Brisket sitting on a grill, baster with juice on brisket.

BBQ Ribs (Competition Style)

We're ending today with ribs! Not just any ribs though...these ribs are special because they are competition style and that means when you bite into them, the meat stays on the bone. Smoking ribs can be tricky but with these step-by-step instructions on how to prepare these tasty competition style BBQ ribs, you're guaranteed to save yourself some hassle!

Get This Smoked Ribs Recipe Here!

4 racks of BBQ Ribs sitting in a rib rack on a BBQ charcoal grill.

Frequently Asked Questions About Smoking Food

Can beginners make smoker recipes? What is the best meat to start smoking?

Yes, absolutely! People who are just starting to smoke meat and other foods will love this collection of smoked food recipes because a lot of them are great for beginners!

What are the best things to smoke in a smoker?

The answer is everything! You can smoke side dishes, any cut of meat, and even desserts!

What is the easiest food to smoke?

The smoked salmon, smoked leg quarters, and applewood smoked chicken are probably the easiest recipes to start smoking right away.

What is the quickest meat to smoke?

Any type of seafood. Shrimp and fish take about 30-45 minutes total. Next would be individual cuts of chicken such a drumsticks, chicken breasts, and chicken wings.

Smoker Cookbook

Do you have more questions about how to use a smoker? Are you looking for the basics and more smoker recipes? I recently published a smoking cookbook! It contains 65 smoker recipes that anyone can do! 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 most flavorful techniques, with dozens of options that are easy to follow, and that work with any type of smoker!

Go order your copy on Amazon here:

Book cover featuring smoked chicken wings, barbecue sauce on table.

Smoking Expert Tips

If you're looking to buy a smoker, they aren't all that expensive. This is the smoker I have and I absolutely LOVE it! I like my gas smoker but some people love charcoal smokers. Regardless what you choose, you have 16 amazing and easy recipes to get you started!

There you have it friends....16 recipes that will convince you to buy a smoker!

These are some of the best meats to smoke so enjoy these and let me know which ones you make! I can't wait to hear!

And check out more smoker ideas in my collection!

Update Notes: This post was originally published in September of 2017, but was republished with new photos and descriptive tips in February 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions About Smoking Food

Smoker Cookbook

Smoking Expert Tips

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