Best smoker recipes that will convince you to buy a smoker

Whipping out the same recipes over and over again at every family gathering or casual meet-up with friends is something that we’re all guilty of doing, especially when it’s an impromptu gathering.

Preparing meat in a smoker can create some uncertainty if you’re not familiar with the versatility of a smoker and how it can help create some of the best smoker recipes that your guests will love.

To make things easier for those of you contemplating buying a smoker and looking for some unique and creative dishes that you can put together using it, here are some of the best smoker recipes you can prepare for your next backyard gathering.

Smoked meatloaf

Meatloaf is a popular form of comfort food and while it’s traditionally baked in an oven, this is a dish that can be prepared on a smoker as well.

The great thing about meatloaf is that it’s perfect for a family-style meal so you don’t have to prep it in large numbers. 

Apart from the obvious smoky flavours a smoker adds, it also makes the meat moister since it’s prepared at a low temperature for a longer period of time.

You can start by using your favourite meats and seasonings to create the meatloaf you want and then preheat the smoker to 250 degrees Celsius. You can also use flavoured wood pellets to ramp up the smokiness and add some succulent flavours to the meat.

Once the meat is placed in the smoker, you can latherf it with your favourite sauce to infuse those flavours into the meatloaf.

Smoked beef jerky

Beef jerky is generally available in stores and may not necessarily be an obvious choice for an outdoor gathering, but this chewy and tangy dish is definitely another recipe that belongs on the best smoker recipes list.

Slice your cut of beef—preferably a lean cut—into 1/3″ wide pieces and marinate it with a mixture of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, sugar, ginger powder, pepper, salt, or any other easy-to-use rubs or seasonings that you prefer. Place it in the fridge for a couple of hours for the marinade to infuse with the meat.

Next, preheat the smoker to 160 degrees Celsius for about 2 hours. Once the meat has been marinated, place it in the smoker at a temperature of 160-180 degrees Celsius. This makes it possible to dehydrate the beef without cooking it. Keep it on the smoker for about 7 hours and take it out when it’s done.

Texas twinkies

The best smoker recipes are those that pack a punch when it comes to flavour, and the Texas twinkie is the perfect example. 

Split some jalapenos lengthwise and deseed them. Remember the meatloaf recipe mentioned earlier? Well, if you opted to prepare it, you can use some of it to stuff the peppers together with a mix of cream cheese, cheddar, and any rub you prefer.

Once the jalapeno halves are stuffed, wrap them with some smoked streaky bacon and use a toothpick to secure it.

Crank up the smoker to 350 degrees Celsius and smoke them for 45 minutes. Finally, use a smoked sauce of your choice to glaze them and leave it in for another 15 minutes.

Enjoy the best smoker recipes at your next outdoor gathering

When it comes to smoking, the possibilities are truly endless. 

While preparing the same cuts of meat in the same way at practically every backyard feast can be tempting and a safe go-to, there are techniques that you can adapt to change it up and serve some unique dishes.

Buying a smoker can seem intimidating, but once you’ve prepared yourself with the right recipes, you’ll be smoking up a storm in no time!