Cooking with a smoker has surged in popularity due to its ability to infuse unique flavors and textures into a variety of dishes. This list includes 50 best recipes to smoke in a smoker.
From succulent smoked ribs to flavorful smoked salmon and tender chicken recipes, the range of smoker recipes available means there’s something for everyone.
As pitmasters, we’re keenly aware of the best cuts of meat and recipes to make using this cooking process. These smoker recipes are versatile and can be adapted to different types of smokers, including electric smokers, charcoal or wood grills, and pellet smokers. Shorter recipes can also be made on a gas grill outfitted with a smoker box.
Smoker Recipes By Category
There’s a learning curve to smoking food, so the recipes are categorized into three groups: Beginner-Friendly Smoker Recipes, Intermediate Smoker Recipes and Advanced Smoker Recipes. This structure helps both novices and experienced smokers find suitable recipes. Having the right Smoker Accessories helps, too!
The Best Smoker Recipes
The collection of 50 smoker recipes caters to a wide range of preferences, covering meats, seafood, and poultry and demonstrate the smoker’s versatility. Once you pick one, check out this article on Best Steak For Grilling, if it’s a steak recipe. For wine pairing, check out my list of best wines with BBQ.
Beginning Recipes To Smoke In A Smoker
For those new to smoking, there are beginner-friendly recipes that are simple yet yield delicious results. Each recipe includes a detailed smoking process guide and advice on the best equipment for success.
By starting with these beginner recipes, you’ll build confidence in using your smoker and lay the groundwork for more complex techniques and dishes. Experimentation and personalizing recipes to your taste are encouraged, allowing you to explore the full potential of smoking as a cooking method.
1
Smoked Chicken Thighs
Whip our the BBQ rub and BBQ sauce and make a huge batch of smoked chicken thighs.
Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe
2
Cardiff Crack Tri Tip (Seaside Market Copycat Recipe)
If you’ve ever tasted the legendary Cardiff Crack from Seaside Market in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, you know just how unforgettable it is. This Cardiff Crack Tri Tip recipe brings all the rich, savory flavor of the original right to your kitchen—no road trip required. With a bold burgundy pepper marinade, this recipe is perfect for grilling season.
Tri Tip Recipe
3
Smoked Chicken Thighs
Whip our the BBQ rub and BBQ sauce and make a huge batch of smoked chicken thighs.
Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe
4
Smoked Chicken Legs
This is the BEST Smoked Chicken Legs recipe. When smoking chicken legs you’re left with crispy skins and juicy meat. Smoked chicken drumsticks, just like Smoked Chicken Wings and Smoked Whole Chicken, only requires 10 minutes prep time.
Smoked Chicken Legs Recipe
5
Smoked Pork Loin
Pork loin is one of the best things to smoke in a smoker! It's an inexpensive cut and the low and slow cooking method allows for easy management.
Smoked Pork Loin Recipe
6
Smoked Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are perfect for the smoker. They're inexpensive and can be made at the same time as a large cut of meat.
Smoked Baked Potatoes
7
Smoked Potatoes
Creamy and velvety potatoes, made on the grill, loaded with your favorite seasonings! Think garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. This smoker potatoes recipe can easily adapt to become Smoked Sweet Potatoes or smoked mashed potatoes, with a few extra steps.
Smoked Potatoes Recipe
8
Smoked Baked Beans
Here's an easy smoker side dish for your barbecue – Hawaiian-themed Smoked Baked Beans.
Smoked Baked Beans Recipe
9
Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Tender pork belly is grilled low and slow before slathering in a rich BBQ sauce. Smoked pork belly burnt ends will quickly become one of your favorite smoker recipes.
Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe
10
Smoked Sausage
Smoked sausage is the perfect BBQ dish, game day appetizer or easy dinner recipe. Smoking sausage requires only 1 ingredient and as little as 1 hour to make. You do not have to be a Pitmaster to master the art of smoking sausage!
Smoked Sausage Recipe
11
Smoked Kielbasa
Smoked Kielbasa, also known as Smoked Polish Sausage, is a great appetizer or dinner idea. Smoking kielbasa sausage requires only 1 ingredient and as little as 1 hour to make. You do not have to be a Pitmaster to grill up a mean smoked sausage.
Smoked Kielbasa Recipe
12
Smoked Meatloaf
Smoked Meatloaf is loaded up with ground beef, onions, garlic, Panko, BBQ sauce and seasonings to create a moist and dynamic smoked meatloaf recipe! All the classic meatloaf flavors you love, hit with an essence of smoke.
Smoked Meatloaf Recipe
13
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Light up the grill to make a batch of creamy Smoked Mac and Cheese! The ultimate indulgence, this 3 cheese mac and cheese is loaded with three kinds of creamy cheese, butter and rich heavy cream. It's a step up from our beloved Instant Pot Mac and Cheese.
Smoked Mac and Cheese Recipe
14
Smoked Chili
Heat up the grill and whip up a batch of Smoked Chili, loaded with smoked ground beef and sausage, tomatoes, peppers, onions and bold spices. All the classic chili flavors you love, hit with the essence of smoke. Use it to make Chili Cheese Dip
Smoked Chili Recipe
15
Smoked Cream Cheese
Crank up the grill to make this Smoked Cream Cheese recipe, an easy cream cheese appetizer perfect for your holiday party or summer BBQ! It's as easy to make as our Smoked Queso. Serve this smoked cream cheese dip next to your favorite smoker recipes!
Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe
16
Smoked Queso
This creamy smoked queso dip appetizer recipe is perfect for game day, camping or any party. Serve it along side a batch of White Queso or Salsa Con Queso. It's as easy to make as Captain Rodney's Dip, smoked mac and cheese, rotel dip and smoked cream cheese. Use it to make Queso Chicken!
Smoked Queso Recipe
17
Smoked Pork Chops
This smoked pork chops recipe is loaded with garlic, fresh herbs and lemon and is topped with an optional buttery garlic compound butter! When cooked low and slow, smoked pork steaks are tender, juicy and infused with a subtle smoky flavor.
Smoked Pork Chops Recipe
18
Traeger smoked salmon
Delicious and super easy to make, this smoked salmon will blow your mind! Cook it in Traeger or any other electric smoker and enjoy its fantastic flavor.
Traeger Smoked Salmon Recipe
19
Smoked Salsa
Smoked salsa takes all your favorite salsa ingredients (fresh tomatoes, jalapeños, onion and garlic) and kicks them up a notch by infusing them with smoke. Adding the subtle touch of smoke creates another level of flavor.
Smoked Salsa Recipe
20
Smoked Asparagus
Smoked asparagus is an easy BBQ side dish to make while you're grilling the main protein as it take just 10 minutes to prep and is very hands off.
Smoked Asparagus Recipe
21
Smoked Cauliflower
This smoked cauliflower with a flavorful garlic butter rub and fresh parmesan is SO incredibly delicious and has the most perfect texture.
Smoked Cauliflower Recipe
22
Smoked Spiral Ham
The BEST Double Smoked Ham with Honey Baked Ham Glaze! This smoked ham is roasted low and slow for a tender and delicious holiday ham recipe.
Smoked Spiral Ham Recipe
23
Smoked Turkey Breast
Kick up the flavor of your Thanksgiving recipes by firing up the grill to make a smoked turkey breast. Juicy turkey breast is coated with a delicious herb and garlic compound butter and smoked low and slow to create a perfectly seasoned crust and tender interior.
Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe
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24
Smoked New York Strip Steak
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Smoked New York Strip Steaks. Savory, tender, and expertly smoked, these steaks are a culinary masterpiece! It’s so
Smoked New York Strip Steak Recipe
25
Smoked Pork Tenderloin
Smoked Pork Tenderloin is a delicious summer BBQ dinner idea! This pork recipe is perfect for a cookout, with tender and lean meat. Gluten free healthy meal.
Smoked Pork Tenderloin Recipe
26
The BEST Smoked Burger Recipe
Smoked Burgers: How & how long to cook burgers on the smoker, creating a JUICY, flavorful burger with salt & pepper and natural smoke flavor!
Smoked Hamburger Recipe
27
Smoked Hot Dogs
Smoked hot dogs turn the classic barbecue food into a real treat! Seasoning and mustard or barbecue sauce coat the meat and compliment their smoky flavor for the best hot dog you’ll ever eat!
Smoked Hot Dogs Recipe
28
Best Smoked Corn on the Cob Recipe
Simple and delicious, this smoked corn on the cob is full of buttery smoke flavor that will be a favorite. Perfect for making a complete meal when you fire up the smoker, it’s sure to
Smoked Corn on the Cob Recipe
Intermediate Level Recipes
Once you have a few cooks under your belt, it’s time to step up your game. These are bit tougher to manage as they’re thicker cuts of meat and/or require more “steps”.
29
Smoked Chuck Roast
Smoked Chuck Roast rivals even the most tender cut of beef when cooked low and slow, just like our Sous Vide Chuck Roast and Sous Vide London Broil. This smoked beef roast recipe leaves you with juicy slices of beef infused with a bold smoky flavor.
Smoked Chuck Roast Recipe
30
Picanha with Chimichurri
Picanha is an extremely tender and juicy cut of beef made popular by Brazilian steakhouses. Also referred to as Coulotte Steak, picanha steak is cooked low and slow and topped with a flavorful cilantro chimichurri.
Picanha Recipe
31
Coulotte Steak with Easy Chimichurri
Coulotte steak is a very tender cut of beef making it a perfect cut to throw on the grill. Also referred to as Picanha or Picanha Steak, we top our beef coulotte with a flavorful chimichurri just like your favorite Brazilian steakhouse.
Coulotte Steak Recipe
32
Smoked Whole Chicken
This is the BEST Smoked Whole Chicken recipe. When smoking chicken you’re left with extra crispy skins, juicy meat and an impressively easy dinner. Smoked chicken only requires 10 minutes prep time. See more chicken recipes.
Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe
33
Smoked Tri Tip
Tender and juicy Smoked Tri Tip reverse seared to produce a deep brown crust. This smoked tri tip recipe starts with a flavorful California-inspired tri tip rub and is cooked low and slow on the grill.
Smoked Tri Tip Recipe
34
Smoked Chicken Wings
Nothing beats a plate of crispy Smoked Chicken Wings! This recipe for smoked wings produces juicy and tender chicken with extra crispy skin. Between the smoked chicken wings rub recipe and optional wings sauce, you'll find this is the best smoked wing recipe.
Smoked Chicken Wings Recipe
35
Smoked London Broil
Learn how to smoke a London broil so it rivals even the most tender steaks. When cooked low and slow, smoked London broil produces tender and juicy slices of beef infused with a bold smoky flavor.
Smoked London Broil Recipe
36
Smoked Lamb Chops
Smoked Lamb Chops with a flavorful Greek rub and cool Tzatziki dipping sauce. A smoked rack of lamb is cooked low and slow on the smoker then finished with a quick sear. Serve the lamb lollipops as an appetizer or entree! Lamb recipes makes a great holiday dinner idea.
Smoked Lamb Chops Recipe
37
Smoked Leg of Lamb
Smoked Leg of Lamb, with a flavorful garlic herb rub and smooth smokey flavor, makes the best addition to your Christmas dinner menu or Easter dinner menu. Just like Smoked Rack of Lamb, smoked lamb leg is cooked low and slow and finished with a quick sear to develop a perfectly seasoned crust and tender interior.
Smoked Leg of Lamb Recipe
38
The BEST Smoked Corned Beef
Smoked Corned Beef Brisket is one of the best way to make corned beef recipe for St. Patrick’s Day! Brisket is cooked low and slow and finished with a quick sear (optional) to develop a perfectly seasoned crust and tender interior. Here's a list of The Best Ways to Cook Corned Beef.
Smoked Corned Beef Recipe
39
Smoked Shotgun Shells
If you’re looking to try something on your smoker, these smoked shotgun shells are a great option as an appetiser or main meal.
Smoked Shotgun Shells Recipe
40
Armadillo Eggs
These armadillo eggs are fantastic! The spicy jalapeno, the creamy cheese, the sausage and bacon. What’s not to love?
Armadillo Eggs Recipe
Advanced Recipes
These smoked recipes aren’t for the faint of heart. They require long cook times and/or tons of oversight. But it’s absolutely worth the time and effort.
41
Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Beef Tenderloin is dry brined and smoked low and slow before reverse searing the exterior to develop a perfectly seasoned crust. The perfect compliment to the buttery soft interior. Truly a melt-in-your-mouth smoked beef tenderloin recipe. Perfect for your holiday dinner.
Smoked Beef Tenderloin Recipe
42
Smoked Prime Rib
Mix it up this holiday season by serving this smoked prime rib roast. USDA Prime Rib is coated in garlic and herbs, and smoked low and slow, to create a perfectly seasoned crisp crust to compliment the buttery interior.
Smoked Prime Rib Recipe
43
Beef Plate Ribs
Beefy and tender Beef Plate Ribs, also called Dino Ribs, are seasoned with BBQ rub before being grilled low and slow. If preferred, slather the Dino Beef Ribs in a rich BBQ sauce before grubbing down.
Beef Plate Ribs Recipe
44
3-2-1- Ribs
Utilizing the popular 3-2-1 method, ribs are coated in BBQ rub and sauce and smoked until they're fall-off-the-bone tender.
3-2-1- Ribs Recipe
45
Texas Style Smoked Brisket Recipe
This Texas Style Smoked Brisket recipe is cooked low-and-slow on the grill to create a juicy, tender, smoky slab of beef brisket.
Smoked Brisket Recipe
46
Smoked Baby Back Ribs {Electric Smoker}
If your looking for the best fall-off-the-bone Smoked Baby Back Ribs, look no further. You’re going to love my easy smoked baby back ribs recipe. Using
Smoked Baby Back Ribs Recipe
47
Smoked Pork Shoulder
Smoked Pork Shoulder – this how-to on making the BEST smoked pork shoulder (aka Boston Butt) will be your go-to recipe – it is easy and absolutely delicious!
Smoked Pork Shoulder Recipe
48
Smoked Venison Backstrap
Smoky, sweet, salty, juicy, savory – this venison backstrap recipe has it all. It’s the perfect way to enjoy this great cut of meat!
Smoked Venison Backstrap Recipe
49
Smoked Beef Short Ribs
This smoked beef short ribs recipe is cooked low and slow for tender, fall-off-the-bone beef bursting with robust flavor and a rich dark crust.
Smoked Beef Short Ribs Recipe
50
The Best Smoked Turkey
Mix it up this holiday season by serving a smoked turkey. This juicy smoked turkey is coated in garlic and herbs, and smoked low and slow, to create a perfectly seasoned crisp crust to compliment the buttery interior.
Smoked Turkey Recipe
This list of the best things to smoke in a smoker offers a broad range of ingredients, techniques, and smoke flavor. It also includes a variety of smoker types including: Masterbuilt smoker recipes, pellet smoker recipes, Pit Boss smoker recipes, and Traeger recipes.
Remember, each recipe can be customized according to personal taste preferences and the type of smoker available.