14 Most Popular (And Flavorful) Smoked Foods You Can Make at Home

Pitmasters have smoked meats for centuries to create a beautiful blend of flavors and textures.

It’s time you join the club. With a smoker or even an outdoor grill, you can easily make smoked foods from scratch in your own backyard.

In this article, we will explore 14 smoked foods that are perfect for beginners as well as seasoned cooks. Get ready to fire up the smoker just in time for grilling season.

1. Bacon

Bacon is the perfect smoked food to start with. It’s easy to make, and the results are always delicious.

Just be sure to keep an eye on it while smoking, as bacon can go from crispy to burnt quickly. This is why it’s important to learn more about how an outdoor smoker works before continuing.

2. Chicken Leg Quarters

Chicken leg quarters are another smoked food that is easy to make and will impress all of your friends.

They’re also a great way to use up any remaining chicken bones, as you can smoke them along with the meat.

3. Whole Turkey

Whole smoked turkeys are an impressive smoked food that will please the whole family. They’re great for Thanksgiving, but you can smoke a turkey any time of year to make a delicious meal.

When it comes to smoking turkey, there is no better way than using pine needles as your primary source of the smoke.

The aroma and flavor they give off nicely complement the classic smoked taste you want in this type of meat.

4. Pork Butt

You can use smoked pork butt can in a variety of dishes, from pulled pork sandwiches to homemade chili.

A smoked ham hock along with the pork butt will give your smoked food extra flavor and texture.

Smoking this cut of meat requires patience as it takes up to 12 hours for the smoker to reach perfection.

Keep an eye on the internal temperature at all times until you’re satisfied with how tender and flavorful it turns out.

5. Beef Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin is a luxurious smoked food that can be used for special occasions or a weekend dinner party.

It’s important to marinate the meat before smoking it, as this will add extra flavor and keep the beef juicy while cooking.

This smoked food takes about four hours for the smoker to reach perfection, so start early if you want to serve it later in the day.

6. Brisket

Brisket comes from the breast or lower chest of beef cattle. It’s a tough cut of meat, but when smoked properly it can be incredibly tender and flavorful.

Smoking brisket takes time, usually around 12 hours, so be sure to plan ahead if you want to serve this smoked food at your next gathering.

In order to achieve maximum flavor, use a rub with plenty of spices before smoking it. This will help add extra depth to the taste of the finished product.

7. Whole Chicken

Smoking a whole chicken is a great way to get your smoked food fixed without having to spend hours in the kitchen. It’s also a cost-effective way to feed a large group of people.

Rub the chicken with some spices before smoking it for extra flavor. You can even stuff it with some vegetables or fruit if you want.

The smoker should reach perfection after about four hours, so this is a perfect smoked food for those who don’t have much time on their hands.

8. Pork Chops

Pork chops are a smoked food that can be made with just a few ingredients. They’re perfect for a quick and easy meal, and the smoker will have them ready in no time.

Just make sure your pork chops are at room temperature before smoking them, as this will help them cook evenly. The smoker should be set to around 225 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal results.

9. Ham

Smoked ham is a delicious smoked food that can be used for a variety of dishes. It’s perfect for the holidays, but can also be smoked any time of year.

There are many different ways to smoke a ham, so feel free to experiment until you find the perfect recipe. The smoker should be set to around 225 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.

For extra flavor, try using some hickory wood chips when smoking your ham. This will give it a nice smoky taste that everyone will love.

10. Sausages

Sausages are smoked meat that works well with many different types of flavors. You can make them spicy or sweet depending on your personal preferences, and they’re excellent when used in sandwiches.

Smoking sausages takes about three hours total, so you want to start early if you don’t have enough time for prep work beforehand. Starting the smoker at around 225 degrees Fahrenheit is best for this smoked food.

11. Tuna

Smoked tuna is a smoked food that’s gaining in popularity. It can be served as an appetizer or used for sushi, depending on the type of smoked fish you use.

You want to marinate your smoked tuna before putting it in the smoker because this will add extra flavor and ensure it stays moist while cooking.

The smoker should reach about 200 degrees Fahrenheit when smoking this dish to perfection.

12. Salmon

Smoked salmon is a smoked food that’s both healthy and delicious. It can be used in a variety of dishes, or simply eaten as is.

Salmon is a fatty fish, so it works well when smoked. The smoker should be set to around 225 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.

Make sure to marinate your salmon before smoking it for maximum flavor. You can use any type of sauce you like, but we recommend using something with a bit of heat to it.

13. Lobster Tails

Lobster tails are smoked fish that can be made with just a few ingredients. They’re great in salads, soups, and sandwiches.

Smoking lobster tails take about 45 minutes total at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to clean your lobster tails before smoking them so they retain their natural flavor when finished cooking.

14. Shrimp

Shrimps are smoked food that works well in many different dishes due to the fact they have a mild taste of their own.

This makes it easy to use smoked shrimps as an ingredient for other recipes you might want to try out later on down the road.

You should set up your smoker at 225 degrees Fahrenheit prior to adding any shrimp because this will allow time for the smoker to heat up.

Try More Smoked Foods

As you can see, there are several smoked foods you can try. With just basic equipment and cooking skills, you can prepare all of these smoker recipes easily.

Do you want to learn more about how to use an outdoor smoker? If so, check out more of our helpful articles.