Here’s Your Perfect Smoke Flavors For Your Desired Meat
Not all Items/wood for smoking are created equal. Some are great for smoking just about any type of food, while others are too strong or too mild. Although this is not a complete list, it can give you a good idea of what smoke pairs with certain foods.
- Alder
A hint of sweetness. It has been used for centuries in the Pacific Northwest to smoke salmon. It’s perfect for lighter meats like fish, pork, poultry, and some game birds. It is the perfect wood for cold smoking salmon.
- Apple
One of the most popular woods to smoke pork products. (Think Bacon) The flavor is sweet and also works on beef and poultry. Great for cold smoking cheese.
- Cherry
The sweet and fruity flavor makes it very popular on everything. 75% cherry and 25% hickory or oak make an unbeatable combination for beef.
- Hickory
Need we say more? Great for beef, ham, or poultry.
- Maple
Maple creates a strong smoke with mild, sweet flavors. It is a favorite for bacon and works well with poultry or pork.
- Mesquite
Mesquite has a strong smoky flavor that needs strong meat like beef, venison, and bison. Use caution, it is easy to over smoke with this wood.
- Mulberry
This is a sweet wood similar to apple. Use with beef, lamb, or poultry.
- Red Oak
Red Oak is the wood of choice with the Santa Maria-style tri-tip. Great with dry rubs that include garlic.
- White Oak
A strong, heavy smoke flavor. One of the most popular. Try it with beef, lamb, or game.
- Ash
Fast burning with a medium, distinctive flavor that is great with fish, beef, lamb, or game meats.
- Birch
Provides a good amount of slightly sweet smoke that pairs well with pork and poultry. Cheeses smoked with birch have a nice rich flavor.
- Corncobs
Great for poultry or fish. Although a bit strong so use it sparingly.
- Crabapple
Similar to apple. Provides a lot of rich and fruity smoke for poultry, red meats, game, and lamb.
- Grapefruit
This is an oily wood so make sure it is well seasoned before using. Naturally sweet and fruity, great for beef, pork, or poultry.
- Grapevines
Provides a somewhat tart fruit flavor. Great for smoking any meat or seafood.
- Herbal Teas
The varieties of different flavors make it easy to mix and match. Lemon-flavored herbal teas match well with chicken or fish. Apple herbal teas go great with pork. Can be used with your favorite smoking wood.
- Herbs
Can provide a unique flavor to any meat. Use sparingly as it can overpower some meats with its strong flavor. Especially seafood and poultry.
- Lemon
Like grapefruit, season the wood well first. It has a neutral sweetness and a hint of fruitiness. Beef, and poultry.
- Lilac
Lilac makes a very subtle smoke with slight flora overtones. Good for cold smoking, seafood, and lamb.
- Lime
Like other citrus woods, lime must be aged before use. Lime has a light, fruity sweetness that’s good with beef, pork, or poultry.
A set and forget smoker can make all your smoke cooking as easy as boiling a pair of duck eggs. No need to trust me. Just read it -
- Liquor Barrels
Many liquor companies recycle the wood barrels (usually oak) The barrel staves soak up the whiskey or bourbon flavor as it ages The combination of whiskey/bourbon and oak imparts a unique flavor to all meats, but best with pork ribs.
- Orange
Fruity and sweet. This oily wood must be thoroughly aged before using on beef, and poultry.
- Peach
Fantastic with most light meats like poultry, seafood. Peachwood has a sweet flavor that mixes well with Oak, hickory, or pecan.
Other Woods You’ll Love -
