34 Best Smoker Recipes For Beginners

There is no need to find the best smoker recipes for beginners anywhere else; I will provide all you need here. Smoking is an exclusive cooking method and requires a bit of skill, but the results always pay off.

It is absolutely not a daunting task to learn how to make your first or a few first smoked dishes yourselves; you just need excellent and detailed instructions. Enough with introducing and moving to the recipes; let’s stick right in!

30+ Fantastic Ideas To Make Your First Ever Smoker Dish

Smoking is a bit challenging food processing method for beginners, but there are vast ingredients to smoke, and the difficulty levels will be different for the ones you choose. Why not scroll down and see which beginner-friendly recipes you want to try first?

1. Smoker Banana Bread

Let me start with something that is more frequently eaten, banana bread. This banana bread recipe, as you can see, is straightforward.

You need to prepare only a few ingredients and bake them right in your smoker in more or less than an hour; you will have a loaf of tasty banana bread for breakfast, snack time, or lunch.

Making a loaf of banana bread in a smoker is hard to believe, but here is the instruction!

2. Smoked Corn On The Cob

Smoky taste always pairs well with the sweetness of the corn. When you process your corn on the cob in high heat, corn kernels will have a lovely sear and bring the attractive look together with a hint of caramelization but still retain a bit of moisture at the core.

The most alluring things might be the most simple. 

3. Smoked Pineapple

Smoked pineapple might be the best smoked-fruit recipe ever. Once paired with the nectarous and tart fruit, the smoky flavors will create an enticing combination that even the pickiest eater will fall in love with.

The interior of your pineapple slices will not dry but still retain much juice. And that juice tastes heavenly; try it and check my word!

4. Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

My mouth already waters just thinking about the melted cheese on top of the smoky jalapeno toppings.

Usually, eating a lot of cheese at once might result in a greasy taste, but the jalapeno’s spicy yet mellow flavor and the significant smoky flavor of this dish will make you want to add more and more of them.

5. Smoked Stuffed Bell Peppers

If you don’t like spicy food, alter your jalapeno with bell peppers. The taste would definitely be milder, but bell peppers will lend a pleasant sweetness to your recipe.

Moreover, since bell peppers have a bigger size, you can include more stuffings into the veggies and have a heartier smoky dish.

6. Smoked Chili

Smoking your chilis and turning them into a soupy dish is not a bad idea at all. This dish will definitely taste pungent, hot, and robust since bunches of hot spices are included.

Straightforward and requiring not many skills, it is an ideal side dish for your smoked parties.

This is how to make the classic smoked chili in a few steps; don’t miss out!

7. Smoked Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is a hard fruit; it can endure well with the direct high heat and bring a favorable flavor afterward. The ingredients list is also minimal; you only need a good butternut squash fruit and freely choose any condiments you wish.

The outcome should have a slight golden brown surface and a soft, succulent texture to go with the luscious, mild honey-like, and smoky taste.

8. Smoked Stuffed Zucchini (Smoked Zucchini Boats)

I love turning to the soft, delicate types of fruit like zucchini. The original taste of zucchini is sweet, a bit earthy, but quite subtle. Therefore, stuffing them can help bring a peak to your smoked dish.

The texture and taste of smoked zucchinis embrace and elevate the flavors of their fillings. It is so pleasing to make a memorable taste experience.

9. Smoked Baked Potatoes

The savory dishes you enjoy with baked potatoes will be even more mouth-watering if you smoke your potatoes a bit. The resulting smell and texture will give you a very interesting meal.

When you prepare this dish, the potatoes’ thin skins allow them to fully absorb the smoky flavor and, maybe, the savory taste from the meat, too, if you smoke your veggie with the meat.

Open the potatoes in halves, and you can observe the steamy heat release from the starchy, creamy, dense interior.

10. Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Bringing a bit of a different texture and taste from your smoked potatoes dish, the sweet potatoes offer soft, stingy flesh, a more fibrous, and a lovely honey-like flavor. It is also a root veggie that is perfect for a smoked dish.

Wondering how your sweet potatoes turn out in the smoker? Here they are!

11. Smoked Mac And Cheese

It will never go wrong with mac and cheese. There are numerous ways to cook your mac and cheese, and you might want to consider making it this way too. The smoky taste incredibly adds an out-of-this-world note to your creamy and milky treat.

12. Smoked Shrimp

Shrimp is a delicate type of protein that needs to be processed carefully. But it will be an ideal smoked dish to impress your family without taking much time. And remember to deshell your shrimp before processing; it might be troublesome to do so as you eat.

13. Smoked Lobster Tails

Lobster tail is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a sumptuous dish at an expensive restaurant or in a rustic smoked dish on your humble smoker.

When you use your lobster in this recipe, the smoky aroma will mingle with the delicate, mellow sweetness of the shrimp, making this dish another must-try for you.

14. Smoked Salmon

The best fish to deal with when you are a smoking beginner is salmon. It is hard to go wrong when your ingredient is this fatty fish, and of course, smoked salmon tastes stunning.

If prepared correctly, this dish will have a whiff of salty sea breeze and an alluring rich, smoky flavor. And when you can’t finish it, you can make your uneaten salmon into many dishes, such as a healthy breakfast sandwich or a lovely grilled panini. Yummy!

15. Smoked Trout

Trout is a fantastic choice to smoke if you prefer soft and subtle sweet fish tastes. The fish offers pleasant, mild, and delicate flavor even when processed directly in the smoker.

It is considerably milder than salmon since it is a freshwater fish rather than saltwater, and it has less fat. Seasoning your fish well with basic condiments to retain its natural aroma and a touch of smoke will do the rest to elevate your humble fish to a gourmet level.

16. Smoked Chicken Legs/Drumsticks

Drumsticks or chicken legs are always the favorite part of a chicken because they contain favorable dark meat and are hard to go wrong in any recipe. This smoked recipe is not an exception.

17. Smoked Chicken Thighs

Unlike the drumsticks, the chicken thigh contains more yellow fat and brings such a pleasant fragrance when it melts and covers the poultry with shiny lipid. The smoker will give the chicken skin an enticing golden brown color and an irresistible crispy texture.

18. Smoky Chicken Wings

Smoky chicken wings have less meat and more fat. The crunchy, finely seasoned crust gently embraces the moisture inside. But that spices-coated outer can easily burn since they catch fire quickly.

Conversely, the poultry wings will offer a dark amber, crusty skin with a gorgeous fuming, juicy interior if you follow all the instructions well. So gratifying!

19. Smoked Whole Chicken

Are you ready for a chicken feast? If you cannot choose between parts of the chicken, smoke the whole at once. This smoked chicken is perfect to become a hearty, meaty, savory dish in your gathering party or a weekend treat.

No one can resist such an appealing look and a lovely smoky fragrance of whole chicken on the smoker.

20. Smoked Turkey

Smoking a turkey is not more challenging than smoking an entire regular chicken; they are at the same level. Turkey is also leaner, has thicker meat, and has fewer calories than ordinary chicken.

Therefore, if you desire a chicken meal but are now on a diet and need to consume healthier, lower-calorie foods, you can opt for this recipe. It will be a yummy, sneaky cheat!

You might need this instruction not to mess up your Thanksgiving treat.

21. Smoked Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is the advised recipe if you first try to make smoked meat. Making pulled pork is straightforward and doesn’t require many steps or complicated ingredients, so you don’t need to wander around the smoker. Just let the time do its work.

In case you start to lose your patience, imagine your sweet, tender pulled pork dish is served on the table, hot and steamy. That picture can be your encouragement to wait. Good things take time.

22. Smoked Al Pastor Tacos

These al pastor tacos are delectable Mexican street fare that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Other pork parts can make al pastor, but using pork butt or pork shoulder is more addictive.

You will thoroughly season the meat with various spices, which will accentuate the tastes after smoking. Serve with crispy corn tortillas and fresh green leaves, vegetables, or herbs to provide more gratifying flavors to match the lard’s fatty flavor.

23. Smoked Pork Steaks

Pork steaks are not the same as beef steak. Basically, they will be a bit juicy but need a better temperature measurement as they should not be eaten when still red in the core.

Pork steaks have beautiful marbling fat and intramuscular sections that provide a palatable tenderness and attractive juice-compacted when appropriately cooked.

24. Smoked Pork Chops

Pork chops are meatier than the steaks and better if you are a lean meat lover. But containing less fat doesn’t mean a dry and grainy texture. The recipe I give you can help to bring out a mouthwatering piece of smoked meat.

You can have a golden brown, flavorful crust outside, juicy and tender inside, and preserve the original sweetness of your pork. The hint of smoky flavor does make your humble pork chops taste even more titillating.

Need more instruction to make satisfying smoked pork chops? Take it here!

25. Smoked Pork Loin

This part of pork, the loin, is a muscle at the back of the pork. When pork loin is adequately cooked, the meat will turn into a beautiful milky, light pink, or a whitish color with a juicy, tender texture.

I suggest marinating your meat overnight so the spice can flavor the meat evenly and make your meat more tender when cooked. By the way, if you use a traditional smoker, use hickory to smoke your meat. The smoky taste from the hickory is divine.

26. Smoked Steaks

Nothing can beat the legend. The deliciousness of this dish is indisputable. Brownish, super toothful seared exterior embraces all the moisture inside. Taking the first bite and the flavor will rush to your tongue and blow your mind away.

This smoked steak recipe is uncomplicated; ensure to make it right with the instructed time and temperature, and you can bring up a divine treat. You should give it a go anytime!

27. Smoked Beef Jerky

Many people love nibbling beef jerky like a snack, and making your own beef jerky at home can be one of the most impressive things you will do with your smoker.

Trying this smoked beef jerky recipe at home can help you manage the quality of what you will eat. Free to make a big batch because beef jerky can last for a long time, and you can store it for later.

28. Smoked Barbecue Ribs

Smoked barbecue ribs bring the taste of heaven. I am not exaggerating, and you will agree with me if you have tried it before. Now I will help you to make your own smoked ribs with BBQ sauce at home.

The alluring shining sauce-coated ribs will captivate your eyesight, and you will want nothing but to devour it immediately.

29. Smoked Prime Ribs

If you prefer the tenderness from your ribs, the prime rib recipe is definitely for you. The main difference between prime ribs and barbecue ribs is the processing of the two. The prime ribs are seared until their outer turns to a lovely dark amber color and slightly burnt.

After that, they will be on the grills or the smoker under low heat for a long time until effete. The qualified prime ribs will have the taste of pleasant smoky, reflect well the flavor from their rub, and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

If you can’t consume all the pork in one go, you can also save the leftover ribs to make many tasty dishes cannot wait to read your compliments about this recipe!

30. Smoked Beef Brisket

Brisket is the tougher meat part of the beef, and this part is an ideal choice for any smoking, braising, or grilling dishes. This beef part might take more effort, but the result is well worth the price.

When you follow the recipe well, your brisket dish will deliver a lovely meaty flavor, the fat becomes crunchier, and the seared crust is just on point. Everything you can ever wish for in a brisket, they will be all there! Let’s try it out!

You should not miss this visual instruction if you want to make your first-ever smoked beef brisket flawlessly!

31. Barbecue Burnt Ends

Do you want an additional suggestion for beef brisket after smoking it? Try this burnt ends recipe! The burnt ends are the ending-point of the brisket, which might have a darker amber color and absorb a more smoky taste.

Mix your brisket burnt ends with BBQ; they will deliver a nice effect with a tender, juicy and flavorsome taste. That fantastic outcome is also why these parts are enough to be a separate dish.

32. Smoked Meatloaf

You might be familiar with a regular meatloaf cooked in the oven, but you should try this smoked version for a new experience. As the meat used is ground, the smoky flavor will creep deep into the structure of your loaf, giving the dish a rich and savory taste.

33. Smoked Ham With Sugar Glaze

Oh, look at the gorgeous brownish sears outside of the ham! How can I resist such a temptation like that? When taking the first cut, you will reveal the tasteful smoked ham with the smooth texture inside; your knife will easily slice it apart as cutting butter.

The candy-like glaze outside is a hitch that entices me at the table until the last serving is out. Let’s explore that thrilling taste experience once in your life!

34. Homemade Smoked Chorizo

I have discussed meat in previous recipes, such as pork or beef, and I’m not going to ignore such a great chorizo delicacy. The pork butt has a high-fat content and is the ideal swine component for making chorizo.

The lard will melt and neutralize all of the flavors of the ingredients behind the sausage casing, making your chorizos taste splendid. If you are into chorizo, prepare a double batch right away and be able to eat this for days.

Roll Up Your Sleeves And Give Those Suggested Recipes A Try

Smoking is one of the unique cooking methods, but it is indeed one of the most difficult and requires particular skills, cooking time, and perseverance.

But don’t give up before the challenges; think of the beautiful results you can achieve after hours of persistence and all the efforts. Appealing smoked dishes, well-presented, with irresistible flavors prepared by yourself, will become your driving force.

I hope the recipes I have given you today inspire you to start cooking one right away. Come back and tell me what your experiences of making these smoked dishes are. I will look forward to them.