In this post, you'll find the best meats to smoke in electric smoker. So, continue reading…
All meat lovers out there would agree that there is nothing more enticing than that rich, smoky aroma of meat cooked to perfection on a nice hot smoker. Not only does smoked meat smells good and tastes great, but it is also a healthier and an alternative way of cooking. If you want your chicken, pork, beef or seafood turn into that tender, finger-licking good and melts-in-your-mouth, then cooking them on a smoker is your best solution. One of the best tips on how to smoke meat can be found at Food Network.
What are the Best Meats to Smoke in Electric Smoker
Beef Brisket
Briskets are very easy to find cow meat with high fat content. These care cuts made from the chest of a cow. Some consider this as the toughest and most challenging meat to smoke, but without a doubt, the best tasting smoked meat there is. It is the very reason why many are in love with it and was even called as the King of All Smoked Meats.
If you want the best beef brisket, ask your butcher for the best piece of meat -with enough marbling and that thick, healthy layer of fat. One can test this by lifting a brisket and see how much it bends. You’ll get more tender cooked meat the more the brisket bends. Make sure to buy a fresh beef brisket that has never been frozen, or else you won’t be able to smoke it the right way.
Beef and Pork Ribs
The luxurious taste you get from smoked beef or pork ribs makes the wait very much worth it. Not only are the ribs a favorite of many, but these are also the most in-demand cuts in the market. When it comes to ribs, there are five cuts to consider – baby back ribs, spare ribs, short ribs, beef back and country-style ribs. Between the five rib cuts, the baby back and spare ribs are always a crowd favorite.
If you’re only starting to learn how to smoke beef or pork ribs, start with the beef back ribs. These are cheaper, fattier and a larger rib cut that is far more forgiving than their smaller counterparts. When it comes to beef and pork ribs, ask your butcher for one that has just enough marbling for that delicious smoked rib.
Beef and Pork Roasts
When you’re into slow cooking, then beef or pork roasts are for you. Chuck roasts, shoulder roasts, as well as cross ribs (the ones you used to make pulled beef or pork meat), have a high-fat content making keeping them moist even when smoked for an extended period. These are cooked over low heat for a few hours resulting in that flavorful and smoky goodness that falls right off the bone when done smoking. No one would turn down a delicious slab of pork or beef roasts.
Pork Shoulder or Boston Butt
One of the best meats to smoke for a beginner would be a pork shoulder or Boston butt. Why? Because most people would agree that it is hard to make a mistake when smoking this type of meat. The shoulders of pig contains a decent amount of fat making it a very forgiving cut even for the most inexperienced cook there is. Smoke it to make pulled-pork sandwiches made from toasted buns or serve with rice, and drizzled with barbeque sauce.
Lamb Shoulder
Use lamb meat to up your game and use as a BBQ replacement for pork and beef. It may be one of the most taken for granted meat when it comes to smoking, but it is actually a deal breaker. Undeniably, one of the best meats to smoke is the lamb shoulder. One only needs to trim the excess fat found on this meat, rinse in cold water and patted dry and then it is ready to be pampered with salt, pepper and other ingredients you would want on your BBQ. You’ll know when the lamb shoulder is done cooking – the meat is pulled back exposing the bines in the process.
Salmon
When it comes to smoking, fish and seafood are often crossed out on the list. What most people might not know is that an excellent smoked seafood is a tasty treat anyone can enjoy -except for those who are allergic to them of course. One of the best meats to smoke in the fish or seafood category is the salmon. Everyone knows it is full of Omega-# that is good for the heart, but not everyone knows that smoked salmon is packed with flavorful goodness. It makes for an easy-to-peel, tender, and flavor-packed bite once smoked to perfection.
Whole Turkey
Ever tried to smoke a whole turkey? One of the best meats to smoke in an electric smoker is a whole turkey. Doing so can result into a creamy and moist smoked meat with a firm texture that can blow your mind on the very first bite. Domestic whole turkeys, chicken or ducks work well too, but the best tasting poultry would be a whole wild turkey.
When it comes to smoking turkeys, it is best to make necessary preparation before putting it on the smoker. To avoid your turkey from drying up in the smoker, brine it first for 1 hour per pound. You can choose to rub your whole turkey or not after brining and patting it dry. Don’t forget to adjust your smoking time – about 225 degrees Fahrenheit per 30 minutes per pound.
Sausages
When it comes to sausages, the cut doesn’t matter as long as you know how long it takes to smoke them correctly. Sausages are usually made from pork but can be created with chicken, beef or a combination of other meats. You can choose to add a cure or not. As for seasonings, these must be used sparingly even when smoking sausages as these are already heavily seasoned. Make sure to smoke each side of the sausage for that evenly cooked treat.
If you’re looking for cheap meats to cook, you can always go for beef briskets, pork shoulders, and pork or beef ribs. These type of meat cuts may not be entirely appreciated when cooked in other methods, but when it comes to smoking, you’re sure to win the hearts and tummy of your loved ones. Remember, patience, timing and proper heat control is the secret to the best-smoked meats.
Things You'll Need to Make Quality Smoke Meats
Best Electric Smoker Under 500
Getting quality electric smoker is one essential in smoking delicious meats. Many people found these smokers worth using. They are:
1.Masterbuilt 20071117 30″ Digital Electric Smoker
2. Masterbuilt 20075315 Front Controller Smoker with Viewing Window and RF Remote Control
3. Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker, 725 Square Inch
Best Book on Smoking Meat
Smoking Meat: The Essential Guide to Real Barbecue
Best Smoked Meat Recipes
Best Meat Thermometer for Smoking
Lavatools PT12 Javelin Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer
I do hope that this post will help you find the best meats to smoke in electric smoker, traeger or charcoal grill in your meats smoking journey. Please share this post to your friends. Thank you.