What are the Best Woods to Smoke Meat?

When just starting out with a smoker, it may be difficult to figure out the best woods to smoke meat and give off the best flavors for different types of meats. Believe it or not certain types of woods pair better with certain meat types. It’s like pairing wines and cheeses. The two things complement each other and add depth to the food. Typically, for heavier meats, like beef and pork, hardwood is recommended. For more delicate meats, like chicken and fish, a lighter hardwood is suggested. In this article, we will go over the distinctions of the woods and which ones pair best with different types of meat.

Types of Wood to Smoke Meat

Oak

Oak is the go-to for smoking barbeque. It’s a great starting point for any beginner smoke master. Oak leaves a more mild flavor on anything. It rarely gives an overpowering flavor to anything you decide you cook with it. Some good meats to pair with oak are Lamb, beef, brisket, and sausage.

Hickory

Hickorywood, along with oak is a very good starting wood for a beginner smoker. Hickory is very versatile and can be smoked in many ways. It leaves a sweet, savory, and hearty, a bit bacony flavor, but You do have to be more careful with using too much because if overused it will leave a bitter taste. Some good things to pair with hickory are larger cuts of ribs and pork shoulders, as well as almost all red meat and poultry.

Mesquite

Mesquite is a thicker wood that has an intense flavor. This wood is recommended for grilling, rather than smoking. If you chose to use it to smoke meat we recommend it to be used in smaller quantities. It is known for its strong and unique flavor. Mesquite pairs best with red meat and for adding flavor when grilling

Apple

Applewood is mild and sweet, giving the meat a more mellow flavor. Applewood flavors take a longer time to penetrate the meat with its smoke, so a longer cook time is needed when using Applewood. This wood is best paired with Chicken, wild birds, and pork.

Pecan

Pecan will give off a rich, sweet, and nutty flavor. The wood may be overly sweet, so you may want to use a combination of harder woods to balance out the flavor so the meat is not overly sweet. Pecan wood is commonly used with briskets, roasts, and ribs.

Cherry

Cherrywood is a more mild and fruity flavor. It is recommended that you pair Cherry with another wood to balance out its sweetness. When it is mixed with another hardwood like hickory, the two flavors complement each other for great results. Best paired with chicken, turkey, and ham.

Alder

Alder gives a light and sweet flavor profile to anything you want to cook it with. It has a delicate and sweet flavor profile. It is best paired with fish, like salmon and other Pacific Northwestern breeds.

Want All the Smoke

We hope this helps you get a baseline understanding of the best woods to smoke meat, and what pairs well with different types of meat. Using our All-Star, or The Pit-Boss will ensure that your meat is cooked to perfection. If you have any questions about which smoker or grill is best for you contact us for more information!