Did you know that the word barbecue comes from the word barbacoa which is from the language of a Caribbean Indian tribe called the Taino? If you are a barbecue aficionado and are now entering the world of smoking meats, but are not sure what the best meats for smoking are, you are in the right place.
Keep reading to learn which meats you want to start out with when you first start using your smoker.
1. Brats and Sausage
Starting off with something simple like brats and sausage will help introduce you to the low and slow cooking method of a smoker. Brats and sausages will take around 3 hours to smoke at a temperature of 225° to 250°F. This choice is ideal for smoking when you are just starting out and it won’t take you as long as some of the other meats on our list.
2. Whole Chicken
Another great meat to put in a smoker for a low and slow cook is a whole chicken. You will end up with a nice smoky flavor throughout the entire chicken and you will have juicy white and dark meat.
You won’t have to worry about any dry parts of the chicken when you smoke it because it will all be very tender.
3. Pork Butt
This meat choice is full of flavor which is why it is great for the smoker. The dense tissues in the pork butt break down very slowly over a long cooking duration which leaves you with a very tender meal once it is done cooking.
It usually takes around 1.5 hours per pound to smoke so give yourself enough time to cook the cut you buy.
4. Lamb Leg
For our lamb meat lovers, this option will smoke very well. The fattier upper sirloin end is preferable for smoking because it will slowly melt away the fat and smoke the meat to make it extra tender.
Smoking a lamb leg will take you between three to four hours.
What Not to Smoke
When you are new to the world of smoking meats it is good to also become familiar with the meats you do not want to smoke. Lean roasts and tenderloins should not be smoked because they will end up drying out. Steaks are another type of meat that is best grilled than smoked.
The fattier meats with lots of connective tissue are the best choices for a smoker.
Ready to Try Some of These Best Meats for Smoking?
Now that you have our list of the best meats for smoking you can pick which one you will smoke first. When you are brand new to the world of smoking it is best to start with an easy cut of meat and work your way to more difficult cuts like ribs and brisket.
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