Monthly Archives: October 2018

A Delicious Brine Recipe for Smoked Venison

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Whether you are a veteran seasonal hunter, or just a person who loves deer meat, one of the most delicious ways to enjoy venison is right out of the smoker. But in order to get the best results, you must incorporate brining into the smoking process.

Continue reading to learn an easy and full-proof brine recipe for smoked venison

Smoked Meat Dinners in Carmel 317-688-7290

Smoked Meat Dinners in Carmel 317-688-7290

What You Need to Know

The main reason for brining deer meat is to prevent that undesirable “gamey” flavor. Another important reason to brine venison is because it is a lean meat, which makes it more challenging to retain its natural juices during the cooking process. Not only does the salty water break down proteins in meat to tenderize it, it soaks into the fibers that have a lower salt concentration, thus hydrating the meat. Basically, meat brining both amps up the flavor and renders a juicy result.

Before you get started on your brine, you will need to prepare the meat by trimming off as much fat and connective tissue as possible. Score any silverskin, but be careful not to cut into the meat. Not sure what silverskin looks like? Read our blog, “The Types of Connective Tissues in Meat”, for help.

Now that your meat is prepped, you can concoct your venison brine! You can look up thousands of quality brine recipes online and in cookbooks, but a basic brine works just fine, and can be all you need as a beginner.

Will You Need:

🌿 Water – 1 Gallon
🌿 Worcestershire Sauce – 1/4 Cup
🌿 Soy Sauce* – 1/2 Cup
🌿 Molasses – 1/2 Cup
🌿 Kosher Salt – 3/4 Cup
🌿 Brown Sugar – 1/2 Cup
🌿 Pepper – 2 Tablespoons
🌿 Rosemary – 1 Tablespoons

*Do not use a reduced sodium soy sauce.

Getting Started:

This brine recipe is meant for a whole back-strap of venison. If you are using smaller cuts, reduce the portions of the brine as needed.

To get started, transfer all of the ingredients into a large stainless steel pot or plastic container that comes with a fitted lid.

Submerge your meat into the brine so that the entire portion is covered. Close the lid and be sure it is fully secured.

Transfer the container into the refrigerator, and let it sit for at least 12 hours. Just be sure to not allow it to sit longer than 24 hours; after that amount of time, bacteria can begin to grow.

After 12-plus hours of brining, take your meat out and rinse it with clean water. Pat it dry with paper towel and then season it any way you like!

✨ Check back with our next blog for tips on smoking venison!

Want Delicious Smoked Meats Right Now?

For Great Smoked Meats and BBQ, Call 317-688-7290!

For Great Smoked Meats and BBQ, Call
317-688-7290!

Come to Rackz BBQ! We are conveniently in Carmel, you can stop by anytime for lunch or dinner. Enjoy our made-from-scratch menu filled with traditional barbecue classics, like ribs, brisket, chicken, mac-n-cheese, corn bread, and more! If you don’t have time to sit down at our restaurant, place a takeout order for a hot and fresh meal on the go! Contact us at 317-688-7290 to place a call ahead order, or to learn more about our menu selections, prices, and specials.

A Simple and Delicious Smoked French Dip Recipe

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If you love smoked meats, then you will love a smoked French dip sandwich. Continue reading for a basic recipe that you can try at home!

Smoked Meat Dinners in Carmel 317-688-7290

Smoked Meat Dinners in Carmel 317-688-7290

What You Will Need

Materials:

↣ Smoker Grill
↣ Cooking Grate
↣ Medium Aluminum Pan
↣ Aluminum Foil
↣ Pecan Wood Chips
↣ Probe Meat Thermometer
↣ Large Slicing Knife
↣ Large Cutting Board

Groceries:

↣ 8 oz. French Dip Au Jus Base (your choice)
↣ 4 lbs. Beef, Eye of the Round
↣ Olive Oil
↣ Kosher Salt
↣ Coarse Ground Black Pepper
↣ Vidalia Sweet Onions
↣ French Bread Rolls
↣ Sliced Provolone
↣ Creamy Horseradish Sauce

To Get Started

Set the temperature of your smoker grill between 250 and 275 degrees Fahrenheit.

Begin prepping your roast beef by coating the outside in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set your roast to the side and allow the seasonings to set in while your smoker reaches temperature. This usually takes around 30 minutes.

While still waiting on the smoker, thinly slice the Vidalia sweet onions that you will be sweating down to make your Au Jus. Place them in the aluminum pan, toss them with oil and seasonings, and then set them aside.

Once your smoker is hot, add some chunks of pecan wood to the fire and set up your cooking grate.

Place the roast directly onto ONE SIDE of the cooking grate. Place your pan of onions right next to your roast, on the other side.

Allow 20 minutes to pass, then add 8 ounces of Au Jus base and 2 cups of water to your pan of onions. If you could not locate an Au Jus base at your grocery store, you can substitute 24 ounces of beef stock. Stir up the onion mixture, and then cover it with aluminum foil. Let it simmer on the fire pit until your roast is done.

Next, flip your roast and insert the meat probe thermometer. Set the alarm at 130 degrees Fahrenheit for a medium rare finish. It should take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach this temperature; but do not trust time, trust your meat thermometer reading.

Once your meat reaches the proper internal temperature (or your thermometer alarm goes off), transfer the roast to a cutting board and cover it with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest like this for 30 minutes.

Once the roast is done resting, you are ready to slice! Cut against the grain of the meat and make thin slices. Transfer the slices of roast beef to your pan of Au Jus and let the juices soak in for a few minutes.

Now just toast your French bread with some slices of provolone cheese, add your sliced beef, top it with some horseradish cream (if you like), and be prepared to dip into your hot Au Jus!

Try Some Excellent Smoked BBQ in Carmel!

Rackz BBQ Carmel, IN 317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ
317-688-7290

If you are craving delicious barbecue and smoked meats, come to Rackz BBQ in Carmel for authentic flavors and great prices! We offer a wide selection of barbecue classics, house-made sides, and tasty desserts, all prepared using the freshest local ingredients. We also offer call ahead take out ordering and catering! Call 317-688-7290 to learn more about our current menu selections and specials, anytime.

7 Important Nutrients in Smoked Lamb Meat

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Out of all the choices at the local butcher shop, you might not immediately consider lamb meat for your smoker. But the truth is, smoked lamb is delicious and easy to make! Furthermore, lamb meat is a delicious protein option that is highly versatile in terms of flavor, preparation, cuts, aging, and more. It offers a rich, earthy flavor profile, making it a terrific choice for any dinner occasion, casual or formal.

But wait; it gets better!

Lamb meat is actually very good for you, and a healthier alternative to beef. It is loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients, which all work toward improving and protecting our personal health. Some of the most important nutrients in lamb meat include protein, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, and Selenium. Continue reading to learn more about each.

Smoked Meat Dinners in Carmel 317-688-7290

Smoked Meat Dinners in Carmel 317-688-7290

✓ Protein

Lamb meat is meat, after all, so it is no surprise that is a protein. However, compared to other kinds of meat, lamb has a substantially higher amount of protein per serving. It is loaded with protein, ranging from 12 to 17 grams per serving. Protein is important because it gives us strength and energy, builds muscle mass, improves digestion, and more.

✓ Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 helps lamb meat and people both. Not only does it assist the oxidation process in lamb meat, it helps increase energy levels, support endurance, and much more. Although it occurs in relatively small amounts, it is still a positive contribution to your health.

✓ Riboflavin

Also known as Vitamin B2, lamb meat provides an adequate amount. Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, encourages physical endurance, promotes stronger immunity, supports nerve health, and maintains healthy eyes and eyesight. It can even help manage chapped lips and canker sores.

✓ Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is important for a number of reasons. Also known as cobalamin, Vitamin B12 encourages nerve health, supports physical health, increases endurance, and boosts the immune system. Furthermore, it assists in red blood cell formation, which successively, also helps to prevent anemia. One serving can contain up to 36% of your daily value.

✓ Calcium and Phosphorous

Lamb meat also contains a high amount of calcium. There are several benefits of calcium, and our bodies require it for bone health and more. Since calcium works well to strengthen our bones, it also promotes healthy teeth and nails. Phosphorous is very good for your body. Just like calcium, the phosphorous in lamb meat also promotes healthy bones, and can even help prevent bone abnormalities and conditions, like osteoporosis.

✓ Potassium

Potassium is an essential element to our health. It is an electrolyte that counteracts the effects of sodium. Not only does this contribute to maintaining consistent and healthy blood pressure, it also helps control the balance between acids and bases within the body. On average, there is 264 mg of potassium in one standard serving of lamb meat.

Smoked Lamb Recipe Tips

Smoked lamb is a delicious dish to try in your smoker grill. Pair your legs, racks, or chops with a fruit wood, such as apple, maple, oak, pecan, alder, cherry, or hickory, for excellent flavor profiles. Cook it according to its size and cut. Then once the internal temperature reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit, you have yourself a perfectly prepared smoked lamb leg! In fact, why don’t you Try This Easy Smoked Leg of Lamb Recipe for a great result!

Now You’re Craving Delicious Smoked Meats?

Rackz BBQ Carmel, IN 317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ
317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ offers a wide selection of delicious smoked meats and southern comfort foods that are sure to please the entire family. If you don’t have time to sit down at our Carmel BBQ restaurant, place a takeout order for a hot and fresh meal on the go! Contact us at 317-688-7290 to place a call ahead order, or to learn more about our menu selections, prices, and specials.

Avoid These Woods for Smoking Meats

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There are several options when it comes to using a wood for smoking meat, including both fruit and nut varieties. Each type of wood offers unique and distinguishing flavors, compositions, and burning points, making the decision an integral part of the overall smoking process. In fact, it is critical to select the proper wood for your particular cut of meat to achieve the best results. See our blog, “Various Wood Chip Options for Smoking Meat” for a guide to matching wood chip flavors to popular cuts of meat.

Choosing the right wood chip is very important for flavor, but also for safety. There are several types of wood that can be dangerous or harmful, which means you should avoid using them entirely using the smoker grill. Continue reading to learn which woods you should never use to smoke meat or other foods.

Smoked Meat Meals

Smoked Meat Meals Carmel, Indiana 317-688-7290

Unsafe Wood Chip Options

Never, under any circumstances, use EASTERN CEDAR, CYPRESS, ELM, EUCALYPTUS, SASSAFRAS, LIQUID AMBER, PINE, REDWOOD, FIR, SPRUCE, or SYCAMORE for smoking meats or other types of food. These trees high in resin and oils that cause a thick smoke when lit, which can cause all sorts of dangerous situations and health consequences.

You should also never use lumber scraps, nor painted, treated, or stained wood. If you have wood, but you are unsure of the species, it is not recommended to use it in the grill. Many species of softwood trees, especially conifers, contain toxins and chemicals that can transfer from the wood into the food or surrounding air. Furthermore, you do not want to use wood from a log pile that has mold and fungus growth. These dangerous woods are a poor choice for any type of cooking, but excellent for the fire pit or fire place.

Take a Closer Look at Eastern Cedar

This type of wood is a softwood, not a hardwood. Softwoods contain higher levels of air and sap, as they are a pine cone-producing species. So not only does the wood burn extremely fast, which is opposite of the “low and slow” barbecue practice, the flavors can be quite unpleasant and even toxic.

Contact with cedar smoke or oil can result in health implications, such as dermatitis or skin irritation, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and a condition known as “cedar asthma”, which is caused by long-term exposure to a chemical within cedar called plicatic acid. Furthermore, other chemical, such as phenols and aromatic hydrocarbons, can also cause respiratory problems in both people and pets.

No Time to Grill? Come to Racks BBQ in Carmel!

Rackz BBQ Carmel, IN 317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ
317-688-7290

Visit Rackz BBQ in Carmel, Indiana for delicious smoked meat entrees, hand-crafted barbecue sauces, and homemade side items, and more! From appetizers and sandwiches, to salads, entrees, and desserts, there is much to choose from on our comprehensive BBQ menu, so be sure to try them all! Contact us during regular business hours at 317-688-7290 to ask us about our menu prices, weekly specials, and more. We accept call-ahead and takeout orders too!