Which Meats Are Best To Smoke?

For those who love great barbecue, smoking meats is an artistic and worthwhile endeavor. It is a slow and measured cooking method that couples low heat and smoke to add richness, flavor, and tenderness to meat. Although there are various types of meat to choose from when it comes time to plan your meal, there are some cuts that are better left to the grill rather than the smoker.

Continue reading to learn which meats and other foods are well-suited for smoking, and which are not.

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

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

Meat Quality

Many misconceive their meat options when choosing a product to smoke. It is not always true that a more expensive or higher-end cut of meat is better in the smoker than a cheaper one. In fact, many suggest that cheaper cuts of meat often work well with smoking since leaner cuts can have difficulty withstanding long hours of cooking without drying out. For this reason, using cheaper meats is a great way to experiment as a beginner smoker.

Cuts of Meat

For smoking meat, the best cuts to use are the ones with enough fat and connective tissue to tenderize and fill with flavor. As fat melts and connective tissues breaks down, meat is kept perfectly moist during smoking. So cuts of meat with high fat and connective tissue generally improve with smoking, and finish tender and flavorful. Meats that are chewy and rough tend to do well in the smoker, such as pork shoulders, ribs, and beef brisket.

Best Meat Choices for Smoking:

Ham
Pork Ribs
Pork Shoulder (i.e. Boston Butt or Picnic)
Beef Brisket
Seafood (i.e. Salmon, Mackerel, Herring, and Cod)
Shellfish (Scallops and Oysters)

Additional Foods to Smoke:

Not only can you smoke meats, you can also smoke various other foods. Here are some recommended foods to try in your smoker!

Spices (i.e. Paprika, Salt, and Liquid Smoke)
Nuts (i.e. Pecan, Almonds, and Walnuts)
Cheese (i.e. Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Gouda, and Gruyère)
Vegetables
Olives (Green or Black)
Bologna or Mortadella
Tomatoes (Cherry or Grape)
Peaches
Capers
Potatoes
Hard Boiled Eggs

Meats Better Prepared Using Other Cooking Methods:

Pork Tenderloin
Steak
Lean Roast
Fish
Shellfish

Get Great 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.

Common Disagreements About Barbecue

Barbecue is one of the world’s most ancient cooking methods. Perhaps this is why there are so many divergences and disputes on the subject. Enough time has passed for people to decide what their take on barbecue is, and many disagree, making it quite a controversial topic. For an interesting read, continue below to learn some of the most common disagreements about barbecue. And if you get hungry after reading this blog, just give Rackz BBQ a call for delicious barbecue take-out in Carmel!

BBQ Smoked Meats  317-688-7290

BBQ Smoked Meats 317-688-7290

🖠 The Spelling

It seems like everyone chooses a different version of spelling for the word, “barbecue.” Common spellings include “Barbecue”, “Barbeque”, “BBQ”, “Bar-B-Que”, “Bar-Be-Cue”, and “B-B-Que.” According to professional historians and world linguists, the correct and accepted spelling is “Barbecue”, since the word is likely derived from the Taino Indian word, “barbacoa.” Other versions of spelling are considered idiomatic and informal.

🖠 The Definition

The term, “barbecue” is used as a verb, noun, and adjective. Not only are there various versions of barbecue all around the world, there are thousands of definitions too. It was Steven Pinker, a linguist and evolutionary psychologist of Harvard University, who said, “People are under the impression that dictionaries legislate language. What a dictionary does is keep track of usages over time.” Keep this quote in mind the next time someone tries to define barbecue to you!

🖠 The Meats

Many people disagree on which meats are considered true barbecue. Some argue that barbecue can only be pork, while others insist it is only beef. There is also a large portion of society that deems both meats acceptable for barbecue, and several others who believe barbecue can also include vegetables, nuts, and more. For instance, hog is the only meat considered to be true barbecue in North Carolina, while the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) says it’s pork, beef, and poultry.

🖠 The Cooking Method

How to cook authentic barbecue is a common dispute within the industry. It is argued that true authentic barbecue should be cooked outdoors over an open fire; but this conception is a little outdated considering the innovative technologies modern day society has available, such as smokers, grills, and more. Others commonly argue that meat must be cooked in indirect heat for it to be real barbecue.

🖠 The History

There are infinite theories regarding the history of barbecue. Such theories suggest that is started with Caribbean and Native American tribes, early colonial settlers, and slavery; while others suggest it is ancient cooking method that began as far back as the hominids during the Palaeolithic and Neolithic eras.

Hungry Yet?

Visit Rackz BBQ in Carmel!

Rackz BBQ Carmel, IN 317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ
317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ is eager to impress you with our delicious, made from scratch barbecue cuisines. As a Carmel BBQ restaurant dedicated to quality and value, you can trust us for exceptional customer service, neighborhood prices, and most importantly, authentic barbecue fare that you will love. Contact us at 317-688-7290 to place a call ahead order, or to learn more about our menu selections, prices, and specials.