22 Delicious Smokehouse Recipes You Can Make at Home

True barbecue involves long, low-temperature cooking in a smoker. Try making smoked dishes at home using chef-inspired recipes.

Unrivaled taste

There's no denying that smoke is one of those flavors that goes hand in hand with sunny days. Whether you're grilling burgers on a charcoal grill, firing up a pellet grill for barbecue ribs, or adding a smoker box and some wood chips to the grill for extra-flavorful steaks and chops, one bite of smoky goodness and you'll be feeling the summer. There are so many delicious foods that can be enhanced with a little smoke (including vegetables, fruits, and cheeses), so it can sometimes be hard to know where to start. These recipes will help. They'll get you up and running quickly, from meat dishes to savory side dishes, starting with a classic: smoked brisket.

Kansas City-Style Smoked Beef Brisket

Smoked whole beef brisket is a labor of love, a serious topic of discussion for any experienced or aspiring pitmaster. There are many opinions on the right smoking temperature, how to season the meat, and whether to wrap the brisket halfway through cooking. This recipe, designed for a pellet grill, is a foolproof way to introduce any cook to the delights of smoking their own meat.

Recipe: Kansas City-Style Smoked Beef Brisket

Smoked ribs on a pellet grill

A pellet grill is arguably the best barbecue invention since the invention of fire! It eliminates the need to constantly stoke the fire or monitor the smoke and heat, making smoking much easier. This recipe was tested with both pork loin and brisket spare ribs. The latter proved more suitable for smoking. And the homemade barbecue sauce is a balanced blend of vinegar and sugar that truly imparts a smoky flavor to the meat.

Recipe: Smoked ribs on a pellet grill

Hickory-smoked porterhouse steak

Before smoking, rub the steak with a small amount of sugar. It won't make the meat sweet, but when grilled, it will form a light, sticky layer that will help the smoke permeate the steak.

Recipe: Hickory-smoked porterhouse steak

Smoked hummus

Enjoy the natural smoky flavors of this smoked chickpea hummus. To prepare it, you'll need a metal colander so you can place it on the grill with the chickpeas. In addition to the smoked chickpeas, the hummus is also infused with grilled garlic and paprika, which enhance the smoky flavor. Serve the hummus as an appetizer with spicy pita chips.

Recipe: Smoked hummus

Smoked meatloaf

Slow smoking is the key to this meatloaf's superb flavor. It's made with three types of meat—beef, pork, and turkey—for juiciness and flavor, and barbecue-flavored corn chips serve as a binding agent instead of bread. They add an extra smoky flavor to the meatloaf.

Recipe: Smoked meatloaf

Smoked beef brisket

Rub brisket (5-8 lbs.) with seasonings and smoke for 5-7 hours over pecan or oak wood chips for authentic barbecue flavor.

Recipe: Smoked beef brisket

Smoked chicken wings

For this recipe, it's best to use large, whole chicken wings, uncut, to allow them to absorb the smoky flavor without drying out. The wings are marinated for several hours in a mixture of lime juice, cayenne pepper, and sugar, then smoked on a low grill and finally quickly pan-fried until crispy.

Recipe: Smoked chicken wings

Apple-smoked ribs

A recipe for wood-smoked pork ribs with apples. The ribs are rubbed with lemon juice, brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, cumin, mustard powder, and salt. They are marinated and then grilled with hardwood chips and sliced apples.

Recipe: Apple-smoked ribs

Smoked tomatoes

Who said smoking was only for meat? We're using the same technique with summer tomatoes, but you could easily substitute corn, bell peppers, or even shiitake mushrooms. Whatever you choose, it'll be a welcome addition to any picnic or backyard party.

Recipe: Smoked tomatoes

Chicken carcasses smoked on apple wood chips

You don't need a special device to smoke chicken. A charcoal or gas grill, with some applewood chips soaked in water, works perfectly. To ensure even smoking and browning on all sides, it's best to butterfly the chicken, removing the backbone.

Recipe: Chicken carcasses smoked on apple wood chips

Smoked Ribs with Carolina-Style BBQ Sauce

On Throwdown, Bobby took on a North Carolina barbecue master and cooked St. Louis-style pork ribs with a tangy vinegar-based sauce.

Recipe: Smoked Pork Ribs with North Carolina BBQ Sauce

Smoked Pork Shoulder for Tacos on a Pellet Grill

When you want to cook authentic Mexican al pastor on a spit but with minimal effort, a pellet grill is your friend. Cooking this dish is a joy, and it's just as flavorful and perhaps even juicier thanks to the low heat and slow smoking. If you prefer a crispier crust on the meat, turn on the grill at the end and sear a few slices. Al pastor is cut into thin strips and served as a taco filling with salsa.

Recipe: Smoked Pork Shoulder for Tacos on a Pellet Grill

Smoked Brie cheese

Brie is just one of many cheeses that work well with this grilling technique. Hard cheeses like halloumi and feta are also excellent options, so feel free to use whatever suits your taste.

Recipe: Smoked Brie cheese

Smoked pork loin

The Neelys use charcoal and applewood chips to impart a deep, smoky flavor to their grilled pork. Top the finished dish with Gina's buttermilk-based barbecue sauce for a wonderfully savory finish.

Recipe: Smoked pork cutlets with apple BBQ sauce

Texas-Style Spicy Smoked Brisket Toast

To create a tender and juicy brisket, Bobby leaves layers of fat on the meat, coats it with spices, and then roasts it for several hours over indirect heat and at a low temperature.

Recipe: Texas Smoked Brisket Toast

Smoked chicken with cardamom, cloves and cinnamon

Bobby replaces wood chips with spices (whole cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon sticks) to create a flavorful Indian-inspired smoked chicken.

Recipe: Smoked ginger chicken with cardamom, cloves and cinnamon

Smoked salmon

Smoking isn't just for ribs. Follow Alton's recipe to make delicious smoked salmon at home.

Recipe: Smoked salmon

Hot smoked swordfish in garlic sauce with clams

Swordfish has a mild, sweet flavor, but its firm, steak-like texture lends itself well to the grill. Bobby uses maple chips to achieve a bold, smoky flavor—it pairs beautifully with the garlic and lemon zest in the shellfish-based sauce.

Recipe: Hot smoked swordfish with white shellfish sauce

Smoked Spiced Pork Ribs with Horseradish and Maple Syrup Glaze

A great recipe that doesn't require a lot of active participation in preparation, like most smoked dishes.

Recipe: Smoked Spiced Pork Ribs with Horseradish and Maple Syrup Glaze

No-cook smoked mac'n'cheese

This macaroni and cheese can be prepared ahead of time and thrown on the grill or smoker when you're finishing other dishes, making it the perfect side dish for a barbecue. Just a spoonful of adobo sauce from a jar of chipotle peppers enhances the smoky flavor of the macaroni and adds a touch of heat, but you can add more sauce if desired.

Recipe: No-cook smoked mac'n'cheese

Cajun Dry-Marinated Chicken on a Pellet Grill

A dry marinade is a great way to quickly (and cleanly) marinate chicken. The result is just as delicious and flavorful as a liquid marinade. A dry brine—just salt and pepper—would work just fine, but a touch of aromatic Cajun spices gives the chicken a fantastic, piquant flavor that complements the creamy remoulade perfectly.

Recipe: Cajun Dry-Marinated Chicken on a Pellet Grill

Smoked salmon with capers and dill on a pellet grill

Lightly smoked salmon fillet is incredibly easy to prepare and cooks in just 20 minutes on a pellet grill. Before grilling, brush the fish with a flavorful sauce of capers, dill, garlic, lemon, and a secret ingredient (mayonnaise!) to keep the flesh moist.

Recipe: Smoked salmon with capers and dill on a pellet grill

Recipe collection: Homemade BBQ sauces