Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (2024)

Now that you’ve chosen an electric smoker after researching for the best smokers for camping to buy, it’s time to find the best meats to smoke in an electric smoker.

As you can imagine, portable electric smokers are a popular choice for RV campers. So after you’ve learned all about which electric smoker to buy and how to use it, you definitely need some great recipes to try out.

Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (1)
Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (2)

If you are like us and just love the smell of smoked meat at the campground, then you are going to love this RV camping resource guide.

What are the best meats to smoke in an electric smoker?

There are countless options when it comes to choosing the perfect meat for smoking. Here are our top picks for the best meats to smoke in an electric smoker.

Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (3)
Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (4)
Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (5)

Pork Shoulders

If you have been into smoking meat for quite a while, you probably know by now that pork shoulders are one of the top choices when it comes to smoking simply because of their balance of fat and meat.

Smoking is a low and slow process, and pork shoulders are perfect for this slow process. They come out juicy and tasting great making the slow process well worth the wait. Choose a cut that has more bones and ¼ inch of fat for a more tender and flavorful texture after smoking.

Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (6)

Beef Brisket

If it was a popularity contest, brisket is definitely the winner!

It’s one of the most popular choices of meat when it comes to smoking.

These cuts come from the chest of cows and have high-fat content which is delicious when smoked. The fatty layer also allows for a more tender result.

In choosing the best cut, go for the piece that has a nice amount of fat and marbling. You can ask your butcher for the “packer’s cut”, which refers to a piece of brisket with the fatty layers on top and middle part of the beef.

Tip: Check for the most tender piece of brisket by bending it, the more it bends the better.

Related Reading: 7 Best Portable Smokers for Camping

Pork and Beef Ribs

The wait is not very hard when you know you’ll be getting the tasty goodness that pork or beef ribs has to offer. This meat has been a crowd favorite when it comes to smoking and in demand in markets as well.

In case you don’t know, ribs have different cuts: spare ribs, short ribs, beef back, back baby back ribs, and country-style ribs. The best choice to smoke in your electric smoker is the baby back and spare ribs.

Keep in mind, to choose a piece that has a lot of meat and less of the fat on the bones, because you wouldn’t want your meat to be drenched in fat after smoking.

Pork and Beef Roast

Chuck roasts, shoulder roasts, and cross ribs have high-fat content that is perfect for slow cooking inside an electric smoker and you can expect a juicy and moist piece of meat after it’s done.

Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (7)
Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (8)
Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (9)

Whole Turkey

Have you smoked a turkey before? If you still haven’t tried it, you’re missing out. When prepared and smoked properly, smoked turkey is delicious.

Expect the meat to be moist with a perfect firm texture.

To prevent your turkey from drying while smoking, brine in a saltwater bath for 1 hour per pound before smoking. Smoking time is 225℉ at 30 minutes per pound.

Sausage

Pork, beef, and chicken sausages all make great choices for smoking.

Be sure to keep scrolling to check out the 7 irresistible meat recipes that you can do for your next weekend trip!

What’s the easiest meat to smoke?

The easiest and most economical meat to smoke in your electric smoker is the Boston Butt (Pulled Pork), because it is well-marbled compared to other types of meat.

Hands down, smoked pork butt is our favorite smoked meat to make at the campground. It’s great for having the whole family or church over for a cookout.

Join The Grill Master’s Club

What’s better than a BBQ at the campground? A BBQ where you are the Grill Master!

Join the Grill Master’s Club today and start receiving your monthly subscription box today. Click the link below to learn more about what’s included and why your’ going to love being a member of the #grillmastersclub!

Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (10)

We often have a big 4th of July bash at our local state park, and a pork roast is usually the star of the show. I lay claim to the burnt ends!!

What is the hardest meat to smoke?

While beef brisket is by far the most popular meat to smoke in an electric smoker, it’s not the easiest nor cheapest meat to smoke.

However, don’t let that stop you. With a good recipe and lots of patience, you can have some of the tastiest smoked meat there is with brisket.

Best Meat Smoking Recipes

Check out these 7 amazing meat smoking recipes!

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3 2 1 Ribs – The Best Smoked Ribs

Find out how Gavin & Karen made this mouthwatering smoked ribs recipe. This is absolutely the best!

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Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (12)

Spicy Smoked Chicken Wings Recipe

Do you like your food smoky and spicy? Check out this simple and easy smoked chicken recipe.

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Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (13)

Brown Sugar Smoked Salmon

This smoked salmon recipe by the Blackberry Babe is so easy and simple to make you won't believe it!

4

Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (14)

Smoked Pork Chops Recipe

Enjoy this amazing recipe from That Guy Who Grills, this is an easy crowd favorite!

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Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (15)

The Creamiest Smoked Mac and Cheese

Smoked mac and cheese? I know you're also curious. Check out this unique recipe by Michelle Goth and try it for yourself.

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Smoked Prime Rib Roast

This is recipe is nothing short but the best! Gavin and Karen made a delicious smoked recipe that you wouldn't want to miss.

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Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (17)

Smoked Coca Cola Cornish Game Hens Recipe

A simple yet flavorful recipe from That Guy Who Grills that you'll absolutely love!

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Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (20)

Grab this FREE Camping Menu Planner!

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Best Meats to Smoke in an Electric Smoker + 7 Irresistible Recipes!! (2024)

FAQs

What is the best meat to smoke in an electric smoker? ›

Best Cuts of Meat for Smoking

Our top choices are brisket, pork shoulder (for pulled pork), pork chops, and ribs. You can also give our St. Louis Ribs a try in your new smoker. Beef brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs are three cuts that offer sufficient fat to keep them juicy and tender when done.

What is the best meat to smoke for beginners? ›

The best cuts for smoking tend to be thick cuts with lots of fat and connective tissue. Ribs, brisket and pork shoulder are a few of the classic examples.

What is the easiest thing to cook in electric smoker? ›

Chicken is just about the easiest meat to spice rub and smoke! Make your own spice rub with smoked paprika, chili powder, thyme, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and cumin- yum!

What is the hardest meat to smoke? ›

Brisket is BBQ royalty and one of the hardest and toughest meats to smoke. It takes many hours, dedication and each brisket has a journey and a story to tell.

What meat is best for Masterbuilt electric smoker? ›

Typically, you find success in smoking fattier cuts of meat with tougher connective tissues. Some meats this includes are brisket, pork butt/shoulder, ribs, chicken, turkey, pork ribs, and sausage.

Do you soak wood chips before smoking electric smoker? ›

In truth, soaking your wood chips and chunks isn't necessary and here's why. Wood chips and chunks that have been soaked have to get rid of any moisture before they can produce smoke. The water on the wood will have to heat to 212°F (the boiling point of water) and will stall there until the water has been evaporated.

What is the simplest meat to smoke? ›

Simple, quick, and easy-to-cook foods like beef ribs, pork chops, turkey, duck, and salmon are the finest meats to smoke for a beginner. This will give you a solid foundation on food smoking before moving on to more luscious and flavorful meats like brisket, lamb, pork butt, and tri-tip.

What is the first thing you should smoke in a smoker? ›

A Cut above the rest

In my honest opinion, the good 'ol Pork Butt is the best piece of meat to use for your first big smoke. It's probably the most forgiving, yet incredibly tasty cut there is.

What is the best flavor to smoke meat? ›

What is the Best Wood for Smoking Meat?
  • Oak. Oak is the quintessential go-to for smoking meat. ...
  • Hickory. The most versatile choice as it can be used to smoke wood in many ways. ...
  • Maple. One of the most subtle smoking wood, it will impart a more subtle smoke flavor. ...
  • Mesquite. ...
  • Pecan. ...
  • Apple. ...
  • Alder. ...
  • Cherry.

Do you have to flip the meat on electric smoker? ›

Small cuts of meat will undoubtedly cook faster than larger pieces. If need be, we recommend flipping smaller cuts only once, preferably halfway through cooking. Larger cuts will need at least more than one flip to result in tender and juicy pieces of meat.

How do I get the most smoke out of my electric smoker? ›

An important part of getting the perfect smoked meat every time is a consistent temperature inside the smoker. The secret is that the size of the wood chips and density need to be as uniform as possible to give you the right amount of pure smoke over a long period of time.

What to smoke in a masterbuilt electric smoker? ›

Smoking Time & Temperature Guide
  1. Brisket. Size: 6-12 Pounds. ...
  2. Whole Chicken. Size: 3-5 Pounds. ...
  3. Boneless Chicken Breast. Size: 3 Pieces. ...
  4. Bone-In Chicken Breast. Size: 3 Pieces. ...
  5. Bone-In Chicken Thighs. Size: 12 Pieces. ...
  6. Whole Turkey. Size: 8-12 Pounds. ...
  7. Cornish Game Hen. Size: 1 ½ pounds per hen. ...
  8. Prime Rib. Size: 4-8 Pounds.

What meat to smoke in 3 hours? ›

BBQ Smoking Times and Temperatures Chart
Type of MeatSmoking Temp*Time to Complete
Chicken Quarters2503 hours
Whole Turkey (12 lb.)2406.5 hours
Turkey Leg2504 hours
Meat Loaf250–3003 hours
10 more rows

Why is my meat tough after smoking? ›

Heat forces the moisture in the meat to evaporate. It's normal for some moisture to be released during the smoking process, but if you lose too much moisture, your meat will be dry and tough. For moist and tender meat, you must maintain a consistent, low temperature inside your smoker.

What kind of smoker gives the best smoke flavor? ›

The best type of smoker comes down to preference, but we named a charcoal model as our overall top pick for a few reasons. First, a charcoal grill gives you the smokiness you're likely looking for, and the Dyna-Glo's ventilation helps prevent the acrid flavor that comes with excessive smoke.

Do electric smokers give good smoke flavor? ›

Flavor Comparison

If you're looking for a more delicate smokey flavor, electric smokers can achieve this. However, the majority of rookie barbecuers and grill-masters alike are looking for a rich, intense flavor in their meat. If this is the case, pellet grills are the superior choice.

Are electric smokers worth it? ›

Yes, that staggering amount can be the cost of the gourmet food you love. Contrary to that, if you are buying an electric food smoker, you can get the same barbequed food at home with less than one-third the cost. Truly, a modern electric food smoker is a lifetime investment for food lovers.

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