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Best Meat to Smoke at Home: Beef Jerky, Bacon, And More

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If you’re a meat lover, then you’ve probably been thinking about ways to get your hands on as much meat as possible. 

Yeah, we know that sounds gross coming from someone who loves vegetables and fruits equally. But trust us, there’s no better feeling than eating a piece of delicious and tender meat. 

Don’t believe us? Well, take it from one of the most famous celebrities in America right now – yours truly – who eats red meat daily. And yes, some people question our choice of eating raw beef all the time, but that doesn’t mean we have to give it up just yet. With this in mind, you can also start enjoying red meat if that is something that interests you too.

What is the best type of meat to smoke at home?

The best type of meat to smoke at home is beef jerky. It’s super easy to make and you can control the flavor to your liking. Another good option for meat is bacon, because it has all the fat you need without any nitrates, nitrites or other additives. 

If you have a smoker, then you should try smoking ham. This delicious American treat is perfect if you want something that tastes like a great meal with an amazing blend of spices. Another good option is ribs in the oven, which are quite easy to make and taste delicious when smoked!

Beef jerky on cutting board
Beef jerky on cutting board

Beef Jerky

Beef jerky, which is also known as beef jerky sticks, is a great meat to smoke at home. Beef jerky sticks are made using strips of dehydrated beef that have been marinated in a mixture of soy sauce and spices. 

The meat is then cut into strips and slowly dried over low heat for several days or weeks. You’ll need to tie the beef jerky sticks into packets and then smoke them according to your desired level of tenderness. Our personal favorite way to enjoy these tasty treats is with a bit of hot sauce on top.

Bacon

A great meat to smoke at home is bacon. If you know anything about smoking meat, then you know that if you’re going to use a starter, it should be something that has a lot of fat in it. 

This isn’t hard to do with bacon because there’s a lot of fat. It also means that the bacon will stay moist and not dry out. You can also smoke your bacon on its own or with other meats or veggies for added flavor and texture. 

One downside to smoking bacon is that it can take up a lot of room in the smoker, which may be something you don’t have a lot of space for. For this reason, you may want to stick to smaller cuts like rashers.

Steak

One of the best ways to take your meat love to the next level is by making your own beef jerky. It’s easy and it’s cheaper than buying pre-made beef jerky from stores. Jerky is a great way to get a little bit of everything in one go. 

You can reduce some of the fat, remove some of the chemicals from store-bought jerky, or make it healthier for your body. 

Plus, with this recipe you don’t have to worry about preservatives or additives, which can be harmful to your health. So just what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

Pork Butt

One of the most popular and commonly used meats in modern day American cuisine is the smoked pork butt

This cut of meat is not only a delicious way to cook with, but it also has added health benefits thanks to its high fat content. However, just like any other type of meat, this cut can be tricky to smoke at home. But if you follow these tips and tricks, then you will have no problem becoming a master chef yourself! 

First things first – what do you need? The first step in smoking your pork butt at home is picking the right size for your smoker. If you’re going to be cooking for a small group of people or for just yourself, then stick with about a 4-4.5 pounder. 

However, if you want to feed an entire crowd or even if you’re cooking for more than 5-6 people, then go with a 6lb-7lb portion. 

Next up – time! Remember that pork takes approximately 3 hours on average to cook through. So get everything ready ahead of time so when your masterpiece comes out of the oven at the end of those 3 hours, it’s ready to eat!

Ground beef

Ground beef is a great base for various meals. Whether you want to make a hearty beef stew or enjoy your ground beef as a meal, it’s a good idea to start with ground beef.

Hamburgers and Other Burgers

The best way to enjoy red meat is by making hamburgers or other burgers with your favorite ingredients. 

This includes any type of meat that you might enjoy such as beef, chicken, pork, and turkey. For example, if baby back ribs are your absolute favorite, then we recommend trying this recipe out below! 

But don’t wait for the perfect time to start cooking these delicious burgers because they taste so good that you’ll want them all the time. 

Smoked Meats
Smoked Meats

Tips for Smoking Meat at Home

One of the best ways to get started with smoking meat at home is to buy a smoker. If you don’t think that sounds like something you’d be interested in, but you still want to make jerky, then you can use a grill or oven. Smoking your meat is easier than ever thanks to this device. 

You can also experiment with different spices for your meats and try a variety of meat types if you have the budget for it. 

Not only does this allow you to utilize your time more effectively, but it also allows you to make as much meat as possible without having to spend money on expensive quantities of meat.