Smoking meat and other foods is a lot of fun, and as time goes on we find even more enjoyable ways to smoke and enjoy things in the smoker.
some people get creative and try different things just to see how it works. Other people prefer to have guidelines to help them along the way so they can build on other people’s successes.
You are reading: Best smoker recipe books
Cookbooks are really great for this because you can get new ideas as well as tried and true recipes that you can follow to try new things on the smoker yourself.
If you have a smoker and are ready to use it, you should consider getting a cookbook or two to help you with the details.
what is the best cookbook for smoking? The best smoking cookbooks often include a lengthy opening section detailing the nature of smoking meat and how to do it. Good smoking cookbooks will also have a wide variety of detailed recipes. it is important to try to find a cookbook written by an experienced and established chef or master chef.
In this guide, we will share with you the 7 best cookbooks for smoking.
We’ve reviewed the market and the endless variety of options so you don’t have to. We narrowed down the multitude of options to bring you the top 7, which brings us to the details of this guide.
Keep reading to learn the best cookbooks for smoking and more!
how to choose a cookbook for smokers
We’ve got some great options to share with you, but before we get started, let’s take a look at some thoughtful ideas for choosing a smoking cookbook.
Keep in mind that there are many options to choose from and what appeals to you may not appeal to someone else in the same way.
Check out these tips to choose the best smoking cookbook for you.
variety of recipes
One thing you’ll want to consider is that cookbooks can contain a variety of recipes. You don’t want to buy a cookbook for smokers that only focuses on one type of meator only contains a few recipes.
Look for cookbooks that have several recipes to choose from and a good variety of options in different categories.
You want flavor combinations, meat options, and even some alternative ideas that you can smoke with delicious results.
recipe detail
The next thing you might want to see are the recipe details. Are the recipes easy to follow? Do they take a lot of ingredients that you never have on hand?
You want recipes that feel like you can follow them without being too complicated, and you also want recipes that feel doable to use and follow.
if they require strange ingredients that you will never find in your local supermarket, you may need to avoid them.
Recipe details are about understanding the ingredients but also being able to easily understand and follow those instructions.
Although you may only see part of it in a sample, be sure to look at the recipes available for viewing and check to see if they are clear and concise and if the steps provided make sense to you as well.
experience
Another thing you may want to consider is how much experience you have using the smoker compared to the level of experience needed to use the various cookbooks.
Fortunately, most cookbooks will break it down so a beginner can handle it, but you’ll find that some cookbooks are made for experienced smokers as well.
Just make sure you’re prepared for the level of experience, as the details, tools needed, and even the language of the instructions can change depending on the level of cookbook you’re using.
your smoker
Finally, before you run out and buy any smoker cookbook, take a look at the overview and determine if it will work for your smoker.
do you have an electric smoker or maybe a wood or pellet smoker? these are important because the processes may vary slightly depending on the type of smoker you have.
Be prepared to have to make adjustments based on the type of smoker you have, as recipes will most likely be written based on the type of smoker the cook used when creating the cookbook.
top 7 cookbooks for smoking
Alright, so we’ve talked a bit about what to consider when buying smoking cookbooks, it’s time to get to the heart of the matter (pun intended).
There are some very good and insightful smoking cookbooks and some unique options as well.
You’ll find a wide range of prices and styles to choose from and we hope you can find 1 (or 7) that you really like and want to try. Below, you’ll find our top picks for the 7 Best Smoking Cookbooks.
1. the ultimate beginners guide: smoking meat 101
see current price on amazon
This first option is our top overall pick.
It’s a really great option, and although it’s written and designed for beginners, it can be put to use by any smoke expert.
has a huge variety of recipes and breaks them all down into a simple and easy to follow process.
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they have an introduction that goes over the basics of smoking.
can be very useful and you may learn something new there.
The basics section also talks about meat flavoring and smoking, etc. It’s not a huge section but it is informative.
then move on to recipes and see a wide variety of categories including poultry, pork, beef, seafood, other meats and vegetables, and condiments, sauces and more. tons of options and details!
The good thing is that they even have a section on how to make your own dressings and sauces so you can easily change flavors and try different things.
here you will find more than 75 recipes to smoke. is a great smoking cookbook for beginners, but useful for everyone.
advantages:
- perfect for beginners with helpful information
- over 75 recipes
- includes a good variety of meats and other foods
- includes troubleshooting tips problems
- simple and intuitive to follow
cons:
- Recipes are fairly basic and may involve going over simple information.
2. smoke project
see current price on amazon
project smoke is an incredibly popular option, so it makes sense that it falls into one of our top spots here.
is the #1 bestseller in this category and has phenomenal ratings from those who bought the book.
you can find it in hardcover, paperback or even in kindle format.
This cookbook is a comprehensive guide that gives you step-by-step instructions on how to smoke just about anything, from appetizer options to meal options, side dishes, and desserts.
has a little bit of everything with over 100 recipes. teaches you how to turn smoking into an art and become the best pitmaster. Plus, it’s easy to follow!
The book focuses on recipes, but also has a lot of intuitive information covering tools, fuel, wood options, and more. it even talks about things like rotisserie as well as hot smoking and cold smoking.
the information is great and there are also some unique but delicious options.
advantages:
- the best-selling cookbook in this category
- become a smoking master
- over 100 recipes
- a variety of foods of appetizers and garnishes for meals and desserts
- reviews basic information and provides techniques and tips
cons:
- some users feel that it is difficult to find exactly where they should be in the book, as there is no index and there is a lot of detail
3. smoking with myron mixon
see current price on amazon
If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable cookbook, check out this option from smokin’ with myron mixon.
is an excellent cookbook for smokers that, again, rates highly across the board.
It falls into our budget pick, but it’s well made and comparable to many of the more expensive options on the market.
This book takes the perspective of making smoking simple, and the recipes come from “the winningest man in barbecue”. You really can’t beat that, can you?
myron mixon has won many awards and prizes for his smoking skills. he has spent years developing his skills and talents in the pit, which has led him to many great meat smoking championships.
In this book, he lends some of his secrets and lessons he has learned over his many years of experience.
myron shares the basics, right down to the best wood. you’ll find all the details on a ton of recipes with over 75 recipes, all of which he’s won awards using himself. shares lots of tips and advice as well as photos.
advantages:
- created by a great barbecue champion
- makes a challenging activity simple
- shares techniques and tips
- recipes of his own award -winning uses
- over 75 recipes with tons of information
cons:
- This cookbook is advertised as simple and some users feel it is too simple and not exciting enough
4. meathead: the science of great barbecuing and grilling
see current price on amazon
The following is another incredibly popular option.
You will find it to be another of the top rated smokers cookbooks on the market.
You really can’t go wrong with this delightful book by meathead goldwyn.
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meathead focuses on explaining food and how different foods interact with wood and smoke to get results.
He teaches a lot about concepts, methods, equipment and accessories while going over the grilling process for great results.
In this recipe book you will find more than 100 recipes that include a good variety of foods to choose from.
He shares some interesting tactics that you may never have considered and also debunks many myths about smoking to perfection. you might be surprised here.
advantages:
- good variety of recipes with over 100 to choose from
- covers every little detail
- shares science, humor and chemistry
- debunks many myths about smoking
- unique and yet simple and easy to follow
cons:
- most recipes focus on meathead preferences, so you may need to adjust your own preferences
5. franklin barbecue: a manifesto for smoking meat
see current price on amazon
the franklins began their barbecue journey selling barbecues from a trailer on an interstate highway near austin, texas.
Since then, their names have become popular and they own one of the most popular steakhouses known in the United States.
franklin has won several awards over the years and this book shares some of his secrets with you.
In a manifesto on smoking meat, Franklin and his co-author explain the basics, including being a beginner and understanding the smoker, wood, fire, and more.
This book focuses primarily on beef and brisket cooking, and shares a wealth of valuable information from its own trials and successes.
This particular book focuses more on technique and general practice than actual recipes.
This is something to be prepared for. he shows you how to be successful and definitely touches on technique and recipes, but the focus is on how to do it right.
advantages:
- oriented to teach you methodology
- owner of an award-winning barbecue restaurant
- teaches you all the best kept secrets
- that you will be a professional to smoking meat
- easy to follow and implement
cons:
- It is not officially a cookbook and contains very few recipes, but instead focuses on the process
6. cookbook for smokers: the best cookbook for smoking meat
see current price on amazon
This cookbook is a cookbook for smokers that takes smoking to a whole new level.
They focus on meats of all kinds, including fish, but they also give you game recipes, which are not that common in many cookbooks.
if you like to smoke various types of game, this is your cookbook.
This cookbook walks you through a how-to guide that shares how to use your smoker correctly and things you can do to perfect your techniques.
has a ton of different recipes and shares simple things like making waffles with brisket and gravy to smoking halibut and many options in between.
You’ll learn not only about myriad methods of smoking meat, but also about special sets for the most delicious flavors and results possible.
advantages:
- the ultimate cookbook with a little bit of everything
- shares various meat, fish, vegetables and even game recipes
- provides general smoking instructions
- lots of photos for all recipes
- easy to follow with reliable tips
cons:
- This cookbook doesn’t look as good in person, but the recipes and content are still valid.
7. the best barbecue in america
see current price on amazon
Finally, we leave you with one last classic cookbook to smoke.
This cookbook takes the best recipes from across America with dishes sourced from wells, shacks, smokehouses, roadside stands, and restaurants.
The authors took the best of the best and put them together here in one place for you to try.
You really can’t go wrong with this one. With 100 different recipes from famous places across the United States, you’re sure to enjoy this cookbook from start to finish.
advantages:
- over 100 recipes
- all recipes taken from famous restaurants or pitmasters
- includes tips and techniques
- the perfect cookbook and versatile
cons:
- there is a lot of product advertising in the cookbook as part of the design
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