Smoked Side Dishes: 23 Recipes for Every Cuisine and Event

There’s almost no better feeling than enjoying a meal of barbecue with friends and family. What if we told you that barbecue is not complete without a smoked side dish beside it? You need the right smoked side dish to complete your barbecue and have an enjoyable meal.

But how do you cook the best smoked side dishes? Most of them are not as complicated or time-consuming as you might have thought. They involve easily accessible ingredients and simple cooking steps as you’ll soon find out in this article. To make life easier for you, we’ll discuss different smoked side dishes recipes and tell you all about cooking them. Ride along with us as we take you into the world of smoked side dishes recipes.

Proper smokers to prepare side dishes

Not every smoker can be well-built enough to distribute heat evenly, as well as make your meats and sides of a necessary flavor as well as healthy enough Trusted Source SMOKING | Traditional - ScienceDirect Traditional smoking involves the action of cold or hot wood smoke on presalted meats or sausages to develop desirable sensory properties and increase the stability of the products. www.sciencedirect.com . We recommend several options that will definitely work for your BBQ experiments.

Side note: You must avoid smoking foods in makeshift containers due to possible chemical residue contamination as advised Trusted Source Smoking Meat and Poultry | Food Safety and Inspection Service Where there’s smoke, there’s well-flavored meat and poultry. Using a smoker is one method of imparting natural smoke flavor to large cuts of meat, whole poultry, and turkey breasts. This slow cooking technique keeps them tender, too. www.fsis.usda.gov by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Instead, go for a smoker made for cooking.

If you look well enough, you’ll even find best offset smoker under 1000. The ideal offset smoker produces excellent heat and smoke to cook and flavor food.

If you want to avoid the mess that comes with an offset smoker, you can opt for a small electric smoker. And trust us, there’s no shortage of high-quality smokers on the market. One of such is the Z Grills 700D Wood Pellet Grill Smoker with a smart digital temperature controller, large smoking area, and up to 8 separate functions.

If you don’t want anything to do with electricity, pellets, and charcoal, the PIT Boss 77425 Gas Smoker is a pretty smart choice thanks to its dual burner system, four porcelain-coated cooking grids, and high-temperature door seal.

Smoked Side Dishes Recipes

Below, we’ll provide you at least 15 smoked side dishes recipes and accompany them with the instructions you need to cook them.

1. Hot Dog Burnt Ends

Are you a big fan of hot dogs? If you are, you’ll fancy the Hot Dog Burnt Ends. Apart from the distinct hot dog taste, it adds a spicy and sweet kick.

Instructions

• Set your smoker to 225°F. If you’re using a charcoal grill, you should choose 2-zone cooking/indirect grilling.
• Add mustard to the hot dogs and sprinkle the dry rub over them.
• Put the hot dogs on the smoker grates and let them smoke for one hour.
• Take out the hot dogs and cut each of the sausages into one-inch pieces.
• Put them in a baking tray and add butter as well as a mixture of brown sugar and BBQ sauce.
• Return the tray to the smoker and increase the temperature to 350°F-400°F. Cook for another 20 minutes and remove your hot dog burnt ends from the smoker.

2. Chantilly Potatoes

How about adding some Smoked Chantilly Potatoes to your barbecue? Let’s teach you how to do that.

Instructions

• Fire up the smoker to 225° F. Then, layer sliced potatoes in a baking dish with foil.
• Sprinkle the potatoes with some salt, pepper, and shredded cheese. Repeat for two more layers.
• Pour heavy cream and butter over the potatoes.
• Seal off the foil and set the baking dish on the smoker’s grates
• Smoke for about 4 hours at 225° F

3. Mac and Cheese

Smoking Mac and Cheese rightly, especially with applewood chips, can set off exciting flavors.

Instructions

• Follow packet instructions to cook the elbow macaroni to al dente (tender, but firm)
• Set the smoker to 225° F and add applewood chips to the firebox or coals.
• Melt the butter with a cast iron skillet and whisk it in the flour till it’s smooth.
• Increase the heat, then slowly whisk in the milk, cheddar, and Gouda and stir until melted.
• Pour cooked macaroni into the skillet and stir until satisfied.
• Move the skillet to the smoker and smoke for one hour.

If you lack a skillet – there’s one more option for this recipe to consider:

4. Sausage Stuffing

Smoked Sausage Stuffing seems like the ideal stuffing for your family or Thanksgiving meal.

Instructions

• Preheat the smoker to 225° F.
• Melt butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
• Put the sausage in the pan, break it up, and cook for about five minutes.
• Add celery, onion, and salt and cook until they get soft.
• Shut off the heat and stir in the parsley and dried cranberries until evenly distributed.
• Combine eggs and broth in a bowl and pour over the mixture in the pan. Then, add melted butter.
• Put the skillet with stuffing on the smoker and let it cook until the top is golden and crisp.

5. Baked Beans

Trust us, barbecue and baked beans are a perfect combo. Let’s get you the recipe for the latter.

Instructions

• Mix all of the ingredients (beans, smoked brisket, brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, chili, and ground black powder) in a pan and boil over medium heat.
• Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes
• Move the beans to a baking pan. Then, place it in the smoker.
• Smoke for up to 45 minutes with the pan uncovered.

6. Riblets

Riblets are some tangy and crunchy side dishes you don’t wasn’t to miss out on.

Instructions

• Set the smoker to 225° F.
• Place the rib on the smoker and cook slowly for up to three hours
• Remove ribs from the smoker and wrap in foil
• Pour apple cider over the riblets, close the foil, return to the smoker and cook for an additional one hour.
• Unwrap riblets and remove them from foil. Then, apply BBQ sauce to all sides of the riblets.
• Return riblets to the smoker without the foil and let it cook in indirect heat for 30 minutes.
• Take out riblets from the smoker and move to a fresh aluminum pouch. Leave them be for about 10 minutes to let the juices make the riblets more tender.

7. Roasted Potato Salad

If Roasted Potato Salad is what you want to be by the side of your barbecue, here you go.

Instructions

For Potatoes:

• Preheat smoker to 425° F.
• Cube potatoes and place them in a baking pan
• Sprinkle them with pepper and salt. Also, drizzle olive oil on them.
• Smoke the potatoes, uncovered, for about 30 – 45 minutes, or until they’re crispy.
• Allow potatoes to cool for at least 20 minutes before adding them to the salad.

For Salad:

• Put potatoes, bacon, eggs, onion, mustard, mayonnaise, dill weed, pepper, and salt in a large bowl.
• Use a spatula to stir the ingredients until all potatoes are covered.

8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Fennel and Prosciutto

Brussel sprouts are excellent sides, especially when mixed with fresh fennel and prosciutto.

Instructions

• Trim Brussels sprouts and place them in a freezer bag. Add olive oil, pepper, balsamic vinegar, and salt, and seal the bag. Shake it up.
• Prepare your smoker for two-zone cooking. Let one half be as hot as possible and the other half, 225° F.
• Place a vegetable grilling basket on the hot side of the smoker and preheat for two to three minutes.
• Add Brussels sprouts to the basket and cook until they’re lightly charred.
• Move the sprouts to the less hot side of the smoker. Then, add slices of prosciutto and the fennel to the sprouts.
• Return the grilling basket to the hotter side of the smoker and cook for up to five minutes.

9. Grilled Watermelon & Fennel Salad

You ever thought about grilling watermelon and adding Fennel salad to the mix as your side dish? Here’s where the best smoker grill combo can help you get the job done.

Instructions

• Get the watermelon slice in a bag and freeze for about two hours.
• Cut out the core of each fennel quarter but leave enough to keep the layers together. Do the same with onion quarter.
• Cut lemon in half and sprinkle the cut end of each half with sugar.
• Spray the fennel and onion with the oil spray.
• Grill the watermelon on both sides until you see light grill marks. Then, remove it and refrigerate. Do the same to the fennel and onion.
• Juice the lemon into a mixing bowl. Then, add vinegar, olive oil, honey, pepper, and salt. Whisk well.
• Cut the watermelon into cubes, add to the bowl, and then toss gently.

10. Creamed Corn with Smoked Sausage

If you want to enjoy creamed corn at its best, add smoked sausage.

Instructions

• Scrape off corn’s pulp and cut kernels from it. Place them in a large bowl.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add Vidalia and sausage. Cook until they’re lightly browned.
• Add garlic, corn, and stir in cream, salt, black pepper, and thyme.
• Cook for about 30 minutes.

11. Grilled Corn with Bacon Butter

Grilled corn slathered, with bacon butter, is another flavorful side dish.

Instructions

• Preheat the smoker/grill to 350° F
• Put the corn in the smoker’s grate and cook until soft
• Mix unsalted butter, garlic powder, bacon, paprika, onion powder, thyme, honey, and cayenne.
• Remove the corn and coat the mixture while still hot.

12. Stuffing Balls

Get yourself some stuffing balls to enjoy your barbecue.

Instructions

• Cook the bacon, garlic, and onion in a pan for about 5 minutes. Then, move to a bowl.
• Add the breadcrumbs and the sausagemeat to the bowl with the walnuts, herbs, egg, and lemon zest.
• Mix well before shaping into balls.
• Cook in a small roasting pan for 30-40 minutes until golden.

13. Brisket Burnt Ends

Brisket Burnt Ends are known for their incredible flavors when smoked.

Instructions

• Set your smoker to 225° F.
• Remove fat from brisket and apply pepper and salt on each side of the point.
• Put brisket in smoker and smoke until bark starts to develop.
• Take it out of the smoker and wrap it in foil. Then, return to smoker and smoke for two to three hours.
• Remove brisket and cut into cubes. Then, place cubes in a foil pan and transfer them to the smoker.
• Cook at 225° F until the cubes start to absorb sugar and juices.
• Get cubes out of the smoker and let the rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

14. Beef Cheeks

Beef cheeks are known for their signature stickiness.

Instructions

• Set smoker to 275° F.
• Remove excess fat and silver skin from beef cheeks.
• Mix beef rub, ground black pepper, kosher salt, and brown sugar. Then, apply to beef and work into crevices.
• Move beef to smoker racks and let it smoke for about four hours
• Get beef out of the smoker and wrap it in foil.
• Return it to the smoker and let it smoke for an additional one hour.
• Get beef out of the smoker and leave it wrapped in foil for about 10 minutes before serving.

15. Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients

• Make the muffin batter thick but not too thick and stir the crab meat and chopped onions into it.
• Sprinkle the mushrooms with oil. Then, add a bit of pepper and salt.
• Grill the mushrooms with indirect heat for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Spicier option is also tempting to cook:

Side Dishes for Smoked Food

After discussing several smoked side dishes, let’s talk about making side dishes without a smoker.

1. Celery and Parmesan Salad

Celery and Parmesan Salad is what you make if you want to spend little time on our side dish. Within 10 minutes you’re done.

Instructions

• Get thin slices of celery stalks in a bowl. Then, chop up celery leaves and put them in the bowl.
• Add lemon zest, olive oil, and juice.
• Add celery salt, pepper, and toss.
• Add parmesan cheese and mix. Then, refrigerate.

2. Southern Style Coleslaw

Southern Style Coleslaw is another side dish you can whip up in a few minutes.

Instructions

• Put sliced onions in a bowl with boiling water. Cover and leave for a few minutes.
• Then, rinse under cold water.
• Add mayonnaise, sugar, onion powder, Dijon mustard, apple cider, vinegar, and celery salt, in a large bowl. Then, ensure a good mix.
• Put the onion in a bowl with carrot and cabbage. Then, mix them.
• To serve; mix the cabbage mixture and the dressing. Then, toss to combine.

3. Apple and Beets Coleslaw

Apple and Beets Coleslaw, as its name suggests, combines apple and beets for extra fresh coleslaw.

Instructions

• Peel and coarsely grate beets. Then, place them in a bowl.
• Core and cut apples into matchsticks. Cut them in half again and put them in the bowl.
• Chop red cabbage. Then, add to the ingredients (apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and kosher salt) and stir up.
• You can add some lemon juice to freshen it up

4. Tomato Salad with Pickled Onion

You don’t want to waste your time making a delicious side dish, whip up the tomato salad with pickled onion.

Instructions

• Toss onion, lime juice, oil, and salt in a bowl. Then, for the onion to soften.
• Arrange tomatoes on a tray and season with salt.
• Sprinkle the tomatoes with the lime zest and top with the onion.

5. Corn Pudding

Corn pudding is a regular presence at any holiday gathering thanks to its rich and soft texture.

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350° F.
• Stir sugar, baking powder, salt, and flour together in a small bowl. Whisk cream, melted butter, eggs together in a medium bowl.
• Use a large skillet to heat canola oil. Add onion and corn, and cook until softened.
• Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. Then, stir corn mixture and flour mixture into egg mixture.
• Get the mixture into a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven until golden brown.

6. Collard Greens

Collard Greens also boasts delicious flavors that can let you get the best out of your smoked food.

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a deep skillet and add onions. Cook until tender.
• Stir in garlic. Then, cook until fragrant.
• Add chicken broth and red pepper flakes. Then, bring them to a boil before reducing heat.
• Add collard greens to the skillet.
• Simmer until your preferred texture is reached.

7. Southern Potato Salad

Southern Potato Salad is a super creamy dish for smoked food.

Instructions

• Cut each of the potatoes in half. Put in a pot and cover with one inch of water.
• Add salt and bring to a simmer.
• Drain potatoes well, let them cool, and peel of their skins.
• Put potatoes in a bowl and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
• Mix mustard, mayonnaise, sugar, onion powder, and vinegar in a small bowl. Then, pour the mixture over potatoes and mix well.

8. Carolina Hush Puppies

As you might have guessed, Carolina Hush Puppies are a North Carolina cuisine. They’re known for their crispy and tasty nature.

Instructions

• Whisk together flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
• Whisk together butter, buttermilk, onion, hot sauce, and water small in a medium bowl.
• Add buttermilk mixture to the cornmeal mixture and stir together. Let it be for about 10 minutes.
• Heat oil and transfer the batter into a piping bag. Cut three-inch logs of batter into the oil and fry them until golden brown.
• Drain them by moving to paper towels. Then, season with more salt, and the hush puppies are ready to be served.

Final Thoughts

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, smoked side dishes are very important when it comes to serving barbecue. In essence, these dishes complete barbecue for your pleasure. As you now know, the steps involved in preparing them are not complicated.

Whether you want side dishes that require a few minutes to prepare or you prefer smoked side dishes that require much more time, we have the perfect recipe for you. Just strictly follow the instructions of your preferred recipe and you’re in for a treat.

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