One enticing whiff is enough to bring everyone to the table. The irresistible aroma of barbecue makes everyone’s mouth water. However, that heavenly smell doesn’t always come from a grill.
Home chefs and restaurant professionals are developing a wide range of smoked side dishes.
It’s a centuries-old tradition, it often includes root-to-stalk cooking, and it offers exciting opportunities for culinary innovation.
11 Savory Smoked Side Dish Ideas for Home & Commercial Chefs
Imagine firing up your next backyard cookout with extra servings of rich flavors.
Picture a crowded front of house enjoying steaks, poultry and seafood with slow-smoked sides.
From fresh Brussels sprouts to creamy mac and cheese, these seven smokey recipe ideas are sure to warm up appetites.
1. Smoked Onion Slaw
Surprise the neighbors or your restaurant guests with this sensational, healthy recipe. Smoked onion slaw transforms the traditional dish into a snappy side filled with bright tastes and colors.
Hold the mayo on this one. Instead, bring out the slaw’s tasty tang with apple cider vinegar and liquid reserved from the smoked onions.
Creative Cooking Idea – Smoked slaw also works well as a crunchy garnish on barbecue burgers or grilled tacos.
2. Smoky Corn Salad With Hazelnuts
Five minutes directly on the grill infuses fresh corn on the cob with heavenly smokiness. It also gives kernels an appetizing char that enhances the presentation of this sensational smoked salad.
Simply cool smoked corn, slice off the cob, and toss with chopped hazelnuts and chunks of ricotta salata.
Creative Cooking Idea – Aged parmesan or Mexican cotija cheese also complement the salad's smoky flavor.
3. Maple-Smoked Stuffed Jalapenos
Mini sausages and a bacon wrap transform smoked jalapenos from spicy appetizers to fiery sides. Cheddar and cream cheese hold down the heat and fill up hungry guests.
A slow smoke over hardwood maple adds subtle sweetness to the stuffed hot peppers.
Creative Cooking Idea – If jalapenos are too spicy, try this recipe with Anaheim or banana peppers.
4. Smoky Deviled Eggs
Some of the best ideas for smoking food start with surprising ingredients.
For example, hard-boiled eggs aren’t considered grilling fare, but a smoker turns them into new classics.
Keep smoky deviled eggs casual with chopped chive toppings, or dress them up with dollops of caviar.
Creative Cooking Idea – Boiling older eggs reduces prep time because they peel more easily than boiled fresh eggs.
5. Smoky Napa Cabbage With Green Salsa
Crunchy napa cabbage can take the heat and the smoke. The leafy veggie is a very healthy side, made even better by grilling in the smoker.
This recipe serves up crisp cabbage halves drizzled with homemade salsa verde. Chopped shallots, parsley and capers give the topping a salty, lemony flavor that really works with the smoked cabbage.
Creative Cooking Idea – Guarantee recipe success by always cooking with the freshest napa cabbage available.
6. Smoked Brussels Sprouts
Applewood smoke gives the nutty flavor of Brussels sprouts a deeper, richer taste.
This simple smoked Brussels sprout recipe tosses trimmed sprouts with garlic and sweet onion and seasons the side with a sprinkle of paprika.
The smoky accents really complement barbecued beef and poultry.
Creative Cooking Idea – Guarantee recipe success by always cooking with the freshest napa cabbage available.
7. Savory Smoked Broccoli
Smoked broccoli belongs on every list of favorite smokey sides. It's easy to prep, and it mixes well with other smoked veggies. Slow-smoked broccoli also serves up generous portions of nutritious good taste.
Just drizzle broccoli florets with olive or avocado oil, sprinkle with kosher salt, and let the smoker do the rest.
Creative Cooking Idea – Spice up the broccoli with balsamic vinegar, ginger, cayenne or citrus zest.
8. Smoked Corn On The Cob
This is another easy side that’s served well by the sweetness of a slow smoke over applewood. Prep fresh ears by removing silks and leaving husks intact.
Smoked corn on the cob finishes in 30 minutes and only needs a quick sprinkle of onion and garlic powder, paprika and brown sugar. Smoked corn gets extra points for beautiful presentation.
Creative Cooking Idea – If you have any leftovers, trim the kernels and sprinkle on pizza with smoked bacon bits.
9. Skin-On Smoked Potatoes
Plain potatoes become perfect barbecue sides with a little rub and a few hours in the smoker. A massage of spices and bacon grease yields tasty, crunchy skins and soft, fluffy interiors.
A touch of brown sugar in the rub gives skin-on smoked potatoes a special barbecue accent.
Creative Cooking Idea – Dress up smoked potatoes by topping them with roasted peppers, spicy chili or pulled pork.
10. Smoky Mashed Potatoes
This recipe transforms mashed potatoes into a smoky side that goes with everything.
Yukon golds give the dish a naturally buttered taste. Heavy cream and cream cheese add special richness to a dish destined to impress family and friends at home or restaurant dining room guests.
Creative Cooking Idea – Put a textured twist on this new classic by using red potatoes and mashing them skin-on.
11. Smoked Macaroni and Cheese
Recreate a comfort food favorite by finishing classic, creamy mac and cheese in the smoker.
Prep your best recipe, and let a slow smoke over a favorite wood do the rest. Smoked mac and cheese can easily become one of the most popular side dishes on your menu at the house or the restaurant.
Creative Cooking Idea – Capture the full flavor of smoked mac and cheese with large, shell-shaped conchiglie pasta.
Tips for Sensational Smoked Sides
Home chefs enjoy smoked side dishes because they're easy to prepare without excess fat or salt. That’s always a plus with health-conscious friends and family.
Foodservice professionals appreciate how well the sides market themselves with rich, savory flavors.
Try out these tasty tips for smoking sensational sides that really satisfy at home or front of house.
Always drizzle vegetables with oil before smoking.
Smoke veggies on upper racks above meats for extra flavor.
Experiment with ingredients like smoked nuts or cold-smoked cheese.
If you don’t have access to a smoker, try using smoked paprika powder instead.
Essential Smoking Equipment
If your culinary talents focus on the home front, think about upgrading or adding to your grilling equipment.
Choices for home smokers range from budget-friendly models to professional-grade grill combos.
If you manage a restaurant kitchen and don’t already have a smoker, research equipment options before investing.
Factor in your kitchen’s layout and any zoning that might affect an outdoor setup.
Wherever you practice your smoky skills, keep the creativity fired up with these must-have smoking essentials.
Fuel – Unless the smoker is electric, you'll need a good supply of pellets, wood or charcoal.
Wood – Mesquite, cherry, hickory and cherry are just a few favorite smokey options.
Racks – Extra racks give you room to double up on sides or add them while the main entree finishes grilling.
Probes – Multiple probes let you accurately gauge doneness when smoking different sides at the same time.
Spray Bottles – Keep an assortment of favorite flavoring liquids handy for spritzing sides as they smoke.
Tongs and Spatulas – These essentials let you handle tender sides and stay clear of the heat.
Grill Brush – At the end of the day, the smoker needs cleaning, so keep a sturdy grill brush handy.
Celebrating Smoked Sides Year-Round
Smoked side dishes aren’t just for annual corporate barbecues or backyard summer cookouts.
Commercial operations and home kitchens all across the country are picking up steam with slow smoking techniques.
Hitchcock Farms joins everyone in celebrating smoked sides on home and restaurant menus all year-round. We’re here for you year-round too with premium produce, culinary inspiration and the latest industry news.
