6 Essential Smoked Meats to Conquer This Grilling Season

Published at: 07-14-2025 By Menachem Kossowsky
This post may contain affiliate links. If you wish to support us and use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission.

6 Essential Smoked Meats to Conquer This Grilling Season

6 Smoked Meats to Master Before Summer
Image credit: Gentleman's Pursuits/Canva


Yo, summer’s coming up fast, and there’s nothing like firing up the smoker to impress your crew at a backyard BBQ. Smoking meat is straight-up an art form, but it’s totally doable with some practice. This listicle’s got six meats you gotta nail before the warm weather hits. From juicy ribs to a whole dang turkey, these picks will have you looking like a pitmaster in no time. I still remember the first time I smoked brisket for my family—took forever, but man, the look on their faces when they took a bite? Worth it.


1. Pork Ribs

1. Pork Ribs
Image credit: Gentleman's Pursuits/Canva


Ribs are the OG of smoked meats. Get some baby back or St. Louis-style ribs, slather ‘em with a mustard base, and rub on your favorite spices. Smoke ‘em low and slow at 225°F for about 5 hours, and you’ll have tender, fall-off-the-bone goodness that’ll make your neighbors jealous.


2. Beef Brisket

2. Beef Brisket
Image credit: Gentleman's Pursuits/Canva


Brisket’s a beast, but it’s so worth the effort. This Texas classic needs a long smoke—think 10-12 hours at 250°F. Keep it moist with a water pan and wrap it in butcher paper halfway through. Slice it thin, and you’re basically a BBQ god.


3. Pulled Pork

3. Pulled Pork
Image credit: Gentleman's Pursuits/Canva


Pulled pork is where it’s at for feeding a crowd. Grab a pork shoulder, smoke it for 8-10 hours, and shred it up for sandwiches. Pro tip: mix in some apple juice when you pull it for extra flavor. It’s a game-changer for any summer shindig.


4. Chicken Wings

4. Chicken Wings
Image credit: Gentleman's Pursuits/Canva


Wings ain’t just for frying. Smoking ‘em gives you crispy skin and juicy meat that’s next-level. Toss ‘em on at 275°F for about 2 hours, then sauce ‘em up. I brought these to a party once, and they were gone in, like, 10 minutes flat.


5. Salmon

5. Salmon
Image credit: Gentleman's Pursuits/Canva


Fish might sound fancy, but smoked salmon is stupid easy. Brine it overnight, then smoke at 200°F for 2-3 hours. You’ll get this buttery, smoky flavor that’s perfect for bagels or just eating straight. It’s a total flex for brunch vibes.


6. Whole Turkey

6. Whole Turkey
Image credit: Gentleman's Pursuits/Canva


A smoked turkey is a showstopper for summer gatherings. It takes about 6-8 hours at 275°F, but the crispy skin and smoky meat are unreal. Inject it with butter for extra juiciness. Trust me, you’ll be the talk of the block party.


More Galleries
This site contains affiliate links, we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site. This helps support Gentleman's Pursuits at no additional cost to you.