As global pandemics and quarantines continue to affect the world, many people have sought to improve their culinary skills while stuck at home. But after your 20th loaf of banana bread and 30th variation of pasta carbonara, you might be on the lookout for something new.

Smoking meat in a smoker is an exciting (and for many people, unique) way to make some yummy different recipes. The variety of dishes that you can make might surprise you, too. So what are some of the different recipes you can try out?

Keep reading to learn about five delicious and mouthwatering smoked meat ideas that anyone can make.

1. Chinese Inspired BBQ Pork

Are you a fan of Cantonese food? If you are, you've probably tried Char siu before. You might be surprised to learn how easy it is to make at home.

To make it, you'll need:

• 2-3 lbs of pork shoulder, cut into long strips
• 2 tablespoons of cooking molasses (different from black molasses)
• 1 tablespoon of Korean red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons of Chinese five-spice
• 2 tablespoons of Chinese cooking wine
• 2-3 tablespoons of chopped Ginger
• 2 tablespoons of Hoisin sauce
• 1-2 cubes of red fermented tofu (if you can't find it, substitute it with 3 tablespoons of soy sauce or oyster sauce
• A pinch of salt

To start, get to work combining the ingredients mentioned above in a bowl. After that, put them in a ziplock bag with the pork. Seal it, put it in the fridge, and marinate it for 24 hours.

The next day, take out the meat and heat your smoker to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook each side for 10-15 minutes, then check its temperature with an internal thermometer. If it's around 145 degrees, glaze it 4-5 times with honey.

Once the meat looks sticky, red, and a little burnt, take it off the smoker and let it rest for 20 minutes. After letting it rest, slice it, and dig in!

2. Applewood Smoked Chicken

Smoked chicken is a delicious alternative to traditional seared or baked options. By smoking the entire chicken, you also cut down on the amount of work you have to do.

For this recipe, make sure to get:

• A 4-5 lb chicken
• 1/4 cup of dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon of onion powder
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon of oregano
• 2 tablespoons of chili powder
• A pinch of salt

Start by removing all of the organs and parts that you don't want, such as the neck and liver. Mix the dry rub ingredients in a bowl, then coat the chicken with them until the rub is gone. Marinate the chicken overnight.

The next day, heat your smoker to 225 and fill the wood pan with chunks of wood. Wrapping them in aluminum foil and poking holes can help release more smoke, making the meat more flavorful.

Smoke the chicken for between 4-5 hours at 225 degrees, making sure that the temperature doesn't climb above 250. Towards the end, check that the temperature is safe to eat. Remove the chicken and let it sit for a few minutes, then slice it up and enjoy.

3. Bacon Smoked Mac and Cheese

Although it's not exclusively a meat recipe, bacon smoked mac and cheese takes traditional comfort food to the next level. Smoking it for the final hour makes it extra special.

The ingredients you'll need include:

• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1/4 cup of flour
• 4 cups of milk (whole milk or 2%)
• 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella
• 1 1/2 cups of shredded gouda
• 5 cups of cooked macaroni
• 1 1/2 cups of cooked bacon crumbs
• 1/3 cup of chopped chives

To start, preheat your smoker to 225 degrees. Melt the butter in a pot on the stove, then add in the flour. Add the milk, the cheeses, and a pinch of pepper, then let everything simmer.

Pour in the cooked macaroni and bacon, then pour everything into an aluminum pan. Add some wood chunks into the smoker, then smoke for one hour. For help with this recipe and others, check out this offset smoker guide for more smoking tips.

After an hour, take the mac and cheese out of the smoker, garnish it with chives, and serve.

4. Smoked Turkey

Thanksgiving may have just passed, but it's not too early to begin planning your dishes for next year. And if you're tired of spending all day stuffing a turkey, consider getting a turkey breast and smoking it instead.

All you need for a smoked turkey is:

• A smoked turkey breast
• An all-purpose BBQ rub
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 2 teaspoons of hot sauce
• 2 sticks of butter

Start the process by rubbing the bird with vegetable oil and the barbeque rub. Heat your smoker to 250 degrees, add mesquite wood chips, then throw the bird on.

Mix the other ingredients that you'll use to baste the turkey, then put them in a mug next to it. Baste the turkey about every 20 minutes for two hours, until it reaches a temperature of 170 degrees.

Towards the last ten minutes, baste the turkey to the point that it's dripping. Then, crank the heat to help it crisp up. Let it rest for 20-30 minutes, slice it, and convince your dinner guests that you spent all day working hard in the kitchen.

Give These Smoked Meat Ideas a Try

After spending around a year in quarantine, odds are that you're running out of recipes to make. Give some of these delicious smoked meat ideas a try, and you can be certain to bring some flavor and variety to your at-home routine.

Do you now have a better idea of how to smoke meat and other foods? If you do, make sure to check out some of our other blog posts for more delicious recipes and culinary tips.