The leaves may have fallen from the trees, and the morning frost may point to the snow and cold ahead, but don’t put away your BBQ smoker just yet!
Put it to good use this fall by pairing your favorite smoked meat with these delicious smoked side dishes. These sides will have everyone around your table raving: classic mac and cheese to a sweet and crispy apple crisp.
Smoked Side Dishes to Complement Your Main Course
Using a drum smoker to cook macaroni and cheese or apple crisp might seem odd, but it works – really well. The smoky flavor brings out a richness you simply can’t get from your kitchen oven. Plus, these are easy smoker recipes – you don’t need to be a pit boss to master either dish.
Mac & Cheese with Bacon
There’s nothing like homemade mac and cheese. However, it can be hard to get the cheese just right. This is where the drum smoker helps.
The smokiness helps to cut through the richness of the cheese. Plus, the smoking process helps to infuse the cheese with a delicious subtle sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1/2 lb bacon, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your smoker to 225℉.
- Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Add the onion to the bacon fat and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted.
- Add the salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the cooked macaroni and bacon and mix until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a large, foil-lined baking dish and smoke for 2 hours or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Smoked Apple Crisp
Smoking apple crisp is a great way to add flavor to this classic dish. The smoke from the wood chips infuses the apples and topping with a subtle smoky flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 cups thinly sliced apples
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1/4 cup white sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat your smoker to 350 ℉
- In a small bowl, mix the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the apples, flour, oats, and white sugar. Pour the butter mixture over the top and stir until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a foil-lined baking dish and smoke for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy!
Want More Smoker Recipe Ideas?We’ve put together a cookbook of our favorite easy BBQ smoker recipes, from smoked meat to quiche. Download your copy: |
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