It’s natural that the first instinct when dusting off your smoker grill is to cook up all kinds of delicious meats, but a good host caters to all—that means non-meat-eating guests, too.
Adding different types of foods to your smoker not only caters to different dietary preferences but is a fantastic way to add some variety to your regular BBQ spread.
So, here are some vegetarian smoker recipes to get your mouth watering:
Meat Alternatives
There are lots of incredible meat substitutes out there nowadays, so why not add some of these tasty alternatives to the BBQ smoker?
Tofu
Tofu is made from soy milk and also goes under the name of bean curd. Be sure to add the extra-firm variety to the smoker! Press thick 1/2-inch slices of it between dish towels or paper towels with a heavy pan or plate on top for a few minutes to increase their firmness. Marinating and basting the slices will then give the tofu some extra flavor.
Veggie Burgers
For veggie burgers of all varieties, a good rule of thumb is to dry them completely before giving them a quick toss in some oil and spices. Then they’re ready to go in the smoker for around 45 minutes!
Vegetables
Adding some veggies to your smoker grill gives a splash of variety and some tasty side dishes for the table—even for the meat-eaters!
Corn
● Leave corncobs in the husk soaking in some water for a few hours to stop them from drying out in the smoker.
● Pull back the husk, remove silk, brush with oil, pull the husk back over the cobs, and smoke for approximately 90 minutes.
Potatoes
● Cut large potatoes in half or leave small- to medium-sized potatoes whole.
● Toss in oil.
● Add salt and pepper.
● Add your favorite spices (e.g., paprika, garlic powder, rosemary, etc.).
● Smoke for around 2 hours.
Eggplants
● Using slices around ¼ inch thick, marinate your eggplant in balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
● Smoke for around 1 hour.
Tomatoes
● Slice your tomatoes in half.
● Slather with oil and sprinkle on salt and pepper.
● Smoke for around 45 minutes.
Top Tip: the cooking time for tomatoes can vary wildly depending on the ripeness, so keep an eye on them!
Go Wild!
Is there anything you can’t smoke? Not really! These are just a few of our favorite “outside the box” items to try in your smoker grill:
Spices
● Select your favorite herb or spice to smoke.
● Set the smoker temperature to around 275F.
● Smoke until dried.
Nuts
● Set the smoker temperature to around 300F.
● Toss your nuts of choice in some oil and salt.
● Smoke for approx. 45 minutes.
The Best Type of Smoker for Non-Meat Dishes
When you’re cooking a variety of foods, the best type of smoker is a versatile one. For example, The Weekender is a popular option, here at Blowin’ Smoke Cookers, as it can be configured so you can remove the reverse flow plate and add a charcoal rack, giving you the best of both worlds!
Many people also go for a custom-built smoker option to make sure they can do everything they need to with their new smoker grill.
Not too sure what you’re looking for? We also offer smoker rentals so you can get familiar with a model before choosing the one for you. Call us today at 405-820-8846 to learn more.