Did you know that you can make mouth-watering, smoked, flavor-filled meats that are BETTER than anything you can get at a restaurant?

It’s not only easy, it’s fun to do. Years ago, my husband and I bought an electric smoker (for outdoor use only) and started smoking cuts of meat and poultry that might otherwise be bland or dry. The smoker transforms them into a divine dish full of flavor and juiciness.

We smoke everything from beef, turkey, pork tenderloin, chickens, and even grouse. You name it, we’ve smoked it. The result is always the same: delicious! In fact, we’ve prepared many of our Thanksgiving turkeys on the smoker. Talk about satisfied guests!

To get started, you’ll need to invest in a smoker, which can be fairly inexpensive. You can get electric or charcoal powered and there are many different models (the price range starts at about $125 and up). We use the Brinkmann Electric Smoke’N Grill. You don’t need a big one, and this model was just right for the cuts of meat we use .

You’ll also need some flavored wood chips (cherry, apple, hickory, etc.) that you soak in water right before laying them amongst the coals. They are what “smokes” to create the flavor. You can use a dry rub, a marinade, a bacon wrapping, or just some herbs and spices to add additional flavors to your meat. The smoker comes with a basin that sits under the meat. You can fill it with fruits and wines for a fruity flavor that when mixed with the smokey flavor, is wonderful!

Here we rubbed a half-turkey with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, making sure to baste it under the skin as well. We filled the basin below with apples and red wine. The result was a deliciously moist and succulent turkey:

Basically, after you do these steps, you just plug it in and cover it. Most cuts take a few hours, depending on the weight. Have a meat thermometer on hand to check the temp hourly. The hard work is done for you. Your oven is cleared up for those delicious side dishes. You can’t go wrong with good old mashed potatoes.

It’s really so easy and so well worth it, that I just had to share it with you just in case you hadn’t given it a try!

In fact, if you have a smoker and have some delicious recipes to share, please post them at Blissfully Domestic.

To find more recipes for on the smoker and some delicious sides and desserts to go with them, visit me at: Sunday Baker!