8 best smoked meats

Smoked meats are a type of preserved meat product that has been flavored and preserved through the process of smoking. This method of food preservation has been used for centuries and is still popular today, especially in the context of jerky and other meat snacks. Here's what you should know about smoked meats:

Smoking Process: Smoking is a method of cooking, flavoring, and preserving meat by exposing it to smoke from burning or smoldering materials, typically wood chips or logs. The smoke imparts a unique flavor to the meat and helps to preserve it by inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
Types of Meat: Various types of meats can be smoked, including beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and fish. The choice of meat can affect the taste and texture of the final product.
Jerky: Smoked meat is commonly associated with jerky, which is a lean, dried meat product. Jerky is made by marinating strips of meat in a flavorful mixture and then smoking or drying them. It is a popular snack food known for its long shelf life and high protein content.
Flavor Profiles: The choice of wood used for smoking, along with the seasonings and marinades, can create a wide range of flavor profiles in smoked meats. Common wood types for smoking include hickory, mesquite, applewood, and cherrywood, each imparting its own unique flavor.
Preservation: Smoking meats serves the dual purpose of flavor enhancement and preservation. The smoke contains compounds that act as preservatives, helping to extend the shelf life of the meat.
Varieties: Smoked meats come in various forms, including smoked sausages, smoked bacon, smoked ham, smoked turkey, and smoked salmon, among others. These products are enjoyed in a variety of dishes and cuisines.
Cultural Significance: Smoking meats has cultural significance in many regions around the world. For example, smoked sausages are a staple in German cuisine, while smoked brisket is a beloved barbecue tradition in Texas.
Health Considerations: While smoked meats are flavorful and protein-rich, some concerns have been raised about the potential health risks associated with certain methods of smoking, such as the formation of carcinogenic compounds in smoked and grilled meats. It's important to consume smoked meats in moderation and use healthier preparation methods when possible.
Commercial Availability: Smoked meats, including jerky, are widely available in grocery stores and specialty food shops. They can also be made at home using a smoker or other smoking methods.
Cooking Methods: In addition to traditional smoking, smoked meats can also be prepared using electric smokers, gas grills with smoke boxes, or even stovetop smoking devices. The choice of method can affect the flavor and texture of the final product.

In summary, smoked meats are a flavorful and preserved form of meat that has a long history and cultural significance in many parts of the world.Whether enjoyed as jerky, sausages, or other smoked products, they offer a unique taste experience and have become a popular snack and ingredient in various cuisines.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best smoked meats on the market

Smoked Meat

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The Complete Electric Smoker Cookbook: Over 100 Tasty Recipes and Step-by-Step Techniques to Smoke Just About Everything

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Fresh Brand – Thick Sliced Applewood Smoked Bacon, 16 oz

Cloverdale Foods

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

16-ounce package of thick sliced applewood smoked bacon
Naturally applewood smoked
Gluten Free
No MSG Added
Our Fresh brand products are all about high-quality food that fits every budget, every day.

User questions & answers

Question:	Do you sell Oscar Mayer thick cut bacon
Answer:	it says 4 pack right on the pack i received, but it only had 3 in it
Question:	Italian sausage fresh
Answer:	Bangladesh
Question:	Great flavorful 🥓 and it is thick as advertised
Answer:	THese are very poorly made and not true to size.

Product features

High quality

Sustainably-sourced seafood, carrots grown in the USA, sausage made with premium cuts of pork. This is high-quality food you can feel good about serving to your friends and family.

Budget-friendly

High-quality food doesn’t have to break the bank. Fresh brand food is affordable, so you can have your cupcake and eat it too. Really, get the cupcake. It’s so worth it.

Everyday selection

Whether you’re snacking on cut fruit, sharing bagels with the team, or cooking Sunday dinner, Fresh brand has the food you want to eat, every day. You’ll find our meat, seafood, produce, bakery items and more, only at Amazon.

Fresh Brand – Sliced Smoked Turkey Breast, 9 oz

Land O' Frost

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Fresh Brand – Sliced Smoked Turkey Breast, 9 oz

9-ounce tray of sliced smoked turkey breast
No nitrates or nitrites added except for those naturally occurring in cultured celery powder
Raised without added hormones
No artificial colors or flavors
Fully cooked and ready to eat
Our Fresh brand products are all about high-quality food that fits every budget, every day.

Product features

High quality

Sustainably-sourced seafood, carrots grown in the USA, sausage made with premium cuts of pork. This is high-quality food you can feel good about serving to your friends and family.

Budget-friendly

High-quality food doesn’t have to break the bank. Fresh brand food is affordable, so you can have your cupcake and eat it too. Really, get the cupcake. It’s so worth it.

Everyday selection

Fresh Brand – Hickory Smoked Bacon, 16 oz

Cloverdale Foods

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

16-ounce package of hickory smoked bacon
Naturally hickory smoked
Gluten Free
No MSG Added
Our Fresh brand products are all about high-quality food that fits every budget, every day.

User questions & answers

Question:	How many strips in the pkg
Answer:	it varies, as it's measured by weight and not strips
Question:	Is it turkey bacon
Answer:	No

Product features

High quality

Sustainably-sourced seafood, carrots grown in the USA, sausage made with premium cuts of pork. This is high-quality food you can feel good about serving to your friends and family.

Budget-friendly

High-quality food doesn’t have to break the bank. Fresh brand food is affordable, so you can have your cupcake and eat it too. Really, get the cupcake. It’s so worth it.

Everyday selection

Fresh Brand – Sliced Honey Smoked Uncured Ham, 9 oz

Land O' Frost

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Fresh Brand – Sliced Honey Smoked Uncured Ham, 9 oz

9-ounce tray of sliced honey smoked uncured ham
No nitrates or nitrites added except for those naturally occurring in cultured celery powder
Raised without added hormones
No artificial colors or flavors
Fully cooked and ready to eat
Our Fresh brand products are all about high-quality food that fits every budget, every day.

Product features

High quality

Sustainably-sourced seafood, carrots grown in the USA, sausage made with premium cuts of pork. This is high-quality food you can feel good about serving to your friends and family.

Budget-friendly

High-quality food doesn’t have to break the bank. Fresh brand food is affordable, so you can have your cupcake and eat it too. Really, get the cupcake. It’s so worth it.

Everyday selection

Wood Pellet Smoker & Grill Cookbook: The Master Guide to 200 Delicious Barbeque Recipes

Based on 71 reviews Check latest price

Tillamook Country Smoker Real Hardwood Smoked Beef Sticks Resealable Tall Jar, 20 Count, 15.2 oz

Tillamook Country Smoker

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Tillamook Country Smoker Beef Stick in a 20 ct jar is made with high-quality Beef and 100% real hardwood smoke. Seasoned with our original recipe, simply crafted with simple ingredients to be simply better. High in protein and premium beef. Tillamook Country Smoker Beef Stick is a great snack anytime, whether you are at work or play a great way to snack between meals. Tillamook Country Smoker is a 45 year old company based in Bay City, Oregon U.S.A. using our original family recipes. Art Crossley started making our perfectly smoked meats at his family butcher shop in Bay City and soon moved into our current location in the early 70's. As word spread so did the Tillamook Country Smoker distribution. We now enjoy nationwide sales and are growing more each day.

SATISFY YOUR HUNGER: Savory Beef sticks real hardwood smoked to perfection
FUEL YOUR BODY: Tender USA Beef with 10g of protein per serving
PERFECT PROTEIN ON-THE-GO: Our jerky is a great for lunch time, after school, on road trips, for gym time, and on fun outdoor activities
SIMPLY GOOD: Our Jerky is handcrafted in Tillamook County, Oregon over real hardwood. You can taste the difference.
CRAFTED BY THE BEST, FOR THE BEST: We use only the BEST ingredients fresh from the farm to smoke and season our meat snacks

User questions & answers

Question:	Do these have any pork? I know some beef products sometimes have some pork
Answer:	Between 3 to 4 inches.
Question:	Is this the original flavor? Label looks different
Answer:	The Do Not say they are Organic which to me indicates that they are Not Organic
Question:	whats the shelf life
Answer:	The package states country of origin is Mexico.
Question:	How do you store once opened
Answer:	I use three tablespoons.

Product features

Tillamook Country Smoker Real Hardwood Smoked Beef Sticks

Tillamook Country Smoker Beef Sticks are made with high-quality beef and 100% real hardwood smoke. Seasoned with our original recipe. Simply crafted with simple ingredients to be simply better. A good source of protein and all premium beef. Tillamook Country Smoker Beef Sticks are a great snack anytime, whether you are at work or play; they’re a great way to snack between meals. Tillamook Country Smoker is a 45-year-old company based in Bay City, Oregon U.S.A. Art Crossley started making our perfectly smoked meats at his family butcher shop in Bay City and soon moved into our current location in the early '70s. As word spread so did the Tillamook Country Smoker distribution. We now enjoy nationwide sales and are growing more each day.

Premium Beef

How do we consistently deliver the amazing taste and experience of Tillamook Country Smoker meat snacks? It’s simple; simple ingredients that is. Our artisan meat cutters choose only premium cuts of beef which they pair with proprietary natural spice blends to create mouthwatering meat snacks the whole family will enjoy.

Real Hardwood Smoke

There’s a beautiful smoky flavor you can only get from real hardwood smoke-the time-tested method we've perfected over generations. There are easier ways to do it, but we keep making our food the hard way, because anything less just wouldn’t taste right and wouldn’t be up to our highest standards.

Seasoned to Perfection

We've spent more than four decades crafting, honing and refining our seasoning blends to get them just right. So whether you pick up the classic Original or sweet & savory Teriyaki, Tillamook Country Smoker has a flavorful meat stick for every taste.

That's Tillamook Country Smoker

The final product of our methodical process is Tillamook Country Smoker premium meat snacks. They’ve been our pride and joy since our founder, Art Crossley, started smoking meat in his backyard in the 1960's. They’re simply crafted, minimally processed, and most importantly, completely delicious.