When summer starts to fade and the evenings become cooler, it doesn't mean it's time to put the smoker away. In fact, fall is one of the best seasons for smoking and grilling. The cooler weather is perfect for low-and-slow cooking, while seasonal ingredients bring plenty of new flavours to the BBQ.
From smoky pulled pork to roasted pumpkin and sticky ribs, these 5 fall smoker recipes are made for cosy evenings, long weekends and gathering around the BBQ.
1. Smoked Pulled Pork
Few things are better suited to autumn than slow-smoked pulled pork. A pork shoulder cooked low and slow develops a beautifully smoky bark while becoming incredibly tender inside.
Season generously with your favourite BBQ rub and smoke the pork until it reaches the right tenderness. Once cooked, let it rest before pulling it apart and serving it in soft buns with BBQ sauce and crunchy slaw.
Tip: Pulled pork is perfect for feeding a crowd, making it an ideal choice for a relaxed autumn weekend.
2. Smoked Beef Short Ribs
If you're looking for something rich and hearty, beef short ribs are hard to beat.
Cook them slowly over charcoal with your favourite smoking wood. The combination of beef, charcoal and wood smoke creates deep, savoury flavours, while the long cooking time helps break down the connective tissue.
Serve them with roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables or a simple autumn salad.
The best part? Once the ribs are on the smoker, you have plenty of time to enjoy the company of your guests.
3. Smoked Chicken with Herbs
Smoking doesn't always have to mean cooking for six or eight hours. A whole chicken is a great option when you want a flavour-packed meal without spending the entire day at the BBQ.
Rub the chicken with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme and your favourite BBQ seasoning. Smoke it until the meat is tender and the skin is beautifully browned.
For an autumn twist, serve it with roasted root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes.
4. Smoked Pumpkin with Feta & Herbs
Autumn is pumpkin season, so why not put it on the smoker?
Cut a pumpkin into wedges and season with olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh herbs. Place it on the smoker and let the gentle heat and smoke add another layer of flavour.
Once tender, finish with crumbled feta, toasted seeds and a drizzle of honey.
This makes a fantastic smoked BBQ side dish, but it can also be served as a light vegetarian main.
5. Sticky Smoked Ribs
Finally, no list of smoker recipes would be complete without ribs.
Season your ribs with a BBQ rub and cook them low and slow until the meat is tender. Finish them with a sticky BBQ glaze and briefly increase the heat to caramelise the sauce.
Try adding a little maple syrup, honey or apple juice to your glaze for a flavour combination that works particularly well in autumn.
Why Fall Is Perfect for Smoking
One of the best things about fall BBQ cooking is that you can take your time. Cooler temperatures and longer evenings create the perfect excuse to fire up the smoker and experiment with low-and-slow cooking.
And with a charcoal smoker such as the Masterbuilt Gravity Series, you can combine the authentic flavour of charcoal with a more convenient approach to temperature control.
So grab your favourite smoking wood, choose your recipe and light the charcoal. Summer may be over, but smoking season is only just getting started.
