If you are gifted at smoking meat but pushed for time, then you might be wondering which meats you can smoke in under 2 hours.
Because sometimes you want to spend less time cooking and more time eating!
The answer is simple: You can smoke almost any type of meat in a smoker or grill in just two hours. The key is the temperature and humidity level inside your smoker.
However, there are certain meats that cook quicker. For example, you can get some great results with smoked pork chops, sausages, chicken wings, and even turkey breast.
But if you have a tough cut like brisket or beef short rib, it will take longer than two hours. So here we’ll have a look at what is best for you.
Have a bit more time? Also check out my list of the best meats that you can smoke in under 4 hours
In this post we'll cover:
Best meats to smoke in under 2 hours
So what smoked meat could you achieve in only 2 hours or less?
Let’s look at some good options.
Pork chops
These are one of the easiest types of meat to smoke. They can be done on an indirect heat source such as a charcoal grill or wood fire pit.
And they’re perfect for beginners because they don’t require much attention while they’re cooking.
This type of meat will only take 45-60 minutes to smoke and a few minutes to prepare. Plus, you can use them straight out of the fridge.
That’s why this is our favorite option for quick smoking.
This is a great dish to smoke if you are pushed for time with your smoking and you need to get something cooked and tasty in just under a few hours.
You’ll need to cook this meat at around 225 degrees Fahrenheit, this will ensure that you have juicy and sumptuous meat.
Smoked salmon
Salmon is another easy food to smoke. It takes about 30 minutes to cook and can be smoked on a direct heat source like a gas grill or charcoal grill.
It’s also very versatile and can be used in many different ways. This makes it a great choice for people who love salmon but don’t have much time to cook it.
Be sure to season your salmon beforehand in a brine with salt and sugar. Salmon loves some sweetness and it will bring out the subtle flavors and counter the omega 3 fattiness.
Smoked chicken wings
Chicken wings are a classic American snack. They are often served during football games and other sports events.
They are also a popular bar food item. However, they can be tricky to smoke because they tend to dry out quickly.
To avoid this, you should first marinate the chicken wings before smoking them. Then, you can either smoke them directly over a hot fire or on a low-temperature smoker.
They will usually take around 45 minutes to fully cook through, check out this recipe by Postal Barbecue for more guidelines:
Smoked steak
Steaks are a popular choice for barbecue enthusiasts. They are usually grilled over high heat until they reach medium-rare.
But steaks can also be smoked. In fact, they are a good choice for those who prefer their steak well done.
It takes around 60 minutes for your steak to cook properly.
The secret to getting a tender smoked steak is to keep the meat moist. To achieve this, you should cook it slowly.
After smoking, you can choose to finish off the smoked steak by reverse searing it.
Smoked turkey breast
Turkey breast is one of the quickest meats to smoke, as it will only take you around 35 minutes.
The key to making sure that you get a nice smoky flavor from turkey breast is to let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.
When you remove the turkey from the refrigerator, pat it dry so that all the moisture is removed. Then, you can put it onto a pan and smoke it at a low temperature.
Once it has finished smoking, you can slice it up and serve it with gravy.
Chicken thighs
Chicken thighs are a favorite among BBQ fans. They are typically roasted at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 hours.
However, you can also smoke them yourself. For best results, use a smoker with a low-temperature setting.
This way, you will be able to control how long the meat cooks. It will take about 2 hours to smoke the chicken thigh.
Smoked pork ribs
Pork ribs are an excellent choice for smokers. They are extremely flavorful and can easily be cooked to perfection.
For best results, you should always choose pork ribs that are cut from the loin section. These are less fatty than the spare ribs.
If you are looking to smoke ribs in a hurry, then you should consider buying pre-smoked ribs. This way, you will have no trouble preparing them at home.
It will take you around 15 minutes to prepare these ribs and around 2 hours to smoke them through properly.
Learn about the 2 2 1 method for smoking perfectly cooked fall-off-the-bone ribs
Smoked tri-tip
Tri-tip is a beef roast that comes from the bottom sirloin. It is very lean and therefore perfect for quick smoking.
It is also known as “the poor man’s prime rib”. To make tri-tip taste great, you need to ensure that it is thinly sliced.
You can then marinate the meat overnight in a flavored liquid (for example beer).
Once the tri-tip is ready, you can wrap it in foil and place it into a smoker. It will take around 45 minutes to smoke the tri-tip.
To get perfect smoked tri-tip, you should aim for a temperature between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
You should also allow the tri-tip to rest before slicing it. After resting, you can serve it with some sauce or rub.
Conclusion
There are many different ways to smoke meat at home. However, if you are new to the hobby, then you may not know what works best.
That is why we have provided you with a list of meats that smoke quickly, so you won’t waste hours and hours smoking while the results are still uncertain.
Practice with these cuts first before moving on to the more difficult cuts, like brisket (the holy grail of smoking).
