Best vegetables to smoke

Hi there, dear BBQ-loving reader!

Whether it's because you're tired of big meat and are looking for veggie alternatives to start your smoker, or because you're looking to make a delicious side dish for your main protein, today we're addressing the famous question of the best vegetables to cook in the smoker.

Prepare to be amazed, because I'm going to reveal the best vegetables that I like to cook and that go with almost anything.

Needless to say, you'll never look at your BBQ the same way again after trying these little gems.

The best seasonal vegetables in the smoker with a few extra recipes

Mushrooms in the Smoker

My friend, if you haven't tried mushrooms in the smoker yet, you don't know what you're missing!

Smoked mushrooms are a delicious and tasty recipe, ideal to surprise and seduce your guests' taste buds at your next barbecue.

These tasty vegetables, when prepared and cooked in the smoker, offer unique and exquisite flavours, making them a must-have side dish for BBQ lovers.

To start, it is essential to choose fresh, quality mushrooms. Choose mushrooms with firm flesh and tightly closed caps, such as the famous Portobello. The quality of the mushrooms is crucial for a tasty and appetizing end result.

Before cooking the mushrooms in the smoker, it is important to prepare them well. First, rinse the mushrooms in cold water to remove any residual soil or sand. Next, drain them and blot them gently with paper towels. This step is essential to ensure even cooking and a tasty end result.

Once your mushrooms are prepared, it's time to brush them with olive oil or melted butter. This step enhances the flavor of the mushrooms and gives them a crisp, delicious texture. Don't hesitate to add spices, such as garlic powder, pepper or thyme for an extra touch of flavor.

Photo from Istock

Next, prepare your smoker by preheating it to an average temperature of about 180°C (350°F). It's important to preheat the smoker properly to ensure the mushrooms are cooked perfectly and evenly.

When your smoker is ready, place the mushrooms on the rack, making sure to space them out enough to allow for good air circulation and even cooking. Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes, then carefully turn them over and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.

The time it takes to cook mushrooms in the smoker may vary depending on the size of the mushrooms and the temperature of the smoker. It is important to carefully monitor the cooking process to prevent the mushrooms from burning. Mushrooms should be tender and lightly browned when ready.

Once your mushrooms are cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the smoker and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This step allows the flavors to develop and balance, making the mushrooms even more flavorful.

To serve the mushrooms in the smoker, offer a variety of garnishes and seasonings to your guests. Melted butter

Smoked Peppers

Smoked peppers are a real must for any BBQ enthusiast. With their thick, crispy flesh, they blend perfectly with the smoked flavour and create an unforgettable taste experience. If you want to impress your guests at your next barbecue, look no further than this delicious smoked bell pepper recipe.

Photo from Istock

To start, select fresh, firm peppers in a variety of colors to add a visual and tasteful touch to your dish. In fact, combining red, green, yellow and orange peppers makes for a balanced and delicious blend of flavors.

Next, prepare your peppers by cutting them in half and removing the seeds and inner membranes. This step is crucial to ensure that the peppers cook evenly and optimally on the smoker.

After preparing the peppers, it's time to cook them in the smoker. Make sure your smoker is preheated and the temperature is stable for perfect cooking. Place the bell pepper halves on the smoker, cut side down, and let them cook for about 15 minutes. Then gently flip them over and cook for another 15 minutes. Cooking the peppers in the smoker allows them to absorb that delicious smoky flavour, which makes them even tastier and more irresistible.

Smoked eggplant or zucchini

Smoked eggplant is the culinary trend that's all the rage with barbecue fans. This delicious recipe produces tender, flavourful vegetables infused with the smoker's signature smoky flavour. If you're looking for an original and tasty veggie alternative for your next BBQ, be sure to follow these tips for preparing and cooking eggplant in the smoker.

To start, select fresh, firm eggplants, preferably medium-sized for even cooking. The choice of eggplants is essential to ensure a tasty and appetizing end result.

Photo by Tijana Drndarski on Unsplash

Next, prepare the eggplants by cutting them into thick slices of about 1.5 cm. This thickness is ideal to ensure perfect cooking and prevent the eggplant slices from becoming too soft or dry.

After cutting the eggplants, brush them generously with olive oil, then season them with salt and pepper according to your preference. The olive oil not only keeps the eggplant slices from sticking to the smoker, but also helps to enhance their flavor and texture.

Now that your eggplant is ready, it's time to cook it in the smoker. Preheat to medium heat first, then place the eggplant slices on the grill, making sure to space them far enough apart for even cooking. Cook for about 10 minutes on each side, watching carefully to prevent burning, depending on how close they are to the heat source.

Smoking eggplants in the smoker allows their tender, flavourful flesh to absorb the delicious smoked flavour, creating an unforgettable taste experience. Smoked eggplant is sure to become one of your favourite recipes for barbecues with family and friends.

Smoked Corn

Smoked corn is a delicious and tasty recipe, perfect for accompanying all kinds of dishes at your next barbecue. This delicious vegetable, when prepared and cooked in the smoker, reveals unique and gourmet flavours, making it a must-have dish for BBQ enthusiasts. In this article, find out how to prepare and cook corn in the smoker to delight your guests and yourself.

To begin, it is essential to choose fresh, well-stocked corn on the cob. The quality of the corn is crucial to a tasty and appetizing end result. Choose corn that is tightly packed and bright yellow in color.

Before cooking corn in the smoker, it is important to prepare it properly. Remove the leaves and silks from the corn, then rinse the cobs with cold water to remove any residue. This step is essential to ensure even cooking and a flavorful end result.

Photo from Istock

Once your asparagus is prepared, it's time to brush it with olive oil or melted butter. This step enhances the flavor of the asparagus and gives it a crisp, delicious texture. Don't hesitate to add spices, such as garlic powder, pepper or thyme for an extra touch of flavour.

Next, prepare your smoker by preheating it to a medium temperature of about 180°C (350°F). It is important to preheat the smoker properly to ensure that the asparagus is cooked perfectly and evenly.

When your smoker is ready, place the asparagus on the grill, making sure to space them out enough to allow for good air circulation and even cooking. Cook for about 5-10 minutes, then gently turn them over and cook for another 5-10 minutes.

The time it takes to cook asparagus in the smoker may vary depending on the size of the spears and the temperature of the smoker. It is important to carefully monitor the cooking process to prevent the asparagus from burning. Asparagus should be tender and lightly browned when ready.

Once your asparagus is cooked to perfection, carefully remove it from the smoker and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This step allows the flavors to develop and balance, making the asparagus even more flavorful.

To serve the asparagus in the smoker, offer a variety of garnishes and seasonings to your guests. Melted butter, salt, pepper and mixed spices like Piri-Piri or even Indian spices are good complements with a different level of creativity.

What vegetables to use with sausages?

To accompany smoked sausages, there are a variety of vegetables that pair perfectly with their robust flavor. Root vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots and parsnips, roasted or mashed, are excellent choices. Kale, Brussels sprouts and red cabbage add color and crunchy texture. Grilled peppers, onions and zucchini enhance the smokiness of sausages. Finally, a salad of tomatoes, cucumbers and black olives provides a fresh and light contrast.

What vegetables to eat with salmon?

To accompany salmon, choose vegetables that complement its delicate flavour and tender texture. Spinach, green beans and asparagus, steamed or sautéed, are classic and elegant choices. Grilled zucchini and peppers add a touch of color and flavor. A mix of roasted vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, red onions and mushrooms, enhances the taste of the salmon without overpowering it. Finally, a fresh salad of arugula, fennel and avocado adds a fresh, light touch.

What vegetables to eat with lamb chops?

To accompany lamb chops, choose vegetables that highlight their rich flavour and tenderness. Roasted potatoes or au gratin dauphinois are traditional and tasty choices. Green vegetables such as green beans, peas and spinach, steamed or sautéed, add a fresh touch. Root vegetables such as carrots and turnips, roasted or glazed, highlight the delicate taste of lamb. Finally, a salad of arugula, beets and goat cheese provides a light and colourful contrast.

So there you have it, dear BBQ enthusiast, Sam Turp's top five vegetables to cook on the smoker.

I'm sure you'll love trying them and sharing them with your family and friends at your next BBQ party.

Don't forget to tell me about your cooking experiences in photos and videos by sharing on my Instagram or Tiktok account!

To learn more about bbq, check out these other smoker primer guides:

• BBQ Cooking Techniques in Quebec
• Cold Smoking Techniques in Quebec
• Hot Smoking Techniques in Quebec
• DryRub Technique and DryRub Recipes
• Brine Technique and Brine Recipes
• Types of wood for smoking
• Types of Smokehouses
• Most Popular Smokehouses
• BBQ Sauce Styles
• How to start your smoker
• How to clean your smoker