What should i smoke?

[88nitro305]

So I have a friend coming up Saturday to hangout and stay the night. I work until 12:30 so won’t be home until 1 and want to smoke something and have it ready around 5:30-6:00. What should I do that would be great and feed 3 to 5 people? Ready Go!

 

[SmokinAl]

Ribs would be my first choice, easily done in 4-5 hours at 250.
Add a pan of beans on a rack under them to catch the juices & make a batch of slaw!
Al

 

[gmc2003]

I'd go with beer can burgers. Easy to do and provide the wow factor.

Chris

 

[greg1]

Ribs would be a great choice as well as a pork loin. Pretty inexpensive way to feed folks. Leftovers are great as well. Very versatile in that you can use it for sandwiches or a fork and knife meal and pair it with any sides you would like. Going to cook in under 3 hours as well.

 

[88nitro305]

I have a rack of ribs in my freezer and some pork tenderloins now that I think about it. Didn’t know if ribs would cook in that time but sounds like at 250 it will! Maybe I’ll get a couple more racks too

 

[ristau5741]

There are lots of things on can smoke in 5-6 hour time window.

small whole chicken butterfield.
ribs
meat loaf
pork tenderloin
steaks/roasts
sausages
Bacon wrapped chicken thighs
Pigs in a blanket (country ribs wrapped in bacon)
cheese stuffed meatballs,

that's just to name a few.

 

[lancep]

My go to for that type of smoke would be two spatched chickens and a couple kielbasas. At 325-350 they are usually done in the 1:30-2:00 range leaving plenty of time to relax after work and catch up up with your friend.

 

[RiversideSm0ker]

Tri TIp, ribs, and pork loin would be my suggestionis. All will cook fairly easily within your window of opportunity. The Tri Tip may cook the fastest but depending on appetites a single Tri Tip may not be enough. A pork loin sliced into two pieces would be plenty of meat. You may need two or three racks of ribs if you have big eaters. Some smoked sausage can be done super fast along with the Tri Tip. If you get the link kind then they can be eaten like jumbo hot dogs in some buns. Damn that sounds good. I'm glad I am having leftovers again from Memorial Day cause I made myself hungry.

George

 

[88nitro305]

So I found about a 3lb pork loin in my freezer and a rack of babyback ribs! Think I’ll be doing both. Cook at 250 with apple wood and maybe a chunk of hickory. Should I start the ribs like 2hrs before and then add the road ?

 

[yankee2bbq]

I'd go with beer can burgers. Easy to do and provide the wow factor.

Chris

Never heard of that? How you make em?

 

[gmc2003]

Never heard of that? How you make em?

Justin here's a thread I did a while back. You can fill them with anything you want(similar to a fatty). I did shepard pie and pizza on these.

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t...ifferent-courtesy-of-the-bbq-pit-boys.273924/

Chris

 

[bluewhisper]

+1 for the chicken, maybe as splits or quarters instead of whole birds. Some kind of sausage would make a good companion, lots of choices there.

 

[RiversideSm0ker]

Nitro, for me the pork loin has cooked relatively quickly on my smoker. If you are around 250 then I would figure on less than three hours. It may even happen in two. Keep that IT around 140 when you pull it off then you are in good shape. Just wrap it for 30 minutes or so to rest and you will have a succulent treat for sandwiches or just sliced goodness. I have an amazing cilantro based paste that I got from my Barbecue Bible companion book that tastes fantastic on pork loin. Something like that would kick ass.

George

 

[88nitro305]

Nitro, for me the pork loin has cooked relatively quickly on my smoker. If you are around 250 then I would figure on less than three hours. It may even happen in two. Keep that IT around 140 when you pull it off then you are in good shape. Just wrap it for 30 minutes or so to rest and you will have a succulent treat for sandwiches or just sliced goodness. I have an amazing cilantro based paste that I got from my Barbecue Bible companion book that tastes fantastic on pork loin. Something like that would kick ass.

George

Awesome! I think I’ll have to slice thin with my electric deli slicer for some sandwiches!!

 

[RiversideSm0ker]

Too many options. I have those tri tips to try in the "brisket" style and I have two nice pieces of pork loin that you got me thinking about now. Plus, there are those fatties to try...

George

 

[88nitro305]

Smoked both the pork roast and rack of ribs and they came out pretty good. The roast was a bit dry but flavorful, the ribs were tender but over tender but the bbq sauce I decided to use tasted like burnt bbq beans... but my wife and friend both enjoyed the food.