There are a wide variety of woods that can be used for smoking, each with its own unique flavor profile. There are more than twenty types of wood for smoking, but here are 20 of the most commonly used wood for smoking.

Best Wood for Smoking Meat

Let’s cover the wood flavor and the best protein to pair this with.

1. Alder wood produces a mild, slightly sweet and earthy flavor. It is particularly well-suited for smoking fish and poultry.
2. Apple wood produces a sweet and fruity flavor that is ideal for smoking pork, poultry and game birds. It also works well with mild-flavored fish.
3. Cherry wood produces a sweet and fruity flavor that is similar to apple wood, but with a slightly smokier finish. It is a good choice for smoking pork, poultry and game birds.  My favorite wood for smoking pork!
4. Hickory is a popular wood for smoking because it produces a strong and bold flavor that pairs well with beef, pork and poultry.
5. Maple wood produces a mild, slightly sweet flavor that is ideal for smoking pork, poultry and game birds.
6. Mesquite wood produces a strong and bold flavor that is popular in Texas-style BBQ. It is the best wood used with beef and game meats.
7. Oak is a versatile wood that produces a medium-bodied smoke flavor that pairs well with almost any type of meat.
8. Pecan wood produces a sweet and nutty flavor that is similar to hickory, but with a slightly milder finish. It is a good choice for smoking beef, pork and poultry.
9. Peach wood produces a sweet and fruity flavor that is similar to apple and cherry woods. It is a good choice for smoking pork, poultry and game birds.
10. Pear wood produces a sweet and slightly fruity flavor that is similar to apple and cherry woods. It is a good choice for smoking pork, poultry and game birds.
11. Persimmon wood produces a mild, sweet flavor that is similar to maple wood. It is a good choice for smoking pork and poultry.
12. Plum wood produces a sweet and slightly fruity flavor that is similar to cherry and apple wood. It is a good choice for smoking pork, poultry and game birds.
13. Red oak produces a strong and bold flavor that is similar to hickory. It is a good choice for smoking beef, pork and poultry.
14. Sugar maple produces a sweet and mild flavor that is similar to maple wood. It is a good choice for smoking pork, poultry and game birds.
15. Walnut wood produces a strong and slightly bitter flavor that is best used in small amounts or in combination with other woods. It pairs well with beef and game meats.
16. Grapevine wood produces a fruity and slightly sweet flavor that is well-suited for smoking poultry and game birds.
17. Juniper wood produces a strong and slightly bitter flavor that is best used in small amounts or in combination with other woods. It pairs well with game meats.
18. Cedar wood produces a strong and distinctive flavor well-suited for smoking fish and seafood.
19. Orange wood produces a sweet and fruity flavor that is well-suited for smoking pork, poultry and game birds.
20. Mulberry wood produces a sweet and fruity flavor similar to apple and cherry wood. It is a good choice for smoking pork, poultry and game birds.

These are just a few examples of the many types of wood that can be used for smoking. It is important to experiment with different woods to find the flavors that work best for you and your preferred smoking style.

Let’s briefly talk about the size of the wood.

What Size of Wood Should I Use to Smoke?