A question we are regularly asked here at Best Home Preserving is if you can smoke meat in a regular oven.  Seems that this is a “burning question” for many of our readers.  (Pardon the pun!) 

You may have read about the numerous benefits of smoking meat and are finally willing to try it out at home.  

There is no doubt that a proper meat smoker is one of the best investments to create smokey flavors.  However, you can still enjoy delicious and healthy homemade smokey wings, brisket, chicken, beef or pork without a dedicated meat smoker. 

This is where you learn how to smoke meat in a regular oven.

Why Do We Smoke Meat?

Humans have been smoking foods since we discovered fire.  Indeed, there are many reasons why smoking continues to remain relevant and a favorite for many. 

It is absolutely the best method for preserving certain foods such as meat.  Furthermore, the unique tastes achieved by smoking meat in a dedicated food smoker can be attained in other ways.  Smoke meat in a regular oven to have delicious flavors all year round. 

Things You Need to Smoke Meat In A Regular Oven

Aside from your oven and the meat you want to smoke, you also need your favorite wood chips. Look to any good BBQ store for a variety of flavors.  

The most popular wood chips for smoking meat at home include hickory, oak, mesquite, maple, apple, peach, pecan, cherry and alder.  Any of these work well for smoking meat in a regular oven or dedicated food smoker.

Each of these woods imparts particular flavors to the smoked meat.  For example, apple gives the meat a light fragrance and sweetness.  Mesquite gives a penetrating flavor and alder comes with an elusive smokey sweetness.  Meanwhile, any wood types you find would do just fine on your meat smoker.

To achieve your desired taste and additional flavor, you may wish to process your meat first.  Use 

• fennel seeds 
• garlic granules 
• mustard powder
• ginger

We suggest marinating in a combination of these for at least 2 hours before starting the smoking process.  This allows the flavors to penetrate deeper for an improved taste.

Other items you will need are:

• Instant-read thermometer 
• Brush 
• Smoker bag 
• Towel 
• Barbecue sauce.

How to Use My Oven To Smoke Meat

Smoking meat in a regular oven requires finding a way to create the smoke inside your oven.  This is the same process you use with a regular meat smoker.

It also requires a cooking environment using low temperature.  Both of these can be easily accomplished by heating the wood chips and the meat in your oven.

1.   Prepare your wood chips by soaking them in water for some minutes.
2.   You could also line them up in a roasting pan, making sure you are not stacking one on another.  Add water to the chips without submerging them. 
3.   Get your meat ready by rubbing in your mixture of the spices listed above. 
4.   Place the prepared meat on a rack in a roasting pan.

So, Can You Smoke Meat in A Regular Oven?

By now, you get the entire gist of how simple it is to smoke meat at home.  Not only can you smoke meat in a regular oven, it is surprisingly easy.  Achieve the wonderful flavor, aroma and appearance from smoking meat without hurting your hip pocket. 

The process is great fun and one of the best food preservation methods.  Now that you know how easy it is, why don’t you go ahead and try it out next weekend?  All you need is some top home preserving equipment!