Best Wood For Smoking Pork

Pork is a delicious meat with great natural flavor that can stand up well to various modes of cooking. Smoked pork is a delicacy that excites BBQ beginners and enthusiasts alike. There are many different cuts to choose from, each with its own unique quality. The best way to ensure that you get consistently decent results is to choose the right wood for smoking pork.

Smoking meat over wood infuses it with flavored smoke. This gives the meat a unique flavor that depends on the natural flavor of the wood itself. This is why different woods can result in different flavor profiles when it comes to smoking pork. Depending on the kind of flavor you want to end up with, you need to choose the right wood or wood combination while smoking. There is a lot of science to how smoke effects our foods and we recently published a post on this.

Let us take a look at some of the woods we recommend for smoking pork.

Orange

Orange wood is an interesting choice for smoking pork as it can lead to a very unique flavor and aroma for the meat. Like the fruit, the orange tree’s wood has a natural citrus flavor that can infuse deep into the meat if you smoke pork over orange wood. Accompanied by a light, smoky flavor, this citrus punch can add an entirely new dimension to your smoked pork.

Smoking over orange wood can be particularly good for smoking pork roast, loin, or ham. You can also experiment and end up with a unique, complex flavor profile by pairing the right amount of orange wood with a more traditional choice like hickory.

IMAGE	MODEL	FEATURES
	Tropical Spark Orange Pellets	100% natural wood No binders or fillers Air Tight Bag	CHECK PRICE
	Diamond King Wood Chunks : Orange	100% natural wood USDA certified Stored indoors	CHECK PRICE

Maple

Maple and pork have always been a classic combination. The unique flavor of maple wood smoke goes particularly well with pork as it helps render the fat down and infuse the meat with excellent flavor. The light, sweet smoky flavor is a perfect foil for the natural flavor of the pork. Also, smoking over maple wood can leave your cut of pork looking great with a bright golden crust.

Smoking over maple can be a particularly solid option if you are looking to cook some baby back ribs or pork butt. In fact it is the best wood for smoking pork butt hands down. If you do this right the response from your family and/or guests should come in droves and if you make someone present a little jealous oh well! Your cooking does the talking for you.  

IMAGE	MODEL	FEATURES
	Bear Mountain Wood Pellets : Maple	No binders or fillers Works well with all major grill brands Low moisture	CHECK PRICE
	Western Premium Wood Chips : Maple	100% natural wood Heat treated Large sized chips	CHECK PRICE
	Western Premium Cooking Chunks : Maple	100% natural wood Large size Heat treated	CHECK PRICE

Peach

If orange wood brings a citrus kick to your pork, using peach wood can bring a different kind of citrus flair. Unlike orange and a lot of other fruitwoods, peach wood can impart a significantly less acidic and more floral flavor to the meat. 

This can be a great way to smoke delicate cuts of pork and enjoy the result with a nice glass of wine.

Smoking over peach wood can also create a light red color on the pork that is sensational for presentation. Solid candidates would be lean cuts of pork and ham. 

Peach can also be paired with other fruitwoods to create more complex flavor profiles.

IMAGE	MODEL	FEATURES
	Zorestar Pellets	Sample Kit All Natural Low Ash	CHECK PRICE
	Western Premium Wood Chips : Peach	100% natural wood Heat treated Large sized chips	CHECK PRICE
	Diamond King Wood Chunks : Peach	100% natural wood USDA certified Stored indoors	CHECK PRICE

Pecan

Pecan wood has a very unique savory flavor that is reminiscent of bacon. This means that it can be one of the best choices for smoking pork. It can add to the natural flavor of the pork while infusing it with subtle smoke. Pecan wood is also relatively easy to use, making it a great choice for BBQ beginners.

Smoking your pork over pecan wood can be a great way to maintain the natural flavor of the pork while concentrating on other flavors you can infuse by using a marinade or dry rub. It can also be a great wood to experiment with by adding other wood flavors. Pecan can work wonders on ham or pork ribs but it really shines when used with pork chops.

IMAGE	MODEL	FEATURES
	Bear Mountain Wood Pellets : Pecan	No binders or fillers Works well with all major grill brands Low moisture	CHECK PRICE
	Western Premium Wood Chips : Pecan	100% natural wood Heat treated Large sized chips	CHECK PRICE
	Weber Wood Chunks : Pecan	100% natural wood Long lasting Kiln dried	CHECK PRICE

Apple

Smoking pork over apple wood is a sure way of infusing the meat with some really complementary flavors. Apple smoke gives the pork a sweet, mild smoky aroma that pairs really well with pork cuts that have intense natural flavors. The fruity nature of the smoke can work well with recipes that call for a sweet sauce or glaze. This makes it a great choice for ribs and is the best wood for smoking pork loin. Try apple with our grilled pork tenderloin and Greek marinade.

If you are looking for a stronger flavor, apple wood can be mixed in the right proportion to woods like hickory and pecan to tone down the smokiness and create a unique, complex flavor profile that marries well with the pork.

IMAGE	MODEL	FEATURES
	Bear Mountain Wood Pellets : Apple	No binders or fillers Works well with all major grill brands Low moisture	CHECK PRICE
	Western Premium Wood Chips : Apple	100% natural wood Heat treated Large sized chips	CHECK PRICE
	Weber Wood Chunks : Apple	100% natural wood Long lasting Kiln dried	CHECK PRICE

Enhancing that Pork Flavor

Smoking pork using wood can be a wonderful experience for BBQ enthusiasts. 

Pork is mostly a forgiving meat when it comes to cooking times and cooking temperatures. This makes it a prudent choice for beginners who want to get better at the art of smoking. The strong natural flavor of pork can also stand up well to different kinds of wood smoking, creating interesting flavor combinations that can be a treat at any backyard party.

You can choose one or more woods from the list above and figure out the right amounts and smoking time to get the best possible results. You can also mix different woods to create unique flavor combinations that you can flaunt in front of your friends and family.

If you’re getting ready to smoke pork. You are probably smoking a pork butt. Learn the difference between the pork butt and shoulder first.

Looking for the best wood for smoking ribs? Or how about the best wood for smoking turkey this Thanksgiving?