Mesquite, the smokiest of the cooking woods….
…is prized for its distinctive, sharp flavor.
Mesquite wood is made from the small…
…spiky trees of the Prosopis genus, which…
…belongs to the pea family.
Do you know about this?
Mesquite trees, which come in a variety of species…
…ranging from South America to Mexico and the…
…southwestern United States have long been used…
…by indigenous Americans as a source of fuel…
…and for the sweet edible beans that some…
…varieties produce.
Here is Brian’s experience…
It’s the best way to grill steaks, open flame…
I use hickory and a small piece of oak when smoking…
...something like a pork belly…
I like to add mesquite as a complement to other woods…
Maybe some people enjoy smoking straight mesquite…
…but it’s not my cup of tea.
I suggest adding a little more wood and seeing how you like it…
Just add more the next time if you thought it wasn’t strong enough.
Mesquite is a common name for several plants in the genus Prosopis, which contains over 40 species of small leguminous trees. They are native to dry areas in the Americas.
Mesquite Wood
Let’s start from the basic…
Know More About Mesquite!
Mesquite trees can be found from Texas to California…
..and as far north as Kansas in northern Mexico and…
…the southwestern U.S. Mesquite trees come in three…
…distinct varieties the honey mesquite, which can grow…
…to 20 feet tall, has nasty 3-inch-long spines.
The screwbean mesquite can also grow up to 20 feet tall…
…but it has fragrant flowers and screw-like pods.
Lastly…
Mesquite wood burns slowly while generating intense heat…
…which makes it perfect for smoking meat. As many ranchers…
…discovered wood gives the meat a distinct, earthy flavor.
What Are the Characteristics of Mesquite Wood?
Mesquite is one of the best wood and the most abundant woods in Texas…
- It burns hot and fast, produces lots of smoke, and has an intense, earthy flavor.
- Mesquite take a long time to cure but can be tamed. It’s best used for quick cooks like steak, or burnt down as coals.
- Mesquite is high in lignin, the component of wood that combusts to produce smoke, which makes it incredibly smokey. For types of wood, it’s at the opposite end of the flavor spectrum from mild alder wood.
- Mesquite will add color to smoked meats, although it’ll be a bit lighter in color than meat smoked with hickory or oak.
- One other thing to know about mesquite: it emits sparks as it burns, so be careful!
Do you interest?
Therefore, I use it a lot. For pork, I prefer a combination of hickory, pecan, and applewood. It would be nice if they offered post oak, but I’m happy with what I got. These wood chunks are reasonably priced and of a good size to use in my charcoal smoker, so I highly recommend them. I’m very happy about this!
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This is the main part…
How to Use Mesquite Wood for Barbecue
When it comes to all the different woods, using…
…mesquite to barbecue that is, cook using indirect…
…heat over a long period of smoking—can be challenging.
So, here it is:
- Because mesquite wood burns so quickly, it can easily impart a bitter flavor to smoked foods instead of the desired smoke flavor. To get around this, pitmasters either use mesquite for only a portion of a cook or closely monitor the cook, constantly swapping out wood to ensure there is always an active flame.
- If you’re smoking meats in an offset smoker, you’ll need whole mesquite logs, whereas an electric smoker will need mesquite wood chips. Use mesquite wood chunks in a gas grill’s smoke box.
- Using mesquite for direct-heat cooking is an easier way to add mesquite flavor to foods. Try using mesquite coals on a charcoal grill, which burn hotter and longer than other coals and don’t have the same harshness as smoke from burning mesquite wood. To add smoky flavor to a quick-cooking grilled steak, try burning mesquite wood down to the coal stage.
- Try blending mesquite wood with medium-flavor woods, like hickory wood, oak, or pecan. Mesquite will overpower milder fruit woods such as cherry or apple wood, while maintaining a hint of the desired sweet flavor.
- Mesquite wood is not ideal for long cooks since it burns very quickly. Try adding mesquite wood at the beginning or end of cooking for a longer cook, or stick to foods that cook quickly.
- Instead of smoking with mesquite wood, try using mesquite coals for grilling.
- Mesquite-flavor liquid smoke or infused salt are options for adding mesquite flavor without the actual smoke.
I want to share a short experience with you!
As soon as I received cast iron smoker box, I loaded some mesquite wood chunks into the grill and let it heat up!
By the time it reached the desired temperature, there were already beautiful wisps of mesquite smoke. Using my Weber propane grill’s flavor bars, I tucked the box under the grill grates so it was as close to the flames as possible.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
More Things to note…
What to Smoke With Mesquite Wood — And What to Avoid
Dark meats that can stand up to the strong flavor of mesquite…
…such as Texas-style brisket, wild game meat, duck, lamb…
…and Tex-Mex barbacoa, are best smoked with mesquite wood.
Grill steaks, vegetables, and other quick-cooking…
…flavorful foods over mesquite coals. However, the strong flavor…
…of mesquite wood can overpower delicate poultry, pork…
…shoulder, ribs, and fish.
Let’s look at this comparison…
Hickory Smoke vs Mesquite Smoke
Obviously, you have to take a few things into consideration…
…when it comes to smoking your meats. One thing you will…
…have to consider is the kind of wood you are going to use…
…to cook your meat.
The most popular smoking woods are hickory and mesquite.
Both of these woods are extremely common for smoking…
…but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Mesquite may be the best choice for smoking meat while…
…hickory is best for smoking poultry.
So, what’s going on?
One thing both of these woods have in common is that…
…hey produce a distinct flavor that is loved by millions…
…and millions of people all over the world.
Before choosing which type of wood to use to smoke…
…your meat there are a few things you need to know.
Your first step should be to understand what kind of…
…flavor profile each wood will impart to your meat.
Thankfully, both kinds of wood burn about the same, so…
…you won’t have any issues.
This is our recommendation…
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Check More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bear Mountain BBQ 100% All-Natural Hardwood Pellets - Gourmet Blend (20 lb. Bag) Perfect for Pellet Smokers, or Any Outdoor Grill | Prime | Check On Amazon | |
 | Weber 17150 Mesquite Wood Chunks, 350 cu. in. (0.006 Cubic Meter), 4 lb | PrimeEligible | Check On Amazon |
What Does Mesquite Smoke Taste Like?
Grill masters use it sparingly for meats that cook…
…quickly because…
…it has a rich, pungent, yet earthy flavor. Smoked…
…meats also gain an intense color from mesquite…
…smoke. The key to smoking with mesquite wood…
…is to use it selectively. Compared to other types of…
…wood, it burns quickly. It’s easy to overuse it or leave…
…it on fire for too long. The result is a slightly bitter taste…
…from the smoke, which is not desirable.
Go on…
Due to these properties, it’s a good idea to plan its use…
Meats and other foods that require less cooking time…
…are best smoked with mesquite wood. Before the wood…
…is overcooked and the smoke becomes bitter, they can…
…be on and off the grill.
If You Want To Try Different Woods, These Bundles Are Perfect For You!
It’s great to have so many different types of wood to smoke!
This package is a great way to give your smoker a boost or…
…to get started. I’ve found that different woods make a huge…
…difference when it comes to cooking different meats.
- Contains most popular flavors- Apple, Mesquite, Hickory, and Cherry
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Sum Up
Mesquite wood is found in South America, Mexico…
…and parts of the United States, including Texas.
Mesquite wood can be smoked in a variety of ways…
…each with its own distinct flavor.
Most popular in Texas, where it’s far more abundant…
…and sourced locally, this wood improves the health of the soil…
…due to the inclusion of nitrogen in its composition. As a result…
…the occasional spark is generated while the wood is burning…
…so don’t be surprised by this. It’s perfectly normal
Conclusion
If you find this is helpful be sure to leave a comment!
Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always…
…do my best to respond to each and every comment.
Was this helpful?
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
