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This collection of substitutes for liquid smoke is awesomely handy when you want to add that wood grilled flavor to a dish, and want to add flavor like liquid smoke without any actual smoke.
Liquid smoke is often used when you want to add a smoky taste to a dish, but don't have the time and/or resources to use a grill or a smoker to get that flavor.
That said, you don't always NEED to use liquid smoke to get that flavor - these 10 best liquid smoke substitutes, while not exactly the same, still provide a smoky flavor you can add to your dish without the charcoal. Discover the best liquid smoke alternatives below!
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What is Liquid Smoke?
Liquid smoke is a concentrated liquid substance made directly from the condensation of smoke produced when wood (or charcoal) is burned. It captures the flavor of traditional smoking methods without using a grill or smoker so you can add a smoky flavor to many different types of dishes.
Liquid smoke is produced by capturing the smoke of wood. The smoke is then condensed and cooled, which turns it into liquid. The resulting liquid is filtered to remove impurities, leaving behind a concentrated liquid of smoky flavor without any of the dangers of smoke.
A bottle of liquid smoke contains a significant amount of smoke flavor, and only a small amounts needs to be used as it is very concentrated! Most of these substitutes used in place of liquid smoke can be used more liberally as they will not be as strong.
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How Liquid Smoke is Used
We don't all have access to a grill or smoker, or even if we do, we may not have the time to properly grill or smoke foods like ribs (check out this Instant Pot St. Louis ribs recipe) or other foods like meat and vegetables.
Plus, more recently we have started to become familiar with the negative health consequences of too much smoke used to create these smoked meats. Liquid smoke is perfect for adding that flavor without the negative health consequences.
Plus, it makes it easy to add a smoky aroma and taste to dishes like soups and stews. It can add amazing flavor in your food!
10 Substitutes for Liquid Smoke Flavoring
Whether you are looking for a more natural way to infuse that hickory smoky flavor in your dish (without burning wood chips), or just realized you are completely out of liquid smoke, these alternatives can be an excellent substitute for liquid smoke.
Smoked Paprika
Smoked paprika (or Spanish paprika) is a spice made from dried and smoked peppers. It has a rich, smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness, making it a perfect liquid smoke substitute. Sprinkle it over meats and/or vegetables to get a deep, smoky flavor.
It works really well in dishes like barbecue, marinades, and rubs being used for smoked meats. It is spicier than liquid smoke, so take that into consideration.
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
Canned chipotle peppers in adobo are smoked and dried jalapeno peppers that are rehydrated and canned in a tangy, spicy tomato-based sauce (or dried to make chipotle powder). The smokiness of the chipotle peppers adds an amazing spice and flavor to foods like meat and vegetables.
Use chopped chipotle peppers and a little of the adobo sauce to add smoky flavor to chili, stews, soups, marinades or other savory dishes as well. You can also use ground chipotle powder (made from dried peppers) which provides a similar effect and works as a liquid smoke replacement.
Smoked Salt
Smoked salt is regular salt that has been smoked over wood chips, giving it a smoky flavor. It comes in various strengths, from mild to intensely smoky, so you can control how smoky you want the dish.
Use smoked salt as a substitute for liquid smoke by seasoning meats, vegetables, or soups/stews with a pinch of smoked salt before cooking - just make sure to adjust the salt content as well! It's particularly great when grilling or roasting meats and vegetables. A tablespoon of smoked salt will be equal to a tablespoon of regular salt, it will just taste smokier - it can be used like regular salt to add flavor to any dish.
Smoked Olive Oil
Smoked olive oil is made by cold-smoking extra virgin olive oil over wood chips, which gives it a light, smoky flavor. The smokiness is subtle when added to dishes - it does not overpower the other flavors, making it a great lighter alternative to liquid smoke.
Drizzle smoked olive oil over grilled vegetables, salads, or seafood to enhance, or even use it as a finishing oil in soups (love it in this beef stew or this birria ramen) and pasta dishes (like this chicken cordon bleu pasta).
Barbecue Sauce
Many barbecue sauces already contain liquid smoke as an ingredient, making them a convenient substitute.
Choose a high-quality barbecue sauce (or make your own) with natural smoke flavoring and use it to baste meats for grilling (or roasting).
Bourbon
Bourbon, a type of whiskey distilled from fermented grain, can add depth and complexity to dishes with its smoky undertones. Use bourbon as a substitute for liquid smoke by incorporating it into marinades and/or glazes for meats, seafood, or vegetables.
The alcohol evaporates during cooking, leaving behind a rich, smoky flavor that complements a wide range of dishes. That said, if you prefer to keep your cooking completely alcohol free, this is probably not the option for you.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire is made from vinegar, molasses, anchovies, tamarind, and various spices. It adds an intense umami flavor and a very subtle smokiness to dishes. It's not as smoky as some of the other options, but still adds a great flavor.
Bacon or Bacon Fat
Smoked bacon and bacon fat have a rich, smoky flavor, which can add a deliciously indulgent touch to dishes. Use cooked bacon pieces or rendered bacon fat as a substitute for liquid smoke in recipes.
Simply fry bacon until crisp, then crumble it and sprinkle it over dishes like salads, soups, or baked beans for a smoky flavor boost. The bacon fat really tastes great when its used to make this breaded pork cutlet or dutch oven roasted chicken.
Toasted Spices
Toasting spices enhances their flavor, and gives them a very mild smoke flavor. Toast spices like cumin, coriander, or fennel seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant and slightly darkened, then grind them into a fine powder.
Use toasted spice blends in dry rubs, as seasoning, or in soups/stews for a very subtle flavor. It's not a strong flavor, but still adds that extra hint of smoke flavor without any actual smoke.
Tea Leaves
Smoked tea leaves, particularly varieties like lapsang souchong (black tea), are traditionally smoked over pine wood fire, imparting a distinct smoky aroma. Use brewed tea made from smoked tea leaves as an excellent substitute for liquid smoke.
Smoked tea is a Chinese style of preparing tea leaves.
Using Liquid Smoke Substitutes to Cook
Some of these liquid smoke substitutes have a stronger smoke flavor than others, so keep that in mind when substituting it for liquid smoke.
Another replacement for liquid smoke that is not a food item would be to use a smoke gun. I'm not personally well versed in using a smoke machine, but it is certainly an option for pure smoke if you have one or want to get a little fancier.
Frequently Asked Questions for Substituting Liquid Smoke
If you don't have liquid smoke, you can completely skip it in a recipe or use a substitute for it. If you skip it, your dish will not have that aromatic smoke flavor.
You can essentially make your own liquid smoke by taking leftover smoked meat and using it to make a very condensed stock (simmer it with water until it gets a thick, almost syrup like consistency), straining it, then using that. It will need to be refrigerated and/or frozen if you won't be using it right away.
You can find substitutes for liquid smoke by using one of the above recommendations, or finding ways of implementing foods that may have a naturally smoky flavor (think bacon, smoked turkey legs, etc.). Even ham is often made by smoking it before it is packaged. Consider using one of these options to add flavor to your food next time you are looking for an alternative to liquid smoke!
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