The full guide
Read straight through, or dip into the sections that matter for your next smoking session.
Mesquite is the strongest of the common smoking woods: intense, earthy and unmistakable. It is a classic of Texan barbecue and made for beef, but a little goes a long way, and it is too much for fish and most delicate food.
Smoking kit to help at home
Home smoking essentials that make the advice easier to put into practice.
What does mesquite smoke taste like?
Mesquite is usually described as bold, earthy and slightly sharp, stronger even than hickory. Used heavily or for a long time it can turn bitter.
What to smoke with mesquite
Beef: steak, burgers and brisket are the classic match. Game and lamb can also take it. Avoid it for fish, cheese and poultry unless you blend a very small amount into a milder wood.
Which grade for your smoker?
We sell mesquite as fine chips, which catch quickly in stovetop ovens and small smoker boxes, so start with a small pinch. It is also in the 12-flavour sampler and 10-flavour gift pack.
Mesquite vs hickory
Both are strong. Hickory is sweeter and more bacon-like and suits pork; mesquite is earthier and more intense and is usually kept for beef.
Blending mesquite
Many people use mesquite as a seasoning rather than the main wood: a little mixed into oak or cherry adds a bold edge without taking over.
Getting the best from mesquite chips
Use the chips dry and start with a small handful; you can always add more, but over-smoked food tastes bitter. Match the grade to your equipment and follow its instructions for fuel, ventilation and where to use it. Change one thing at a time, such as the wood or the amount, so you can tell what made the difference.
Smoke adds flavour; it is not a doneness test. Hot-smoked fish and meat must be cooked through: check the centre of the food with a probe thermometer rather than relying on time or colour. Our fish smoking temperatures guide explains the checks.
Common questions
Is mesquite too strong?
It can be. Use a small amount, blend it with a milder wood and keep smoking times short.
Can I smoke fish with mesquite?
It usually overpowers fish. See the best wood for smoking fish for gentler choices.
What is mesquite best for?
Beef, especially steak, burgers and brisket.
A note on flavour: these descriptions are the ones smokers commonly use, not the results of a Down The Cove tasting trial. Smoke is personal, so treat them as a starting point and let your own notes decide.
Compare the other woods: apple, oak, cherry, hickory, beech, maple, alder and mesquite, or see the best wood for smoking fish. For grades, read which wood chips do I need? and smoking dust vs wood chips.
