If you don’t have a pellet smoker yet want to add a smoky flavor for your dishes, using the best liquid smoke is a good choice.
Although this item sounds like a magical and scary substance for some, it is able to impart an earthy taste without smoking anything.
Invented by Ernest H. Wright, the liquid smoke is a natural by-product that is made from condensing the smoke from burning wood like hickory, mesquite, apple, etc.
So, it’s said that this convenient method can bring a fantastic flavor into any ribs recipe or anything you want in case you don’t have the time or choice to smoke meat the traditional way.
Want this pantry essential in your kitchen, my friends?
Down here, take a look at my cream of the crop, pick the one you love most and then experience.
Top 4 Picks of the Best Liquid Smoke in 2021
#1 – Wright’s All Natural Hickory Seasoning, Liquid Smoke – Best Overall
To be known as the first brand of the liquid smoke sold in America since 1895, most of the products from Wrights have still become the top-seller choices in stores.
And one of my favorite ones is the All-Natural Hickory Seasoning Liquid Smoke from Wright’s.
Since this item is made by burning freshly-cut hickory chips and then compressing the smoke into a liquid form, you are guaranteed to get a wonderful smoky flavor without using live fire or a smoker.
Also, it is scrubbed and filtered to get rid of all impurities. That means this liquid smoke has no fat, no cholesterol as well as no preservatives.
Hence, it’s safe for you to use it in any kind of eating demands such as basting, microwaving, saucing, and so on.
But make sure to follow instructions carefully while seasoning because I found some reports that the flavor might be strong if you put too much.
Overall, the Wright’s liquid smoke can not only give you a fantastic smoky taste without requiring any cooking techniques but also care for your health (without any artificial ingredients added).
Pros
- Great flavor and smell
- No artificial ingredients
- Ideal for all kinds of dishes
- Good value for the quantity
Cons
- Avoid using too much liquid
#2 – Lazy Kettle 5 Oz All Natural Liquid Smoke – Best for Flavoring Meat
Another popular brand of all-natural liquid smoke without additives is Lazy Kettle.
Made of 100% pure hickory smoke in a highly concentrated liquid form, this stuff is truly a great gift for the cook in your life since it adds amazing wood-fired flavor to foods, especially for all kinds of beef and pork recipes.
Moreover, it is great for use on other dishes such as making homemade barbeque sauces, smoking salmon, trout, and popcorn, or even livening up vegetarian meals.
Just determine which one you want to cook and then add ½ tablespoon (or less) into it and then get ready for an amazing smell like a real wood-fired oven.
No caramel color, no sugar, no soy sauce, and no gluten, feel free to try this best liquid smoke so that you can bring a real smoke for your dishes.
Pros
- Outstanding flavor
- Great in all kinds of meat
- Also ideal for vegetarian
Cons
- A bit pricey as compared the others on this list
- Easily broken due to its glass bottle
#3 – Colgin Gourmet Liquid Smoke – Best Combination of Hickory and Mesquite
Similar to Wright’s, Colgin Gourmet is another well-known brand name that has been producing wonderfully flavored liquid smoke for years.
And this product is indeed an excellent pick for those who prefer a great combination of mesquite and hickory.
While the mesquite offers a strong flavor, the hickory is milder. So, when both are combined, you are guaranteed to get an earthy taste and wonderful aroma like never before.
Of course, it is made out of 100% pure hickory and mesquite, which means there are no artificial additives as well as no preservatives used. More importantly, it is vegan and has no animal by-products and gluten.
Chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, beef short ribs, or anything, simply brush or dash a few drops of the Colgin liquid smoke on them and enjoy the tangy and smoky flavor without using a smoker later.
Pros
- Smoky and delicious flavor
- Convenient size, easy to pour
- Nice plastic bottle
- Ideal for all kinds of dishes
- Worth the money, coming with a bundle of two bottles
Cons
- Some complaints about leaking
- Avoid adding too much
#4 – Stubb’s Hickory Liquid Smoke – Best Budget
My last pick belongs to Stubb’s hickory liquid smoke, which is definitively suitable for those who prefer the excellent smoky flavor as well as an affordable price for a big pack. And with a box of six bottles, you don’t need to worry about out of ingredients while cooking.
Since they are always ready in your pantry, do they truly taste good?
This little bottle is able to combine well with any of the seasonings to help you make your own signature bar-b-q dishes that come with a fantastic flavor and taste for sure.
It is made to work well in bbq beef briskets, burgers, slow-cooked ribs, and even baked beans as well.
Just note to only use one or two drops of liquid smoke into your marinade or directly on the meat so that everything will be perfect.
Pros
- Nice barbeque flavor for every dish
- Ideal for a vegan diet
- Gluten-free
- Budget-friendly price for a big pack
Cons
- Not receive enough 6 bottles
- Easy to break
- Quite strong, use an eye dropper to do easily
Time to Enhance Flavor of Your Dishes
The best liquid smoke that you need in your pantry depends on you, my friends.
Of course, all the products above are the best of the best.
But in my individual opinion, I prefer Wright’s all-natural hickory seasoning liquid smoke most.
First off, I extremely love the smoky flavor of the hickory. It is milder than the mesquite that is suitable for my own taste. Since it is made of 100% pure hickory, there are no additives or preservatives for sure.
More importantly, it comes at a reasonable price for a big bottle of liquid smoke.
So, what do you think?
Don’t mind sharing your experience after ORDERING by leaving your comments here. Or ask me anything you still wonder.
Once again, thanks for reading.
Last update on 2023-03-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
