{"id":9344,"date":"2022-12-15T14:30:47","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T14:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/?p=9344"},"modified":"2022-12-15T14:30:51","modified_gmt":"2022-12-15T14:30:51","slug":"hickory-vs-mesquite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/hickory-vs-mesquite\/","title":{"rendered":"Hickory vs Mesquite | Which Works Best for BBQ?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What’s the difference between hickory vs mesquite smoking wood and the flavors they produce? I’ve been seeing this question pop up a lot lately. However, the answer depends on your taste and what you want to smoke or grill<\/a>. <\/strong>For most of us cooks and backyard barbecue warriors, we know mesquite wood has a strong flavor profile.<\/strong> It is often used for red meat like beef, especially brisket. Hickory on the other hand is mildly intense in flavor<\/strong>. It’s a versatile type of wood that goes well with chicken or beef.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, I know it’s really hard to tell the difference between the different smoking woods like hickory and mesquite. When we dive further feel in the hickory vs mesquite wood comparison, you’ll find out what works best for you and your purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Hickory<\/figure>\n\n\n

Differences Between Hickory vs Mesquite: A Side-by-side Comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n Weber Mesquite Wood Chunks<\/span>
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Weber Mesquite Wood Chunks, for Grilling and...<\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n \n
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\n Where It Comes From <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n
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South and North America<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n \n
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Southeast Asia and North America<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Smoke Characteristics <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n
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Dark Smoke That Discolors Food<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n \n
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Clean Smoke; Burns Longer<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Flavor\/Taste <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n
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Big Bold, Intense and Earthy Flavor<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n \n
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Rich Subtly Sweet and Nutty Flavor<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Flavor Intensity <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n
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Strong Smoky Flavor<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n \n
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Mild Smoky Flavor<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Application <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n
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For Smoking Dark Meats Like Texas-style Brisket, Duck, Lamb, or Wild Game Meat<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n \n
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For Smoking Pork, Beef, and Chicken<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n \n
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Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n
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\n\n Weber Mesquite Wood Chunks<\/span>\n \n \n
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\n Preview <\/div>\n\n \n
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\"Weber<\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Product <\/div>\n\n \n
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Weber Mesquite Wood Chunks, for Grilling and...<\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Where It Comes From <\/div>\n\n \n
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South and North America<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Smoke Characteristics <\/div>\n\n \n
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Dark Smoke That Discolors Food<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Flavor\/Taste <\/div>\n\n \n
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Big Bold, Intense and Earthy Flavor<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Flavor Intensity <\/div>\n\n \n
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Strong Smoky Flavor<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Application <\/div>\n\n \n
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For Smoking Dark Meats Like Texas-style Brisket, Duck, Lamb, or Wild Game Meat<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n <\/div>\n\n \n
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Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
\n\n Oklahoma Joe's Wood Smoker Chunks<\/span>\n \n \n
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\n Preview <\/div>\n\n \n
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\"Oklahoma<\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Product <\/div>\n\n \n
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Oklahoma Joe's Wood Smoker Chunks, 8 lb,...<\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Where It Comes From <\/div>\n\n \n
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Southeast Asia and North America<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Smoke Characteristics <\/div>\n\n \n
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Clean Smoke; Burns Longer<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Flavor\/Taste <\/div>\n\n \n
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Rich Subtly Sweet and Nutty Flavor<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Flavor Intensity <\/div>\n\n \n
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Mild Smoky Flavor<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n Application <\/div>\n\n \n
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For Smoking Pork, Beef, and Chicken<\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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\n <\/div>\n\n \n
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Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

It is important to understand that both hickory and mesquite wood burn almost exactly the same way. So when you decide to switch from one to the other, you don’t need to alter your cooking time or method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second thing to remember: If you’re cooking for a group, only you will be able to note the differences between hickory and mesquite. Only experienced grill masters can tell what woods you used. Some will notice the intense smoky notes of mesquite. Although the distinctive nutty taste of hickory won’t matter for a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Is Better: Hickory or Mesquite?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mesquite wood chips are more effective<\/strong> for smoking meat because the wood burns a little quicker and stronger. It burns fast and smokes a lot, giving your meats intense smoke and bark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, hickory wood is more versatile than mesquite<\/strong> and it tastes better<\/strong>. Hickory can be used with various types of meat and is easily integrated with other woods such as oak to create amazingly spicy flavor profiles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like to use hickory with dark red meat like pork shoulder and beef and also with white meats like chicken. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, mesquite wood chips and logs are only great for certain recipes like dark meats. However, it’s probably too strong for smoking ribs or pork shoulder.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re having a hard time deciding which to choose, you can choose both. Yes, you can mix hickory with mesquite<\/strong>. Blending intense woods with fruity woods will help decrease the intensity. I recommend trying them out individually before combining them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything About Mesquite, the Wood With a Distinctive Color<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mesquite is from deciduous trees<\/strong> found in North America. Mesquite tree woods are also used to smoke food or to make coals for grilling meats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from time before smoking got so popular mesquite woods were used for centuries to create furniture. The products from the tree are edible and can even be made into flour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, this ingredient is used for barbecues mainly because of its easy availability and distinctive flavor. Most smokers prefer eating foods made from mesquite wood because the smell gives off spiciness and complements meat like beef rib<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mesquite is a serious smoking wood used to make meat butts or boneless ribs, chicken breasts, and pork chops. However, the intense aroma can sometimes mask meats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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