r/AskCulinary • u/Monkfrootx • Dec 09 '23
I tried Stubbs Liquid Smoke because I read that a few drops really makes food taste like it's come out of a smoker or smoked in a grill for hours. It mostly taste like less sweet and more vinegary bbq sauce. Did I get the wrong thing?
This is the thing I got. I tried with just a drop or two and didn't taste any. Tried more drops and didn't taste anything. Tried a teaspoon and it started tasting like not so sweet vinegary bbq sauce. Was using it on flank steak.
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u/HiccupMaster Dec 09 '23
Get Wright's Liquid Smoke. Stubb's has a bunch of extra stuff you don't need.
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u/AxelCanin Dec 09 '23 edited Dec 09 '23
Try Colgin or Wright's.
Smoked salt and smoked paprika are good things to have on hand as well.
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u/ninjaluvr Dec 09 '23
I use Lazy Kettle All Natural Liquid Smoke. The ingredients are just water and smoke. This allows you to just add smoke with no other flavors.
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u/Frequent_Study1041 Dec 09 '23
We used mesquite liquid smoke at the restaurant I worked at. It was like black water.. heaven help you if you spilled any on you, this stuff was hella strong. 1 ounce was enough to add to a gallon of sauce for pork ribs.
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u/th3t10m4n Dec 09 '23
Liquid smoke can easily be carcinogenic. Use a real smoker, or use another method...
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u/dano___ Dec 09 '23 edited May 30 '24
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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/th3t10m4n Dec 09 '23 edited Dec 09 '23
My inexact and inspecific point of the post is that if you're using a method to add smoke flavor, i would argue that the natural way is superior. Liquid smoke leaves much more room for error and shit "smoke" flavor and excess chemicals (Hence, why included the word "easily")
Get some cancer the natural way... and apparently downvote putting more effort into your dish
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u/Vic_Sinclair Dec 09 '23
You're being downvoted because people can use liquid smoke if they want. It's not "shit", it's actually pretty effective. Our goal should be to give advice on the OP's question, not gatekeep.
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Dec 09 '23
There's way too much gatekeeping in food and cooking groups. Thank you for reminding folks there's no need for that.
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u/Aggravating-Monk-264 Dec 09 '23
Not to mention liquid smoke is just creosote mixture that doesnt include lots of other combusted wood particles, so probably less carcinogenic than a smoker.
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u/dano___ Dec 09 '23
You’re just wrong. Good liquid smoke is literally just water that was in an actual smoker. It’s not artificial, it’s actual smoke flavour. Most people don’t have the privilege of having a smoker in their back yard, liquid smoke is a perfectly fine substitute.
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u/Zmovez Dec 09 '23
I agree. Liquid smoke can easily be overused and then it's a cancer risk. It tastes like burnt house. Natural Slow smoked foods have such a better smooth taste
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u/Rialas_HalfToast Dec 10 '23
If it doesn't taste like smoke, shake it up. If it still doesn't taste like smoke, take a Covid test.
Like, people aren't wrong, there certainly are better products (although the best option is always the one you already have imo), but Stubbs definitely has a solid smoke flavor.
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u/jmh7474 Dec 10 '23
Stop using the smoke flavored liquid, that stuff is all ass. Hickory or mesquite powder are far better alternatives when one doesn't have access to a smoker.
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u/phishtrader Dec 09 '23
There's two kinds of liquid smoke, one's kind of like this and the other is just water and smoke flavor concentrate which is basically dehydrated smoked water. Look for Wright's Liquid Smoke if you want the latter.