How to Smoke With Hickory Leaves

You can achieve a smoky flavor in no time.

Smoking is typically done with smoke woods. However, hickory is one of the most popular smoke woods, and in a pinch, you can bring out some of that hickory smoke flavor using dried hickory leaves. Be sure you check your local government to make sure there are no laws against smoking with leaves, rather than wood. You won't need to add enough to create a real hazard, but always play it safe when it comes to local laws.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Water
• Paper towels
• Charcoal
• Smoker

Instructions

1. Consider adding additional flavors to the hickory leaves to help dress it up a bit. Apple and oak wood are too flavors that go very well with hickory.

2. Clean off the leaves. If necessary, soak them in some water and swirl them around the bowl to remove any dirt or grime.

3. Lay the leaves out on paper towels until they have dried.

4. Add a layer of charcoal to the smoker. Add some fuel, and light it up.

5. Place a layer of hickory leaves on top of the charcoal. Move them around a little with a fire poker.

6. Cover the leaves with another layer of charcoal. Then, add any additional flavors you're using, such as apple or oak. Once the top layer is heated up, you're ready to smoke.

References

• The Virtual Weber Bullet: All About Smoke Woods
• Alto Shaam: Smokers