The Delicious Benefit Of Smoking Avocado
Where there's smoke, there's flavor. While smoked salt is many cooks' go-to finisher, other foods you might not know you can smoke are cheese, eggs, and even butter. Plus, you're likely already acquainted with smoked water in the form of liquid smoke seasoning. So, what about smoked vegetables? If you're skeptical, know that they helped put Michelin Star-rated Noma on the map with recipes like celeriac shawarma and slow-smoked cauliflower, which made even seasoned barbecue pitmasters swoon. See also Noma's smoked mushroom garum, which is bottled umami — smoking adds a new dimension of flavor and texture even to mild foods.
The blog Smokin' Plants concurs, focusing on giving produce the same superstar smoker treatment traditionally relegated to large cuts of meat. It explains that avocados, our big-seeded green besties, conveniently don't need to be cooked before hitting the grill — so with little effort, you'll be able to work with this special fruit in a fun new way. Here's why and how you should try smoking avocados and plenty of delicious ways to use them in your favorite recipes.
A sweet textural treat
Nicknamed Hardcore Carnivore, Jess Pryles demonstrates with her cheese-stuffed smoked avocado bombs that, when heated, avocados' texture and flavor change for the butterier. Although it can be hard to find the perfect avocado, you'll need to do your best if you plan to smoke them. Pryles insists on just-ripe avos for smoking, which give only somewhat when pressed. Smokin' Plants says ripe avocados will be dark green or black and have bumps but no squishiness.
Be sure to store your avocados properly for maximum quality before smoking them, and exercise care when dealing with that pit. Smokin' Plants explains that smoking avocados takes 15-20 minutes at 180 F or your smoker's lowest setting. Be sure to rub the avocado flesh with oil and spices of your choice — might we suggest Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute or BBQ 101? Then, you scoop the avocado flesh out of the skin once they're cool enough, or leave the halves be — depending on your recipe plans.
How to serve smoked avocados
Avocados from Mexico's simple smoked guacamole puts grill marks on the beloved dip. Weston's smoked avocados sport goat cheese crumbles, fresh jalapenos, and a sweet balsamic glaze. Traeger offers smoked stuffed avocado brimming with pulled pork and runny quail eggs. You can also add a smoked twist to avocados that don't call for cooking. Make grill master Bobby Flay beam by smoking the avocados for his avocado toast three ways and grilled fish tacos with avocado relish. Or, please the Pioneer Woman in you and add a smoky touch to her avocado egg salad.
These recipes would be perfect appetizers while you wait for the main course to finish cooking. Plus, according to Medical News Today, avocados are hearty enough for a vegetarian entrée and healthy to boot, full of good fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. So what wood should you use for smoking avocados? Forbes suggests sweet, mild choices like cherry or maple, which won't overpower the light flavor of avocados. You can even buy avocado wood chips: Jason Song of the Los Angeles Times swears by them! Avocados are more than just nutritious internet sensations — with a bit of smoke, they're a blank culinary canvas. So get that grill going.