Today, we're venturing beyond the realm of the ordinary hard-boiled egg. We're talking smoky, savory, and utterly delicious: smoked hard-boiled eggs! This isn't your average picnic egg salad filler. This is perfect for a unique appetizer, a delightful snack, or even a fancy deviled egg upgrade. So, ditch the mayo (for now) and let's fire up the smoker!
Wood chips of your choice (cherry or hickory recommended)
Smoker (electric, charcoal, or gas all work!)
Spray bottle filled with cool water (optional)
Ingredients
12hard-boiled eggspeeled
Generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
Prep the Eggs: This recipe assumes you already have hard-boiled eggs on hand. If not, no worries! Follow your favorite method for hard-boiling a dozen eggs. Once cooked and cooled, peel them carefully.
Black Pepper Party: Now comes the fun part – the flavoring! Generously coat the peeled eggs with freshly cracked black pepper. Don't be shy – a good layer of pepper will really enhance the smokiness.
Gearing Up the Smoker: Preheat your smoker to a steady temperature of 225°F (110°C). While the smoker gets up to temperature, soak your wood chips in water for about 30 minutes (this helps create more smoke).
Smoke Time! Once your smoker is preheated and your wood chips are ready, add the wood chips according to your smoker's instructions. Place the peppered eggs directly on the smoker grate, ensuring enough space between them for proper smoke circulation.
Smoke Signals: Now comes the moment of truth – letting the smoke work its magic. Smoke the eggs for approximately 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them throughout the process, and if you notice any excessive drying on the outside, you can lightly spritz them with cool water from your spray bottle.
Pro Tip: The smoking time can be adjusted depending on your desired level of smoke flavor. For a subtler smokiness, aim for 20-25 minutes. If you're a smoke enthusiast, you can extend the smoking time up to 45 minutes.
Rest and Enjoy! After 30 minutes (or your chosen smoking time), remove the eggs from the smoker and let them cool completely at room temperature. This allows the smoke flavor to meld beautifully with the egg whites and yolks.
Notes
Now that you have a batch of perfectly smoked hard-boiled eggs, the possibilities are endless! Here are a few ideas to get your creative culinary juices flowing:
Smoked Deviled Eggs: Take your deviled egg game to a whole new level! Simply halve the smoked eggs, remove the yolks, and create your favorite deviled egg filling. Pipe the filling back into the smoked egg whites for a visually stunning and incredibly flavorful appetizer.
Smoked Egg Salad: Who needs boring old plain egg salad when you have smoked eggs? Mash up your smoked eggs, add your favorite chopped vegetables, a touch of mayonnaise, and your preferred seasonings. This smoky egg salad is perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or even a delightful addition to a charcuterie board.
Smoked Egg and Arugula Salad: Elevate your lunchtime salad with the addition of smoked egg slices. The smoky flavor pairs beautifully with peppery arugula, creamy avocado, and a tangy vinaigrette.
Smoked Egg Charcuterie Board: Who says charcuterie boards can't have a smoky twist? Place smoked egg quarters alongside cured meats, marinated olives, sharp cheeses like cheddar or Gouda, and crusty bread. The smoky eggs add a delightful new dimension of flavor to this classic spread.