Hickory Vs. Mesquite: Which Should You Use For Best Results?

Picking the right wood to use when smoking meat is one of the common challenges many BBQ enthusiasts have to handle. Since the choice of wood will greatly impact the general flavor of beef, you should always ensure that you get it right. So, between Hickory vs. Mesquite, which one can provide the best results?

The answer could be clearer, as it depends on the type of meat you want to cook. Mesquite’s stronger flavor makes it best for smoking beef cuts, particularly the brisket. On the other hand, Hickory is a medium-density wood that perfectly pairs with pork. However, you can also use it for grilling beef or chicken.

When picking the wood for cooking, one of the essential things to remember is that whatever wood you choose should not overpower the intrinsic flavor of the meat. Instead, the wood of your choice should complement the meat’s flavor.

Hickory Vs Mesquite Wood Chips

The best place to begin when you need to understand the best wood chips for smoking your meat is to understand the differences between the two.

Mesquite

The Mesquite originated from South America and is readily available in Mexico and several parts of the US, including Texas. When comparing the flavor of the Mesquite with Hickory, the Mesquite has a much stronger taste than the Hickory.

Generally, the Mesquite is best for smoking red meats capable of withstanding the strong flavor associated with its intense flavor. If you use it in the right proportions, you should expect an earth-like tones taste coupled with a bold and distinct flavor. However, if you use it excessively, the flavor might be bitter.

Additionally, the Mesquite can discolor the meat as it is a fast-burning wood that produces a lot of smoke. The high amount of smoke produces an intensely rich flavor very fast, so you must be keen when using the wood.

Hickory

The Hickory is quite popular in the US and is also available in Asia. It has about 18 species, perfect for smoking different types of meats.

While the flavor of the Hickory is not as strong as that of the Mesquite, it has a nutty and distinctly strong flavor. In addition, it adds a sweet note to the meat. Its natural flavor, stronger than fruitwood, pairs well with many dark types of meat. Some BBQ enthusiasts describe its taste as hearty.

One of the additional characteristics of the Hickory is that it can burn for a long time. In addition to the long burning duration, it also has a more intense flavor than fruit wood, and the smoke that the wood produces is cleaner than most types of wood used for smoking.

Further, you do not have to combine the hickory wood chips for the best results. However, there is no harm if you choose to do so.

Hickory Liquid Smoke

Liquid hickory smoke is a natural product that is made by condensing the smoke from burning the hickory woods. Since the liquid smoke is derived from the hickory tree, it has the same flavor profile as the hickory wood chips. One of the advantages of hickory liquid smoke is that it allows you to add a delicious smoky flavor to your food without using a smoker. Also, the liquid is inexpensive and convenient to use.

When purchasing a hickory liquid smoke, ensure that it does not have any other ingredients, especially if you want the natural flavor of the hickory wood.

Mesquite Liquid Smoke

The mesquite liquid smoke is derived from mesquite wood. It is designed to give you ample time cooking without smokers or grills and still be able to impart the unique flavor of the mesquite wood into your food. Common brands of Mesquite liquid smoke have additives such as coloring, molasses, vinegar, and salt.

When shopping for mesquite liquid smoke, ensure that you pay close attention to the ingredients to get the desired flavor.

The mesquite liquid smoke is popular because of several reasons, including;

• It helps impart the delicious mesquite smoky flavor into the food without the need for a smoker or grill
• It pairs perfectly with all your favorite rubs and seasoning
• You only need a little to achieve the desired flavor
• It is great for preparing a wide range of foods.

Which Wood Is Best For Which Types Of Meat

The type of wood that you pick will always have a direct impact on the flavor of the meat. Therefore, you should always pick the right wood for the best results. Additionally, you use whatever wood you choose correctly to avoid any disappointments.

Hickory

Besides being the most versatile wood, Hickory is a powerful smoking wood. Nevertheless, when using it for cooking different types of meats, you should be careful as it can easily make the meat bitter. Combining hickory wood with other types of meats is also prudent for impressive smoky profiles.

Hickory wood is best for smoking red meats, including pork, brisket, chuck roast, and chicken.

Pork

If you plan to cook pork and you are trying to compare Hickory vs. Mesquite, then Hickory is the better option. Hickory enhances the pork’s intrinsic flavor, giving it an appealing dark color.

Additionally, Hickory infuses the pork with a sweet aroma that elevates its general taste. On the other hand, the Mesquite wood is too strong for the pork, and you want to avoid trying it.

Beef

Another meat that you can smoke using hickory wood is beef. The hickory wood is excellent for elevating the meat’s natural flavor and infusing a subtle sweet taste to it. Although you can use Mesquite, you should be careful.

A combination of Hickory, Mesquite, or any other hardwood tree can still do fine.

Hickory and Poultry

Hickory wood is so versatile that you can use it for fish and poultry. However, since poultry and fish have a delicate flavor, you must use them sparingly. Mesquite can easily overwhelm the natural flavor of fish or poultry.

The Mesquite Wood

The mesquite wood is excellent for smoking dark meats, capable of withstanding its strong flavor. You can best use mesquite wood to smoke wild game meat, Texas-style brisket, lamb, duck, and the Tex-Mex barbacoa. Also, use the mesquite coals to grill vegetables, steaks, and other fast, flavorful foods.

Hickory vs. Mesquite, Which Is Better?

While the question is a bit misleading because it will always melt down to personal taste and preferences, it is important to note that the Hickory is the better option due to its versatility. If you have Hickory at your disposal, you can use it for a wide range of meats.

Hickory is more flexible as you can use it for many types of meat, including poultry/fish, beef, and pork. Again, it infuses rich colors and flavor into the food.

Whenever you have to pick from Hickory vs. Mesquite, there are numerous factors that you should consider, including the cut of the meat, your taste and preference, and whether you would want to mix it with other woods.

Can You Mix Mesquite And Hickory?

The answer is definitely yes. Combining the Hickory and Mesquite will give you a robust blend of flavor profiles that you can use to cook a wide range of meals. With this combination, you should expect a sweet, earthy, and smoky flavor. Moreover, Hickory will enhance the taste of the Mesquite while toning it down simultaneously.

Wrapping It Up

The type of wood you choose for your grilling ventures will always influence the taste of your food. However, you must have other necessary barbecuing skills for the best results. The Hickory has a robust flavor profile and pairs perfectly with a wide range of dishes, while the Mesquite also has a strong flavor limited to a few BBQ meals.

There is nothing wrong if you combine the two kinds of wood or smoke with each separately before deciding on the one to cling to whenever you are grilling the same type of meat.