Many grilling woods give strong, bold flavors to their food. Which is great. Sometimes. And other times, I am looking for something balanced and delicate to not overpower the natural flavors of the food. That’s where Alder wood comes in. It’s not as widely known as Cedar or Hickory, but it should be a top contender in any kitchen or BBQ area.

Alder Smoke – delicate, earthy and a hint of sweetness

Alder wood has a great flavor profile. The smoke is delicate, subtle and slightly sweet, making it the perfect go-to smoke flavor. Other woods, like Cedar and Hickory, have very strong smoke flavors, which can be overpowering for some meals. Whereas Alder should be a staple smoke flavor in any grilling household. Its versatility is unmatched in the wood smoke world and it is generally well-liked by all BBQ attendees.

What do Alder planks, wraps and smoking chips pair with?

Alder wood is especially great for white fish, vegetables, chicken, pork, shrimp and fruit.
Here are some of our favorite Alder wood recipes:

You might also like…

Cedar Planks Flavor Profile