Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another kitchen adventure. Today, I tried to figure out what to do when you run out of liquid smoke. You know, that stuff that gives your food a nice, smoky kick? Well, I was in the middle of making my special BBQ sauce when I realized, “Oh crap, I’m out of liquid smoke!”
So, I thought, “What now?” I needed that smoky flavor, but I didn’t have the time to go to the store. I started rummaging through my pantry, hoping to find something that could work. I remembered reading somewhere that some spices might do the trick, so I pulled out everything that seemed even remotely smoky.
My Experiment Begins
- Smoked Paprika: First up, I tried smoked paprika. It’s got that smoky smell, so I thought, “Why not?” I added a teaspoon to my sauce and gave it a good stir. The color changed a bit, but the taste? It was there, a hint of smokiness, but not quite the same as liquid smoke.
- Chipotle Powder: Next, I grabbed some chipotle powder. I figured since it’s made from smoked jalapeños, it might be closer to what I needed. I added a bit, tasted it, and…hmm, it was smoky, but also kinda spicy. It changed the flavor profile of my sauce more than I wanted.
At this point, I was starting to get a little worried. I had to do something. I mixed things, I tasted and I didn’t feel like I was making progress. I was getting ready to change what I cooked.

Thinking Outside the Box
Then, I remembered something else I read about – using a smoked salt. I had some on hand, so I thought, “Let’s give it a shot.” I sprinkled a bit into the sauce, and guess what? It was better! It added a subtle smoky flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. I also tried a bit of cumin. It gave some earthy notes, but it wasn’t quite what I was looking for.
So, after all that experimenting, I finally found something that worked. The smoked salt did a pretty decent job of replacing the liquid smoke. It wasn’t exactly the same, but it was close enough. My BBQ sauce turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. My family ate with no complaints.
But hey, I’m just a guy who likes to cook and share my little kitchen stories. Take it for what it’s worth, and feel free to try your own experiments. Maybe you’ll find an even better substitute for liquid smoke! Remember, cooking is all about having fun and trying new things. Keep on cooking, folks!
Post Comment