The Chef-Approved Wood Chips You Should Use When Cooking Steak

While it's possible to smoke just about any type of meat, including chicken, pork, and beef, the type of wood chips you use can have a major impact on flavor. In addition to avoiding common steak grilling mistakes such as selecting the wrong cut of beef, making a careful selection when it comes to wood can vastly elevate your feast. For an expert perspective on which wood option is tops for cooking steak, Mashed turned to James Beard Award Best Chef finalist Greg Gatlin, founder of Gatlin's BBQ and Gatlin's Fins & Feathers. "I prefer mesquite or hickory when cooking steak," Gatlin says. Mesquite and hickory are two wildly popular options for smoking beef on the grill.

Gatlin chooses mesquite and hickory "because these woods burn hot and produce longer burning coals." They also infuse beef with amazing flavors. With mesquite, prepare yourself for an intense, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the richness of steak. As for hickory, this wood also imparts an intense flavor that some compare to bacon, which is perfect for people who want their meat to taste even more like meat.

While chef Gatlin has his favored selections, he also emphasizes that "the type of wood you use is [your] preference." Accordingly, it helps to understand how other types of wood can impact the finished dish. For example, cherrywood features a tempered smokiness punctuated by notes of fruit and a mild sweetness, which can create a more complex flavor profile. Pecan features nutty components and a similar flavor profile to hickory — but not quite as intense.

It also helps to know the difference between wood chunks and chips. Wood chunks burn for longer, which means they generate more smoke (and more flavor). On the other hand, chips burn up pretty quickly, so they won't last as long in your grill and won't generate quite as much flavor as chunks. Smoking is one of many great ways to cook the perfect steak, and with chef Gatlin's tips, you can make an informed choice when selecting wood.