Orange/ginger sauce for smoking?

Unknown · May 2008

While rooting around in the pantry I came across this bottle of orange/ginger glaze sauce my wife bought recently. I have this 5 pound Boston Butt that I'm planning to smoke in a day or two, and I'm thinking about using this stuff, just to get something a little different.

The ingredient list is sugar, ater, vinegar, ginger, soy sauce, sea salt, orange peel, and red pepper. Sounds pretty good to me.

But I'm wondering, should I be concerned about this stuff burning at around 250 degrees? Should I still do a brine? (I think I've read that the brine helps break down proteins in the meat, or something like that -- something that contributes to the fall-apart tenderness of the final product.)

Opinions, thoughts and suggestions are appreciated...

Chef in the Making · May 2008

I am no experts however I thought glazes went on at the end of the cook because the sugar has a tendency to burn.

Bacchus · May 2008

It is my understanding that sauces, etc with sugars will not scorch at less than approx 300deg. I am no expert to say the least. It may be best to wait until last couple of hours of cooking just to get as much flvor from the sauce as possible.
I routinely use various marinades(to varying degrees of success =) as basting sauces. Usually whatever I can find on sale. Maybe I should try making some......

Tommy · May 2008

I think you would want to start the glaze about 30 t0 60 minutes before it is finished assuming your at 235 to 250 It is mostly for appearance I doubt it will contribute much to the overall flavor.
But I'm not expert.

emilluca · May 2008

Brine it then smoke and use the glaze as a sauce after it is done. I also would be afraid it would burn.

Nature Boy · May 2008

How does it taste?
If you want to do something different like that, you might want to try it first and see if you can't build something around it. Doesn't sound like something that would normally go well with a smoked boston butt, but if you geared your marinade and rub around that flavor profile, you could run into something interesting. And like they said below, your sauce is prolly best used as a glaze. But taste that thang first and make sure it's up your alley!

You could brine, but I wouldn't bother. Pork shoulder just tastes so good without it.

Have a blast.
Chris

Tommy · May 2008

Unless you inject it not much of the flavor will penetrate very far anyway.

GatorEgg · May 2008

I use orange marmalade in alot of my pork cooks, the stuff that doesn't run off into the dip pan does not seem to burn on the meat.

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Orange/ginger sauce for smoking?

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