Dining and Cooking
Smoked a gator for son's graduation party.
In Smoking

Smoked a gator for son’s graduation party.


I had asked for input and recommendations to smoke an alligator here on /smoker and really appreciate all the feedback I received. I ordered a 19lb whole gator from Big Pop's and it was trimmed to perfection. We brined it for 24 hours, dusted it with Dan-Os, filled the cavity with a cornbread stuffing and covered it in bacon to hold in moisture. I used a Camp Chef Woodwind Pro24 and filled the hopper with a 75 cherry/25 hickory blend with the smoke box topped with apple chips. Cook time was roughly 5.5 hours at 275. It was a HUGE success and everybody loved it.

Thanks again for the advice and to anyone thinking about smoking a gator, do it!

by dento77

47 Comments

  1. ReadditRedditWroteit

    Never tried it smoked, but gator tail meat is delicious!

  3. ernie_mccracken

    Dang that looks wild. I’ve had gator before but not like this. Would love to try this sometime!

  4. No_Warthog_3584

    I lack the confidence to try such an unusual dish.

  5. PearlsandScotch

    I am so curious. Was it stuffed? And what was the the stuffing?

  9. Ok_Leader_7624

    Is that bbq chicken in case the bbq gator gets hungry?

  10. GettingTherapy

    I’m so intrigued to try this. I won’t make it, but I really want to be invited to an event where someone is smoking an alligator.

  13. Dragondicky

    Never had. Would love try though! Not really available in Canada.

  15. unknown98990

    Kid Graduated from Baton Rouge Fire Academy

  16. Dubious01

    My man! Now this is what this sub is for! Cool fucking shit OP!

    I’m so impressed with this man! Well. fucking. done.

    Didn’t know you could order a gator like a pig (which I have done many delicious times). But that’s just a geographical thing, no gators here.

    Now I’m wondering. Having cooked/steamed a pig in the ground successfully, what would a gator be like cooked in the ground?

    ![gif](giphy|3o7TKF1fSIs1R19B8k)

  17. caelen727

    The only downside I’ve had with gator is it being tough, so slow cooking it would be perfect. I’m sure it was tasty as hell

  18. Dorjechampa_69

    Damn I bet that shit was delicious. Love some gator.

  21. Pitiful-MobileGamer

    Showed this to my daughter, and as expected I got the reaction I was planning. Thank you kind internet stranger for posting such a captivating picture.

  23. 24krtHawG

    OP, I’ve got one in my freezer as well!! Got it from the seafood store, originally from a gator farm in LA.!! I was planning on throwing mine in the PitBoss to smoke. Yours looks good, wish me luck, lol!!

  24. hauttdawg13

    Never had it smoked but looks great and would 100% try a couple plates.

  25. SonofSwarthy

    I’ve added this to my bucket list. Not the strangest food on there but the only one that requires a party. How many people did a gator that size serve?

    Edit to remove my question about the stuffing, because hell yes I’m stuffing it with jalapeno cornbread.

  28. GoatAncient7405

    Fucking amazing! Never would’ve thought that was a thing. Now my interest is peaked. Always looking for something new to smoke. The same things over and over again is like a “stall”. Thinking I might have me a gator party before the summer is out.

  30. kaotikz3030

    Ive never had gator before but i would definitely try this!

  35. DuckyLog

    This is the kinda content we want! More gators, fewer briskets!

  36. CatShot1948

    I still think you’re a crazy son of a gun for cooking something like this for a big event/crowd, but it looks like it turned out great! Congrats to you and your boy!

  38. SmarterThanCornPop

    Hopefully because he’s going to FSU?

    Me and my buddies used to smoke a gator every year for the game.

  39. WhatTheBlack

    Where did he graduate? South Central Louisiana State University?

  44. 93c15

    As Bruce from Swamp People said…. As he smoked a gator covered in bacon “I believe a tire would taste good if you wrapped it in bacon”

    ![gif](giphy|TTgdzuDc5qp76ARhRg4)

  45. furyian24

    What’s it taste like? Chicken? Fish? Pork? Chicfishork?

Write A Comment