Our Jamaican Curry Smoked Cornish Hens are so good.
Our hens are seasoned with Jamaican Curry and smoked sea salt.
Next, I smoked them for three and a half hours using an electric smoker.
The result was smoky, juicy, and intensely flavorful Cornish hens you won’t soon forget.
If you’re looking for a turkey alternative for the holidays, you want this smoke!
Cornish Game Hen Smoker Recipe- What You Need To Know
Smoked Cornish hens are brushed with a rich butter and Jamaican curry seasoning blend before spending a few hours in the smoker until the skin is beautifully golden and the meat is incredibly juicy.
Whether you’re making this Cornish game hen smoker recipe for a family dinner, holiday meal, or weekend cookout, it’s an easy recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results with very little hands-on work.
One of the things we love most about making Cornish hens in the smoker is that each guest gets their own perfectly portioned bird.
They cook faster than a whole chicken, absorb smoky flavor beautifully, and are easy to customize with your favorite seasoning blends.
If you want a smaller portion, cut them in half. And because of their small size, they are perfect for:
- special occasions—think stay-at-home date nights and anniversary celebrations
- dinner parties
- holidays—think Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day dinner
What You Will Need
Cornish Hens. We like to use hens that are 1 to 2 pounds, and we use the Tyson brand and love them.
Jamaican Curry Seasoning. We recently discovered Chef Max’s line of seasonings, and his Jamaican Curry was amazing in this recipe.
Salted Butter. When making a butter glaze, you want to use quality butter—for this recipe, we opted for Kerrygold salted sweet cream butter.
Smoked Sea Salt. I also added a bit of smoked sea salt to our butter glaze and used it as a finishing salt.
Fresh Herbs. When it comes to herbs, there are so many to choose from; I used fresh thyme and marjoram from our garden. But other herbs also work well, like:
- rosemary
- french tarragon
- sage
- oregano
- savory
Ingredients for Smoked Cornish Hens:
serving size: 4
- 4 Cornish hens
- 8 ounces salted butter, melted
- 3 tbsp Jamaican curry seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked sea salt
- 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh marjoram
Best smoked Cornish hen dry rub:
If you don’t like curry-based seasoning, try:
- umami rub
- mesquite rub
- al pastor rub
- coffee rub
Equipment
- butcher’s twine
- aluminum pans
- pastry brush
Directions:
Prep: *thaw cornish hens in the fridge or cold water for at least 24 to 48 hours.
- Preheat an electric smoker to 350 degrees.
- Drain and pat the Cornish hens dry, removing the packs of giblets or neck pieces, then let them rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour.
- In a small bowl, combine the salted butter, Jamaican curry seasoning, smoked sea salt, fresh thyme, and marjoram.
- Brush the Cornish hens generously on all sides, including the inside of the cavity, with the butter and herb mixture.
- Using butcher’s twine, tie the legs together on each Cornish hen. Tip: This helps them cook evenly.
- Arrange the Cornish hens in aluminum pans and place them on the center rack of the smoker. Then reduce the temperature to 275 degrees and smoke the hens for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165 degrees.
- Remove the hens from the smoker and allow them to rest for ten (10) minutes.
What is the best wood for smoking Cornish hens?
Fruitwoods like apple, cherry, and pecan are excellent choices for smoking Cornish hens because they add a mild, slightly sweet flavor without overpowering the meat.
If you prefer a bolder, smokier taste, hickory is a great option.
How Long Do You Smoke a Cornish Hen?
Smoking time depends on the size of the hens and the temperature of your smoker. At 275°F, Cornish hens typically take 3 to 3½ hours to cook.
The best way to know they’re done is to use an instant-read thermometer.
Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. Once it reaches 165°F, the hens are ready to come off the smoker.
Let them rest for 10 minutes before serving so the juices have time to redistribute.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the step of patting the hens dry, which can prevent the skin from browning properly.
- Cooking by time instead of temperature. Always verify doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
- Forgetting to remove the giblets from the cavity before seasoning.
- Over-smoking with strong woods like mesquite, which can overpower the delicate flavor of the meat.
- Cutting into the hens immediately after cooking instead of letting them rest for 10 minutes.
Tips for Smoking Cornish Hens
- Bring the hens to room temperature for about 30 minutes before smoking for more even cooking.
- Use mild woods like apple, cherry, or pecan for a balanced smoke flavor.
- Brush the hens generously with the butter mixture to help keep the meat moist throughout the cook.
- Truss the legs with butcher’s twine for more even cooking and a cleaner presentation.
- Place the hens in aluminum pans to catch the flavorful juices, making cleanup much easier.
- For crispier skin, increase the smoker temperature to 350°F during the last 15 to 20 minutes of cooking.
How long will frozen Cornish hens last in the freezer?
Properly store packaged frozen Cornish Hens in plastic, wrap them in aluminum foil, and place them into large zip-lock bags—write the date on the bag.
The Cornish hens will last in the freezer for up to twelve (12) months.
How long can I keep uncooked raw Cornish hens in the fridge?
Raw Cornish hens, stored in an airtight container, can be kept in the fridge for up to two (2) days.
Can I make the Cornish hens ahead of time?
Yes. Allow cooked Cornish hens to cool completely and store them in an airtight container.
Store in the fridge for up to four (4) days.
Do I need to brine Cornish hens before smoking?
No. The butter and seasoning mixture helps keep the meat moist, so brining isn’t necessary.
However, if you like extra juicy poultry, you can brine the hens for 8 to 12 hours before cooking.
Should I smoke Cornish hens covered or uncovered?
Smoke them uncovered so the smoke can circulate around the birds and help develop flavorful, lightly crisped skin.
How can I reheat Cornish hens?
Allow the refrigerated Cornish hens to reach room temperature.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees, individually wrap each hen in foil, and place in the oven for approximately ten (10) minutes or until warm.
If you don’t want to smoke your hens, try these options:
What to serve with Cornish Hens?
Several sides pair well with hens, including plating them with Cheesy Grits!
You can print the recipe below using the recipe card. Now, you just need to head to your local grocery store to grab all the ingredients!
If you have any questions or comments, drop us a line below.
How To Make Smoked Cornish Hens
Ingredients
- 4 Cornish hens
- 8 ounces salted butter melted
- 3 tbsp Jamaican curry seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked sea salt
- 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh marjoram
Instructions
- Prep: *thaw cornish hens in the fridge or cold water for at least 24 to 48 hours.
- Preheat an electric smoker to 350 degrees.
- Drain and pat the Cornish hens dry, removing the packs of giblets or neck pieces, then let them rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour.
- In a small bowl, combine the salted butter, Jamaican curry seasoning, smoked sea salt, fresh thyme, and marjoram.
- Brush the Cornish hens generously on all sides, including the inside of the cavity, with the butter and herb mixture.
- Using butcher's twine, tie the legs together on each Cornish hen. Tip: This helps them cook evenly.
- Arrange the Cornish hens in aluminum pans and place them on the center rack of the smoker. Then reduce the temperature to 275 degrees and smoke the hens for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165 degrees.
- Remove the hens from the smoker and allow them to rest for ten (10) minutes.
Notes
If you don't like curry-based seasoning, try:
- umami rub
- mesquite rub
- al pastor rub
- coffee rub
Equipment
- butcher's twine
- aluminum pans
- pastry brush
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