Best Smoked Turkey Recipe
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117 reviews
Excellent
Best Smoked Turkey Recipe
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This recipe for how to make a brined & smoked turkey will give you the juiciest, most succulent smoked turkey ever! Brining helps it stay extra moist, while applewood smoke creates the most flavorful turkey ever! Make your brined & smoked turkey using an electric smoker which makes it super easy, which means more time to relax or work on the rest of Thanksgiving dinner!
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Ingredients
Smoked Turkey Brine
- 1 1/2 cups coarse kosher salt
- 1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons whole black peppercorns
- 2 Tablespoons allspice berries
- 3-5 prigs fresh thyme
- 2-3 prigs fresh Rosemary
- 5 cloves garlic smashed
- 1-2 oranges rind peeled off in ribbons
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 gallons cold water
- 1 bag ice
- 1 clean 5-gallon bucket
Turkey Ingredients
- 1 12-15 lb. turkey
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or olive oil
- 1 granny smith apple quartered
- 1 medium yellow onion quartered
- 3-4 prigs fresh thyme
- 3-4 prigs fresh Rosemary
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- Butcher's twine
- Applewood pellets
Instructions
Brining
- In a 5-gallon food-grade bucket, combine the water, salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, allspice, fresh herbs, garlic, orange and bay leaves.
- Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and discard or set aside for later use. Remove any plastic or wire holding the turkey legs together and discard. Gently lower the turkey into the bucket of brine, making sure it is fully immersed. Place the bag of ice on top of the turkey to keep it submerged fully in the bucket. Cover the bucket a lid or a thick, tight layer of aluminum foil and set aside to brine overnight.
Smoking
- When ready to smoke the turkey, remove the bird from the brine, drain well and pat the skin and inside cavities dry with paper towels. Fold the wingtips behind the back and tie the legs together with butcher’s twine. Rub the turkey inside and out with the oil, then stuff both the main cavity and the neck cavity with the quartered apple, onion and fresh herbs.
- Start an electric smoker on the Smoke setting with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes). Place the turkey directly on the grill grate, breast side up. Close lid and let the turkey smoke on the Smoke setting (between 150°F and 180°F) for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Combine the melted butter and rosemary in a small bowl. After the initial Smoke, leave the turkey on the smoker and brush all over with the rosemary butter, then turn the smoker heat up to 350°F. Smoke the turkey for an additional 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the turkey is 170° F on an instant-read meat thermometer stuck in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Carefully remove the turkey from the smoker and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Notes
- Look for a fresh young turkey or use a frozen one that has been defrosted in the fridge for 3 days.
- Fresh or frozen turkey: Look for a fresh young turkey or use a frozen one that has been defrosted in the fridge for 3 days.
Nutrition Information
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Calories
930kcal
(47%)
Carbohydrates
29g
(10%)
Protein
107g
(214%)
Fat
42g
(65%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
9g
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
374mg
(125%)
Sodium
14805mg
(617%)
Potassium
1231mg
(35%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
26g
(52%)
Vitamin A
596IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
9mg
(10%)
Calcium
131mg
(13%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 930 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 930kcal | 47% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 107g | 214% |
| Fat | 42g | 65% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9g | 53% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 374mg | 125% |
| Sodium | 14805mg | 617% |
| Potassium | 1231mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 26g | 52% |
| Vitamin A | 596IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 131mg | 13% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
117 reviews
Excellent
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