Best Smoked Turkey Recipe
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
8 hrs
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Total Time
8 hrs 15 mins
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Servings
15
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Calories
479 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Best Smoked Turkey Recipe
Description
The Best Smoked Turkey Recipe involves removing neck and giblets from a thawed 13-pound turkey and drying the surface thoroughly. The bird is rubbed with minced garlic and seasoned salt, then placed in a roasting pan. The cavity is filled with quartered apple and onion, adding moisture and subtle sweetness while smoking. Additional seasonings include garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
The smoker is preheated to 250°F, and the turkey is smoked for 7 to 8 hours, roughly 30 minutes per pound. During this time, the turkey is basted every 1 to 2 hours with juices from the pan to maintain moisture. Smoking at a low temperature and the long cook time ensures tender meat with a crisp, smoky skin. The internal temperature is monitored until it reaches 180°F in the thickest thigh area.
This recipe is designed to serve about 15 people. The use of cola soda in the pan adds a unique sweetness and helps keep the breast meat moist during smoking. It’s important to monitor internal temperature carefully for food safety and best texture.
Ingredients
- 13 pound whole turkey (thawed)
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons seasoned salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 24 ounces cola soda We used Coca Cola, flavored soda pop
- 1 large apple (quartered)
- 1 large onion (quartered)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper ground
Instructions
- Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey, and pat the turkey dry. 13 pound whole turkey
- Rub the minced garlic all over the turkey, then sprinkle the entire outside of the bird with seasoned salt. 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 2 tablespoons seasoned salt
- Place the turkey in a large roasting pan or disposable aluminum pan. Stuff the large cavity of the bird with the remaining ingredients. Cover the turkey loosely with foil. 1/2 cup butter, 24 ounces cola flavored soda pop, 1 large apple, 1 large onion, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- Prepare the smoker and heat to 250º Fahrenheit. Place the turkey in the smoker and baste every 1-2 hours with turkey juices from the pan.
- Smoke until the internal temperature reaches 180º Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the thigh. It’s good to plan 30 minutes per pound when you smoke a turkey between 225-250º Fahrenheit. This turkey was 13 pounds and took about 7-8 hours to get to temperature.
- Remove the turkey from the smoker and allow it to sit, still covered with foil, for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- The calorie estimate provided is based on serving about 15 people, each serving being approximately one-fifteenth of the turkey.
- Calorie counts can vary depending on the brands of ingredients used, so consider consulting a nutritionist for accurate dietary information.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 15Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 479 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 479kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 60g | 120% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 217mg | 72% |
| Sodium | 1764mg | 74% |
| Potassium | 667mg | 14% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 355IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 1.6mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 39mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2.6mg | 14% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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