Brined Smoked Turkey Recipe
User Reviews
5.0
78 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
4 hrs
-
Additional Time
1 d
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Total Time
1 d 4 hrs 20 mins
-
Servings
12
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Calories
334 kcal
-
Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
American
Brined Smoked Turkey Recipe
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Learn the absolute best most flavorful way to prepare a turkey by making this Brined Smoked Turkey Recipe.
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Ingredients
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 1 gallon water
- 1 ¼ cups salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 peeled and roughly chopped medium size onions
- 15 peppercorns
- 12-14 garlic cloves
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 bunch fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 14-16 pound trussed turkey giblets and neck removed
Instructions
- Add 4 cups of the cider with all the salt and sugar to a medium-size pot and bring to a boil and cook until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. Whisk occasionally.
- Transfer the mixture to a large 5-gallon container along with the remaining amount of cider, water, onions, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme, and whisk to combine.
- Add in the trussed turkey and ensure it is completely submerged.
- Place in the refrigerator for 24 hours or up to 48 hours.
- Remove the turkey and rinse very well with cold water on all sides.
- Transfer the turkey to a roasting pan and pat it dry using paper towels.
- Preheat the smoker to 275°.
- Add the turkey to the smoker and cook for 4 hours to 4 ½ hours. The thigh meat should read 160° to 165° when it is finished, or the button in the breast should have popped out.
- Wrap in foil and let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing and serving
Notes
- Chef Notes:
- How to Reheat: to reheat it simply place it in a saucepan with a little bit of chicken or turkey stock, or gravy, cover it with foil, and heat it in the oven at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until warm. You can also simply heat it in the microwave until warm.
- How to Store: It will hold in the refrigerator covered in plastic for up to 5 days. In addition, you can freeze it covered for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator for a full day before reheating it.
- How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of turkey to a saucepan along with ½ to 1 cup of chicken stock. Cover and cook in the oven at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until warm. You can also heat the turkey in the microwave on a plate until warm.
- You may need to add plates or bowls to the turkey in the brine to ensure it is completely submerged.
- Feel free to add 1 tablespoon of whole black peppercorns as well to the brine.
- If you do not have a smoker and can only cook it in the oven, you may do so at 350° for 10-13 minutes per pound.
- Other ingredients you can add to the brine include fresh rosemary, sage, orange peel, lemon peel, or brown sugar.
- After the brine is in the 5-gallon container and is whisked together and you find it still is not very cold, feel free to add in 2 cups of ice.
- If the bones on the ends of the legs or the tips of the wings begin to turn dark brown too quickly, wrap them in a small amount of foil.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
334kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
4g
(1%)
Protein
49g
(98%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
162mg
(54%)
Sodium
1668mg
(70%)
Potassium
519mg
(15%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
126IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
28mg
(3%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 334 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 334kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 49g | 98% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 162mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 1668mg | 70% |
| Potassium | 519mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 126IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 28mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
78 reviews
Excellent
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