Smoked Turkey

User Reviews

5.0

12 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    2 hrs 10 mins

  • Additional Time

    20 mins

  • Total Time

    3 hrs

  • Servings

    12

  • Calories

    59 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Smoked Turkey

This recipe shows you how to make smoked turkey using a charcoal smoker--in this case, a Weber Smokey Mountain--from start to finish. And if you want to smoke a brined turkey, there's a perfect and easy recipe for smoked turkey brine included, as well.

I Made This!

Be the first!

Save this

Be the first!

Ingredients

Servings

For the rub:

  • 8 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons kosher salt (see note 2)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground New Mexico chilies or ancho
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

For the turkey:

  • 1 (10 to 12 pound) fresh turkey neck, heart, and gizzards removed and discarded (see note 1)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

For the rub:

  1. Combine everything together in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake it up. Store in an airtight jar.

For the turkey:

  1. Bring smoker to 300 to 325 degrees. Prepare a drip pan with 4 cups of water.
  2. Rinse the turkey and pat dry with paper towels, making sure to remove any parts inside the turkey. Rub the turkey all over with olive oil. Evenly sprinkle the dry rub over the turkey, patting gently to ensure the rub sticks. Tuck the wings into the sides of the turkey and place in a foil tray or large rimmed bake pan.
  3. Once the smoker reaches 325 degrees, place the drip pan on the lower rack. Place the turkey directly onto the top rack, centering over the foil pan. Place the smoker lid back on and smoke for about 15 minutes per pound. Check the turkey after two hours, baste if desired.
  4. If the turkey becomes too dark at any point, especially the drum sticks and wingtips, cover the parts loosely with foil.
  5. About 30 minutes before the end of the time range for the weight of the bird, check the temperature in the thickest part of the turkey between the thigh and the breast. Once the turkey reaches 165 degrees on a digital thermometer, remove the turkey from the smoker and cover with foil. Allow the turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving.

Notes

  • Turkey: Look for a natural or heritage turkey with the words "no salt added" on the label. Stay away from "self-basting" or Kosher turkeys, which are injected with a salt solution. Brining an already salted turkey will make the bird way too salty. How much cooked turkey per person? Plan on 1 1/4- 1 1/2 pounds for each eater.
  • Kosher salt: A crucial ingredient. Kosher salt is iodine-free, with a coarse texture ideal for rubbing on meat. Don't substitute standard table salt here, which is finer and much saltier than Kosher. And, you won't like the taste of the added chemicals in regular salt. Morton's and Diamond Crystal are both good brands to look for.
  • Holding: You can hold a finished turkey at temperature for 1 1/2 to 2 hours by wrapping it tightly in several layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil and placing it breast-side down in an empty cooler. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving Calories 59kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 9g (3%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 1mg (0%) Sodium 1761mg (73%) Potassium 48mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 569IU (11%) Calcium 11mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 59 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 59kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 9g 3%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 1761mg 73%
Potassium 48mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 569IU 11%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0

12 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Smoked Chorizo - Ready To Eat Smoked Chorizo Sausage

European, American
4.8 (12 reviews)

Smoked Catfish | Smoked Bullhead

American
4.0 (3 reviews)

Smoked Miso Butter Turkey Breast

Japanese, American
4.8 (36 reviews)

Smoked Turkey with Garlic and Bacon

American
5.0 (9 reviews)

Best Smoked Turkey Recipe

American
4.7 (534 reviews)

Smoked Turkey Rub

American
4.7 (153 reviews)

Smoked Turkey Brine

American
5.0 (405 reviews)

Smoked Turkey

American
5.0 (105 reviews)

Smoked Turkey Breast

American
5.0 (99 reviews)

Smoked Turkey Recipe

American
5.0 (291 reviews)

Smoked Turkey Brine

American
5.0 (93 reviews)

Smoked Turkey Recipe

American
3.0 (6 reviews)

Smoked Wild Turkey Breast

American
4.7 (156 reviews)