Smoked Turkey

[Tricky]

Last time I kept a sheet of foil over the breast meat to try to keep it from getting too done before the dark meat. I was cooking indirect in my kettle.

Ultimately when my dark meat finished up I didn't have enough color on my breast meat skin. Everything tasted great but next time I would not leave the foil on so long -- it just didn't look uniformly brown.

And you eat with your eyes first . . .

[mwmac]

In preparation for Thanksgiving, I cooked a 17 lb self-basting turkey on the cajun bandit a couple of weeks ago using this method http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/turkey4.html . Aromatics and orange quarters in the cavity. It turned out so well that SWMBO has requested another before Thanksgiving! This method is very simple and does not require brining making it quite for first time turkey smokers.

[ToddM]

I did one (14 lbs) this past Sunday using a kettle and rotisserie, turned out great. Seasoned with Tony Chachere's, with lemons, onions and fresh herbs in the cavity. I also run my hand under the skin on the breast to loosen it up and put strips of bacon under the skin to help keep the breast meat moist.

I may try to brine next time but the results were tasty without that step.

[TheJackal]

Here is what I did for my last turkey. I think the aromatics are from Alton Brown's recipe. Can't remember where I got the brine from but it is on a recipe site from somewhere.

TURKEY:

‎12lb whole turkey
Brined for 24-48hrs
Stuff with aromatics
Rub with herb butter both the outside and under the skin
sprinkle with additional Poultry Rub
Smoked with apple wood @ 300 - 325



Aromatics --

• 1 red apple, sliced
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 cup water
• 4 sprigs rosemary
• 6 leaves sage

Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and 1 cup of water in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Put aromatics in the turkey's cavity along with the rosemary and sage.


Herb butter --
made by mixing Dean & Deluca Poultry Rub with softened stick of butter
http://www.deandeluca.com/herbs-and-...ultry-rub.aspx



Brine --
Ingredients

• 3 cups Apple Juice Or Apple Cider
• 2 gallons Cold Water
• 4 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary Leaves
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1-1/2 cup Kosher Salt
• 2 cups Brown Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Peppercorns
• 5 whole Bay Leaves
• Peel Of Three Large Oranges

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover.
Allow to cool completely (never put raw turkey in hot or warm brine), then pour into a large brining bag or pot. Place uncooked turkey in brine solution, then refrigerate.
When ready to roast turkey, remove turkey from brine. Rinse turkey in fresh, cold water (If you do not rinse, your turkey may come out too salty).
Discard brine. Remove turkey from clean water, pat dry, and cook.

[Shadowdog500]

I've decided to smoke one this year as well. In the past I've just used the webber rotisserie attachment on a weber kettle. Rubbed with olive oil and salt & pepper. Usually comes out great.

Chris

[code3rrt]

I may be mistaken, but if memeory serves me, a self basting turkey has already been brined by the producer. I'll have to take another look around for info, but I think that is correct.

Did a quick search......evidently they are not brined, but injected with "broth and other flavors".

[charray]

I spatchcock and then brine (usually a maple bourbon) mine for 24 hours. Pat it dry and put back in fridge uncovered a couple of hours. Then I punch dozens of little holes (I use my meat rakes) in the skin. I mix rub with butter and olive oil and apply it under the skin and on top and then smoke until IT of 120º and then go to 350º to crisp skin.

Why poke all the holes? The skin, as someone put it, is like a wetsuit. Poking the holes allows the fat to render and the skin to crisp. Here is a picture of my last turkey.

[Nick's BBQ]

Charray - that looks awesome!! I've got a few days off next week, thanks everybody for the ideas!

[wmrrock]

Make sure you brine it or get it brined before smoking. I smoked a 13.5 lb last weekend. It took 3.5 hours at 300 on a large BGE. I poured olive oil over the skin and in the cavity and then put a rub of sweet paprika, brown sugar, salt and freshly ground pepper all over the skin. I quartered 2 small apples and placed them in the cavity. It was done in 3.5 hours. It was my 1st smoked turkey and it was the best turkey I have ever had.

[jeffjenkins1]

I followed Wampus last year and had the most moist turkey I ever cooked. Just saying...

Jeff