Best 5 Turkey In A Smoker Recipes

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Cooking a succulent and flavorful turkey is an art form that requires patience and precision. With the right technique and equipment, you can create a memorable dish that will be the star of your next gathering. Using a smoker is an excellent method for cooking turkey, as it infuses the meat with a unique smoky flavor while preserving its natural juices. In this article, we will guide you through the process of cooking turkey in a smoker, exploring the necessary ingredients, essential equipment, and step-by-step instructions to ensure perfectly cooked turkey every time.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

TURKEY IN A SMOKER



Turkey in a Smoker image

This is a great recipe for smoked turkey. A barbecue grill is nearly impossible to cook a large bird. A smoker is best for this. I prefer hickory chips or hickory wood. Hickory generates a more even smokiness than other woods, and it does not matter whether the wood is green or seasoned. Mesquite, if not well seasoned, will generate a creosote type coating because of the sap that oozes out of the wood while cooking.

Provided by Doug Kacsir

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Turkey     Whole Turkey Recipes

Time 10h20m

Yield 13

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (10 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons seasoned salt
½ cup butter
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans cola-flavored carbonated beverage
1 apple, quartered
1 onion, quartered
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat smoker to 225 to 250 degrees F (110 to 120 degrees C).
  • Rinse turkey under cold water, and pat dry. Rub the crushed garlic over the outside of the bird, and sprinkle with seasoned salt. Place in a disposable roasting pan. Fill turkey cavity with butter, cola, apple, onion, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Cover loosely with foil.
  • Smoke at 225 to 250 degrees F (110 to 120 degrees C) for 10 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F (80 degrees C) when measured in the thickest part of the thigh. Baste the bird every 1 to 2 hours with the juices from the bottom of the roasting pan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 625.2 calories, Carbohydrate 9.8 g, Cholesterol 225.1 mg, Fat 31.7 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 71.2 g, SaturatedFat 11.6 g, Sodium 1184.8 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

TRAEGER SMOKED TURKEY RECIPE | TRAEGER GRILLS



Traeger Smoked Turkey Recipe | Traeger Grills image

Our favorite smoked turkey recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. Use your pellet grill this year to free up oven space. Let that bird smoke its way to deliciousness.

Provided by Traeger Kitchen

Categories     Poultry

Number Of Ingredients 7

water
Traeger Rub
Sugar
minced garlic
Worcestershire sauce
(12-16 lb) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed, giblets removed
Canola oil

Steps:

  • Make the brine: Pour the water into a 5 gallon non-metal bucket. Add the Traeger rub, sugar, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
  • Place the turkey, breast side down, in the bucket with the brine, making sure the turkey is completely submerged. Cover the bucket and refrigerate overnight.
  • Remove the turkey from brine and pat dry. Rub the canola oil all over the outside of turkey, then place breast-side up in a disposable aluminum roasting pan.
  • When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 225°F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. For optimal flavor, use Super Smoke, if available.
  • Insert the probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast. Place the pan with the turkey on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke for 2 1/2-3 hours.
  • Increase the grill temperature to 350℉ and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F, 3 1/2-4 hours more.
  • Remove the turkey from the grill and let rest for 30 minutes before carving. Enjoy!

SMOKED WHOLE TURKEY



Smoked Whole Turkey image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Categories     main-dish

Time 9h

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 fresh whole turkey (15 to 17 pounds), patted dry with paper towels
Canola oil, for brushing
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Steps:

  • Remove the turkey from the fridge and allow to sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking.
  • Meanwhile, prepare a charcoal grill or smoker for indirect heat, at approximately 275 degrees F. Sprinkle in wood chips (such as hickory, apple or pecan wood) that have soaked in cold water for at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours, and allow them to char before cooking.
  • Place the turkey in a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Brush the entire turkey with the oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
  • Place the turkey in the grill or smoker and cook for 45 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, mix together the chicken stock, honey and vinegar. Baste the turkey after cooking for 45 minutes. Repeat the basting every 45 minutes until the internal temperature of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the breast registers 155 degrees F, about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the bird.
  • Remove the turkey to a large cutting board and let rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

SMOKED TURKEY



Smoked Turkey image

This is an easy to make recipe. I've tried numerous others using colas, fancy pans, etc., but none come out near as good as this. Keeping it simple is the best way. Be sure to use a high-quality charcoal, so that it will burn for a long time. Turkey will be moist tender and smoky!

Provided by Glenn

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Turkey     Whole Turkey Recipes

Time 7h30m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
1 (20 pound) bag high quality charcoal briquettes
hickory chips or chunks

Steps:

  • Place the charcoal into the bottom pan of the smoker. Light the coals and wait for the temperature of the smoker to come to 240 degrees F (115 degrees C). Lightly oil grate.
  • Rinse turkey under cold water, and pat dry. Place hickory chips into a pan with water to cover.
  • Place turkey onto the prepared grate. Add 2 handfuls damp chips at start of cooking, then a handful every couple of hours during the cooking process. Leave the lid on - DO NOT keep looking at the turkey, or you will let the heat out! Continue smoking until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), or keep going until the coals die out.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 447.2 calories, Cholesterol 176.3 mg, Fat 20.9 g, Protein 60.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 146.2 mg

SMOKED WHOLE TURKEY BREAST



Smoked Whole Turkey Breast image

Great as a main dish, with some yummy sides, or thinly sliced as a sandwich filling, this smoked whole turkey breast is sure to please. Use an electric or thermostatically controlled smoker to keep the roasting temperature a constant 225 degrees F. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Provided by Bibi

Time 4h35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

wood chips of choice, soaked in water
water as needed
8 ¾ pounds bone-in turkey breast
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon montreal steak seasoning
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
disposable drip pan, if desired

Steps:

  • Preheat a smoker to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Drain wood chips and place in smoker chip pan. Add water according to manufacturer recommendations.
  • Unwrap turkey breast and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Combine butter, salt, steak seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper in a bowl to create a seasoned butter.
  • Gently separate skin from muscle of the turkey breast and rub seasoned butter between the skin and the muscle, keeping the skin intact. Use about 1/4 of the seasoned butter on each side, and rub the remaining seasoned butter all over the outside of the turkey breast.
  • Place prepared turkey breast directly on a smoker rack, and place the disposable drip pan on the rack below, if recommended by the manufacturer. The drip pan should not rest on the chip pan or the water pan.
  • Close and secure the smoker, lower thermostat to 225 degrees F (105 degrees C), and smoke 3 1/2 to 4 hours, adding wood chips and water as needed.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. Smoke until turkey registers 155 to 161 degrees F (68 degrees C to 71 degrees C). Wrap turkey breast in heavy-duty aluminum foil, then wrap in several layers of thick towels, and allow to rest for about 45 minutes. The residual heat will finish cooking the turkey breast to a safe temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees F).
  • Slice and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 610.4 calories, Carbohydrate 0.4 g, Cholesterol 366.2 mg, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 130 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 819.9 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

Tips:

  • Brine the turkey: Brining the turkey before smoking helps to keep it moist and flavorful. You can use a simple brine made with water, salt, and sugar, or you can add other ingredients like herbs, spices, and citrus fruits.
  • Season the turkey well: Before smoking, season the turkey inside and out with a rub made from your favorite spices. This will help to create a flavorful crust on the turkey.
  • Smoke the turkey at a low temperature: The ideal temperature for smoking a turkey is between 225 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This low temperature will help to cook the turkey evenly without drying it out.
  • Use a water pan: Placing a water pan in the smoker will help to create a moist environment, which will help to keep the turkey from drying out.
  • Check the internal temperature of the turkey: The best way to tell if the turkey is cooked through is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the turkey should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the breast and 175 degrees Fahrenheit in the thigh.

Conclusion:

Smoking a turkey is a great way to cook a flavorful and juicy bird. By following these tips, you can ensure that your smoked turkey turns out perfectly. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced smoker, these tips will help you create a delicious and memorable meal.

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