Smoked Turkey Food

TURKEY IN A SMOKER

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.

SMOKED WHOLE TURKEY

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

Steps:

• Make the brine: Combine 1 cup salt, the red pepper flakes, garlic, jalapenos and 2 quarts hot water in a large bucket or pot, stirring to dissolve the salt. Add the turkey, breast-side down, then add enough cold water so the turkey is fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate 12 hours. Drain the turkey, rinse and pat dry.
• Soak 2 large bags each mesquite and applewood chips in water, 1 hour. Meanwhile, make the spice blend: Combine the chili powder, coriander, cumin, brown sugar, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper in a bowl. Loosen the skin of the turkey breast with your fingers, then rub the mayonnaise under the skin. Rub the spice blend all over the outside of the bird. Place the turkey, breast-side up, in a large disposable roasting pan. Lay three-quarters of the bacon over the breast, overlapping the slices, and secure in several spots with toothpicks. Wrap the legs with the remaining bacon, securing it with toothpicks.
• Drain the wood chips. Prepare a smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions, using the soaked wood chips; preheat to 210 degrees F. (Or use a grill and put the wood chips in a smoker box under the grates; preheat to low.) Put the turkey in the disposable pan on the smoker or grill grates; cover and cook 6 to 7 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 190 degrees F. Add a few handfuls of soaked wood chips every hour to maintain the smoke. If the bacon is browning too quickly, loosely cover the turkey with foil.
• Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest 30 minutes. Remove the bacon and carve the turkey. Chop the bacon and sprinkle on top, if desired.

SMOKED WHOLE TURKEY

Steps:

• Add 2 gallons water, the fine salt, molasses, sugar, Worcestershire, garlic, bay leaves and 1 tablespoon pepper to a large pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir to dissolve the salt and sugar, and then remove from the heat. Cool the brine completely.
• Pour the brine into a large bucket and add the turkey, making sure it is completely submerged. Brine for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
• Pour the bourbon and 4 cups water over the wood chips and soak overnight.
• The next day, remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
• Rub the turkey with the oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Load an electric smoker with the soaked wood chips and place the turkey inside. Set the smoker to 225 degrees F and smoke until the internal temperature is 160 to 165 degrees F, 5 to 6 hours.
• Rest the turkey for 20 minutes before carving.

EASY SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Rinse the turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Combine savory, sage, salt, and black pepper in a bowl; rub half the herb mix inside the turkey's cavity and inside the neck cavity. Loosen turkey skin over breast and legs; rub remaining half of the herb mixture underneath the loosened skin. Rub olive oil over the entire turkey.
• Light 20 charcoal briquettes and place half of them on each side on the lower grate of a kettle charcoal grill. Place a drip pan or disposable aluminum baking pan in the middle of the lower grate and pour in water. When the coals are gray with ash, place a 2-inch square piece of hickory or other hardwood onto each bank of coals.
• Place turkey on the cooking grate and cover the grill. Monitor the heat with a grill thermometer to maintain temperature between 150 and 250 degrees F (65 to 120 degrees C); add 3 to 5 coals to each side about every 1 1/2 hours. If pieces of hardwood burn away, add more to keep a steady stream of smoke rising from the wood. If open flames erupt when you open the lid, douse them with a drizzle of water or beer.
• Smoke the turkey for 20 minutes per pound, about 4 hours; let the heat increase to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) during the last hour of smoking. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, not touching a bone, should reach 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).

SMOKED TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Soak wood chips in water 12 hours.
• Combine salt and the next 3 ingredients; rub mixture over turkey breast.
• Prepare smoker by following manufacturer's directions, bringing internal temperature to 225° to 250°; maintain temperature for 15-20 minutes.
• Drain wood chunks, and place on coals.
• Place turkey on upper cooking grate; cover with smoker lid.
• Smoke turkey, maintaining temperature inside smoker between 225° and 250°, for 5 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion is 170°; let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

SMOKED TURKEY

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.

SMOKED WHOLE TURKEY

Steps:

• Pat the turkey dry. Put 2 tablespoons salt, 2 teaspoons pepper, the sugar, paprika, rosemary and orange zest in a food processor and pulse until combined. Carefully loosen the skin from the breast and legs with your fingers; rub the salt mixture under the skin, inside the cavity and all over the turkey. Let stand at room temperature while you prepare the grill, 30 to 60 minutes.
• Soak 2 to 3 cups apple, cherry and/or pecan wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes; drain. Heat a grill to 325˚ F to 350˚ F and prepare for indirect cooking: On a charcoal grill, bank the coals to the sides of the grill; on a gas grill, turn off half the burners. Place a large drip pan under the grates on the cooler side of the grill.
• Gently drizzle and pat the vegetable oil all over the turkey. If using a charcoal grill, scatter about half of the wood chips over the coals; for a gas grill, fill a smoker box with the wood chips and use according to the manufacturer's directions. When the wood chips start to smoke, place the turkey, breast-side up, over indirect heat so that the legs are closest to direct heat.
• Cover the grill and smoke the turkey until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165˚ F, 3 to 4 hours, adding the remaining wood chips to the grill about halfway through; add more charcoal or adjust the vents as needed to maintain the temperature.
• Carefully move the turkey to direct heat and grill, uncovered, until the bottom of the turkey crisps up a bit, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the turkey to a cutting board and let rest 30 to 45 minutes before carving.

SMOKED HOLIDAY TURKEY

Steps:

• In a bowl mix minced onion, garlic, rosemary, pepper, 1 tsp paprika, salt and enough olive oil to create a thick paste consistency.
• Clean turkey and prepare for smoker breast up. With a paring knife or other small knife, make incisions straight down into the meat and to the bone, about 1 to 1.5 inches long. You can gouge the holes out deeper below the surface by wiggling the knife to make a larger cavity if you wish. Do this all over the turkey, in any place that you can make a hole and pack some of the mix into the cut, about 1.5 to 2 inches apart.
• Use a spoon and fingers to pack all of the holes with your mix, stuffing them to the top of the hole.
• Quarter onions and pack them with the rosemary sprigs inside the turkey cavity.
• With your hands, coat the turkey on the outside completely with olive oil, and then dust down fairly heavily with paprika. Tie the legs together with string.
• Place on smoker and smoke as you usually would, about 4 to 5 hours in my particular smoker.

DELICIOUS OVEN SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large container, and marinate for 24 hours.
• Drain brine and place turkey in the cooking bag.
• Seal the bag and cut in steam vents according to bag instructions.
• Place turkey in a roasting pan.
• Preheat oven to 275 degrees and bake for 6-12 hours - depending on size of bird.

SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Pulse rosemary leaves, peppercorns, coriander, fennel, bay leaves, and orange zest in a spice grinder until finely ground, 30 to 45 seconds. Stir salt into mixture. Season turkey cavity with salt mixture, then rub it all over skin. Transfer turkey to a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a wire rack; refrigerate, uncovered, overnight.
• Fill a ceramic grill about halfway with hardwood (lump) charcoal. Fill a chimney with charcoal and light it. When coals are uniformly gray, pour them over the unlit charcoal spread over bottom of grill, avoiding vents (for proper airflow). Add one unsoaked 3-by-3-inch applewood chunk (for bolder flavor, add another). Place indirect-cooking rack in grill. Place a 9-by-13-inch disposable pan filled halfway with water on top of it; top with direct-cooking grate. Close lid and adjust temperature, using vents (start with top and bottom vents each opened about a quarter of the way), bringing internal grill temperature to 300° to 325°; maintain that temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove turkey from refrigerator; rinse and pat dry. Let stand at room temperature, uncovered, 1 hour. Stuff cavity with halved orange, onion, and rosemary sprigs. Tuck wing tips behind back and tie legs together with twine. Rub oil all over turkey; season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Place turkey on cooking grate and cook, covered, and maintaining grill temperature between 300° and 325°, until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 155°, 2 hours to 2 hours, 30 minutes (begin checking after about 1 1/2 hours; it may take up to 3 hours, depending on exact size of bird). Let stand 30 minutes before carving (internal temperature will continue to rise, reaching a minimum of 165°).

EASY SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• 1st Day: Remove turkey from freezer.
• 2nd Day: Clean turkey and soak in marinade.
• 3rd Day: Start baking.
• While turkey is thawing out, prepare marinade. Add salt, tender quick and liquid smoke to a large, clean bucket. (A new mop-bucket or Rubbermaid container works well. DO NOT use metal!) Add water to bucket, and whisk well until granules are dissolved. Keep cool until turkey is ready.
• The turkey must soak in the brine, completely submerged, for 24-36 hours.
• When done marinating, rinse brine completely off under cold water. Dry completely with paper towels.
• Spread skin with salad oil, covering all lightly. (Do not use butter!) Place breast side down in large roasting pan; do not cover.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for one hour, then at 250 degrees F for 12 hours, or one hour per pound for smaller bird.
• When done, cool 3-4 hours before cutting (it will be hard!), to let breast juices rest.

SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Rinse the turkey inside and out, and pat it dry thoroughly. Place the turkey in a large roasting bag, and add the chicken broth, onions, garlic, and brown sugar. Tie the bag to seal it and place it in a large roasting pan. Allow the turkey to marinate this way in the refrigerator overnight.
• When you are ready to cook the turkey, heat a smoker to 250˚F.
• Remove the turkey from the bag, and discard the marinade. Apply the rub all over the bird. Put the turkey on a rack in a large, deep aluminum pan, place the pan in the smoker, and cook for 5 hours or until the breast meat reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
• Remove the pan from the smoker. Allow the turkey to rest, loosely covered with foil, for 30 minutes. Then carve the turkey, and serve immediately.

SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• This recipe requires a water-smoker such as the Brinkmann"Smoke'n Pit" or the"Cook'N Ca'jun" (http://thebrinkmanncorp. com).
• If you don't own one, buy one.
• They are great.
• The night before the big meal, wash the thawed turkey thoroughly, inside and out, and pat dry.
• Save the neck and innards for making gravy, if desired.
• Season inside and out with lemon-herb seasoning, granulated garlic, and salt and pepper to taste, and coat with olive oil.
• Do not stuff the turkey.
• If you want stuffing, use your favorite recipe, and cook it in the oven, out of the bird.
• Refrigerate until ready to start smoking.
• Soak 5-6 fairly large chunks of hardwood in water for as long as possible.
• DO NOT USE CHIPS!
• Set your alarm clock for for about 12 hours before dinner.
• Prepare the smoker as follows.
• Place 10 pounds charcoal in the fire-pan.
• Light the charcoal just barely, but make sure it is enough to keep burning.
• (Use an electric starter, or a butane torch, or place charcoal under your oven broiler just until lit. DO NOT use liquid charcoal lighter unless you want kerosene flavored turkey!) Place 2-3 chunks of wet hardwood on top of the charcoal, place water-pan above fire-pan, and fill with water.
• Place turkey on the rack above water-pan, cover smoker, and go back to bed.
• After about 6 hours, check the smoker.
• Stir up the charcoal and add a little more if necessary.
• Place remaining soaked hardwood chunks on top of charcoal, add more water if necessary, close the smoker, and relax for another 5-6 hours.
• It is almost impossible to overcook the turkey using this method, because it is cooking at a very low temperature.
• It will be juicy and tasty.
• Obviously the smoking should be done outside.
• Smoking indoors can be hazardous to your health.
• If the weather is freezing or below, add about 2-3 hours to the cooking time.
• The turkey is done when the leg can be moved easily.
• Carve immediately before serving.
• Notes: I usually use hickory wood, though pecan or oak are also great.
• You can add aromatic herbs or spices to the water pan if desired, but they will mostly be covered by the smoky taste.
• You can also add beer or wine to the water pan, but again, it is mostly covered by the smoke.