Smoked Turkey Recipes

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.

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°).

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.

Steps:

• Combine first 12 ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Let cool.
• Rinse turkey, pat dry and brine over night, completely submerged in the brine.
• Rinse turkey and pat dry.
• Using a syringe, inject your favorite marinade. I use a store-bought Cajun sauce, made for injectors, but you could certainly make your own.
• Coat with oil, and season liberally with Cajun seasoning.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in the fridge overnight.
• Remove and bring to room temperature while you're getting the smoker ready, following the manufacture's directions. Bring smoker up to 240 degrees. I like pecan or hickory. You could use almost any hard wood, but I do not recommend mesquite. It's too oily, and will be bitter after that long of a cooking period.
• Smoke bird for 6-8 hours, keeping the temperature between 220--240 degrees, until internal temperature of the bird reaches 180 degrees.
• Mop, rotate, and turn bird every 40-50 minutes. Add pieces of wood to keep temp up and smoke going.
• For the mop: Combine cider vinegar, water, celery salt, salt, pepper, and butter in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove and set aside.
• Remove, wrap in foil and let rest for 30 min before carving.

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.