A delicious smoked turkey is an easy way to present something a little different this holiday season. Crispy skin, moist meat and brilliant smoky flavors are done without a brine or an oven!
Prep Time: 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 4 hourshours
Total Time: 4 hourshours15 minutesminutes
Servings: 16
Equipment
Non-metallic container or roasting pan
Ingredients
12-15poundturkey(I prefer Butterball or Norbest)
1onion, quartered
1lemon, quartered
½cupsoftened herb butter, see notes
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Thaw turkey (plan on about 4 days in the refrigerator or 8-10 hours in cold water).
Remove neck and giblets from body and neck cavities, discard. Place breast side down in a roasting pan. Cross the legs and tie with baking twine if they aren't already tied. Pat dry with paper towels. Then sprinkle with a thin layer of salt. Let rest 30-60 minutes before preparing to bake.
Pat the turkey with paper towels to dry the turkey. Salt and pepper the inside of the cavity and then fill with onions, lemons and herbs. Create a pocket using the dowel of a spoon on the top and then rub the butter under the skin. Then rub the remaining butter all over the top of the turkey.
Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Roast for 2 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 110°F.
Then turn the temperature to 350°F and cook an additional 1 1/2 - 2 hours, or until an instant read thermometer reaches 160°F. Check the temperature every 30 minutes at this point. Make sure to test all sides of the turkey to make sure it is completely cooked all the way through. Always give yourself an extra 30 minutes cooking time, just in case.
Remove from the oven and tent with foil. The temperature will reach 165°F while resting. Let rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
Reserve any drippings to make turkey gravy. Then slice and serve.
Notes
Garlic butter: Rub about 1/4 cup garlic herb butter in between the meat and the skin before smoking. Turkey: If it is done ahead of time, cover with foil and then place towels over the foil to hold in the heat. Slice just before serving.Carving: Check out this post for my tips on how to carve a turkey.Turkey gravy: Use the drippings to make my favorite turkey gravy recipe.