how to smoke a turkey

In this video, you’ll learn how to smoke a turkey. Smoking a whole turkey isn't easy, but the results make the effort all worth while. Smoking a turkey gives it deep, rich, natural flavors. Mix up thoroughly by hand. Remove the turkey from the fridge and allow to sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking. Close lid and let the turkey smoke on the Smoke setting (between 150 and 180 degrees) for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. About 90 minutes into smoking your turkey, turn the bird 180° to ensure even cooking. Smoke the turkey legs slow on low. Bring your smoker up to 350°F and wait for it to start producing smoke. Cooking at 325 degrees F, it will take around 10 minutes per pound. As a general rule of thumb, for each pound of turkey, it will need to be in the smoker for 30 minutes. You don't have to cook a turkey to 180 degrees or 190 degrees." I smoke turkeys at temps between 275-300 degrees. "Remember the smoke turns the meat pink. Internal Temps and Food Safety. Turkey tends to absorb smoke easier than red meat, so use mild woods. I like to use oak for the smoking wood, but if you have fruit woods they should be good too. I smoke at about 250 for 8-10 hours. To Grill? The brine and smoke flavor are enough. Smoke that bird. Place a drip pan filled with water underneath the turkey in the smoker. So, how long to smoke turkey? But we’ll be the first to acknowledge that it’s not as simple as setting the oven to 350 and letting your turkey hang out for a few hours. Turkey drumsticks have a lot of connective tissue and the low heat is key to liquefying the collagen. Then, soak some wood chips in a pan with water, apple cider vinegar, and a shot of whiskey or cognac for 30 minutes. Move over, oven-roasted turkey — this year, we’re preparing our Thanksgiving bird in a smoker. That's about 30-40 minutes per pound and 165°F finished internal temperature. To smoke turkey on a Weber charcoal grill, start by defrosting the turkey and seasoning it. On non stick baking sheet, form stuffing into 2 loaf like mounds. Your turkey will be ready when the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F/73°C. Aim for 30 minutes per pound of meat, at 225°F/107°C. Add cold water to complete total amount of water per directions on bag. Conceptually it is just like grilling chicken drumsticks over indirect heat but with the smoking element included. Generally you smoke a turkey for about 30 minutes per pound once the smoke temperature reaches 350 degrees. It is advised to use an electric smoker that comes with a thermometer. There are actually a few great health benefits to smoked turkey. If you are smoking a turkey breast, you will want to follow the rule of 225 degrees for about 30 minutes per pound. When smoking an entire turkey, you should ideally set the smoker to 240 °F. Cook the turkey breast until when the internal temperature of turkey gets to 165°F. Using the digital meat thermometer, make sure that the sensor is in the thickest part of the breast meat. Because you have cured your bird first, it reduces the chance, greatly, of developing botulism, the 'safe zone' does not apply (40º to 140º within 4 hours). A 12-pound turkey will need at least six hours to smoke. Plan on smoking the turkey for about 20 minutes per pound – a 15-pound turkey will take about 5 hours to smoke. Every hour, baste the turkey with the juice that it produces throughout the cook. Plan on cooking it 30 minutes for every pound that it weighs. Smoke at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, then turn the heat down to 250 degrees and cook for about 30 minutes per pound. Once you see the smoke, place the turkey inside, and set a timer for 30 to 40 minutes per pound of turkey you are smoking. Turkey Smoking FAQ. Smoking a turkey is absolutely the best way to cook a whole turkey. The outer skin turns a beautiful mahogany color and is almost crispy.For smoke, I use pecan or a fruit wood like cherry. Join the Gravy Train. This time estimate should hold out for different size turkeys, but remember it could take longer, so try to keep the serving time a bit flexible. If you’re cooking a smaller turkey you can smoke at a lower temp, but as the turkey gets larger you need to increase the temp. The Bird. Make sure to follow all of the steps for dry brining and rubbing butter under the skin if you smoke a turkey breast. Cook until the temperature reaches 100-110°F. How To Smoke A Turkey. Plus, I always give a little wiggle room and add an extra 30 minutes to the calculated cook time. You can smoke a turkey on different types of grills such as pellet smokers, charcoal grill and gas grills from; your grill needs to be able to circulate smoke and cook your turkey with indirect heat. Place turkey in the smoker and smoke for about 30 minutes per lb. The meat is a fantastic source of protein, which helps you feel fuller for longer. Then place the turkey at the roasting pan and into the grate of the grill. After the initial Smoke, leave the turkey on the smoker and brush all over with the rosemary butter, … Refrigerate leftover smoked turkey, or freeze it for up to 10 months. 5. Butter – a necessary injectable for moist and rich meat; Chicken stock – use one with no added sugar to keep your smoked turkey Keto! Once your turkey is brined and seasoned, it’s time to get it in the smoker. One large turkey breast—look for a frozen breast that’s seven to eight pounds and start thawing it in the fridge two days before the holiday. The cooking time will depend upon its weight, which is 30 to 40 minutes per pound. If you choose a fairly typical 4-lb turkey breast, you'd be looking at about a 2 hour cook time. Use your digital thermometer in the thigh of the bird and the smoked turkey will be done when it reaches 165 degrees F internal temperature. The picture above is of a turkey I cooked, just before it was served for a Thanksgiving feast. Next, put an aluminum drip pan in the middle of the grill and light some charcoal on each side of it before putting the grill grate on. Smoking a turkey usually takes a longer time than roasting a turkey, so you may need more time and patience to prepare a smoked turkey. Smoked Turkey Breast Time. We recommend using a pellet grill because it is the easiest way to maintain a consistent temperature. Higher temps make for a better bird. Also, you can remove your turkey from the smoker when it's internal temp reaches 160 degrees. Apple and cherry woods have a sweet taste that compliments turkey well. How long does it take to smoke a turkey? Long enough to get it to the recommended cooked temperature. 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