Smoking the Thanksgiving Turkey

[CorpsVet]

Haven't smoked anything in more than 20 years, but I used to do turkey breast almost weekly, I always did boneless. Used pecan and for the liquid I used beer. Usually took about 4 hours.

 

[Jon3830]

Here's the turkey I smoked last week for our company potluck, I injected with butter, rosemary, and applebutter. Smoked with pecan for 10 hours 22lbs bird.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[druryj]

Here's the turkey I smoked last week for our company potluck, I injected with butter, rosemary, and applebutter. Smoked with pecan for 10 hours 22lbs bird.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

How was it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dennishoddy]

I deep fry, not smoke, but a brined turkey is the way to go.
Learned years ago from some Cajuns that were at the plant that injection of any turkey breast is key to moist meat. They injected from inside the cavity, never breaking the seal of the breast skin. My go to way now.
We have seen some say to lift the skin and put some rub under the skin but when frying, that just flat doesn't work. The skin pulls away and you have dry burnt breast meat.
Just another suggestion.

 

[Jon3830]

How was it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I really liked how it came out it could have used some salt but when I cook for groups I keep the sodium down because I dont know if anyone has a blood pressure issue, I only had to bring home about a half pound of meat and everyone at work said they liked it even the guy that was going on about how he had never had moist turkey.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Shadowrider]

I deep fry, not smoke, but a brined turkey is the way to go.
Learned years ago from some Cajuns that were at the plant that injection of any turkey breast is key to moist meat. They injected from inside the cavity, never breaking the seal of the breast skin. My go to way now.
We have seen some say to lift the skin and put some rub under the skin but when frying, that just flat doesn't work. The skin pulls away and you have dry burnt breast meat.
Just another suggestion.

If you want moist, deep frying is THE way to go. Even the breast meat reheated in the microwave is moist on a deep fried bird. I usually smoke them out of laziness because it such a PITA to deep fry. Dryness in a properly smoked bird isn't a big deal, it'll have enough moisture and leftovers don't last long plus we have gravy so... But there's no better tasting bird than a fried one, that's for sure.

 

[dancer4life]

I have my turkey defrosting in the fridge and bought all of the brining ingredients per the video in the thread from AKJ20. I can't wait to try this out.

 

[Shadowrider]

I have my turkey defrosting in the fridge and bought all of the brining ingredients per the video in the thread from AKJ20. I can't wait to try this out.

Same here!

 

[dancer4life]

Hey guys,
Just wanted to say thanks for all the input on Smoking the Turkey for Thanksgiving. I did it and it came out amazing. The best tasting, the moistest turkey we have ever had. The family loved it.

I follow the video in this thread (thanks AKJ20) for the brining ingredients. I let is soak for about 30 hours.
Patted it dry with paper towels
Covered it lightly with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and then sprinkled it with some of my poultry seasoning.
Injected it with a stick of melted butter
Smoked it for 6 hours on 235 degrees with apple wood.
Basted it periodically with melted butter
Took it out of the smoker once the interior temperature reached 165 degrees.
Let it rest for 30 minutes.

Man it was good.

 

[TwoForFlinching]

Family can't make it in until tomorrow. Getting the rig ready to try frying a whole turkey tomorrow. Looking forward to it. Everyone says it's amazing.