Smoked Turkey

Total Time Prep: 40 min.+ brining Cook: 3 hours + standing
Yield 12 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Our smoked turkey recipe uses a brine to keep the bird moist, plus a homemade dry rub to add incredible flavor. And it doesn't require a smoker or pellet grill to pull it off! Learn how to smoke a turkey using any type of grill.

Ingredients

  • BRINE:
  • 2 quarts water
  • 1 medium tart apple, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons whole peppercorns
  • 3 quarts ice water
  • TURKEY:
  • 1 turkey (10 to 12 pounds)
  • 1 large sweet onion, cut into wedges
  • 1 large apple, cut into wedges
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 cups soaked apple wood chips

Directions

  1. To make brine, in a large kettle, combine first 7 ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until salt is dissolved. Remove from heat. Add ice water to cool brine to room temperature.
  2. Place a turkey-sized oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add turkey. Carefully pour cooled brine into inner bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan or other large container. Refrigerate 8-12 hours, turning occasionally.
  3. Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Add wood chips to grill according to manufacturer's directions. Drain turkey, discarding brine. Rinse turkey under cold water; pat dry. Add onion and apple wedges to cavity. Tie drumsticks together.
  4. In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, brown sugar, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder; rub over outside of turkey. Place turkey breast side up in 2 nested foil roasting pans (stack pans together for sturdiness). Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 170°-175°, 3 to 3-1/2 hours, rotating halfway. Cover and let stand 15 minutes before carving.

Nutrition Facts

8 ounces cooked turkey: 450 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 205mg cholesterol, 702mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 60g protein.

Mouths will water when you bring this flavorful smoked turkey to the table. Add sprigs of your favorite herbs like thyme, sage or rosemary to the brine for extra flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Recipe Creator

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