Smoked turkey

[2011etec]

Me and a buddy were just talking about trying to smoke a bird in his smoker.Anybody done this ?Suggestions or recipes?I have a bird in the freezer but I'm going to keep an eye on our local wallyworld which last year put out a bunch of big birds for 5 bucks each!

 

[The Fuxtor]

I've done a couple! Absolutely great way to cook turkey. I would recommend that you either cut the bird into smaller pieces or just go whole with a small bird of 14 pounds or less . Large birds are not very safe for smoking as the lower temperatures we smoke at are risky !! That being said I have a 12 pounder in the freezer waiting for some rub and smoke!!

 

[2011etec]

Mines around the 10 or 12 range.Do you recommend cutting in half?

 

[jcamero]

I have a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. The first turkey I smoked was this past Thanksgiving. It turned out incredible!!! The bird was 12-1/2lbs. It took 6-1/2hrs. at 225 degrees. To prep., I put the whole bird in a warm water bath for 15min. The bath evens out the temperature of the meat, so you won't have any cold/ice in the meat, (for an even smoke/cook). Then I patted the bird down with towels tor dry it off. I coated the bird with canola oil, seasoned the outside, and cavity. Then I used an injector, and shot the bird up with a Cajun Butter Marinade. My smoker is designed so you can add wood chips, (I used Cherry and Hickory), without opening the door, losing heat. I was a little nervous about smoking a turkey, (First timer). but again, the results were incredible. Here were the results.

 

[The Fuxtor]

Mines around the 10 or 12 range.Do you recommend cutting in half?

Whole will be good! Stuff it with vegis or something moist and it will steam from the inside while it cooks!! I think I used onions and apples before....

 

[Eric n Kc]

Hey
I use a brine when smoking turkey. "Cookshack smokin okie turkey brine" you can use any one of your choice. My sister uses Alton Browns.
I usually cook a 12 to 14 lb. Bird. Eric

 

[2011etec]

Great advise guys.Damn!! that turkey looks good,sure wish I had smell o vision ,lol.

 

[John James]

That burd shore is purdy!

 

[whoaru99]

Is it necessary to "smoke" the turkey the whole time, or just for say a couple hours to impart the smoke then into the oven for final cooking?

 

[Erik Tracy]

Is it necessary to "smoke" the turkey the whole time, or just for say a couple hours to impart the smoke then into the oven for final cooking?

I've used this method for ribs and pork butt.

After about 4 hours, the meat will have taken on as much smoke as I want - any more and it becomes acrid. The rest of the cook is all about getting to the target temp and tenderness.

Plus, I can save fuel on the smoker by loading it up with just enough to get to the 4 hour mark. Plus less fussing/watching the pit temp.

I've done full cooks on my smoker and the smoker/oven combo and to be honest the results are about the same.