Jojo's simple smoked turkey

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jojo22

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Nov 26, 2010
102
11
Canton Ohio
Okay, I have seen a lot of threads on poor turkey turn outs. So I thought I would post up here how I do it, and I've never had a complaint. Some may disagree with my temps and times, but it ain't broke so I'm not gonna fix it...LOL

First off I have never brined a turkey, not saying it is a bad process, just not something I have tried. I have however used injection seasoning with good results results.

I heat my smoker to about 225.

While it is heating I prep my bird, I remove all packaging, the gizzards and neck, and I cut the flap of skin off of the hole opposite the legs. 

I then rinse the bird, make sure you do a good job at this!!

During the ENTIRE prepping process I have ice packs (I use frozen veggies) on the breasts!! This keeps them colder than the bird and makes them finish at a closer time to the rest of the bird, thus making them JUICY!!!

Just before putting the bird on the smoker I sprinkle a little paprika on the skin of the bird.

After it is on the smoker I baste every 45 minutes to an hour with a mixture of EVOO and butter, the mix is not exact, but I would put a bit more oil than butter, this keeps the butter in a liquid state. Now separate into TWO bowls, put one in the fridge, and one at room temp. When basting the turkey use the COLD baste on the breasts!! This will help keep them just a tad cooler and help them finish the same time as the dark meat.

Smoke until the bird is up to temp 165 degrees, remove, wrap in foil for 20 minutes, carve and enjoy!! 

Hope this helps! Should be a good starting point, and from here I would only vary one step of the process at a time, so that you can evaluate the effect of each change on their own, and decide how to do future birds.

This also works GREAT for whole chicken!!
 
I have also used the ice on the breast before smoking so that all the meat gets done at the same time. I usually put ice cubs in a small zip lock bag. I will put it on the breast for 20-30 minutes prior to putting it on the smoker as the bird is resting on the counter.
 
Oh, I'm by NO MEANS saying this is the only way (FAR from it) I just thought it may help as it is a very basic technique, and if they change one thing at a time, spice, heat, brine, whatever, they can see how it works and "build" on it to make their own turkey!
 
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All sounds good to me Jojo!

And you're right about changing two things at once that could affect it.

Duh----which change did that???

Good post!

Bear
 
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