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Honey Brined Smoked Turkey
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2004
Show:  Food Network Specials
Episode:  All Star Thanksgiving
Honey Brined Smoked Turkey
1 gallon hot water
1 pound kosher salt
2 quarts vegetable broth
1 pound honey
1 (7-pound) bag of ice
1 (15 to 20-pound) turkey, with giblets removed
Vegetable oil, for rubbing turkey

Combine the hot water and the salt in a 54-quart cooler. Stir until the salt dissolves. Stir in the vegetable broth and the honey. Add the ice and stir. Place the turkey in the brine, breast side up, and cover with cooler lid.. Brine overnight, up to 12 hours.

Remove the turkey from the brine and dry thoroughly. Rub the bird thoroughly with the vegetable oil.

Heat the grill to 400 degrees F.

Using a double thickness of heavy-duty aluminum foil, build a smoke bomb. Place a cup of hickory wood chips in the center of the foil and gather up the edges, making a small pouch. Leave the pouch open at the top. Set this directly on the charcoal or on the metal bar over the gas flame. Set the turkey over indirect heat, insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast meat, and set the alarm for 160 degrees F. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour.

After 1 hour check the bird; if the skin is golden brown, cover with aluminum foil and continue cooking. Also, after 1 hour, replace wood chips with second cup.

Once the bird reaches 160 degrees F, remove from grill, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 1 hour. Carve and serve.

Other Recipes from this Episode
Orange You Glad It's Thanksgiving Soup
Red Rooster
Skillet Cornbread
Fresh Cranberry Compote
Artichokes with Pork Sausage, Lemon and Sage
Good Old Country Stuffing
French Apple Tart
Sauteed Green Beans with Tomatoes and Basil served with Parmesan Crisps
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 13 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Yield: 10 to 12 servings

Alton Brown
User Rating 5 Stars
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