1 Video | Photo: Honey Brined Smoked Turkey Recipe
Ingredients
- 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
Directions
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.
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By bowlergirl25
Hillsboro, OR
on December 26, 2011
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I smoked our Christmas turkey this year. To ease stress, I smoked the turkey on Saturday to 145 degrees over 3-4 hours and then popped it in the fridge. Took it out today, broke it down and popped it in the oven at 350-400 degrees till it was finished all the way(about 45 minutes to one hour. My dad hates smoked turkey but absolutely loved mine.
By DannyLSU
on December 25, 2011
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This turkey was very tasty and moist. Cooked it for Christmas and will continue to use this recipe.
By ltrap
Maryland
on December 06, 2011
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One of the best tasting turkeys I've ever made! And certainly the easiest. Just a few ingredients required and oven is freed up for other dishes. Unbelievably moist and flavorful. Reminded me a little bit of those smoked turkey legs you get at Walt Disney World but not as strong. I tried this recipe out in between Thanksgiving and Christmas so there wasn't any pressure. We'll be making our turkey this way for Christmas this year. Here's hoping we're not grilling out in a few feet of snow! :D I put my turkey on a disposable cookie sheet vs. right on the grill rack. I also had to turn it around because one side was getting overcooked. But otherwise the directions are perfect. Thanks, Alton! You never steer me wrong.
Read all 202 reviews