Cajun Brined Turkey-Two Ways

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Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Total Time:
39 hr 5 min
Prep
20 min
Inactive
36 hr 30 min
Cook
2 hr 15 min
Yield:
4 to 6 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Spanish paprika
  • 1/4 cup New Mexican chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chile de arbol
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1 1/2 cups kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 4 whole cloves garlic
  • 2 fresh bay leaves
  • 1 large Spanish onion, quartered
  • One 12-pound fresh turkey
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • Special equipment: 3 cups hickory or apple chips if desired, soaked in cold water for 1 hour

Directions

Two days before cooking: Combine the Spanish paprika, New Mexican chile powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, chile de arbol and cayenne in a small bowl. Remove 1/4 cup for another use, such as the Eggplant Casserole with Red Pepper Pesto and Cajun Breadcrumbs.

Dissolve the salt and sugar in 2 gallons cold water in a large (at least 16-quart) stockpot or a clean bucket. Whisk in half of the remaining spice rub, the garlic, bay leaves and onion. Add the turkey, cover and refrigerate or set in a very cold place (that stays somewhere between 32 to 40 degrees F) for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours. Rinse well under cold water and pat dry to remove the salt. Let air-dry in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

In The Big Green Egg: Light a large chimney filled with charcoal briquettes (about 5 quarts) and allow to burn until all the charcoal is covered with a layer of fine gray ash. Empty the coals into the grill. Top with some of the soaked wood chips if using. Put in the ceramic plate, then the grill rack. Put the cover on and let the grate heat up.

Brush the turkey with oil and rub the entire turkey (including the cavity) with the remaining spice rub. Tie the legs together. Adjust the grill vents to get and maintain an internal temperature of 350 degrees F. Roast the turkey for 2 hours to 2 hours and 15 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 165 degrees F. Remove from the grill, tent with foil and let rest for 30 minutes before carving.

In the Caja China: Prepare the charcoal briquettes according to the instructions that come with the box. Put the roasting pan with its rack (comes with the box) inside, and put the turkey breast-side down on the rack. Put on the top and fill with charcoal. After 30 minutes, flip the turkey breast-side up and continue cooking for about 1 more hour, until a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 165 degrees F. Add charcoal as necessary according to the box instructions. Remove from the box, tent with foil and let rest for 30 minutes before carving.

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Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Rich, buttery white wine

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 6 reviews

  • on November 26, 2012

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    This turkey is amazing!!!!!!!! After seeing Bobby make this on BBQ Addiction last year I had to try it. Made it last year and fell in love with it. This year I made it for an office party and everybody couldn't stop raving about it. In fact, all my co-workers said I ruined their family thanksgiving because the turkey they had was no comparison to the one I made. I don't have a big fancy smoker or anything, just a cheap Brinkman green bullet smoker. After 2 1/2 hours on that little smoker I had the best turkey I've ever had. This is a definite MUST TRY recipe.

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  • on November 13, 2012

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    Used my Big Green Egg (Don't know why Bobby doesn't call the BGE what it is and this was wonderful. Turkey was moist and just the right amount of spice. I did a 21 pound bird, doubled the spice. Let rest for an hour tented in foil. To die for, everyone loved it!

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  • on January 25, 2012

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    It was our first Thanksgiving hosting, and I was a little worried about going non-traditional, but it was a hit. Everyone said best turkey dinner ever. The flavor was AWESOME with the gravy and potatoes. I've since used recipe on grilled chicken and loved it too.

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