North Carolina-Style BBQ Turkey

Food Network Kitchens

Recipe courtesy Food Network Kitchens for entwine.
Copyright 2011 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

Picture of North Carolina-Style BBQ Turkey Recipe Photo: North Carolina-Style BBQ Turkey Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Total Time:
14 hr 0 min
Prep
3 hr 0 min
Inactive
8 hr 0 min
Cook
3 hr 0 min
Yield:
8 to 10 servings
Level:
--
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Ingredients

Brine:

  • Kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup coriander seeds
  • 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, sliced (about 1 1/4 cups)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 gallon ice
  • 1 (16 to 18-pound) turkey, cleaned and gizzards removed

BBQ Sauce:

  • 3 cups cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Turkey:

  • Kosher salt
  • 2 celery stalks, quartered
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 4 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 4 cups wood chips, such as hickory or mesquite, soaked in water for 30 minutes and drained

Directions

1. For the brine: In a large stockpot, bring 6 quarts water, 1 1/2 cups salt, brown sugar, coriander, ginger, and bay leaves to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the salt and sugar are dissolved. While the brine is simmering, fill a bucket (or pot) big enough to hold a turkey with the ice. Pour the brine over the ice. When the brine has cooled, add the turkey. Place a heavy object like a plate or lid on top of the turkey to keep it submerged in the liquid. Brine in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.

2. For the sauce: Heat the vinegar and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Off the heat, stir in the ketchup, honey, 1/4 cup salt, red pepper, and black pepper. Reserve 1 1/2 cups for passing at the table.

3. For the turkey: Prepare an outdoor grill with a medium-high fire for both direct and indirect grilling. Position a drip pan under the grate on the indirect side of the grill. Sprinkle the cavity of the turkey with salt and stuff with the celery, lemons, onions, and parsley, then tie the legs. Place the turkey breast-side up over the drip pan. Toss 1 cup of the soaked wood chips onto the coals. Cover the grill and rotate the lid so that the vent holes are directly over the meat. To maintain a medium-low smoky fire, add about a dozen pieces of charcoal and another cup of wood chips to the fire whenever the fire dies down. Rotate the turkey about every 45 minutes to prevent the side closest to the coals from overcooking.

4. After 1 hour, begin basting the turkey every 20 to 30 minutes with the remaining 2 1/2 cups of sauce. (Keep the grill covered between basting.) Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh, not touching the bone, registers 165 degrees F, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes before carving.

North Carolina-Style BBQ Turkey

Serves: 8-10 (analysis done for 10)

Nutrition Information (per serving):

*Sauce for passing included

Calories: 1109

Total Fat: 50 grams

Saturated Fat: 14 grams

Total Carbohydrates: 23 grams

Protein: 132 grams

Sodium: 2009 milligrams

Cholesterol: 503 milligrams

Fiber: 0.5 grams

BBQ Sauce (for North Carolina-Style BBQ Turkey)

Serves: 32

Nutrition Information (per 2 tablespoons):

Calories: 28

Total Fat: 0 grams

Saturated Fat: 0 grams

Total Carbohydrates: 7 grams

Protein: 0 grams

Sodium: 56 milligrams

Cholesterol: 0 milligrams

Fiber: 0 grams

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 2 reviews

  • on November 25, 2012

    Flag

    This turkey turned out amazing! The recipe was so easy to follow. The turkey was super flavorful and moist. We will definitely make this again. If you're looking for a new spin on preparing a whole turkey, give this one a try! We wouldn't change a thing.

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  • on December 26, 2011

    Flag

    We just made this on 12/26. It was my first time ever cooking a turkey, and my wife more or less monitored me making sure I didn't burn down the house. It took 7 1/2 hours to get to temperature, but that could also be factored in with my extra thorough re-bastings. I did every 20 minutes for awhile, then the last hour or so I slowed down on the re-applications. I also used Tony Roma bbq sauce. One of the best turkeys I've ever had. Like Emeril says, man if you only had smellavision.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No

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