Chicken Coop Chatter©
12-15 lb. turkey
Apple Wood Chips
Whole Spices (Cinnamon, Cloves, Allspice, Nutmeg)
Basic Brine
Brown Sugar Meat Rub*
Oven bag or large container
Roasting Pan
Marinate the turkey overnight in a basic or favorite brine. My brine is simple, with Brown sugar, a little salt and cinnamon. with about 1/2 gallon water or Apple cider vinegar. I have found that the oven roasting bags work well for marinading the turkey. Place the turkey into the bag, pour the brine over the turkey and refrigerate overnight.
Soak the Apple wood chips and whole spices in hot water at least one hour prior to smoking the turkey. Place the turkey in the pre-heated smoker and add the soaked wood chips. My turkey was smoked between 275 and 300 degrees and the core temperature was 165 degrees in about 4 hours (allow about 1/2 hour per pound). Adjust smoking time for the weight of your turkey or other meat. Always check the core temperature with a meat thermometer, which is usually marked with optimum core temperature per type of meat. Baste from the first half- one hour until just before the turkey is ready to come out of the smoker and all juices run clear. Remove from the smoker and cover with foil for at least 15 minutes before carving.
NOTE: You can use an injector while you are marinating if you would like. I have done turkey with injector and without and both come out tender and juicy.
NOTE: Adjust spices and choice of wood chips used. The spices are optional, and I thought I would mix them with my wood chips for a little different smoke flavor to compliment the meat rub I was using. The addition of the whole spices added nicely to the finished flavor of the turkey. If your turkey is seasoned to be savory, use dried herbs of choice with the wood chips (Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Sage)
Tip: Be sure to save the carcass and bones to make your own meat broth. Refer to the link: justfowlingaround.weebly.com/recipes-for-self-reliance/homemade-meat-broth
Refer to the link for my Brown Sugar Meat Rub: http://justfowlingaround.weebly.com/seasoning-and-sauces/brown-sugar-seasoning-rub
Refer to the links below for Smokers and Meat thermometers.
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