This smoked turkey recipe is perfect for holidays or any special occasion. The turkey comes out tender, juicy, and full of smoky flavor. It's a great alternative to traditional oven-roasted turkey.
Ingredients
- 12 lb turkey, thawed
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Directions
- In a large bowl, mix together salt, brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to create a dry rub.
- Rinse the turkey and pat dry. Rub the dry rub all over the turkey, including under the skin and inside the cavity.
- Preheat your smoker to 250°F and add your favorite wood chips for smoking.
- Place the turkey in the smoker breast-side up and smoke for about 30 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- During the last hour of smoking, baste the turkey with melted butter every 30 minutes to keep it moist.
- Once the turkey is done, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Interesting Facts
Using a dry rub helps to season the turkey and create a flavorful crust as it smokes.
Smoking the turkey adds a unique smoky flavor that you can't achieve with roasting.
Basting the turkey with butter during smoking helps to keep the meat moist and adds extra flavor.