1 (12 pound) thawed whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh savory
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon salt (Optional)
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
⅛ cup olive oil
½ cup water
hickory wood smoking chunks
Step 1 Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Combine savory, sage, salt, and black pepper in a bowl; rub 2 tablespoons herb mixture inside the turkey cavity and inside the neck cavity. Loosen turkey skin over breast and legs; rub remaining 2 tablespoons herb mixture underneath loosened skin. Rub olive oil over entire turkey.
Step 2 Light 20 charcoal briquettes and place 10 on each side on the lower grate of a kettle charcoal grill. Place a drip pan or disposable aluminum baking pan in the middle of the lower grate and pour in water. When the coals are gray with ash, place a 2-inch square piece of hickory or other hardwood onto each bank of coals.
Step 3 Place turkey on the cooking grate and cover the grill. Monitor the heat with a grill thermometer to maintain a temperature between 150 and 250 degrees F (65 to 120 degrees C); add 3 to 5 coals to each side, about every 90 minutes. If pieces of hardwood burn away, add more to keep a steady stream of smoke rising from the wood. If open flames erupt when you open the lid, douse them with a drizzle of water or beer.
Step 4 Smoke turkey for 20 minutes per pound, about 4 hours; let the heat increase to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) during the last hour of smoking. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, not touching a bone, should reach at least 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).
Cook’s Note
You can also brine the turkey with 1 cup salt per gallon of water for 12 hours in the refrigerator (this helps thaw it faster,too.
Smoked turkey is an easy and delightful way to cook a turkey while relaxing. I know lots of people are a bit apprehensive about preparing their first smoked turkey. I have smoked over 100 and never had a bad one. The skin is beautifully tanned, and the meat is so juicy.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 12
Yield: 1 whole turkey
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
693 Calories
34g Fat
0g Carbs
91g Protein