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This Turkey Is Smokin'! - 12 recipes

Put a modern twist on the age-old practice of smoking turkey and other meats. Smoking preserves the turkey and enhances the flavor. Try smoking turkey with hickory, apple, cedar and more to create a protein-packed delicacy.

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Top Recipe

By hcardall

Rate this recipe 4.6/5 (28 Votes)
Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast with Cider Bourbon Gravy 1 Picture
Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 480
Cooking time 720

  • BRINE:
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup whole black peppercorns
  • 4 cups cold bourbon
  • 1 1/2 gallons cold water
  • 1 (7-pound) turkey breast
  • TURKEY:
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons bourbon-smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Soaked applewood chips for smoking (our smoker calls for about 2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1 cup water
  • CIDER BOURBON GRAVY:
  • The reserved turkey neck
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 shallots, diced
  • 1 small apple, diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup bourbon
  • 2/3 cup apple cider
  • 2 cups cold low-sodium chicken stock
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

See this recipe

From the brine, to the turkey rub, to the cider gravy, this Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast with Cider Bourbon Gravy...

Top rated Smoked Turkey recipes

By

If you have a grill with a lid and a bag of hickory chips you can smoke a turkey

  • 2 gallons water
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup ground coffee, preferably chicory coffee
  • 1 large onion, halved
  • 12 large thyme sprigs, tied together
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 2 cups light brown sugar or 3 cups cane syrup (see Note)
  • 1 (11-pound) turkey
  • 3 About 3 cups hickory chips
  • Vegetable oil, for brushing
4.2/5 (15 Votes)

By

Make sure to use dry, well-seasoned wood or wood chips for a clean tasting turkey

  • 1 (10 to 14-pound) turkey
  • 1 white onion, quartered
  • 1 large lemon, quartered
  • 1 head garlic, halved through the cloves
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Kosher Salt
  • Lemon Pepper
  • Garlic Powder
4.4/5 (25 Votes)

By

A straightforward brined and smoked turkey, stuffed with Italian sausage, apples and onions

  • BRINE:
  • 1 (12 to 14-pound) fresh turkey
  • Poultry rub of your choice
  • Olive oil
  • 2 apples
  • 1 pound Italian link sausage
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup black ground pepper
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 gallon water
4.4/5 (5 Votes)

By

Any recipe that directs cook to drink beer is a good recipe

  • BRINE:
  • 2 quarts apple juice
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 3 quarts water, ice cold
  • 1 whole natural turkey, 12 to 14 pounds
  • RUB:
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 medium chunk of apple wood or other light smoking wood
  • 1 (24-ounce) tall can of beer
  • Type of fire: Indirect
  • Grill heat: Medium
4/5 (4 Votes)

By

This smoked turkey recipe takes some planning ahead, the results are mouth watering good! Consider explaining to fo...

  • Whole turkey, minimally processed, 12 pounds or less
  • Jeff's rub, purchase here: https://order.smoking-meat.com/products/jeffs-rub-recipe-and-sauce-recipe
  • Bacon butter, recipe below
  • Turkey brine, recipe below
  • 1/4 pound (1-stick) butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
4.6/5 (18 Votes)

By

Switch it up this year with a deliciously mesquite smoked turkey

  • SOUTH-WESTERN RUB:
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion
  • 2 teaspoons chilli flakes
  • 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
  • GLAZE:
  • 3/4 cup good quality peach preserve
  • 1 jalapeño, chopped fine
  • 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Juice of 2 oranges
  • TURKEY:
  • 1 (12 to 16-pound) whole turkey
  • 12 cups mesquite wood chips (8 of these cups soaked in cool water for 1 hour and drained)
  • 2 lemons halved, optional
  • 2 oranges halved, optional
4.6/5 (7 Votes)

By

Kick it up a notch this Thanksgiving with this delicious Memphis Style Smoked Turkey

  • MEMPHIS RUB:
  • 1 (10- to 12-pound) turkey
  • 1/2 cup paprika
  • 1/4 cup garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup mild chili powder (use medium or hot to kick up the heat)
  • 3 tablespoons salt
  • 3 tablespoons black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons celery seeds
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 3 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons ground allspice
3.9/5 (16 Votes)

By

In this update on the classic, smoked turkey stands in for corned beef, while a fresh slaw and sun-dried tomato may...

  • 2 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced (about 4-ounces)
  • 3/4 cup julienned kosher dill pickle (from 1 large)
  • 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
  • Kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 8 slices whole wheat bread
  • 12 thin slices smoked turkey
  • 8 thin slices Swiss cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
4.6/5 (9 Votes)

By

Smoking turkey legs causes the flavors to get into the meat of the turkey and make them out of this world delicious

  • BRINE:
  • 1 gallon water
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (Tony Chachere’s works great if you can find it)
  • 2 tablespoons Tabasco hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoons poultry seasoning
4.3/5 (37 Votes)

By

For this smoked turkey, we highly recommend the Butterball Seasoning Kit with the Buttery Creole Marinade and Cajun...

  • 1 (7-pound) turkey breast, thawed
  • Butterball Buttery Creole Injection Marinade
  • Butterball Cajun Seasoning
  • Wood Chips for smoking (hickory, mesquite, apple or pecan)
  • Apple Juice
  • Water
  • Butter, Salt and Pepper (optional seasonings – see footnote)
5/5 (2 Votes)

By

No smoker, no wood, no fire

  • 1 cup Morton Tender Quick salt
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons liquid smoke
  • 1/2 gallon water (or as needed)
  • 8 turkey legs
3.7/5 (97 Votes)

By

Shake things up this holiday season with this delicious Cajun Smoked Turkey! This flavorful main dish goes great wi

  • FOR THE INJECTION:
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle beer, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 6 large garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoon Creole seasoning
  • 1 tablespoons liquid crab boil
  • 1 tablespoon Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 (12- to 14-pound) natural turkey, rinsed and patted dry with paper towels
  • FOR THE RUB:
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 fist-sized chunks of apple wood or other light smoking wood
3.8/5 (25 Votes)

By

Amusement parks and fairs have given smoked turkey legs a cult-like following, with some people offering money onli...

  • 1 1/2 gallons cold water
  • 1 cup (6.5-ounce) container Traeger BBQ Rub
  • 1/2 cup curing salt (such as Morton’s Tenderquick®)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 6 allspice berries, crushed (optional)
  • 6 whole black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
  • 8 turkey legs
0/5 (0 Votes)

Any burning questions? Our chefs answer!

Smoked Turkey Legs Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast with Cider Bourbon Gravy