Description
Juicy, smoky, and crisped to perfection — this smoked turkey is everything a holiday bird should be. Tender, flavorful, and kissed with just the right amount of smoke — it’s turkey done right.
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey (12–18 lbs), thawed
- HowToBBQRight Ultimate Brine Kit
- OR
- 1 bottle Malcom’s Bird Brine
- 1 bottle Killer Hogs AP Seasoning
- 1 bottle Malcom’s King Craw Cajun Seasoning
- Meat Bag
- OR
- Water (enough to completely submerge turkey)
- 1 stalk celery, cut into chunks
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 1 apple, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- Cooking spray or oil (for coating the skin)
- Chicken Rack (optional)
Instructions
- Brine the Turkey
- Mix one bottle of Bird Brine with 1 gallon of water until dissolved. Place the turkey in a large brining bag or container and pour the brine mixture over the bird. Add enough cold water to completely submerge.
- Seal the bag (or cover the container) and refrigerate for 24 hours. For larger turkeys (over 16 lbs), brine up to 48 hours.
- Dry and Prep
- Remove the turkey from the brine and discard the liquid. Pat the skin completely dry with paper towels—this is key to getting crispy skin.
- Stuff the Cavity
- Place the celery, onion, apple and garlic (use whatever aromatics you like) inside the cavity.
- Tie the legs together and tuck the wing tips underneath so the turkey cooks evenly.
- Oil and Season
- Lightly coat the entire surface of the turkey with cooking spray or oil.
- Season the backside first with a medium coat of Killer Hogs AP Seasoning, followed by a medium coat of Malcom’s King Craw Cajun Seasoning.
- Flip the turkey onto a rack and repeat on the top side with the same layers of seasoning.
- Smoke the Turkey
- Preheat your smoker or grill to 275°F using pecan pellets (or your preferred wood).
- Place the turkey on the pit, centered for even airflow, and cook until the internal temperature in the deepest part of the breast reaches 160°F.
- Rest and Serve
- Remove the turkey from the smoker and rest for 20 minutes. The internal temperature will carry over to about 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the dark meat.