Start a new tradition by using this hands-off cooking method that enhances flavor.
Why Smoke A Turkey for Thanksgiving?
Some plug-in pellet smokers are very expensive, while others cost less than $100.
You just need to verify that your turkey is cooking low and slow over indirect heat.
Before firing up the smoker, follow these easy steps.
This allows your turkey to attain a uniform temperature inside and out.
A cold bird requires a longer smoking time and can lead to uneven cooking.
When it comes to seasoning a turkey for smoking, restraint is key.
Keeping the rub simple helps to prevent your seasoning from overwhelming the turkey’s delicate flavor.
you could skip this step if youbrined your turkeyahead of time.
Here’s what it’s crucial that you do next.
Set your smoker to 325 to 350 degrees.
This approach works well, but it adds to cook time and introduces a new variable.
This is harder to do when you start the smoker at low heat and then move it to high.
At 325 to 350 degrees, a spatchcocked turkey takes 10 to 12 minutes per pound to smoke.
For most turkeys, that means at least an hour and potentially several.
You might hear about injecting turkeys pre-smoke or basting them with butter during smoking.
If you’re using a spatchcocked turkey, it smokes fast enough that these tactics aren’t needed.
Leave the turkey uncovered while it rests to retain the crispy beauty of its smoky skin.
