Smoked Turkey Recipe | How To Smoke a Whole Turkey

Smoked Turkey Recipe

Once you try a smoked turkey, you'll never cook turkey any other way.

You want to buy a 10-12lb Turkeys because this size turkey cooks evenly throughout the breast and thighs on the smoker. It takes several days to thaw a 12lb turkey, so you'll need to plan in advance.

Once you have the turkey thawed, it's time for the brine. I brine my turkeys for 24 hours.

Turkey Brine Recipe:
- 2 gallons of tap water
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Molasses
- 1 cup Honey
- 1 ½ cup Salt
- 3-4 Bay Leaves
- Fresh Thyme Bundle
- 1 TBS Whole Peppercorns

In a large stock pot bring 1 gallon of water to a boil and add the brown sugar, molasses, honey, bbq rub, and bay leaves. Once the ingredients have dissolved turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool. I make this the night before and refrigerate until time to brine.

Place the turkey inside a bag and pour in the brine. Add the thyme bundle and peppercorns. Top the turkey off with an additional gallon of water and the entire bird should be covered. Close the bag and lay a bag of ice on top. Let the turkey soak for 24 hours replacing the ice as needed.

The next day remove the turkey from the brine and rinse under cool water. Allow it to drain and pat off any excess water with paper towels. Cut a couple apples in half and stuff in the cavity. I also add onion and celery. This will add mass to the turkey helping it cook even and gives it some additional flavor.

Smoked Turkey Seasoning:
- 1 cup Kosher Salt
- 1 cup Granulated Garlic
- 1 TBS Poultry Seasoning

The next step is to inject the turkey. You can use a store bought injection like Tony's Creole Butter, but I created my own version.

Smoked Turkey Butter Injection
- 1 stick real butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 TBS Hot Sauce
- 1 tea Granulated Garlic
- 1 tea Cajun Seasoning (I used Louisanna brand)

Melt the butter in a sauce pan and add the chicken broth, hot sauce, garlic, and Cajun seasoning. Whisk the ingredients together and remove from heat once incorporated. It doesn't need to come to a boil.

Let the injection cool and shoot it into the turkey. Hit the breast in 3-4 locations on each side and do the same for the legs and thighs. Before placing the turkey on the smoker, use butcher twine to secure the legs and wings.

Now the turkey is finally ready for the cooker. I smoke turkeys at temps between 275-300 degrees. Higher temps make for a better bird. The outer skin turns a beautiful mahogany color and is almost crispy. For smoke, I use pecan or a fruit wood like cherry. You can over-smoke turkey, so go easy on the wood. Place the turkey on the smoker and set a timer for 1 ½ hours. As long as you maintain temps, there's not much to do, just let it cook.

When the timer goes off, rotate the turkey on the rack to ensure it is cooking evenly on all sides. I never flip the turkey. It stays on the back, breast up, the entire cook. It takes about 3 ½ hours to smoke a 10-12lb turkey but checking the internal temps is key. It has to hit at least 165 in the breast and 175 in the thigh. When you stick the turkey, juices should run out clear. There should be no trace of blood or pink colored liquid. I start checking the internal about the 2 ½ hour mark just to see where it is. At this point if the outside is starting to get dark, I'll lay a piece of aluminum foil over it. The foil acts as a tent and will prevent the skin from browning any further.

Once I see a temp of 165 in the thickest part of the breast and the juices are running clear out of the thigh (175 internal), the turkey is done....Almost....you want to let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. If you go at it too soon with the knife, all of the juices will run out onto your cutting board and you'll have dry turkey. Be patient and let things cool off for a few minutes.

Once you try Smoked Turkey you won't be able to stomach oven cooked bird.

[riverfalls]

I switched last year to this method and had 30 people say it was the best turkey they ever had. Rewatching today to start prepping. Thanks sir

[jdrafts]

4 years ago was when I discovered this recipe, my girlfriends kids went to their fathers after our Thanksgiving. They told their father that my Turkey was way better than his. The enraged look that their father gives me every year since is priceless. So here I am, for the 4th time to get that glory again.

[Journeytoorthdoxy]

I found this recipe three years ago and I’ve used it every single year. I watch this video the Tuesday before, it’s like a tradition. The turkey always is the star of the show and it’s all thanks to this dude. Gotta put the ice on it and put it to bed

[michaelpuckett]

THE MOST UNDERRATED SMOKED TURKEY 🦃 VIDEO OF ALL TIME.... IVE SEEN MALCOMS NEW VIDEOS AND RECIPES BUT THIS 11 YEAR OLD RECIPE STILL RESIGNS SUPREME 💯💯💯👑

[gregmelching]

I watch your video every year before Thanksgiving. This recipe has become a big hit and a family tradition. Thank you, Malcolm!

[haitiboy]

Malcom… you’ve made new videos. But every year I come back to this!

[RynOstate]

I did this for Thanksgiving. My first turkey. Everyone said it was the best they’ve ever ate. I’m about to start one this morning for Christmas!

[RachelGillispie]

best recipe ever. Cooked it last year, and here this year to do it again.

[GucciGavia]

This is my 5th year making my turkey with this recipe. Everyone always compliments the way it comes out. He’s the king of BBQ

[christopherbaas]

Love watching these older videos. You’ve come a long way in your video production, Malcolm and Rachelle. Watched all these turkey videos as a refresher. Thank you so much, you’re a blessing. Have a great thanksgiving!

[gertbfrobe]

This is the guy to turn to when smoking anything. You don't have to take every step he does because the basics are all there. Time, temp, brine, rub - he knows it all

[fredarnold]

Checking in again just to say this will ALWAYS be my go-to for my Smoked Turkey’s! I wish you and your families well this day and upcoming holiday season!

[debartellomartinez]

I did this, he is not lying, the crowd was in awe, completely surpassing previous turkeys in every way, sit back and receive the praise at dinner time.

[ckemekc]

This is my "go to" recipe every Thanksgiving. Please never delete this video!

[adamsunderland]

Smoked a trial turkey yesterday for thanksgiving using his exact recipe. It turned out amazing. Extremely tender and juicy. Never had one as juicy. I highly recommend using this recipe.

[luisaponte]

I did my first smoked turkey yesterday 7-27-17 and it was the best turkey I had ever had. My family loved it and told me that whatever I did with this turkey to do it from now on. Even my 3 year old said it was delicious. I followed the recipe to the tee with the exception of the wood. Unfortunately here in the mid west is hard to find oak so I did it with hickory. Thanks so much for your wonderful recipe, from now on you are my go to person for BBQ!

[jaiwood]

I come back every year to do this recipe. I love it!!!! My family does as well.

[juanguzman]

Back again. It’s become my yearly thanksgiving tradition!

[kkkkkkkkkk]

I will pull up this video every year for as long as I shall live . Thank you Mr. Reed God bless you and your family on this fine holiday season ❤

[anthonyarrants]

Love it. Made it three years in a row. Family eats the whole 12 pounds every year. Safe to say, it's even better than grandma's cooking.