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Smokey turkey

Brined Smoked Turkey

The bourbon or apple juice brine makes this turkey so moist and delicious. You'll want to make this anytime of the year!
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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 14-16 pound fresh or frozen turkey
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • Avocado or Olive Oil
Items for the Brine
  • 12 cups water
  • 1 cup salt I use Pink Himalayan Salt
  • 1/4 cup local raw honey
  • 1/4 cup coconut or cane sugar
  • 2 oranges, cut into slices
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 cups Bourbon or Whiskey
Filling for the Cavity
  • 2 oranges, cut into slices
  • 6-8 peeled garlic cloves
  • Vidalia or sweet onion. quartered
  • a handful of fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
For the Rub
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground sage
  • 1 tsp ground rosemary
  • 1 tsp ground thyme
  • 1 tsp corriander
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp fennel
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp coconut or raw cane sugar

Method
 

  1. If using a frozen turkey, defrost and remove the giblets and other paper parts.
  2. Next, make your brine. Add the water, salt, sugar, honey and bourbon to a sauce pan. Turn on medium high and let the sugar and salt dissolve. Remove from the heat and let cool. Add all of the remaining ingredients and stir.
  3. Place your turkey in a brining bag. Pour the brining mixture over the turkey and submerge it in the solution for at least 12 hours. I keep mine in a cooler and pack it with ice.
  4. After the turkey is done brining, remove it from the bag and pat the turkey with clean dry paper towels.
  5. At this point, get your smoker turned on.
  6. Now, prepare your dry rub. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir or if you are using a pre-made rub, place 3-4 tbsp in a bowl.
  7. Rub the turkey with butter, making sure you get underneath the wings and the breasts. Add a little bit of oil, if needed. Stuff the cavity with the ingredients above. Finally, rub the turkey with the rub mixture.
  8. It’s now ready for the smoker. Use the directions according to the brand of smoker that you have. My daughter has a Traeger smoker and it really makes your turkey so moist and yummy. This would also be delicious oven-roasted.