Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, delicious food. And what better centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast than a perfectly smoked turkey? But with so many recipes out there, it can be overwhelming to find the best one. Look no further, as we have the ultimate recipe for the best smoked turkey for your Thanksgiving celebration. This recipe is sure to impress your guests and have them coming back for seconds.
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<h2>Preparing the Turkey</h2>
<h3><b>Ingredients:</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>1 (12-14 pound) whole turkey, thawed if frozen</li>
<li>1/2 cup of <b>kosher salt</b></li>
<li>1/4 cup of <b>light brown sugar</b></li>
<li>1 tablespoon of <b>black pepper</b></li>
<li>1 tablespoon of <b>garlic powder</b></li>
<li>1 tablespoon of <b>onion powder</b></li>
<li>1 tablespoon of <b>paprika</b></li>
<li>1 tablespoon of <b>dried thyme</b></li>
<li>1 tablespoon of <b>dried rosemary</b></li>
<li>1 tablespoon of <b>dried sage</b></li>
<li>1/2 cup of <b>unsalted butter, melted</b></li>
</ul>
To begin, you'll want to make sure your turkey is fully thawed. This will ensure even cooking and prevent any food safety concerns. Once thawed, remove the giblets and neck from the turkey's cavity. In a large bowl, mix together the <b>salt, light brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary,</b> and <b>sage</b>. This will be the dry rub for your turkey. Next, take the melted butter and generously brush it all over the turkey, making sure to get under the skin and in the cavity. Then, sprinkle the dry rub all over the turkey, making sure to coat it evenly. Cover the turkey with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours.
<h2>Preparing the Smoker</h2>
<h3><b>Ingredients:</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>1/4 cup of <b>applewood chips</b></li>
<li>1/4 cup of <b>hickory wood chips</b></li>
<li>1/4 cup of <b>cherry wood chips</b></li>
<li>1/4 cup of <b>maple wood chips</b></li>
<li>1/4 cup of <b>mesquite wood chips</b></li>
</ul>
While the turkey is marinating, it's time to prepare the smoker. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and fill the water pan with hot water. In a separate bowl, mix together the <b>applewood, hickory, cherry, maple,</b> and <b>mesquite wood chips</b>. Once the smoker is heated, add the wood chips to the smoker box or directly onto the coals. This will give your turkey a delicious smoky flavor. You can also add some fresh herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, to the water pan for extra flavor.
<h2>Smoking the Turkey</h2>
<h3><b>Ingredients:</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>1 whole turkey, prepared as above</li>
<li>1/2 cup of <b>apple cider</b></li>
<li>1/2 cup of <b>chicken broth</b></li>
<li>1/4 cup of <b>unsalted butter, melted</b></li>
</ul>
Place the marinated turkey onto the smoker's grates, breast side up. Close the smoker and let the turkey cook for 5-6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Every hour, baste the turkey with a mixture of <b>apple cider, chicken broth,</b> and <b>melted butter</b> to keep it moist. You can also add more wood chips to the smoker if needed. Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
This smoked turkey recipe is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving table. The combination of the dry rub and wood chips gives the turkey a perfect balance of flavors, making it tender, juicy, and full of smoky goodness. So give it a try this Thanksgiving and impress your loved ones with the best smoked turkey they've ever tasted.
Ingredients
