BACON WRAPPED SMOKED TURKEY

BACON WRAPPED SMOKED TURKEY image

Yield 12-15 people

Number Of Ingredients 29

Brine--8 c. apple cider
1 3/4 c. dark brown sugar
1 c. apple cider vinegar
3/4 c. honey
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
5 bay leaves
12-15 lb Turkey
Broth-- carrots, celery, onion bay leaf 1/2 tsp peppercorns
BBQ spice rub
1/4 c. sugar,
2 T. chili powder,
1T. dark brown sugar,
2 1/4 t. smoked paprika,
1 1/2 t. salt,
3/4 t. pepper,
1/2 t. cayenne,
/2 t. garlic powder,
1/2 t. onion powder,
1/2 t. dry mustard
1/8 t. cinnamon
1/8 t. coriander
1/8 t. cumin
Turkey--
1 onion,
4 oz sw. butter, plus 2 oz cut into 4 slices,
1/4 c. honey,
2 lb applewood thick bacon,
2 cups apple and hickory chips,
1 c. apple juice in spray bottle.

Steps:

Make the brine--combine all ingredients and 8 c. water in pot. bring to boil. Cool Brine the turkey 6-20 hours. Make the broth. Make the spice rub in a small bowl. Rinse and dry the turkey. Rub inside and body with oil. Sprinkle 1/2 T into each cavity. Put onion pieces inside body. In small bowl, mix 4 oz butter with 1 T. spice rub. Slide hands under skin and spread the butter under the skin on the breast meat. don't break skin. Tie legs together, Rub outside of turkey with oil, honey then 3-4 T spice rub. Put bacon under and over turkey in rack. Grill in foil pan, removing bacon when dark brown. Add all but 1 tsp of spice rub to turkey skin and begin basting with apple juice every 20 minutes until turkey is done(155-160 middle breast) Let rest 30 minutes. Gravy, Heat butter, oil or turkey drippings til hot, add flour and 1 tsp spice rub and brown. stir in broth and 1/2 tsp cider vinegar til smooth.