Best Smoked Turkey Recipes

SMOKED WHOLE TURKEY

Steps:

• Remove the turkey from the fridge and allow to sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking.
• Meanwhile, prepare a charcoal grill or smoker for indirect heat, at approximately 275 degrees F. Sprinkle in wood chips (such as hickory, apple or pecan wood) that have soaked in cold water for at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours, and allow them to char before cooking.
• Place the turkey in a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Brush the entire turkey with the oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
• Place the turkey in the grill or smoker and cook for 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix together the chicken stock, honey and vinegar. Baste the turkey after cooking for 45 minutes. Repeat the basting every 45 minutes until the internal temperature of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the breast registers 155 degrees F, about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the bird.
• Remove the turkey to a large cutting board and let rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

SMOKED TURKEY LEGS

Steps:

• Several hours before planning on barbecuing, loosen the skin on the turkey legs by running your fingers under it as far as possible without tearing the skin.
• Combine the Worcestershire sauce and the oil. Coat your fingers with the mixture and rub really well into the turkey legs, getting as much as you can under the skin. Sprinkle the Dry Rub over the skin, liberally rubbing into the turkey legs and under the skin. Place the legs in plastic bags and refrigerate.
• Prepare the smoker for barbecuing, bringing the temperature to 200 to 220 degrees F. Remove the turkey legs from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
• Re-warm the mop mixture over low heat.
• Transfer the turkey legs to the smoker. Cook until the legs are very tender and the juices run clear, about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Mop the legs at 45-minute intervals in a wood-burning pit, or as appropriate for your style of smoker. Serve the legs hot, to be eaten with your fingers, with a side of barbecue sauce.
• Mix ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Combine the mop ingredients in a small saucepan and warm the mixture over low heat.

MAPLE-ROASTED TURKEY WITH SAGE, SMOKED BACON, AND CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and remove the top rack.
• Combine the butter and sage in a mixing bowl, mash with a fork or spoon until the sage is well incorporated and the butter has flecks of green in it; season with salt and pepper.
• In a saute pan, melt 4 tablespoons of the sage butter, add the onions, cook and stir for 15 minutes until soft and golden. Remove from heat. Put the cornbread in a large mixing bowl and scrape the sauteed onion mixture on top. Add the egg, heavy cream, and just enough chicken stock to moisten the stuffing without making it soggy (about 1/2 cup.) Toss well to combine, season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the neck and gizzards from the inside of the turkey and discard. Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water, pat dry. Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the breast and legs, and slip pieces of the sage butter underneath; massaging it in as you go. Fill the bird with the cornbread stuffing without packing too tightly; cook the remaining stuffing separately in a buttered baking dish. Truss the turkey; place it on a rack in a large roasting pan, and put into the oven.
• Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup and hot water to thin the glaze out a bit; use this to baste the turkey every 30 minutes. The turkey should take about 3 hours to cook (i.e. 15 to 20 minutes per pound.) If the legs or breast brown too quickly, cover with foil. About 2 hours into cooking, shingle the strips of bacon oven the turkey breast to cover; continue to roast and baste for another hour or so. The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meatiest part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F (the thigh juices will also run clear when pricked with a knife.) Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest for 20 minutes before carving, so the juices can settle back into the meat.
• Skim off the excess fat from the pan drippings with a spoon and place the roasting pan over 2 burners set on medium-high heat. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up brown bits stuck to bottom of pan. Whisk the flour into the drippings, stirring as it thickens to prevent lumps. Add the remaining chicken stock and bring to a simmer; season with salt and pepper and hit it with a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Simmer for 5 minutes and then strain to remove any particles. Serve the gravy with the maple-roasted turkey and cornbread stuffing.

TUSCAN SMOKED TURKEY-BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Place the beans into a large bowl, fill the bowl with water, and cover the bowl with a cloth. Allow to soak overnight. Drain and rinse the beans.
• Place the soaked beans, turkey legs, onion, and bay leaves into a large soup pot, cover with water, then bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 3 hours. Remove bay leaves, and discard. Remove the turkey legs from the broth, separate the meat from the bones and tendons, and return the meat to the broth. Stir in celery, carrots, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper; simmer until the celery and carrots are tender, about 1 hour. Serve in bowls and sprinkle each serving with about 1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese.

SMOKED WHOLE TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Drain wood chips and place in smoker chip pan. Add water according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Unwrap turkey breast and pat dry with paper towels.
• Combine butter, salt, steak seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper in a bowl to create a seasoned butter.
• Gently separate skin from muscle of the turkey breast and rub seasoned butter between the skin and the muscle, keeping the skin intact. Use about 1/4 of the seasoned butter on each side, and rub the remaining seasoned butter all over the outside of the turkey breast.
• Place prepared turkey breast directly on a smoker rack, and place the disposable drip pan on the rack below, if recommended by the manufacturer. The drip pan should not rest on the chip pan or the water pan.
• Close and secure the smoker, lower thermostat to 225 degrees F (105 degrees C), and smoke 3 1/2 to 4 hours, adding wood chips and water as needed.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. Smoke until turkey registers 155 to 161 degrees F (68 degrees C to 71 degrees C). Wrap turkey breast in heavy-duty aluminum foil, then wrap in several layers of thick towels, and allow to rest for about 45 minutes. The residual heat will finish cooking the turkey breast to a safe temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees F).
• Slice and serve warm.

HONEY BRINED SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Combine the hot water and the salt in a 54-quart cooler. Stir until the salt dissolves. Stir in the vegetable broth and the honey. Add the ice and stir. Place the turkey in the brine, breast side up, and cover with cooler lid.. Brine overnight, up to 12 hours.
• Remove the turkey from the brine and dry thoroughly. Rub the bird thoroughly with the vegetable oil.
• Heat the grill to 400 degrees F.
• Using a double thickness of heavy-duty aluminum foil, build a smoke bomb. Place a cup of hickory wood chips in the center of the foil and gather up the edges, making a small pouch. Leave the pouch open at the top. Set this directly on the charcoal or on the metal bar over the gas flame. Set the turkey over indirect heat, insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast meat, and set the alarm for 160 degrees F. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour.
• After 1 hour check the bird; if the skin is golden brown, cover with aluminum foil and continue cooking. Also, after 1 hour, replace wood chips with second cup.
• Once the bird reaches 160 degrees F, remove from grill, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 1 hour. Carve and serve.

SMOKED TURKEY JARLSBERG SALAD SUPREME

Steps:

• Mix turkey, cheese, grapes and almonds in very large (4-quart) bowl.
• Mix remaining ingredients except lettuce in medium bowl. Pour over turkey mixture; mix gently. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve on lettuce.

SMOKED TURKEY SANDWICH

Steps:

• For the smoked turkey breast: Combine 1 cup spice rub and 2 gallons water in a large container, then add turkey breast to brine. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.
• Preheat a smoker for cooking at 200 degrees F.
• Remove turkey breast from brine and pat dry. Rub with remaining 1/2 cup spice rub. Place in smoker and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees F, about 3 1/2 hours. Remove from smoker and let rest 15 minutes, then slice thin.
• For the cole slaw: Meanwhile, thinly cut both cabbages and put in a medium bowl. Grate the carrot and add to the bowl. Add the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix well.
• For the gorilla berry habanero sauce: Add cranberries, sugar, orange juice, spice rub and habanero to a saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat, about 20 minutes. Break down with an immersion blender.
• For the sandwich: Cut open the rolls. Open and toast, with two slices of cheese on the top halves. When cheese is melted, remove from heat and add about 3 tablespoons Gorilla Berry Habanero Sauce to each roll bottom. Add turkey breast, barbecue sauce and 1/2 cup cole slaw to each. Close sandwiches, then cut in half and enjoy!

SPATCHCOCK SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Pat the turkey dry and turn it breast-side down on a cutting board. Using sharp kitchen shears or a knife, cut the backbone out of the turkey, reserving it for stock. Flip the turkey so it's breast-side up, then press down on it with your hands to flatten the bird.
• Whisk together the orange juice, oil, maple syrup and garlic in a large bowl. Reserve half of the marinade and set aside. Season the turkey on both sides with salt and pepper and place the turkey into the bowl with the marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator an hour before grilling, so it can come to room temperature.
• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only on medium-high heat.
• Place the turkey skin-side up over indirect heat and cover the grill. Maintaining a temperature of 375 to 400 degrees F, smoke the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 90 minutes. Baste the turkey with the reserved marinade every 30 minutes during cooking.
• Remove the turkey from the grill and rest, tented with aluminum foil, for at least 20 minutes before carving.
• (Alternatively, you can bake the turkey on a rimmed baking sheet in a 375 to 400 degrees F oven for 90 minutes.)

HICKORY SMOKED TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Add hickory chips according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Combine chicken broth, melted butter, salt, and poultry seasoning in a small bowl. Inject the solution evenly throughout the breast.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small dish. Brush evenly over the breast.
• Combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the rub over the entire breast, making sure to coat all sides evenly.
• Place breast in the preheated smoker and smoke for 3 hours or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Remove from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes.

SMOKED TURKEY AND JARLSBERG SALAD

Steps:

• Mix turkey, cheese, grapes and almonds in very large (4-quart) bowl.
• Mix remaining ingredients except lettuce in medium bowl. Pour over turkey mixture; mix gently. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve on lettuce.
• How to Toast Nuts: To toast nuts, spread them in an ungreased shallow pan and bake at 350 degrees for 6 - 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until light brown. Or sprinkle in an ungreased heavy skillet and cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until nuts begin to brown, then stirring constantly until nuts are light brown.

SPICY SMOKED TURKEY AND BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat. Cook and stir onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper in hot oil until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour chicken stock into the pot and reduce heat to low. Stir vegetable juice, black beans, turkey, diced tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, chili powder, jalapeno pepper, salt, and pepper into the stock. Raise heat to medium, bring the soup to a simmer, and cook until heated through and the flavors meld, 15 to 30 minutes.

CABBAGE STIR-FRY WITH SMOKED TURKEY SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage; saute until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add onion and garlic; saute until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add cabbages season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cabbage is translucent and limp, 6 to 10 minutes.

SMOKED TURKEY JARLSBERG SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl combine smoked turkey, Jarlsberg cheese, grapes and almonds.
• In a small bowl combine, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk and salt and pepper. Blend well and pour over salad mixture, gently combine.
• Refrigerate until serving time, 4-6 servings (The time it takes to refrigerate is not included in the cook time)
• To toast almonds spread on cookie sheet. Bake at 375* for 5-10 minutes until golden brown, stirring occasionally or microwave 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until light golden brown.

SMOKED TURKEY WILD RICE SOUP

Steps:

• Place the turkey legs, water, bouillon cubes, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, thyme, marjoram, and curry powder in a soup pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Stir in the wild rice. Simmer the soup at least 1 hour. Remove the turkey legs and strip the meat from the bones and tendons. Chop the meat and return it to the soup. Pour in the half-and-half and heat to just below a simmer; cook on low heat for about 30 more minutes.

SMOKED TURKEY SOUTHWESTERN WRAP

Steps:

• Lay tortilla out flat. Spread the cream cheese on the tortilla. Sprinkle lettuce, tomatoes, and onions in the center of the tortilla. Place the turkey all over. Top with avocado spread. Roll burrito style, making sure the ends are tucked in. Slice in half on the bias and serve.
• Jalapeno Cream Cheese: Mix the jalapenoes into the cream cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until needed.

SMOKED TURKEY SANDWICHES WITH SPICY AIOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the ciabatta rolls on a rimmed baking sheet with the cut side facing upwards. Bake until lightly toasted, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Arrange the bread, toasted side up, on a work surface and divide the spicy aioli on all the halves evenly. On each of the bottom halves place 1 slice of cheese, ripping in half if necessary to make the cheese fit the bread. On top of the cheese, layer the peppers, followed by the turkey. Divide the basil evenly on each of the top halves, pressing slightly to adhere to the aioli. Place the tops of the sandwiches on, then cut the sandwiches diagonally and serve.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, chili paste and ¼ teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Refrigerate aioli until ready to assemble the sandwiches.

SMOKED TURKEY AND APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together first four ingredients. , Place watercress on a platter; top with carrot, tomatoes, turkey and apples. Drizzle with dressing; top with walnuts. Serve immediately.

SMOKED TURKEY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a serving bowl, combine the pasta, turkey, cheese, cucumber, red pepper and onion. , In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, honey, mustard and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

SPLIT PEA AND SMOKED TURKEY SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse split peas, drain.
• Combine everything in slow cooker, except tomatoes.
• Cook on low for 7 hours.
• Last ten minutes, stir in tomatoes and let stand for 10 minutes.