You’ll need a few ingredients and supplies to prepare your own apple wood smoked turkey this holiday season. Because the recipe only calls for a few ingredients, the turkey will most likely be difficult to find if you make it at the last minute.
- Chunk charcoal.
- Apple wood chips or chunks.
- Aluminum foil.
Apple Wood Smoked Turkey- Step 1: Brining the Turkey
Turkey for Thanksgiving Brining a turkey before cooking makes it more tasty, tender, and moist. Combine half a cup of maple syrup, two quarts of apple juice or apple cider (your choice), a tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper, and one to two quarts of cold water to make your brine.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the salt and sugar and stir well until completely dissolved. Submerge your turkey in the brine, adding more water as necessary to keep it submerged. Place it in a cool place to soak for the entire day.
How Do You Brine a Turkey?
Brining turkey brings out the rich and delicious flavors of the meat. This is a great way to keep the breast flesh from drying out. To brine a turkey, mix one cup of salt with one gallon of water. You can use either water or apple cider for this recipe (or a mix of both). Sugar and additional herbs and aromatics can be used if desired. After that, the turkey should be soaked in the brine and left to soak overnight (in the fridge).
Apple Wood Smoked Turkey- Step 2: Drying the Turkey
Brining turkey brings out the most succulent and rich flavors from the flesh. This is great for keeping the breast flesh from drying out. To brine a turkey, mix 1 cup salt with 1 gallon water. Water or apple cider can be used (or a mix of both). Sugar and other herbs and aromatics can be used if desired. The turkey should then be soaked in the brine and let to soak overnight (in the refrigerator).
Apple Wood Smoked Turkey- Step 3: Lighting the Grill
After letting the turkey to warm up for about half an hour, start thinking about igniting the grill. Fill the center of the grill with coals and make a well in the center. Light an aluminum baking pan filled with water and allow it to catch before placing it in the center.
Apple Wood Smoked Turkey- Step 4: Smoking the Turkey
After your grill and turkey have had a chance to warm up, you may begin cooking. Place the turkey on the grates after closing the cover. Use a Turkey Rack if you want to be extra fancy and ensure the best, most flavorful, and juicy poultry meat! Looking for best wood for smoking turkey? We have a list for you.
Maintain an eye on the charcoal, water, and wood levels, as well as the air vents, to keep the temperature consistent inside the grill when smoking a whole turkey. If the turkey appears to be cooking too rapidly, tent the breast area with aluminum foil to keep it from burning.
Apple Wood Smoked Turkey- Step 5: Resting the Turkey
After your grill and turkey have both had time to warm up, you may begin cooking. Place the turkey on the grates and close the lid. Use a Turkey Rack to assure the finest, most delicious, and juicy poultry meat!
Keep an eye on the charcoal, water, and wood levels, as well as the air vents, to keep the temperature within the grill consistent. Smoking a whole turkey requires time and patience. If the turkey looks to be cooking too rapidly, tent the breast with aluminum foil to keep it from burning.
Apple Wood Smoked Turkey- Step 6: Serving the Turkey
After the turkey has rested for a while, you may finally begin carving and serving it. Remove the meat off the carcass and serve it with your favorite side dishes, as well as the gravy (which can be easily made using the wing tips and other scraps left over during the resting process).
How Long Should You Cook a Turkey?
A 15-pound turkey will take roughly 5 hours to fully roast because each pound of meat takes 20 minutes to cook. The best way to tell if a turkey is done cooking is to insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. When the thigh reaches 175 degrees F, the turkey is done (and the breast reaches 165 degrees F).
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