Post Thanksgiving Smoked Turkey

[Gonna Smoke]

As some may recall, I was asked by my daughter to bake a turkey this year for Thanksgiving. Just how blasphemous is that?? Anyway, I did and was kind of bummed that I wasn't smoking it. Fast forward to this past Monday and I was in the store when I noticed that they had fresh Butterball turkeys reduced to 39¢/lb. so I bought one about 13 lbs. I had 2 choices - freeze it or cook it so I told them all that I was going to smoke it today.

I brined it for about 24 hours, injected it with a homemade injection consisting of chicken broth, butter, and some creole seasoning. Ready for some smoke...

Fired up my old Oklahoma Joe with some cherry and got the smoke rolling. It doesn't look like it, but there is smoke coming out of the stack...

Temp up to about 275℉ and on it went...

About 2 hours in, the I.T. is around 100℉ and it's starting to look like something. Spritzed with some vegetable oil, rotated 180°, and let it roll...

After about 3 more hours, I.T. is getting where I want, but the bird is getting too dark on the outside so I covered it in aluminum foil and let it go. Pulled at 160℉ in the breast and about 175℉ in the thighs. Lot darker than I wanted, but the meat was moist...

Removed from the carcass and cut up to eat...

Well I got my smoked turkey, FINALLY...

 

[SmokinEdge]

I bet that was delicious. What all did you stuff it with apple and vegetables? Nice job.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

What all did you stuff it with apple and vegetables?

Yes, apples, onions, carrots, and celery in both cavities...

 

[SmokinEdge]

That sounds incredible. I’m wanting to stuff one like that but with citrus in the mix.

 

[bauchjw]

Wow, Looks incredibly tasty, and I thought I was turkeyed out! Doesn’t look too dark to me as long as it’s tasty. I hope you saved the carcass for some soup !

 

[Gonna Smoke]

That sounds incredible. I’m wanting to stuff one like that but with citrus in the mix.

I've never used citrus but I'll bet that some oranges, limes, and lemons would be good...

Wow, Looks incredibly tasty, and I thought I was turkeyed out! Doesn’t look too dark to me as long as it’s tasty. I hope you saved the carcass for some soup !

Thank you, it tasted good and I finally got my "fix". I always save the carcasses for later use. I made turkey and rice soup with the carcass from last week. Not sure what I'll do with this one..

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Good looking bird Charles.

 

[SmokinAl]

Awesome looking bird there Charles!
It really looks juicy!
Al

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Awesome looking bird there Charles!
It really looks juicy!
Al

Thank you Al, it was very moist...

 

[cornman]

That’s one good looking bird! Well done!

 

[TNJAKE]

I'd say you nailed it. Glad you got your smoked bird. Nice job bud

 

[Gonna Smoke]

That’s one good looking bird! Well done!

Thank you very much for the compliments...

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I'd say you nailed it. Glad you got your smoked bird. Nice job bud

Thank you, Jake...

 

[SmokinEdge]

I've never used citrus but I'll bet that some oranges, limes, and lemons would be good...

I’ll add ruby red grapefruit. I’ve been using that in place of orange in carne asada marinade and really like it with either lemon or lime.

 

[1MoreFord]

When you cook for others(or yourself for that matter) be careful with using grapefruit and grapefruit juice. It doesn't mix well with some drugs especially blood pressure drugs and heart drugs.

 

[912smoker]

Wow that's a fine looking bird GS !
But what are you hiding under that tarp LOL?

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Wow that's a fine looking bird GS !
But what are you hiding under that tarp LOL?

Thanks for the kind words.
Under what tarp?? That's my TMG Pits Copperhead. I'm seeing a neurologist right now for some neck and shoulder issues that I'm having so opening and closing the door on that pit isn't an option for now...

 

[912smoker]

Oh man get that taken care as I relate to neck pain. But you've for the OK Joe humming !