The inspiration for this Elevated Smoked Turkey is my family’s annual Thanksgiving experience. My in-laws live out of town in Flint, MI. All of the kids, including my wife, have moved away. Coming home for this holiday has become a tradition. It is the one time a year that everyone can be under one roof. That is more amazing than it sounds because everyone includes all 11 of our children and a couple spouses. We have up to 23 people under one roof and for the meal, we over 50 people.
In recent years, I have helped out more and more because of my love of cooking, desire to help my father-in-law and a little bit of need. Like most families, we have all of our favorites and traditions we make for the meal. But a few years ago, they asked me to smoke a couple of the turkeys. As an aside, we cook three approximately 22 pound turkeys and there is rarely much leftover. Each year, though, there is a lot of pressure on me with the smoked turkeys. The pressure is self imposed but 2/3 of the dinner is hanging in the balance on the cooking of these two turkeys. I have not told you yet that I am smoking these turkeys on a conventional grill with a smoking tray. At home, as you see in this recipe here, I have a GREEN EGG.
I have posted a number of Thanksgiving recipes in the past including a GLUTEN FREE TURKEY NOODLE SOUP; PUMPKIN PIE; CRANBERRY RELISH and a ROUND UP OF THANKSGIVING RECIPES. It is a little early, but never too early, to begin your preparation for Thanksgiving.
The real key to making this Elevated Smoked Turkey is having the right equipment. My Green Egg is a wonderful vessel for smoking any type of food. You can really add as much smoke as you enjoy and you can regulate the temperature to either cook low and slow or cook like you would in your oven.
The turkey spiced with salt, pepper and Spanish paprika.
The Elevated Smoked Turkey plated.
The Recipe
Thanksgiving Smoked Turkey
Ingredients
- 14 LB Turkey
- 2 Tbsp Spanish Paprika
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt
- 1/2 Whole Leek – green part
- 1 Whole Lemon, halved
Instructions
- Pat the turkey dry. Spice liberally with the spices. Stuff with the leek and the lemon.Prepare your smoker and set to a temperature of 225 degrees. The wood used is mostly hickory and a little cherry.Half way through the cooking, raise the temperature to 300 degrees. Use a meat thermometer and check your turkey to make sure it gets to 165 degrees for an internal temperature.Let rest for at least 15 minutes.Serve and enjoy!
Responses
comments – I answer every one.
I love your recipe, this is perfect for the whole family. Thank you for sharing your recipe 🙂 Generous!
Thank you very much Blair. It is a family favorite.
Turkey is one of my faves ingredients and I am always looking for new ways to cook and serve it. This sounds amazing.
Then, you need to give it a try.
I’m not a big turkey person but this looks so good! I love that you smoked it instead of baking! Definitely going to have to try this one out! Thanks for sharing!!
Give it a try if you see it on a menu.
Looks absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to give this a try!
Thx Kim.
I loved the sound of the entire family gathering together for a home cooked meal. Would love to steal a place in this festive table for the lovely food and the warm company . Turkey looks super yum! Stay blessed and together always.
You are so kind. It is an amazing experience to be around this Thanksgiving table.
The presentation is great. I don’t really do much cooking but I would love to try this dish.
Well then just eat and enjoy. No need to cook.
This elevated smoked turkey plate looks so good. I don’t have Green Egg but my sister does. This elevated smoked turkey would make for a great Thanksgiving day dinner. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Then you need to ask your sister to make this for you!
That does look like quite the delicious dish. Although I think my family would consider it sacrilege to do the turkey any other way than the way I do it. They have grown so accustomed to it a certain way.
Routine is often good but once in a while we need to challenge the norms.
I do not eat meat but my family does. I have no doubt they would enjoy this recipe.
Then we need to add some veggies to the smoker for you.
Omg that looks delicious… I wish i could have it right now 🙂
Thx Kitty.