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’ve never heard of doing a turkey this way… But I’m defiantly interested in doing one like this for Thanksgiving! It seems like such a creative and delicious take on a classic 😀
It is super tasty!
I would love to get a Green Egg. This Elevated Smoked Turkey looks so delicious. I will have to look into investing in one.
Claudia, if you can afford it, go for it. It is so good and virtually no clean up.
You made it look so perfect! I bet it is so delicious. I want to try making some.
It was so delicious.
Looks great and what a beautiful presentation! Also, WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR FLATWARE?! It’s gorgeous!
The flatware my wife found somewhere. I use those all the time because I have not been able to find anything like it.
Smoked meats are always so delicious! I don’t think I’ve had smoked turkey before so that’s going on my must-try list!
I love smoke too. You need to try turkey. You will love it.
Oh my goodness this sounds absolutely delicious – I am all for getting to try some smoked turkey! YUM
Do it. You will never go back.
Oooo this looks so delicious. I love turkey. I need to try this out soon for dinner!
Please do.
Yummy!! I love smoked turkey in any fashion. There is just something about that flavor it has.
I am with you. I love it in any fashion. Just pulled some out of the freezer that we are having tonight. Lucky me!
Sounds yummy now I’m craving turkey
That is a good craving.
As I was reading the recipe I told my mom that it would make a great turkey recipe for Thanksgiving. I mean I always have my head in Thanksgiving holiday bubble.
You are absolutely right!