Damaris' Smoked Whole Turkey - ★Cooking Recipes★

As the name implies, this turkey is slow-smoked over cherry wood chips to infuse a rich flavour into this special main dish.
Directions for: Damaris' Smoked Whole Turkey

Ingredients

1 cup fine salt

cup molasses

cup granulated sugar

cup Worcestershire sauce

5 cloves smashed garlic

2 dried bay leaves

Freshly cracked black pepper

1 (12-lb) turkey

2 cups bourbon

Canola oil, for coating

Kosher salt

Directions

1. Add 2 gallons water, the fine salt, molasses, sugar, Worcestershire, garlic, bay leaves and 1 tablespoon pepper to a large pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir to dissolve the salt and sugar, and then remove from the heat. Cool the brine completely.

2. Pour the brine into a large bucket and add the turkey, making sure it is completely submerged. Brine for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

3. Pour the bourbon and 4 cups water over the wood chips and soak overnight.

4. The next day, remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.

5. Rub the turkey with the oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Load an electric smoker with the soaked wood chips and place the turkey inside. Set the smoker to 225F and smoke until the internal temperature is 160 to 165F, 5 to 6 hours.

6. Rest the turkey for 20 minutes before carving.

See more: Turkey, Christmas, Comfort Food, Herbs, Main, Thanksgiving