Category
Meat
Servings
8
Prep Time
30 minutes
Calories
500
Thanksgiving Turkey recipe that packs all of the flavor and juiciness you expect from the perfect Holiday Turkey. You'll never cook turkey any other way after you try this.
Pit Barrel Cooker Co.
Ingredients
Two 10-15lb Turkeys OR One 16-30lb Turkey, fully thawed.
Two 12lb turkeys as shown.
Note: 10-15lb birds yield the most tender and juicy results
Olive Oil
Turkey Hanger(s) sold separately
Pit Grips recommended for use with Turkey Hangers
Directions
Light your Pit Barrel® according to the instructions.
Remove the turkey from the package, remove the neck and giblet bag from inside the turkey, and remove any plastic or wire ties holding the legs in place.
Coat all sides of the turkey with a light coating of olive oil, followed by a liberal dusting of the All-Purpose Pit Rub.
Tip: Make sure that you season the areas under the wings, and inside the cavity.
Slide the turkey hanger rod through the cavity from the neck end. Turn the bird upright so that the breast end is sitting on the double-hook portion of the hanger, and insert the T-bar through the eye on the end of the hanger rod.
Stuffing Tip: If stuffing your bird, cut a slit in the flap of skin over the neck, insert the hanger rod through the slit, and fold it over to seal the opening on the underside of the bird.
Hang the turkey(s) in the center of the Pit Barrel® so that the T-bar straddles the center of the rods, and secure the lid. Note: depending on the size of the turkey, you may have to lower the turkey(s) into the cooker before inserting the second rod.
Cook approximately 3.5-7 hours, depending on size of the bird.
Tip: It’s fun and useful to look in on the turkey every couple hours to monitor the progress and take the temperature. Also, to get an extra crisp on the skin, crack the lid 1/4″ for the last 30 mins of the cook.Remove the smoked turkey from the Pit Barrel® to a large platter or sheet pan. Remove the hanger and let rest 15-20 minutes, bringing the final temperature to 165°
Carve and Serve.
Recipe Video
Recipe Note
Desired Temp: 165º in Dark Meat
Although you can stuff your smoked turkey prior to cooking, like in any cooker, it may require longer cook times to ensure proper doneness of the stuffing and may affect the moistness of the turkey. If you do choose to stuff your bird, make sure that all stuffing ingredients are thoroughly cooked prior to consumption.