Turkey Tips: Grilled and Smoked Turkey

One of the benefits of smoking a turkey is that it's almost impossible to overcook anything in a smoker. The temperature remains low and the cooking is slow, resulting in perfectly moist and tender meat with a rich, complex flavor.

The Tools

Besides a smoker, there are a few other things you'll need to smoke your turkey:

• A large pan
• An accurate meat thermometer
• Wood chips--any kind of fruit wood, such as apple or cherry, complements turkey very well, but hickory, pecan, and maple will be equally good

If you're smoking a whole bird, we recommended that you choose one weighing no more than about 15 pounds--large turkeys take too long to heat all the way through. If you choose a frozen turkey, it should be thoroughly thawed before you begin. (Ensure that you have removed all the giblets and gizzards from the turkey, as well as the plastic pop-up thermometer).

Prepping

To add even more flavor to your turkey:

• Try brining: while not an essential part of smoking a turkey, soaking in brine before cooking gives the meat maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Rub bird with oil or butter for crispy and evenly browned skin.
• Apply a dry rub just before smoking. (If you have brined the turkey, you should not use any salt in the dry rub).

Unfortunately, you can't stuff a smoked turkey; if you have your heart set on stuffing, you can make it separately in the oven.

Smoking Your Turkey

Once you have prepped your turkey, you are ready to begin smoking:

• Place turkey in the pan, breast-side up.
• Insert the meat thermometer deep into the thigh, being careful not to touch the bone or joints.
• Run your smoker at 240 degrees F (115 degrees C).
• Allow 30 minutes of cooking time per pound of meat. 
• Baste the turkey with its own juices a few times during smoking, but avoid opening the smoker too often; you will lose heat and increase the cooking time.

When the thermometer reads 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) , pull the bird out of the smoker and let it rest at least 15 minutes. Carve and serve.

Don't have a smoker? Use your charcoal grill. A 12-pound turkey is the largest that will fit most grills.

The Tools

To grill your turkey, you'll need:

• Good-quality charcoal briquettes: about 20 pounds
• Disposable aluminum roasting pan
• Soaked wood chips, if desired
• An accurate meat thermometer
• Tongs and heavy-duty oven mitts
• Recommended: a thermometer on your grill or deep-fat frying thermometer placed through the vent on the grill's lid

Prepping

Follow the instructions above for Smoked Turkey.

Grilling

Essentially, you'll be using your grill as an outdoor oven: you want a moderate, even temperature rather than searing heat. Arrange the coals on one side of the grill only--you will use the empty side for the drip-pan. When the coals are covered with white ash, add a handful of damp wood chips. Add more wood chips any time you add more charcoal.

• Lightly oil the grill's grate. Brush the skin of the turkey with oil or rub it with butter to prevent it from sticking.
• Set a disposable aluminum roasting pan next to the hot coals. This will catch drippings and prevent flare-ups.
• Adjust the grill's vents so they are open halfway.
• Many recipes suggest roasting the turkey in a second disposable pan, adding water, wine or aromatics to the roasting pan for basting.
• If your grill is outfitted with a thermometer (or you have inserted a deep-fat frying thermometer through the vent), check it. Aim for 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), but don't get hung up on a perfect and constant reading.
• Roast the turkey until the thigh meat registers 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). This may take two to three hours or longer, depending upon the heat of the fire and size of the turkey.
• Avoid opening the lid; conserve heat. Rotate the turkey as necessary for even cooking.

For succulent, juicy meat and crispy skin, try deep frying your turkey this year.