Have you ever smoked a turkey? It can be a bit overwhelming the first time, but once you learn the proper steps, it becomes easier. There are several ways to cook a turkey, but smoking it in an electric smoker yields great flavor.
Many people don't care for smoked turkey because they may have had a turkey in the past that was cooked too long and turned out dry. There is nothing worse than dry turkey.
Knowing when your turkey is perfectly done is essential. I promise if you follow my directions, your turkey will be moist and fall off the bone tender.
How To Smoke A Turkey In An Electric Smoker
Smoking a turkey differs from cooking on a gas grill or baking it in the kitchen. The smoking process can also vary from one smoker to the next, which is why knowing your smoker is the first step. Let's look at some guidelines.
1. How long to smoke a turkey? Slow and steady wins the race
One of the most critical aspects of preparing a truly exceptional smoked turkey is slow-cooking, allowing it to absorb the rich flavor of the wood chips.
The cooking process takes time to get a nice, crisp skin and smoky flavor without burning or having an undercooked middle.
You must cook your turkey for approximately 30 minutes per pound at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius). This is why knowing the weight of your turkey is important again.
Maintain a steady temperature to ensure the juiciest, evenly cooked turkey. And let's not forget your seasonings.
2. Spices to use for your smoked turkey
The right spices and herbs make all the difference in the flavor of your bird. There are no rules about which flavors to use on a Thanksgiving turkey, but some are more traditionally used than others.
When you've chosen your spices, you'll want to create a good rub and apply it to the turkey before cooking.
While a rub isn't essential for a good smoked turkey, it can certainly help to make your turkey even more flavorful. Some people use brine or rub.
While there are rubs you can buy, it is even better to make your own specialty rub to make turkey uniquely your own.
Ingredients for a turkey rub:
- salt or Kosher salt
- thyme
- rosemary
- oregano
- sage
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- smoked paprika
- ground black pepper
A rub of salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, onion powder, and garlic will make a great-tasting turkey.
If you prefer your smoked turkey a tad sweet, try making a rub of honey, garlic, onion, and a little soy sauce. Again, it's all about finding the flavor combinations you enjoy most.
3. Get under that turkey's skin
When applying the rub to your turkey, it is best to apply it well underneath the skin, with a lighter coating on top of the skin. You want to ensure that the flavors remain consistent even when the turkey is slowly smoked.
To apply rub under the skin, start at the turkey’s bottom (butt) end, where the skin is loose, and work your fingers under the skin and up the chest to loosen the skin. And then loosen as much skin along the thighs and legs as possible.
Using your fingertips, apply the rub to your turkey under the skin and inside the cavity, and then apply a light coating on the outside of the skin.
You should apply the rub at least 1 to 3 hours before you begin smoking and set the meat in a disposable roasting pan in the refrigerator until you are ready to begin roasting.
4. Add liquid
When you use a water smoker, you will need to add liquid as part of the process. If your smoker has a place to add water, then you can fill the water pan about an inch from the top.
Hot water is better than cold. If your smoker doesn't have any place to add water, don't despair, you can add warm or hot turkey broth, cola, or even apple juice to the cavity of the turkey itself and a small amount in the bottom of the roaster.
Then every couple of hours you can use this liquid, which will become mixed with the turkey dripping to baste your bird.
5. Lightly tent your bird
For a moister turkey, try lightly tenting your bird with tin foil, leaving some space for the smoke to get through.
Then, you may want to remove the tent for the last two hours.
Do keep in mind, however, that since the turkey is cooking at such a low temperature, tenting is not really necessary; it just makes it a little moister.
6. Use the right wood chips
The last key ingredient you need when smoking a turkey is the right type of wood chips or wood chunks that you use.
Always use hardwood chips, never soft woods such as pine.
Turkey seems to come out extra flavorful if you use Hickory, oak, cherry, or apple wood chips, and make sure that the wood chips you use are seasoned.
7. Oven and meat thermometers
Even if your smoker ( best electric smokers) comes with a thermometer, you might want to invest in an oven or grill thermometer unless you know that your smoker thermometer is very accurate. You want to smoke your turkey at as close to the perfect temperature as possible.
You might also want to use a meat thermometer to ensure that your turkey is at the right temperature before removing it from the smoker.
The drippings at the bottom of the pan make a wonderful smokey gravy that is a perfect addition to your turkey dinner.
Last but not least, always try out your recipe at least once before cooking for guests so that you know if you need to adjust the temperature or the flavor profile before serving your turkey to your guests.
As you can see, smoking a turkey is not that hard once you learn some tips and tricks; they will make the entire process easier for you. Are there any turkey smoking tips that you'd add to our list? Let us know in the comments.
More Turkey Cooking Tips:
- How to defrost a turkey
- How to cook a turkey
- How to roast a turkey
- How to smoke turkey in a gas smoker
- How to make a turkey
- What to do with leftover turkey
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