Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey

Ingredients

  • 4 to 5 kg (8 to 10 lb) turkey (small turkeys work best)
  • 65 ml (1/4 c) brown sugar
  • 65 ml (1/4 c) non-iodized salt
  • 65 ml (1/4 c) cream sherry
  • 5 ml (1 tsp) of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, sage, rosemary, lemon zest and/or pepper to individual taste

Preparation

  1. Mix together brown sugar, salt, and rosemary and add cream sherry to make a thin paste.
  2. Brush paste in between meat and skin and on top of the skin.
  3. Season with other herbs to taste.

Smoking Method

  1. Preheat the Bradley Smoker to approximately 100°C (220°F).
  2. Using Pecan flavor bisquettes smoke/cook turkey for 2 to 4 hours depending on how strong a smoke flavor you want.
  3. Baste the turkey using juices from inside the cavity and continue cooking the bird, basting every hour for another 2 to 4 hours, until a meat thermometer reads 75°C (165°F).

To Serve

Carve up turkey and serve as part of a traditional Thanksgiving feast with stuffing, gravy, cranberry chutney, potatoes, brussel sprouts and yams. And do not forget the apple and pumpkin pies!