
Simply in time for Thanksgiving, this excellent smoked turkey is juicy and tender with a delicate smoky taste. Begin with a easy brine and recent herbs to make every chew burst with taste!
No Thanksgiving is full and not using a turkey! Trying to swap issues up this yr? Strive my oven-baked herb, air fryer, or gradual cooker turkeys!

Superb Garlic Herb Smoked Turkey Recipe
We’ve smoked a turkey now for the previous two Thanksgivings in a row and I don’t assume we are going to ever return! Smoking creates a number of the juiciest, most superb turkey I’ve ever skilled. Dry, flavorless turkey is now a factor of the previous! This recipe has been foolproof for me. My turkeys have ended up moist and flavorful every time. To taste from the within out, I begin out with a easy turkey brine to infuse the meat with flavors of citrus and herb. Then, I generously coat my turkey with my favourite mix of garlic, pepper, and fragrant Italian herbs. I wish to stuff my turkey with lemons, onion, and additional herbs to taste and assist tenderize. Then it’s off to the smoker! You’re going to like how straightforward that is to organize.
Actually, this smoked turkey is so much simpler than it appears to be like. Whether or not you’re seasoned within the artwork of smoking or that is your first time, this recipe will do all the heavy lifting! It’s tremendous simple! I’ve even included a graphic under to offer you temperatures and cooking occasions for your whole smoking endeavors. When you begin smoking your meat, you received’t need it another means! It doesn’t matter what meat you select, it finally ends up delicate, juicy, and deliciously smoky each time. You will discover my listing of smoked recipes right here, with extra quickly to come back!
All the things You Want for the Greatest Smoked Turkey
The very best half about this smoked turkey recipe is that it makes use of easy ingredients out of your cupboard! Thanksgiving is hectic as it’s, no must courageous the grocery store! See the recipe card under for a full listing of ingredients and measurements.
- Turkey Brine: A brine is a straightforward saltwater combine, however I like so as to add in herbs and citrus for additional taste! It additionally helps to tenderize. Whereas this step is elective, I extremely suggest placing within the time for a extra flavorful turkey! You will discover my full recipe right here.
- Entire Turkey: Be sure the giblets and neck are eliminated.
- Paprika: I really like including paprika to my turkey rub for some gentle spice! It tastes superb in distinction to the smoky taste.
- Garlic Powder: You’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with garlic! Added for the proper savory taste.
- Italian Seasoning: That is my private mix of herbs like rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and basil. It upgrades no matter dish it’s added to!
- Onion Powder: I really like the trace of sharp taste that onion powder provides to turkey.
- Salt and Pepper: Used to reinforce the smoked turkey’s general taste.
- Apple: I add quartered apples to the within of the turkey for moisture and a delicate candy taste.
- Onion: Just like the apples, I stuff the turkey with quartered onions to taste from the within out!
- Lemon: Sliced lemons are added to the within of the turkey for zesty taste.
- Contemporary Rosemary: I like including complete sprigs of rosemary contained in the turkey for taste. In addition they work nice as a reasonably garnish!
What Sort of Smoker Ought to I Use?
I exploit the Camp Chef Woodwind grill! It smokes every little thing to perfection! I discover that it balances warmth very well to verify no matter you’re making is cooked evenly! To not point out, it has built-in wifi so I can monitor and alter temperatures on my cellphone! Something that lets me control dinner whereas watching Netflix is a win in my e book. I extremely suggest their merchandise!

Learn how to Make the Good Smoked Turkey
In simply 5 straightforward steps you can also make a tremendous smoked turkey, too! Belief me, this turkey goes to be the star of the present with how tender, delicate, and juicy it’s! It’s all the time a favourite with my family and friends.
- (Non-obligatory) Brine and Pat Dry: Let’s get smoking! First, take away the turkey from the brine and and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Preheat Smoker, Mix Seasonings: Subsequent, preheat the smoker to 225 levels. In a small bowl, mix the paprika, garlic powder, italian seasoning, onion powder, salt and pepper. Rub generously on the complete turkey.
- Stuff: Fill the cavity of the turkey with the apple, onion, lemon and rosemary.
- Smoke: Subsequent, place the turkey within the smoker and smoke for half-hour per pound. Put the meat thermometer into the thigh with out touching the bone, or an about an inch into the thickest a part of the breast. Smoke till the interior temperature is 165 levels Fahrenheit.
- Relaxation: As soon as the turkey has reached the goal inner temperature, take away from the smoker and let relaxation 10-Quarter-hour earlier than carving.

Smoked Turkey Ideas and Methods
Add these easy ideas into your turkey-making course of and also you’ll have a masterpiece for the vacations! Truthfully, smoked turkey is a game-changer. It’s probably the greatest methods to maintain your turkey moist and stuffed with taste! Now you possibly can have a turkey that appears like a showstopper and tastes like one, too!
- Thaw in Time: You’ll want to thaw your turkey earlier than smoking so it cooks by way of fully! For a 12-15 pound turkey, I wish to thaw 4 days upfront.
- Don’t Skip the Brine: If you would like the perfect turkey attainable, don’t skip the brine! Brining your turkey helps to interrupt down proteins. This makes your turkey extra moist and tender! I like so as to add in herbs and citrus to assist infuse taste, too. You will discover my recipe right here! It does take 1-3 days to see greatest outcomes, so maintain this in thoughts so that you’re not scrambling earlier than Thanksgiving!
- Maintain Your Grill Closed: I do know it’s tempting to open your grill to see how every little thing’s coming, however I like to recommend retaining it closed for so long as attainable to take care of the appropriate smoking temperature!
- Test Inside Temperature: The very last thing you wish to do that Thanksgiving is make your visitors sick. It’s tremendous necessary to verify the interior temperature of your smoked turkey has reached no less than 165 levels Fahrenheit.

Superb Thanksgiving Sides
It can take 7-8 hours to smoke your turkey, so this provides you loads of time to organize the remainder of Thanksgiving! What would Thanksgiving be with out sides? Listed below are a few of my absolute favourite recipes that may pair completely along with your smoked turkey. I’m certain you’ll love all of them!
Facet Dishes
Cornbread Stuffing
Facet Dishes
The Greatest Candy Potato Casserole
Facet Dishes
Dad’s Well-known Mashed Potatoes
Facet Dishes
Garlic Parmesan Inexperienced Beans with Bacon

Storing Leftover Smoked Turkey
I’m a fiend for Thanksgiving leftovers. Particularly turkey! My favourite means to make use of it’s in sandwiches. The smoky taste of this specific turkey makes them so scrumptious!
- Within the Fridge: Take away any stuffing or fillings and wrap turkey in plastic wrap. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 1 week.
- Within the Freezer: You’ll be able to store leftover smoked turkey in a freezer secure bag for as much as 4 months. Thaw within the fridge for twenty-four hours earlier than serving/reheating.
- Reheating: I wish to heat leftover turkey within the oven at 325 levels Fahrenheit. Make sure inner temperatures attain 165 levels earlier than serving.


Good Smoked Turkey
Substances
- 1 Turkey Brine Recipe elective
- 12-15 pound complete turkey giblets and neck eliminated
- 1 Tablespoon Paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 Apple quartered
- 1 onion quartered
- 1 lemon sliced
- Contemporary Rosemary
Directions
- Take away the turkey from the brine and pat dry with a paper towel. *see notes
- Preheat the smoker to 225 levels. In a small bowl mix the paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub generously on the complete turkey.
- Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the apple, onion, lemon, and rosemary.
- Place the turkey within the smoker and smoke for half-hour per pound. Put the meat thermometer into the thigh with out touching the bone, or about an inch into the thickest a part of the breast. **see notes. Smoke till the temperature is 165 levels.
- As soon as the turkey has reached the temperature, take away it from the smoker and let relaxation 10-Quarter-hour earlier than carving.
Notes
** I had a 16 pound turkey and it took about 7 ½ hours. I bumped the temperature as much as 250 levels the final hour so it will be completed slightly bit quicker.
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