®/™©2024 Yummly. All rights reserved.
Description
If you spend Thanksgiving with traditionalists who insist on an oven-roasted bird, let this recipe change their minds. A smoker cooks the turkey low and slow so it turns out juicy and moist with enough time to absorb the smoky flavor. A lemon, garlic, and herb rub plays nicely against the smoke. Another bonus with smoking the bird: You’ll free up the oven for Thanksgiving sides! The main directions here are for a bullet-shaped charcoal smoker such as a Weber Smokey Mountain, with the option to use a regular gas or charcoal grill over indirect heat. We went with hickory wood chunks or chips, which are available at hardware stores and online. For a lighter smoke flavor, you can try apple, cherry, or pecan wood. If you have a different type of smoker, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use it and what kind of wood chunks, chips, or pellets to use. Finally, to nail the turkey doneness, may we suggest the Yummly Smart Thermometer? The recipe is a Yummly original created by David Bonom.
Ingredients
- 1 turkey (12-14 lb., thawed if frozen)
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme
- 6 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 Tbsp. fennel seeds (crushed; use a mortar and pestle or the bottom of a heavy glass)
- 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
Directions
- Additional equipment needed: hickory wood chunks - 4 fist-size chunks, or 6 chunks for extra flavor; or use 2-3 cups wood chips for a regular grill or for a smoker that uses wood chips.
- Rinse the turkey and pat it dry. Remove and discard any leg truss. Remove neck and giblets and save for another use. Set the turkey breast up on a work surface. Slide a hand under the breast skin as far as you can go to loosen it. Turn the turkey breast down and slide a hand under the thigh skin and legs to loosen them.
- Combine rosemary, oregano, thyme, garlic, fennel seeds, lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub about half of the paste under the skin over the breast meat, legs, and thighs. Rub the remaining herb paste over the rest of the skin and inside the cavity. Tuck the wings up and under the turkey. Tie the ends of the legs together with kitchen twine.
NutritionView More
Unlock full nutritional details with subscription
Calories710Calories from Fat340 |
% DAILY VALUE |
Total Fat38g58% |
Saturated Fat9g45% |
Trans Fat |
Cholesterol285mg95% |
Sodium570mg24% |
Potassium1140mg33% |
Protein84g |
Calories from Fat340 |
% DAILY VALUE |
Total Carbohydrate1g0% |
Dietary Fiber<1g3% |
Sugars0g |
Vitamin A2% |
Vitamin C4% |
Calcium10% |
Iron25% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Notes
Jot it down
Subscribe to Yummly to add notes