Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey with Turkey 14-16lbs
This smoked turkey combines a 48‑hour brine, herb stuffing, and a low‑and‑slow smoke on a pellet grill for a moist, flavorful bird perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Instructions
-
Thaw the turkey in the refrigerator for 3‑4 days, removing the neck and giblets. Place it in a large container and pour the bird brine and water over it, sealing out air.
-
Refrigerate or keep the turkey in a cooler with ice for 48 hours, ensuring it stays submerged and cold.
-
Rinse the turkey gently, set it on a raised cooling rack over a sheet pan, and pat dry with paper towels. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to air‑dry the skin.
-
Stuff the cavity with the quartered onion, celery stalks, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs. Tie the legs together with butcher twine and brush the skin with vegetable oil.
-
Combine the Killer Hogs AP seasoning and poultry seasoning, then coat the entire surface of the turkey.
-
Preheat a Traeger or similar pellet grill for indirect cooking at 325 °F, using mild apple (or maple) pellets.
-
Place the turkey on the grill. Every 45 minutes, baste the skin with melted butter. Smoke for about 3.5 hours, or until the breast reaches 165 °F and the thigh 175 °F.
-
Remove the turkey, let it rest on a cutting board for 15‑20 minutes, then carve and serve.
Tips
Allow ample time for thawing and brining; a fully thawed bird brines evenly. Drying the skin before smoking helps achieve a crisp, golden crust.
Video
“Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe” by HowToBBQRight, watch on YouTube.
About this recipe
The turkey is brined in a commercial bird brine mixed with water, then dried and seasoned with vegetable oil, Killer Hogs AP seasoning, and poultry seasoning. Stuffed with onion, celery, garlic, and fresh herbs, it’s smoked at 325 °F on apple pellets, basting with butter every 45 minutes for a golden, crisp skin.
After smoking for about 3.5 hours until the breast reaches 165 °F and the thigh 175 °F, the bird rests before carving, offering classic Thanksgiving flavor with a subtle smoke note.
