Cooking Smoked Turkey - Some Handy Cooking Tips

If you’re looking for a new spin on an old classic, you may want to consider cooking smoked turkey for your next festive occasion. While most of us know that turkey is roasted in the oven for hours, you can actually learn to cook smoked turkey and it is just as delicious and flavorful as your traditional bird, but with the rich smoky flavor of this turkey, you should be prepared to not have the leftovers that you are used to.

When you’re considering cooking smoked turkey, you should know that you need to have a smoker, and there are a few choices. You can choose charcoal smokers, electric smokers, gas and water smokers, so it’s up to you to decide which type you prefer.

If you choose a water smoker, you will find that they do a better job of keeping any meat moist, not just water, even if you leave it on for longer than you should have. That being said, cooking a smoked turkey is not just about shoving it in a smoker and leaving it alone. You should consider the size of your bird, because anything over 14 pounds will land you in a long day of work. For instance if you choose a 12 pound turkey, you’re probably looking at about 10 pounds of charcoal and eight hours of cook time. So, it’s really important to consider the number of people you’re cooking for.

Cooking a smoked turkey can be rather involved, since you have to set up your smoker according to instructions and light the fire. Then, after the flames die down, you can fill up your water smoker and wait again for the smoker to heat up to the right temperature for your turkey. Once you’ve gotten to your desired temperature, you can go ahead and add the bird, then watch it to make sure that there is enough water and charcoal so that you can properly cook your turkey.

Keep in mind that in order to keep your bird fresh and healthy for all to enjoy, you should be cooking your turkey at about 160 degrees. This will kill any potential salmonella or other bacteria and ensure that your turkey is done in the right amount of time. Some people choose to add a meat thermometer when cooking smoked turkey and this is a good idea, so you can ensure your turkey is fully cooked to the right temperature. Also, make sure to keep the lid on when you’re cooking your turkey, as this is the way that it gains the smoky flavor and cooks the best.

Don’t take the lid off too often, as this will add a ton of cooking time. Instead, check it at about the five hour cook time, to see how it’s doing and then let it go again. Also, don’t scrimp on your charcoal when you’re cooking smoked turkey, because turkey is the type of meat that absorbs all the flavor, so you should make sure that you use the good charcoal that won’t leave behind any type of chemical flavoring.

For more depth when cooking smoked turkey, consider adding mesquite or hickory chips to your charcoal. If you’ve ever had smoked turkey breast as deli meat, then you know that adding hickory chips can add a deeper, richer flavor to your bird.

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