Is smoked turkey good for Thanksgiving?
That means that when it’s smoked, there’s plenty of surface area to be infused with smoky flavor. Not to mention, smoking your turkey low and slow is a great way to keep it tender and juicy. When all is said and done, smoking really doesn’t take much more time than your typical Thanksgiving turkey might in the oven.
How long does it take to smoke a 20-pound turkey?
Generally, though, you should allow for about 30-40 minutes of smoking per pound. So, if you have a 20-pound turkey, it’ll probably take 10-12 hours to completely smoke it.
Can I smoke a turkey in advance?
Thawing the Bird **Best Option: Thaw the turkey in the fridge. Place it in a large pan and let it sit in the fridge and thaw away. Turkeys thaw at a rate of about 5 pounds per day using this method. I usually plan this so that the turkey is finished thawing about the same time I want to put it on the smoker.
Is it better to smoke a turkey whole or cut up?
A Cut Up Turkey Cooks Quicker I’ve found that by dividing a turkey into its separate parts, it will take less time to cook in the smoker. It also makes it possible to end up with a perfectly cooked breast every time. When it reaches 160 degrees, remove it from the smoker.
How do you smoke a turkey and keep it moist?
Start the smoker with the humidity around 60 percent and the temperature at 140 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent moisture from escaping. After the turkey cooks at this temperature for four hours, increase the temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit every 20 minutes until you reach 190 degrees.
Does a turkey stall when smoking?
When done correctly, smoking creates a surprisingly juicy and moist bird. Smoking is almost impossible to mess up. When I’ve done it, I’ve found there’s a natural stall point where the meat temperature kind of drags for 60-90 minutes between about 145-155 F.
What is the danger zone when smoking a turkey?
Turkey breasts, drumsticks, wings, and whole turkeys are all suited for smoking, although for safety’s sake, stick with whole turkeys that weigh 12 pounds or less. Turkey is in the “Danger Zone,” where bacteria grows the fastest, between 40°F and 140°F.
How long does it take to smoke a 20 pound turkey at 225?
At 225 degrees, a 20-pound turkey should cook at a rate of 30 to 40 minutes per pound. If you increase the temperature to 250, it will take 25 to 30 minutes per pound. It’s best to keep the smoker temperature above 225 when smoking a bird this large.
Do you need to wrap a turkey in foil when smoking?
The turkey should cook for about 45 to 60 minutes before you check it. He wraps the turkey in heavy duty aluminum foil and finishes the cooking in the smoker until the turkey’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Once the turkey is cooked through, allow it to rest for five to 10 minutes before carving.
Should you wrap a turkey when smoking?
165 degrees F is the safest temperature for smoked turkey. If your turkey is done a little early, cover the turkey with foil and wrap with towels to insulate and keep the heat at a safe serving temperature. This can soften the skin, but a quick (like 1-2 minute) broil in the oven can get it back to crispy.
How do you keep a turkey moist when smoking?
This will result in a soggy chicken. My solution is to smoke the turkey directly on the grill grates, with a roasting pan filled with 1″ water underneath the grates, about 3-4 inches from the meat. This will keep the cooking environment moist but let the turkey get evenly crisp on the outside. 2.
Do you cover turkey when smoking?
Fill turkey cavity with butter, cola, apple, onion, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Cover loosely with foil. Smoke at 225 to 250 degrees F (110 to 120 degrees C) for 10 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F (80 degrees C) when measured in the thickest part of the thigh.
How do you prepare a Turkey for smoking?
Instructions To prepare a smoked turkey, combine salt, pepper, paprika, allspice and garlic spices. Rub turkey generously with spices. Apply spices under wings, skin and every other area you can get into. Place the turkey in a smoker with the breast facing up. Stuff the turkey with whole onion and whole apples.
How long does it take to smoke a whole turkey?
Whole Turkey. For smoking a whole turkey, set the smoker at 240°F. It is recommended to cook it for 30-40 Minutes per pound. A 8 pound turkey will take in average 4 hours while a larger, 12 pound turkey will take about 6 hours.
How long can you keep leftover smoked turkey?
Store the leftover turkey in the fridge and it should be good for at least seven days, and probably longer, assuming the fridge is properly cold and everybody practices safe food handling when serving (i.e., clean hands, utensils, etc).
How long do you cook a Turkey in an electric smoker?
Procedure: Set your Masterbuilt electric smoker at 225 degrees Fahrenheit . Close your smoker and let it smoke for around 10 hours. Check the internal temperature of your turkey after 31/2 hours. If it smokes beyond 4 hours before passing this critical temperature range, you better use an oven to finish it up.