Honey-Brined and Smoked Turkey

Name: Honey-Brined and Smoked Turkey
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 1 bunch fresh thyme; 454 grams honey; 237 milliliters kosher salt; 1 turkey, 12-14 lbs., washed; 8 servings Vegetable Oil; 2 liters vegetable stock; 7 liters very cold water; 2 Tbsps whole peppercorns

Honey-Brined and Smoked Turkey might be just the main course you are searching for. One serving contains 769 calories, 70g of protein, and 32g of fat. This gluten free and dairy free recipe serves 8. If you have thyme, vegetable oil, vegetable stock, and a few other ingredients on hand, you can make it. To use up the water you could follow this main course with the Watermelon-Peach Slushies as a dessert. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes around 45 minutes.

Instructions

Place 1 quart of water, the honey and salt in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Stir until salt is completely dissolved and immediately remove from heat.

Ingredients you will need

Honey

Sauce

Water

Salt

Equipment you will use

Sauce Pan

Pour mixture into your brining container and add 6 quarts of cold water, vegetable stock, thyme, and peppercorns and stir to combine.

Ingredients you will need

Vegetable Stock

Peppercorns

Thyme

Water

Place the turkey in the brine, adding a weight to keep it completely submerged if necessary, place in the refrigerator and brine for 12 to 18 hours.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Turkey

Brine

Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Turkey

Brine

Equipment you will use

Paper Towels

Place turkey on a rack over a rimmed baking sheet and allow to air-dry overnight in the refrigerator. (This step is optional, but will result in a crisper skin.)

Ingredients you will need

Whole Turkey

Equipment you will use

Baking Sheet

Remove the turkey from the refrigerator, fold the wings under the body and tie the legs together.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Turkey

Chicken Wings

Brush turkey lightly with with vegetable oil and allow to come to room temperature while you prepare the smoker.

Ingredients you will need

Vegetable Oil

Whole Turkey

Fire up your smoker between 350 to 400°F.

Add 2 to 3 small chunks of light smoke wood, like apple or cherry. When the wood is burning and producing smoke, place the turkey in the smoker. Smoke until an instant read thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, about 2 to 3 hours.

Ingredients you will need

Cherries