Glazed Turkey For The Holidays

Here is a great smoked turkey recipe for the holidays that the entire family can enjoy.

  • BBQ grill, Pellet Grill, or smoker
  • 15 lb Turkey
  • 1 uckleBusters Area 51 Bird Brine Kit for Turkey
  • 1 gal Water
  • 1 bag Ice
  • 6 tbsp Honey BBQ rub
  • 1 cup Peach BBQ sauce

Thaw and rinse your turkey

  1. Refer to your turkey package for thawing, but most frozen turkeys will take around 24 hours to thaw at room temperature OR approximately 48 hours to thaw in the refrigerator

  2. With a completely thawed turkey, remove all additional internal parts; heart, neck, kidneys, and discard

  3. Wash your turkey with cold water and then pat dry, and then set aside

Preparation

  1. Open the SuckleBusters Area 51 Bird Brine Kit for Turkey and add the small packet of herbs along with 4 – 6 cups of water to a large pot

  2. Bring the water & herbs to a boil. Once you reach a boil, then remove from heat

  3. Add the large packet of seasonings to the pot and stir until dissolved – about 1 minute

  4. Next, you will add some ice to chill the brine mixture

  5. Put your turkey into the brine bag and pour in the mix, removing any excess air and add cold water until the turkey is completely covered, then seal the bag

  6. Refrigerate in the brine turkey overnight

Clean, split open, and season the turkey

  1. Remove your turkey from the brine mixture and rinse with cold water, then pat dry

  2. Discard the water and ice mixture

  3. Place your turkey on a cutting board breast side down

  4. Using a large butcher knife, slice down either side of the backbone, through to the inner cavity

  5. Remove the backbone and discard it

  6. Cut through the thick end of the breast bone as this will help your turkey lay flat

  7. Now spread out flat the turkey to season it on both sides using the Honey BBQ Rub

Cooking

  1. Set up your grill to 325 – 350 degrees cooking temperature

  2. Place your turkey on the cooking surface skin side up

  3. Cook your turkey until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees in the thickest part of each breast

  4. Cooking time may vary, but plan for about 3 hours

  5. Now brush on the Honey BBQ Glaze during the last 30 minutes of cooking so the glaze carmelizes

Serve

  1. When your turkey reaches 165 degrees internally, you need to allow it to rest for around 15 – 30 minutes before carving

  2. Most of us will trim off the legs and wings first before slicing the breasts diagonally; however, serve and enjoy the way you see fit.

Main Course
American
Pellet Grilll, Poultry