Best 4 Citrus Honey Brined Smoked Turkey Recipes

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**Indulge in a Succulent Citrus-Honey Brined Smoked Turkey: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors**

Embark on a tantalizing culinary journey with our citrus-honey brined smoked turkey, a masterpiece that harmonizes the vibrant zest of citrus with the sweet embrace of honey, all enveloped in the smoky allure of a slow-cooked feast. This exceptional dish, a symphony of flavors and textures, will captivate your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Allow us to guide you through the sacred steps of preparation, ensuring a perfectly brined and smoked turkey that will be the centerpiece of your next gathering, leaving your guests in awe. But that's not all; this article also unveils a treasure trove of additional turkey recipes, each offering a unique symphony of flavors and techniques. From the classic roasted turkey with aromatic herb butter to the adventurous turkey roulade stuffed with savory fillings, our collection caters to every palate and occasion. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will elevate your turkey-cooking skills to new heights.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HONEY CITRUS TURKEY BRINE



Honey Citrus Turkey Brine image

A simple brine recipe and technique.

Provided by Luchy Luchtenberg

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 cups orange juice
2 cups water
4 (8 ounce) jars honey
1 cup brown sugar
1 lemon, sliced
2 oranges, sliced
3 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic
1 bay leaf
2 (7 pound) bags of ice, or as needed

Steps:

  • Place orange juice, water, honey, brown sugar, lemon, oranges, black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic, and bay leaf in a large pot; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved, 10 minutes. Remove from heat and gradually stir in ice to start chilling the brine.
  • Pour brine into a large bucket; add more ice to finish cooling.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 249.3 calories, Carbohydrate 66.4 g, Fat 0.2 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 0.8 g, Sodium 16.1 mg, Sugar 63.7 g

HONEY BRINED SMOKED TURKEY



Honey Brined Smoked Turkey image

Take your Thanksgiving turkey to the next level this year with Alton Brown's recipe for Honey Brined Smoked Turkey from Food Network.

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 13h

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 gallon hot water
1 pound kosher salt
2 quarts vegetable broth
1 pound honey
1 (7-pound) bag of ice
1 (15 to 20-pound) turkey, with giblets removed
Vegetable oil, for rubbing turkey

Steps:

  • Combine the hot water and the salt in a 54-quart cooler. Stir until the salt dissolves. Stir in the vegetable broth and the honey. Add the ice and stir. Place the turkey in the brine, breast side up, and cover with cooler lid.. Brine overnight, up to 12 hours.
  • Remove the turkey from the brine and dry thoroughly. Rub the bird thoroughly with the vegetable oil.
  • Heat the grill to 400 degrees F.
  • Using a double thickness of heavy-duty aluminum foil, build a smoke bomb. Place a cup of hickory wood chips in the center of the foil and gather up the edges, making a small pouch. Leave the pouch open at the top. Set this directly on the charcoal or on the metal bar over the gas flame. Set the turkey over indirect heat, insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast meat, and set the alarm for 160 degrees F. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour.
  • After 1 hour check the bird; if the skin is golden brown, cover with aluminum foil and continue cooking. Also, after 1 hour, replace wood chips with second cup.
  • Once the bird reaches 160 degrees F, remove from grill, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 1 hour. Carve and serve.

HONEY-CITRUS GLAZED TURKEY



Honey-Citrus Glazed Turkey image

A turkey breast is enough for us, but you can roast a whole bird if you're feeding a big group. Either way, this super-succulent turkey wins the day. -Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 3h30m

Yield 16 servings (3 cups gravy).

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
GRAVY:
1 to 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325°. In a small bowl, whisk the first six ingredients until blended. Reserve half of the mixture for brushing over turkey; refrigerate until needed., Place turkey on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey breast; drizzle remaining butter mixture under the skin. Secure skin to underside of breasts with toothpicks. Sprinkle outside of turkey with salt and pepper., Add 1-1/2 cups broth to bottom of roasting pan. Roast turkey, uncovered, 30 minutes. Cover loosely with foil; roast 1-1/2 hours longer., Remove turkey from oven. Warm reserved butter mixture until butter is melted; brush over turkey. Continue roasting turkey, loosely covered, 1 to 1-3/4 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°., Remove turkey to a serving platter. Let stand 20 minutes before carving., For gravy, pour drippings and loosened browned bits from bottom of roasting pan into a large measuring cup. Skim fat, reserving 1/4 cup. Add enough broth to the drippings to measure 3 cups., In a saucepan, mix reserved fat and flour until smooth; gradually whisk in broth mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with turkey.

Nutrition Facts :

CITRUS-SCENTED BRINED TURKEY



Citrus-Scented Brined Turkey image

Our home economists marinate this turkey to keep it deliciously moist while roasting.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h30m

Yield 12-14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

11 garlic cloves, peeled
6 cups unsweetened apple juice
1 cup kosher salt
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons minced fresh gingerroot
4 bay leaves
6 cups cold water
1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
1 medium lemon, cut into wedges
1 medium orange, cut into wedges
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tablespoon canola oil

Steps:

  • Mince five garlic cloves; halve the remaining garlic cloves and set aside. In a large saucepan, combine the apple juice, salt, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, bay leaves and minced garlic. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add cold water to cool the brine to room temperature., Remove giblets from turkey and discard. Place a turkey-size oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add turkey. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for 18-24 hours, turning several times., Drain and discard brine. Rinse turkey under cold water; pat dry. Place the lemon, orange, onion, thyme and reserved garlic in both cavities. Rub oil over skin. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. , Place turkey breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 4 to 4-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 160° (cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly). Let stand for 15 minutes before removing contents from cavities and carving the turkey.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips for the Best Smoked Turkey:

  • Brining is Key: Brining the turkey in a citrus and honey solution for 12-24 hours not only adds flavor but also helps keep the meat moist and juicy during smoking.
  • Choosing the Right Wood: For a smoky flavor, use a combination of fruitwood, such as apple or cherry, and a hardwood, like oak or hickory.
  • Maintain a Consistent Temperature: Aim for a smoker temperature of around 225°F (107°C) throughout the smoking process to ensure even cooking.
  • Baste Regularly: Baste the turkey with the citrus honey mixture every hour or so to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out.
  • Monitor Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the breast and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh.
  • Rest Before Carving: Let the smoked turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Conclusion:

With careful preparation, attention to detail, and a little patience, you can create a delicious and juicy citrus-honey-brined smoked turkey that will be the star of your Thanksgiving or any special occasion feast. Enjoy the smoky, citrusy, and slightly sweet flavors that this unique brining and smoking technique brings to the classic holiday dish. Happy cooking!

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