Best 20 Smoked Turkey Recipes

SMOKED WHOLE TURKEY

Steps:

• Remove the turkey from the fridge and allow to sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking.
• Meanwhile, prepare a charcoal grill or smoker for indirect heat, at approximately 275 degrees F. Sprinkle in wood chips (such as hickory, apple or pecan wood) that have soaked in cold water for at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours, and allow them to char before cooking.
• Place the turkey in a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Brush the entire turkey with the oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
• Place the turkey in the grill or smoker and cook for 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix together the chicken stock, honey and vinegar. Baste the turkey after cooking for 45 minutes. Repeat the basting every 45 minutes until the internal temperature of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the breast registers 155 degrees F, about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the bird.
• Remove the turkey to a large cutting board and let rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

TUSCAN SMOKED TURKEY-BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Place the beans into a large bowl, fill the bowl with water, and cover the bowl with a cloth. Allow to soak overnight. Drain and rinse the beans.
• Place the soaked beans, turkey legs, onion, and bay leaves into a large soup pot, cover with water, then bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 3 hours. Remove bay leaves, and discard. Remove the turkey legs from the broth, separate the meat from the bones and tendons, and return the meat to the broth. Stir in celery, carrots, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper; simmer until the celery and carrots are tender, about 1 hour. Serve in bowls and sprinkle each serving with about 1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese.

SMOKED WHOLE TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Drain wood chips and place in smoker chip pan. Add water according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Unwrap turkey breast and pat dry with paper towels.
• Combine butter, salt, steak seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper in a bowl to create a seasoned butter.
• Gently separate skin from muscle of the turkey breast and rub seasoned butter between the skin and the muscle, keeping the skin intact. Use about 1/4 of the seasoned butter on each side, and rub the remaining seasoned butter all over the outside of the turkey breast.
• Place prepared turkey breast directly on a smoker rack, and place the disposable drip pan on the rack below, if recommended by the manufacturer. The drip pan should not rest on the chip pan or the water pan.
• Close and secure the smoker, lower thermostat to 225 degrees F (105 degrees C), and smoke 3 1/2 to 4 hours, adding wood chips and water as needed.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. Smoke until turkey registers 155 to 161 degrees F (68 degrees C to 71 degrees C). Wrap turkey breast in heavy-duty aluminum foil, then wrap in several layers of thick towels, and allow to rest for about 45 minutes. The residual heat will finish cooking the turkey breast to a safe temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees F).
• Slice and serve warm.

MAPLE-ROASTED TURKEY WITH SAGE, SMOKED BACON, AND CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and remove the top rack.
• Combine the butter and sage in a mixing bowl, mash with a fork or spoon until the sage is well incorporated and the butter has flecks of green in it; season with salt and pepper.
• In a saute pan, melt 4 tablespoons of the sage butter, add the onions, cook and stir for 15 minutes until soft and golden. Remove from heat. Put the cornbread in a large mixing bowl and scrape the sauteed onion mixture on top. Add the egg, heavy cream, and just enough chicken stock to moisten the stuffing without making it soggy (about 1/2 cup.) Toss well to combine, season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the neck and gizzards from the inside of the turkey and discard. Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water, pat dry. Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the breast and legs, and slip pieces of the sage butter underneath; massaging it in as you go. Fill the bird with the cornbread stuffing without packing too tightly; cook the remaining stuffing separately in a buttered baking dish. Truss the turkey; place it on a rack in a large roasting pan, and put into the oven.
• Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup and hot water to thin the glaze out a bit; use this to baste the turkey every 30 minutes. The turkey should take about 3 hours to cook (i.e. 15 to 20 minutes per pound.) If the legs or breast brown too quickly, cover with foil. About 2 hours into cooking, shingle the strips of bacon oven the turkey breast to cover; continue to roast and baste for another hour or so. The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meatiest part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F (the thigh juices will also run clear when pricked with a knife.) Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest for 20 minutes before carving, so the juices can settle back into the meat.
• Skim off the excess fat from the pan drippings with a spoon and place the roasting pan over 2 burners set on medium-high heat. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up brown bits stuck to bottom of pan. Whisk the flour into the drippings, stirring as it thickens to prevent lumps. Add the remaining chicken stock and bring to a simmer; season with salt and pepper and hit it with a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Simmer for 5 minutes and then strain to remove any particles. Serve the gravy with the maple-roasted turkey and cornbread stuffing.

CABBAGE STIR-FRY WITH SMOKED TURKEY SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage; saute until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add onion and garlic; saute until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add cabbages season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cabbage is translucent and limp, 6 to 10 minutes.

SMOKED TURKEY SANDWICHES WITH SPICY AIOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the ciabatta rolls on a rimmed baking sheet with the cut side facing upwards. Bake until lightly toasted, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Arrange the bread, toasted side up, on a work surface and divide the spicy aioli on all the halves evenly. On each of the bottom halves place 1 slice of cheese, ripping in half if necessary to make the cheese fit the bread. On top of the cheese, layer the peppers, followed by the turkey. Divide the basil evenly on each of the top halves, pressing slightly to adhere to the aioli. Place the tops of the sandwiches on, then cut the sandwiches diagonally and serve.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, chili paste and ¼ teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Refrigerate aioli until ready to assemble the sandwiches.

HICKORY SMOKED TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Add hickory chips according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Combine chicken broth, melted butter, salt, and poultry seasoning in a small bowl. Inject the solution evenly throughout the breast.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small dish. Brush evenly over the breast.
• Combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the rub over the entire breast, making sure to coat all sides evenly.
• Place breast in the preheated smoker and smoke for 3 hours or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Remove from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes.

SMOKED TURKEY WILD RICE SOUP

Steps:

• Place the turkey legs, water, bouillon cubes, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, thyme, marjoram, and curry powder in a soup pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Stir in the wild rice. Simmer the soup at least 1 hour. Remove the turkey legs and strip the meat from the bones and tendons. Chop the meat and return it to the soup. Pour in the half-and-half and heat to just below a simmer; cook on low heat for about 30 more minutes.

SMOKED TURKEY AND APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together first four ingredients. , Place watercress on a platter; top with carrot, tomatoes, turkey and apples. Drizzle with dressing; top with walnuts. Serve immediately.

AVOCADO SMOKED TURKEY WRAPS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, jalapenos, pepper and salt until blended; spread over one side of each tortilla. Layer with the lettuce, tomato, turkey, avocado and onion. Roll up tightly. Serve immediately.

SMOKED TURKEY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a serving bowl, combine the pasta, turkey, cheese, cucumber, red pepper and onion. , In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, honey, mustard and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

WILD RICE AND SMOKED TURKEY SALAD

Steps:

• Put the wild rice in a mixing bowl, let cool and add the smoked poultry.
• Prepare the avocados and sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Add the cubes to the mixing bowl. Add the tomatoes, onion, vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper and parsley. Toss to blend and serve at room temperature.

CITRUS HONEY BRINED SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Mix hot water and kosher salt in a 54-quart cooler, stirring until the salt dissolves. Mix in vegetable broth, honey, and orange juice. Pour in the ice cubes, place the turkey into the brine with breast side up, and close the cooler lid. Place the cooler in a cold place and let the turkey marinate overnight or up to 12 hours. Brine temperature must stay colder than 40 degrees F (4 degrees C).
• Remove turkey from brine, discard brine, and dry the turkey thoroughly with paper towels. Mix vegetable oil with poultry seasoning in a bowl, and rub the turkey with the mixture. Place apple, celery, onion, and orange pieces into the cavity of the turkey.
• Preheat an outdoor grill to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for indirect heat and lightly oil the grate. Build a 'smoke bomb' by placing about 1 cup of hickory or cherry wood chips into the middle of a 12x12-inch doubled piece of aluminum foil. Gather up the edges of the foil to make a pouch and leave the pouch open at the top. Set the smoke bomb directly onto the coals if grilling with charcoal, or onto the flame bar of a gas grill.
• Set the turkey onto the grill in position for indirect heat, insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, not touching a bone, and close the grill. Set the probe thermometer for 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
• Grill turkey for 1 hour and check the bird; if skin is already golden brown, cover the breast, legs, and wings with aluminum foil. Replace the smoke bomb with a new one; close cover and continue to grill until probe thermometer registers 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), 2 to 3 more hours. Remove the fruit and vegetable pieces from the cavity, cover turkey with aluminum foil, and let rest for 1 hour before carving.

CURRIED SMOKED TURKEY AND FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Combine turkey, grapes, cantaloupe, celery, green onions and raisins in large bowl. Whisk mayonnaise, yogurt, sour cream and curry powder together in small bowl. Pour mayonnaise mixture over salad and toss well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Line platter with lettuce leaves. Spoon salad atop lettuce. Sprinkle almonds over salad and serve.

SPLIT PEA SMOKED TURKEY SOUP

Steps:

• Combine the split peas, water, smoked turkey legs, chicken broth, carrot, celery, potatoes, onion, garlic powder, oregano, and bay leaves in a slow cooker. Cover, set the cooker to High, and cook until the peas are tender and the soup is thickened, 4 to 5 hours. Discard bay leaves to serve.

SMOKED TURKEY AND BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Place dry beans into a large pot, cover with 2 quarts of water and soak overnight (or at least 8 hours). After soaking, drain water.
• Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots and celery and saute 5-10 minutes or until tender.
• Add garlic, rosemary, sage, bay leaves, chili powder and pepper to the vegetables during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Layer the ingredients in CrockPot: add beans, top with turkey, add sauteed vegetables and spices, and finally add the broth.
• Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

SMOKED TURKEY PASTA SALAD WITH CHEDDAR AND HARDBOILED EGGS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Add to the bowl with the dressing.
• Add the Cheddar, turkey, eggs, carrots and celery to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

HONEY SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Preheat grill for high heat. If you are using a charcoal grill, use about twice the normal amount of charcoal. Soak wood chips in a pan of water, and set next to the grill.
• Remove neck and giblets from turkey. Rinse the bird and pat dry. Place in a large disposable roasting pan.
• In a medium bowl, mix together sage, ground black pepper, celery salt, basil, and vegetable oil. Pour mixture evenly over the turkey. Turn the turkey breast side down in the pan, and tent loosely with aluminum foil.
• Place the roasting pan on the preheated grill. Throw a handful of the wood chips onto the coals. Close the lid, and cook for 1 hour.
• Throw about 2 more handfuls of soaked wood chips on the fire. Drizzle 1/2 the honey over the bird, and replace the foil. Close the lid of the grill, and continue cooking 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F (80 degrees C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
• Uncover turkey, and carefully turn it breast side up in the roasting pan. Baste with remaining honey. Leave the turkey uncovered, and cook 15 minutes. The cooked honey will be very dark.

CREAMY WILD-RICE SOUP WITH SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Melt butter in a dutch oven over med high heat; add carrot and next 5 ingredients; saute 8 minutes or until brown.
• Stir in broth scraping pan to loosen browned bits.
• Stir in turkey and rice; cover and simmer 1 hour 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
• Combine flour and milk in a small bowl stirring with a whisk.
• Add flour/milk mixture to pan and cook over medium heat about 8 minutes or until thick.
• Stir in sherry and salt.

HONEY BRINED SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Combine hot water and salt in a 54-quart cooler; stir until salt dissolves. Stir vegetable broth and honey into the water. Add ice and stir. Place the turkey in the brine with the breast facing up; cover with cooler lid. Brine overnight to 12 hours.
• Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towel; rub vegetable oil over turkey to coat. Discard brine.
• Put 1 cup wood chips in the center of each of two large sheets of aluminum foil. Wrap edges around wood chips to form small pouches, leaving small openings at the top.
• Preheat an outdoor grill to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and lightly oil the grate. Place 1 pouch of wood chips directly over the flame beneath the grate.
• Set the turkey over indirect heat, insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, and set the alarm for 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Close the lid and cook until the turkey's skin is golden brown, about 1 hour. Remove and discard first pouch of wood chips; replace with remaining pouch.
• Cover turkey with aluminum foil, return cover to grill and continue cooking until the turkey is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 3 hours more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).
• Remove the turkey from the grill, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 1 hour before carving to serve.