How to Smoke a Turkey: The Ultimate Smoke Show Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 gallon (3.8 liters) Water
• 1 cup (200g) Kosher Salt
• 1 cup (200g) Brown Sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup (100g) Granulated Sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) Whole Black Peppercorns
• 1/4 cup (approx. 6g) Dried Thyme
• 1/4 cup (approx. 6g) Dried Rosemary
• 4 cloves Garlic, smashed
• 1 Orange, quartered
• 1 Lemon, quartered
• 1 gallon (3.8 liters) Ice Water (for chilling the brine)
• 1 (12-14 pound/ 5.4-6.3 kg) Whole Turkey, thawed (remove giblets and neck)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons (24g) Smoked Paprika
• 1 tablespoon (12g) Garlic Powder
• 1 tablespoon (12g) Onion Powder
• 1 teaspoon (3g) Black Pepper, freshly ground
• 1/2 teaspoon (1.5g) Cayenne Pepper (optional)
• 1/4 cup (56g) Unsalted Butter, melted
• Fresh herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, Sage) for stuffing the cavity (optional)
• Wood Chips or Pellets (Apple, Cherry, Pecan recommended)