Mastering the Art of Smoked Turkey on a Charcoal Grill

Smoked turkey is not uncommon. Mention it in conversation, and most people will respond positively. “Oh, I love smoked turkey,” they’ll say. “My dad/grandfather/brother-in-law/uncle smokes one every year. I have yet to hear anyone compliment their mother, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, or sister for making a smoked turkey, and I believe this is because women are rarely given the simple jobs to do on big cooking days, and smoking a turkey is the easiest Thanksgiving task one can take on. This recipe makes it even easier.

Everyone benefits when a man is sent into the yard to prepare the ceremonial bird. First, it frees up the man from the kitchen, where he was likely causing trouble, and second, it allows you to concentrate on other tasks without having to worry about the bird. (I understand that this is a fairly dichotomous way of looking at Thanksgiving labor, but for better or worse, this is the standard. ).

Smoking something on a charcoal grill—the only kind of smoking I’ve ever done—is a mildly engrossing activity. Although it doesn’t take much work, there is always some adjusting to do, primarily to ensure that the temperature stays where it should be. Most recipes for smoked turkey will tell you to cook it at 325°F, which is the same temperature you should use for roasting a turkey.

These recipes aren’t complicated: Spatchcock and dry brine the bird, and coat it with a rub before cooking. With your grill set up with two heat zones, add a large wood chip to the coals, and put the turkey in the indirect zone to cook at 325°F until it’s done. ” This works fine, but I didn’t do any of that. I did everything the “wrong” way, the easy way, the lazy way. During the approximately two-hour cook, I used a wet brine that is no longer in use, left the turkey whole, and arranged my charcoal in a thick, snake-like formation. This allowed the temperature to gradually rise to 330°F. Despite everything, or maybe even more so as a result of it, I was rewarded with a juicy, flavorful, expertly smoked bird with exquisitely browned skin.

While the traditional method of roasting a turkey in the oven remains a classic, there’s something truly special about a smoked turkey prepared on a charcoal grill. The smoky aroma, the juicy meat, and the tender texture create a culinary experience that’s both satisfying and memorable.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the art of smoking a turkey on a charcoal grill, providing you with the knowledge and tips you need to achieve smoky perfection.

Preparing Your Charcoal Grill for Smoking:

  1. Set Up for Indirect Cooking: Arrange your charcoal in a circle around the perimeter of the grill, leaving the center empty. This creates a space for a drip pan to catch any juices that may drip from the turkey.

  2. Maintain a Steady Temperature: Aim for a grill temperature of around 200°F. This low and slow approach ensures even cooking and prevents the turkey from drying out

  3. Monitor the Temperature: Use a leave-in thermometer to monitor both the grill temperature and the internal temperature of the turkey. This helps you maintain the ideal cooking environment and ensures the turkey reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.

Troubleshooting Tips for Charcoal Grill Smoking:

  1. Combating Cold Weather: During colder months, check on your grill more frequently to ensure adequate coals and maintain the desired temperature. Allow for an extra hour of cooking time to compensate for potential temperature dips.

  2. Addressing Early Completion: If the turkey reaches 165°F before the anticipated time, rest it for at least 20 minutes to allow the juices to settle. If it’s done significantly early, wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in a 200°F oven to keep it warm and moist.

  3. Handling Undercooked Turkey: If the turkey isn’t done after the estimated time, remove it from the grill and finish it in a 325°F oven. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning and cook until it reaches 165°F internally.

Additional Tips for Smoking Turkey on a Charcoal Grill:

  • Use soaked smoking chips for added flavor.
  • Add chicken broth to the drip pan for extra moisture.
  • Rest the turkey for at least 20 minutes before carving.
  • Consider using a leave-in thermometer like the ThermoWorks Smoke Remote for precise temperature monitoring.

Smoking a turkey on a charcoal grill may seem daunting, but with these tips and a little practice, you can master this culinary art. Enjoy the smoky flavors, juicy meat, and the satisfaction of creating a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Pile on the wood

can you smoke a turkey on a charcoal grill

The majority of recipes for smoked turkey advise against using “too many” wood chips because the flavor of the smoke can “overpower” that of the turkey. Honestly, who gives a fuck? I’m not incredibly precious about preserving turkey’s natural flavor. I want my smoked meats to taste noticeably smoked, otherwise I might as well use my oven. The oft-recommended “one large chunk” of wood is a bit timid for my tastes. I spread out little handfuls of apple and mesquite chips at intervals of three briquettes, but only two of them burned. It turned out that this was a decent amount of smoke, though I could have tolerated even more and still felt content. If you want the flavor of the turkey to really shine through, you can certainly start with just one large chunk of wood, but two large chunks or two tiny handfuls of smaller chips will give you a lovely smoke ring around the dark meat while gently smoking the breasts. When it comes to wood, mesquite and hickory have the strongest flavor; maple, oak, and woods named after fruits have softer tones. ).

Don’t bother with butchery

A lot of people shy away from spatchcocking for aesthetic reasons, but I don’t care about that. I chose not to spatchcock my smoked turkey for two reasons: ease and charcoal. While a floppy bird without a backbone is much more difficult to get on and off the grill, a whole turkey keeps the breast meat elevated and away from the extremely hot coals. Your grill becomes an oven with a two-zone setup, but no matter what, the portion of the bird closest to the coals will always receive some direct heat. You want the white meat to stay slightly elevated and away from the direct heat of the coals, so you angle the legs and thighs towards the coals to help the dark meat cook a little faster. (Beef needs to be cooked to at least 165°F to allow all of the connective tissue to break down; however, breast meat dries out at temperatures much higher than 155°F.) This arrangement also ensures that the dark meat receives the majority of the smoke, which is advantageous because fans of white meat are more likely to object if the flavor of the turkey is overpowered by smoke.

Charcoal Smoked Turkey Whole Tips For Beginners

FAQ

How long does it take to charcoal smoke a turkey?

Smoke the turkey. At 225 degrees F, you can plan on approximately 30 minutes per pound for your turkey to smoke. For example, this 15 pound turkey will take 7 and 1/2 hours at 225 degrees F. I always plan an extra 30 minutes, just in case.

What kind of charcoal is best for smoking turkey?

The most popular types of wood used are oak, hickory, walnut, alder and mesquite. There are other types of lump charcoal such as quebracho, bintochotan, coconut, kiawe and eucalyptus wood. Each type of wood will burn at different rates and temperatures and will give off distinctive smoke flavors.

Can you cook a turkey on a charcoal grill?

Outdoor Charcoal Grilling Place cooking grate in grill over coals. Prepare fresh or thawed turkey by removing giblets and neck, draining juices and patting dry with clean paper towels. Turn wings back to hold neck skin in place and tuck legs. Brush or spray entire turkey with cooking or vegetable oil.

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