Whole Turkey

Whole Turkey

Smoked with Barbecue Butter

Whether you're missing big holiday meals in summertime, or missing backyard barbecues in the middle of winter, this recipe has you covered.

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Prep Time

0 H 30 M

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Appliance

Smoker

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Cook Time

3 H 0 M

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Ingredients:

  • Whole Turkey

    About 5kg / 11 lbs recommended Should be thawed to room temperature before starting cook

  • 170g / ¾ Cup Unsalted Butter

    Softened recommended

  • 120ml / ½ Cup Barbecue Sauce

  • 50g / ¼ Cup Poultry Rub

    Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub recommended

  • Salt to Taste

  • Black Pepper to Taste

  • Tools:

  • Smoker Fuel

  • Paper Towels

  • Grilling Spatula

  • Mixing Bowl

  • Silicone Spatula

  • Cutting Board

  • Heat-Resistant Gloves

  • About This Recipe:

    Sure, the holiday season usually brings to mind images of family and friends, gathering together in a warm and cozy home. But you've got to admit, there's also something really festive about being out among the trees, breathing in the brisk winter air. If you're in the mood for an outdoorsy, lumberjack-y, log cabin-y holiday meal, this is the recipe for you! It's also super simple with only a handful ingredients, so that takes some pressure off of your holiday meal prep. The rich and sweet flavor comes from a basic blend of butter and barbecue sauce. And then for the turkey, you just need to slather it, season it, and smoke it before you get to savor it. If there's one fear every chef has in common around the holidays, it's serving up a dry bird. You can put that to rest, because MEATER will notify you when your turkey is ready, so you can sit back and relax without the need to keep checking the smoker. A classic holiday table includes a veritable buffet of hot side dishes, like roasted vegetables, potatoes, and gravy. You can stick to the classics or get creative with your own, as long as your guests leave with a full stomach and plenty of leftovers. If the food doesn't make you sleepy enough, just add a glass of wine. A mildly sweet riesling will balance out the smoky flavor of the meat nicely.

    Cooking Method:

  • 1

    Pre-Heat Smoker

    Pre-heat your smoker to 400°F (205°C). This can take up to 15m.

    Just by virtue of their sheer heftiness, turkeys are likely to be close to hot spots in the smoker, so it's best to start at a higher temperature and turn it down partway through the cook. You'll get your golden and crispy skin with the initial high temperature, but there's far less risk of serving up meat that makes your guests' mouths feel dry.

  • 2

    Mix Barbecue Butter

    Stir your butter and barbecue sauce together well.

    Of course we wanted to include barbecue sauce to give this turkey a sweet and smoky taste, and mixing it with butter will add richness to the flavor as well. It will also make the butter more easily spreadable, which you'll be thanking us for in a few steps.

  • 3

    Remove Giblets

    Remove the giblets from the cavity and pluck any leftover feathers.

    If you're someone who gets put off by the mere idea of a giblet, you're not alone. But we highly encourage you to steel yourself and set the giblets aside instead of throwing them away, because they can be used to make a spectacular homemade gravy or stock.

  • 4

    Pat Turkey Dry

    Pat your turkey dry with paper towels, inside and out.

    You should always pat your meat dry so your butter and seasonings will stick better. If you bought your turkey pre-packaged at a grocery store, this also gets rid of any leftover liquid from the packaging.

  • 5

    Loosen Turkey Skin

    Carefully run your fingers under the skin. Take your time to avoid tearing.

  • Step-By-Step Videos

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    Pre-Heat Smoker

    Pre-heat your smoker to 400°F (205°C). This can take up to 15m.

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