The turkey is a big, domesticated bird, native to North America. Turkey is distinguished by its white plumage and a bare wattled neck and head. The name turkey was first applied to the guinea fowl that was thought to have originated in Turkey. However, the American turkey is a quite different species from the guinea fowl, though the name remained.
Smoked Turkey is a popular delicacy in North America. It is generally made for large parties, especially Thanksgiving. Buying a Smoked Turkey can be very expensive. Smoked Turkey can, however, be also made at home. It is a very easy and economical way to enjoy Smoked Turkey.
For making a Smoked Turkey, you need a water smoker. Water smokers can be electric, gas or charcoal based. Another alternative to a water smoker is the indirect smoking method over the grill. Different kinds of woods can also be used, including: mesquite or hickory, chunks of water-soaked hardwood, or fruitwood. When the wood is added, place a lid on the smoker till the temperature reaches 250 to 300 degrees F. The temperature can be checked using an oven thermometer if the smoker doesn’t have a built-in thermometer.
Almost all parts of the turkey, including the breasts, drumsticks and wings, can be smoked. However, whole turkeys can be smoked provided they are lesser than 12 lbs in weight.
A turkey should not be stuffed before smoking. There is also no need to add any special seasoning. All that is required is salt, pepper and a little poultry seasoning. You can also add some wine or juices instead of water for smoking. The turkey can also be brined before smoking. The brining solution usually consists of water, salt, spices and a little sugar. However, the turkey should be brined for at least 24 hours before smoking.
Once the required temperature is reached, place the turkey inside and replace the lid. Smoking time depends on the size of the turkey as well as the temperature of the coals, distance of the smoker from the heat and the external temperature. A meat thermometer can be used to check whether the turkey is cooked or not. The temperature of the inner thigh should reach 180 degrees F. The turkey should also look pink and “cooked”. There should not be any rawness to it. It should also be moist and tender to taste, not chewy.
There are some guidelines for getting a perfectly Smoked Turkey: ensure that there is no wind, as this could put out the fire; don’t open the smoker’s door too many times or for too long; smaller birds less than 15 lbs are better since larger ones take too long to smoke; thaw a frozen turkey thoroughly before smoking it; ensure that the temperature is at least 160 degrees, to destroy any bacteria effectively.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Deep Fried Turkey
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The turkey is a large bird that is used for many delicacies. Deep frying turkey is very popular in the Southern United States, especially Louisiana. It is ideal for barbecues and outdoor parties. Deep frying retains the juiciness inside the turkey, while making the skin...
-
Smoked Salmon
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Smoked salmon simply refers to salmon fillet that has been cured using salt, ginger and sugar, and then hot or cold-smoked. There are three methods of smoking salmon. Cold smoked salmon, also known as lox, uses a European style of smoking, with hardwood to create...
-
Thanksgiving Turkey
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Turkeys are big, domesticated birds, native to North America. It is distinguished by its white plumage and a bare wattled neck and head. It has brown feathers with buff-colored features on the tail and on the tips of wings. The name turkey was first applied...
-
Turkey Recipes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The Turkey is a bird that is used in many delicacies. It is a North American bird that is closely associated with Thanksgiving dinners. However, it is also consumed on other occasions. Turkey is generally preferred because it is high in protein and low in...
-
Turkey Burgers
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Turkey is used in many delicacies. It is associated with Thanksgiving, but also consumed on other occasions. Turkey is generally preferred because it is high in protein and low on fat, as compared to other dark meat. Some common breeds of turkey are: Narragansett, Bronze,...
-
Turkey
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
A Turkey is a big, domesticated bird, a native of North America. Turkey is distinguished by its white plumage and a bare wattled neck and head. The name Turkey was first applied to the guinea fowl that was thought to have originated in Turkey. However,...
-
Turkey Hunting
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The turkey is a large North American bird, which was a staple of the North American diet. The turkey was brought to America by the Pilgrims in 1620, though the wild Turkey was introduced by the Wampanoag tribe. Today, turkey is used in many delicacies...
-
Raising Turkeys
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The turkey is a large bird, native to North America. It is distinguished by its white plumage and a bare wattled neck and head. The name turkey was first applied to the guinea fowl that was thought to have originated in Turkey. However, the American...
-
Hookah Smoke
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Devised in the Middle East several centuries ago, the hookah is considered very hip among teen smokers in the US. The hookah, also known by different names as the shisha, narghile or the slang term ‘hubble-bubble’, actually consists of a metal cylinder fitted with a...
-
How to Cook Steak
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Steak, though a grill favorite, can be cooked in several other ways. They can be pan-fried, braised, broiled, baked, etc. Selecting the proper method for cooking steak depends on its tenderness. There are dry heat methods and moist methods. Dry heat methods are generally applied...