If you love to grill, this is hands down the best smoked turkey I have ever tasted. The flavor is fantastic and the skin is nice and crispy. It’s perfect for a thanksgiving feast or even just a great lean poultry option. The recipe is easy and the preparation time is minimal. This will become a staple for me this year as I plan to make it for Christmas and Thanksgiving!
This turkey is smoked low and slow for a couple hours, which gives it a great flavor. It’s also brushed with butter before it goes on the grill, which makes it extra moist and flavorful. The cranberry barbecue sauce adds another layer of flavor to the turkey. I’m not a huge fan of traditional turkey gravy, but this cranberry sauce is amazing! It is simple to make and the flavors blend well together. The best part is that it’s healthy and low carb!
To prepare the brine, add 2 gallons of cold water to a large container. Add the kosher salt and stir to dissolve as much as possible. Add the rub ingredients and stir until combined. Submerge the turkey in the brine and let rest overnight in the refrigerator making sure the temperature of the brine stays below 40 degrees to prevent spoilage.
To grill the turkey, preheat your smoker to 325 degrees F. Place a roasting pan over the coals and add the turkey. Cook the turkey for approximately 11-13 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F.
During the cooking process, open the grill only as needed to add more charcoal and check for doneness using a meat thermometer. Baste the bird only a few times throughout the cooking process, either with the juices in the bottom of the pan or by basting it with additional melted butter/ghee. When finished, remove the turkey from the grill and allow to rest for 30 minutes covered with foil.
To serve, transfer the turkey to a serving platter and top with the cranberry sauce barbecue sauce and coleslaw. If desired, garnish with sliced pickles and sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme. The leftovers are great for sandwiches the next day! Enjoy!
