My solution is to smoke the turkey directly on the grill grates, with a roasting pan filled with 1″ water underneath the grates, about 3-4 inches from the meat. This will keep the cooking environment moist but let the turkey get evenly crisp on the outside.
How do you add moisture to a smoked turkey?
The #1 trick: Add broth and slather on the gravy.
Simply combine a few tablespoons of butter with a cup of broth (chicken or beef broth work best) for every two cups of turkey. Make sure the liquid isn’t too thick so that the dried bird actually absorbs it and you’re not left with a dripping mess.
How do you keep a smoked turkey moist after cooking?
A kitchen towel placed over the foil helps keep the meat warm and moist until it’s time to be carved and served. For another option, cover the bird with foil and return it to a low-temperature, 200F oven. Place a pan of water under the turkey to create steam, which contributes to moistness.
Should a smoked turkey be wrapped in foil?
At this point, Heilig said over-smoking could result in a dry turkey. He wraps the turkey in heavy duty aluminum foil and finishes the cooking in the smoker until the turkey’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Once the turkey is cooked through, allow it to rest for five to 10 minutes before carving.
What is the best way to keep a turkey moist?
Make the baste on the last hour of cooking turkey.
In a pan, melt ¼ cup butter and mix in ¼ cup maple syrup. Baste turkey every 15 minutes on the last hour of the turkey cooking. Rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving to serve.
Does smoked turkey come out dry?
So why does smoked turkey turn out tough or dry? Cooking turkey at a high temperature for too long will cause the turkey to become tough and dry because the high heat will draw out all the moisture. Turkey is a white meat, so it’s already low in moisture, fat and collagen, which is why it becomes dry.
Should I spray my turkey while smoking?
If you decide to baste the turkey while smoking, good options are chicken stock, apple juice or apple cider vinegar diluted with water. You can also spray the turkey with cooking spray.
Does smoked turkey stay moist?
Just as our skin dries out in low humidity, smoking a turkey in low humidity will cause the moisture in the meat to evaporate easier leaving a dry turkey. We counteract this process by using a water pan to increase the humidity in your smoker.
How do you heat a fully cooked smoked turkey?
Place your smoked turkey on the broiler try rack and tent securely with tin foil. Place the trayed smoked turkey in the middle of a 350° F oven and cook for about 1.5 – 2 hours (or until a meat thermometer reaches about 140° F in the center of the breast). Remove the turkey and carve for serving.
Can you smoke a turkey a day ahead?
Smoking a turkey the day before is a convenient way to save time. Don’t forget, though, that a whole turkey will still need a few hours to reheat. As long as you stick with relatively small turkeys, it might be just as easy to smoke them on the day of the event.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
“Often consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.”
How long should I keep my turkey covered with foil?
To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.
Do you use a water pan when smoking a turkey?
Tips For Using a Water Pan When Smoking a Turkey
In cold weather, a water pan filled with boiling hot water can help maintain the smoker temperature, plus it gets the temperature up quickly for a fast start. This is especially helpful if your smoker can’t quite do the job when it’s cold outside.
Should I put butter or oil on my turkey?
Don’t butter your bird
Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.
Why is my turkey always dry?
According to Sklar, one of the biggest mistakes people make is cooking the turkey whole. Because dark meat has more connective tissues, it takes longer to break down, so if you cook the turkey whole, by time the legs and thighs are done, the breasts are overcooked and dry.
How long should a 15lb turkey cook?
If your turkey weighs 15 to 16 pounds, roast it at:
400°F for 3¼ to 3½ hours. 350°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours.
Should you baste a smoked turkey?
I prefer to baste my smoked turkey because no one wants a dry turkey! I occasionally baste the turkey with a little chicken broth as it cooks to ensure a moist end result. If you’ve brined your turkey before hand, you can skip the basting step.
How long should turkey rest after smoking?
After smoking your turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F, take it out of the smoker or grill, but don’t cut it. Instead, place the turkey on a wire rack to rest for at least 20 minutes. Resting your turkey before carving allows its juices to redistribute and settle.
Why is my smoked turkey tough?
This process requires water which means that if your turkey skin dries out too fast, it will never crisp up. The high-convection environment of a smoker is enough to draw out the moisture faster than the skin can crisp. The result is tough, leathery skin.
Should I put butter under the skin of my smoked turkey?
Impart rich flavor and add moisture to your Thanksgiving turkey by adding a layer of butter under the skin before roasting. Learn how to do this simple (but genius) technique for a delicious Thanksgiving turkey.
What do you coat a turkey with before smoking it?
Coat the exterior of the bird with olive oil or melted butter and then season on all sides with the Sweet Rub. Smoke the turkey. Place the turkey directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and smoke the turkey. At 225 degrees F, you can plan on approximately 30 minutes per pound for your turkey to smoke.