Get ready to have the best turkey ever!
Uncle Bubby's Smoked Turkey (6-8 Servings)
12-15 lb Turkey
1 Cup Kosher Salt
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Mixed Peppercorns
1 Tablespoon Granulated Garlic
1 Tablespoon Granulated Onion
1 Tablespoon Dried Orange Peel
2 Bay Leaves
1 Gallon Water
2 Quarts Chicken or Turkey Stock
1 Stick Butter
Uncle Bubby's Yardbird Rub
Directions:
Start by adding the water and chicken broth to a large pot. Bring to a simmer and add seasonings. Mix until mostly dissolved and remove from heat. Let cool completely. Pour brine into a large bucket or cooler and add turkey. Fill container the rest of the way with ice and cover. Brine at least 6 hours. Pat turkey dry and slather with mustard. Coat liberally with Yardbird Rub, inside and out. Cut butter into 1 Tablespoon sections and roll in Yardbird Rub. Add butter under the skin and in the cavity. Add onions, garlic, oranges, etc to cavity for additional flavor. Smoke in a foil pan at 275 for 3-4 hours, spritzing every hour, until the thigh meat reaches 160 degrees. Spray the outside of the turkey with cooking spray and crank the heat up to 325 for 30 minutes. Thigh meat should be 175 and breast meat should be 165. Cover and let rest at least 20-30 minutes. Carve and enjoy!
Uncle Bubby's Yardbird Gravy (Sooooo Good!)
2 Cups Turkey Drippings (Bonus Points if Smoked)
4 Tablespoons Salted Butter
4 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
1-2 teaspoons Uncle Bubby's Yardbird Rub
Melt butter over medium heat in a small sauce pan. Add flour, stirring constantly for about a minute, to make a roux. Add turkey drippings and Yardbird to taste. Enjoy!
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