How to Smoke a Turkey in an Electric Smoker

Surprise your friends and family with a special dinner.

Smoked turkey has a delicious flavor and tends to be juicer than other cooking methods. Purchasing smoked turkey from the store can be expensive, but smoking it at home is not. Serve smoked turkey at your next big holiday event, surprise your friends and family with a special dinner or make it as a treat to yourself. Make sure you have at least eight hours to cook your bird.

Things You'll Need

• 10-lb. turkey (fresh or completely thawed)
• Electric smoker
• Sal
• Pepper
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup apple juice
• 2 springs fresh rosemary
• Hickory wood chips

Instructions

1. Soak wood chips in 1 cup white wine and 1 cup apple juice and enough water to cover.

2. Turn on your electric water smoker and allow it to heat up.

3. Rinse the turkey with cold water and pat it dry.

4. Remove the giblets and neck.

5. Sprinkle the outside and rub the inside with salt and pepper. Do not stuff the turkey.

6. Strain and add wood chips once the smoker has reached temperature.

7. Pour the water mixture you soaked the wood into the water pan and add enough warm water to fill it. Add the rosemary to the water.

8. Put the turkey in the smoker and close the lid.

9. Monitor the temperature of the smoker to ensure it remains around 250 degrees F. Check the water pan after three hours and add more water if necessary.

10. Insert a thermometer into the thigh at its thickest part after six hours. If the temperature has not reached 165 F, continue cooking.

Tips & Warnings

• If your turkey isn't 10 lbs., calculate the cooking time by multiplying the weight in pounds by 20 minutes as the minimum and by 30 minutes as the maximum cooking time.

• Pan drippings can be used to make gravy.

• Always follow the safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your smoker.

• Failing to cook the turkey to 165 F may result in a food-borne illness.

Resources

• Smoking Meat: How to Smoke Meat Guide