This smoked turkey recipe is exceptionally juicy with incredibly flavorful skin. It is brined overnight and seasoned with a delicious turkey seasoning. Then, it’s smoked and basted the day of for about 6 hours.
Smoking a turkey is a great way to add delicious flavor and make your holiday bird extra juicy However, smoking alone often leaves the turkey a bit dry That’s why basting is a crucial step when smoking a turkey. Basting helps prevent the turkey skin from drying out and adds even more flavor.
In this article, I’ll explain exactly how and when to baste your turkey to perfection while it’s smoking. Whether you are using a smoker, grill, or oven, these turkey basting tips will help you achieve a tender, flavorful holiday bird.
What is Basting?
Basting is the process of spooning or brushing juices sauces, marinades or fats over meat as it cooks. For smoked turkey, basting helps
- Keep the turkey skin from drying out
- Enhance flavor
- Promote browning and crisping of the skin
- Add moisture to the meat
Basting helps regulate the temperature and moisture level of the turkey skin during the long smoking process. It also allows you to add more flavor layers to the turkey.
How to Make a Basting Mixture for Smoked Turkey
An easy basting mixture can be made with
- Chicken or turkey broth/stock
- Butter or oil
- Fresh or dried herbs
- Spices
- Citrus juices
- Wine or liquor
A basic basting liquid can be made by melting butter or heating broth and mixing with herbs, spices, citrus juice or zest. Get creative and use your favorite flavors!
Some ideas:
- Lemon pepper basil baste
- Brown butter sage baste
- Apple cider rosemary baste
- Bourbon molasses baste
The possibilities are endless for creating a signature baste. Just steer clear of sugar-heavy mixtures which can burn.
Basting Tools for Smoked Turkey
There are a few basting tool options:
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Basting Mop – The classic tool! A brush on a long handle allows basting without opening the smoker.
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Basting Syringe – Allows injecting baste deep into meat. Great for ensuring moisture.
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Basting Spoons – Large spoons make it easy to scoop and pour baste.
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Silicone Brushes – Heat resistant silicone brushes are perfect for basting.
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Squirt Bottles – Easy to control flow and cover turkey evenly.
Choose a baste tool that allows you to generously coat the turkey. Mops, silicone brushes and spoons tend to hold more liquid.
When and How Often to Baste a Smoked Turkey
For optimal results, you’ll want to baste the turkey every 45-60 minutes while smoking. Set a timer!
Make sure to thoroughly coat the turkey skin each time. Pay extra attention to the legs and breast area. Delicately separate the skin from the meat to allow the baste to reach between.
Baste after adding more wood chips or charcoal to prevent temperature drops. Open and close the smoker quickly.
You’ll likely need to baste 4-6 times over the 3-6 hour smoking time for a 10-15 lb turkey. Don’t forget the final baste 30 minutes before it’s done!
If using an oven, baste every 20-30 minutes. Baste right before placing back in oven.
Step-By-Step Guide to Basting While Smoking Turkey
Follow this simple process:
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Prepare baste – Make basting liquid ahead of time. Melt butter or warm broth.
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Setup smoker – Bring smoker to 225-250°F. Place drip pan underneath.
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Prep turkey – Pat turkey dry. Truss turkey and tie legs. Apply dry rub.
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Place in smoker – Put turkey on rack, breast side up. Insert meat thermometer.
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Baste turkey – After first hour, open smoker and gently baste turkey. Re-close smoker.
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Continue basting – Baste turkey every 45-60 minutes while smoking.
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Last baste – 30 minutes before turkey is finished, do a final flavorful baste.
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Check temp – Turkey is done when breast reads 160-165°F and thighs 175°F.
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Rest and serve – Let turkey rest 20 minutes before carving. Enjoy your juicy smoked turkey!
Basting Tips
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Don’t open smoker too frequently. Each time the temperature drops, adding more cook time.
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Use broth to get drippings off the bottom of the smoker. Pour over turkey.
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Add herbs, citrus zest, or spices to melted butter right before basting.
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Baste just before placing back in oven or smoker to prevent burning.
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Add some bourbon, whiskey or rum to baste for fun flavor.
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Gently loosen skin and use a syringe to inject baste deep into breast and thighs.
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Use reserved marinade or rub as a tasty baste option.
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Mix and match baste flavors throughout smoke for layers of taste.
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If your baste starts to burn, make a fresh batch. Burnt baste ruins the flavor.
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Keep baste warm in a thermos so it readily melts over the turkey.
Get Perfectly Basted and Smoked Turkey Every Time
Basting is easy yet makes a huge difference in the final flavor and moisture of smoked turkey. With the right basting technique, you’ll achieve tender, juicy meat with ultra-crisp, flavorful skin.
Start with a flavor-packed baste mixture and generously coat the turkey every 45-60 minutes while smoking. Use a mop, brush or syringe to evenly distribute the baste over the skin and into the meat. Follow temperature guides for doneness.
Frequency of Entities
Turkey – 22
Smoked Turkey – 16
Baste – 15
Basting – 10
Smoker – 8
A Few Things Before Getting Started with Smoking a Turkey
- Get the turkey at least a week ahead of time; this recipe calls for a 13–15 lb. whole turkey. Any larger and you risk drying out the meat.
- Before you smoke your turkey, it must be completely thawed. We can’t stress this enough. We typically start thawing a 15 lb. turkey the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Here is a quick guide from the USDA on how to thaw your turkey the right way.
- Get your kitchen tools ready. You’ll need a smoker, a large pot or container for brining, a disposable aluminum tray for smoking the turkey, and a turkey baster.
- Restock smoker pellets: make sure to restock your pellets. It’s awful to run out of pellets in the middle of a long smoke. For this recipe, we used original Traeger pellets. You can choose any flavor of pellets you want, like cherry, hickory, or something else.
- Clean your smoker. You should always clean your smoker so that there are no chances of flavor loss or any kind of fire. That means you should also clean your smoker’s drip tray!
The Best Smoked Turkey Recipe
If there is ever a Thanksgiving turkey recipe that you make please make it this smoked turkey recipe. Now that we’re good at cooking meat, we can say that this recipe works every time. We’ve made it at least five times in the past few years. Our famous turkey seasoning recipe makes the skin so flavorful and the meat SO juicy.
This recipe for smoked turkey uses a 15 lb. turkey and serves about 12 people. This recipe takes at least two days to make because the turkey needs to be thawed. Here’s a quick rundown on how to make it:
- Thaw turkey
- Brine turkey
- Season + flavor turkey
- Smoke & base turkey
- Make turkey gravy from drippings
Smoking Turkey while Basting with Homemade Wine
FAQ
How do you keep a turkey moist when smoking?
Should I spritz my turkey while smoking it?
What not to do when smoking a turkey?
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
How do you Bast a Turkey while smoking?
Basting your turkey while smoking is a simple process that can help to keep the meat moist and flavorful. To baste your turkey, you will need: 1. Remove the turkey from the smoker and place it on a cutting board. 2. Use a basting brush or spoon to apply the basting sauce to the turkey.
Is it dangerous to quit vaping nicotine cold turkey?
Quitting vaping nicotine ‘cold turkey’ is not dangerous, but it can be very unpleasant. This is because nicotine alters the way your brain functions such that your body feels dependent on it. Some of the unpleasant side effects of quitting abruptly are tremors, headaches, and nausea. These side effects can make it very hard to quit and often cause people to relapse. Fortunately, these unpleasant side effects can be partially or completely avoided by gradually cutting down your use instead of quitting abruptly. Your primary care physician can help you design a plan to quit vaping nicotine.
Why should you Bast a Turkey while smoking?
The basting liquid helps to keep the turkey from drying out and also adds flavor. There are a few different reasons why you should baste a turkey while smoking. * To keep the turkey moist. The smoke from the smoker can dry out the turkey, so basting helps to keep the meat from becoming too dry. * To add flavor.
How long do you Bast a Turkey before smoking?
Basting a turkey every 30 to 40 minutes after the first hour of smoking helps keep the turkey moist and adds a delicious smokey flavor. Use a basting brush or turkey baster for basting. What is a good turkey baste recipe you can use for your turkey?
Should you smoke a turkey?
Smoking a turkey is a preferred method to cook a delicious and juicy turkey for any occasion. You can smoke a turkey for your family whenever you feel like having one. Smoked turkeys are generally enjoyed on holidays like Thanksgiving. There is nothing better than a moist and tasty piece of turkey.
How to make a turkey baste?
To make a turkey baste, melt a cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan on medium heat. After melting the butter, add lemon juice and stir the mixture. Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir again. Allow the baste to simmer on low heat for at least 3 minutes.