| Level: | Intermediate |
| Total: | 13 hr 20 min |
| Prep: | 30 min |
| Inactive: | 12 hr |
| Cook: | 50 min |
| Yield: | 8 to 10 servings |
Ingredients
- 13 pounds fresh turkey, cut up like a chicken, giblets removed
- 750 milliliters Belgian ale
- 4 tablespoons sea salt
- 3 tablespoons mixed peppercorns, (white, green, black and red)
- 1 tablespoon allspice berries
- 6 bay leaves
- 4 cup cold water
- 15 pounds charcoal, with 5 pounds in reserve, if necessary
- 5 pounds bag Apple wood “chunks”
- Several sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Rinse the turkey pieces off and towel dry. In a large saucepan over a medium-high flame heat the ale to a simmer. In a mortar and pestle bruise the peppercorns and allspice and add to simmering ale. Add the salt and stir to dissolve, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves and simmer some more. Shut off heat and continue to stir, adding the water to cool slightly. Arrange the turkey pieces in a large plastic or glass, (non-reactive), bowl and pour the cooled brine over the meat. Turn the meat once to completely coat with brine, cover and refrigerate for 12 hours. Turn the meat over once after 6 hours in the brine.
- I use a large converted oil drum BBQ with a chimney vent. For a kettle BBQ you should use a smaller turkey. Make a pile of charcoal on the left side of the BBQ, nearest the bottom vent and arrange the grill racks on the opposite side. Insert the metal probe for the digital thermometer so that it is suspended over the area where the meat will be smoking. Place a large heavy-duty aluminum hotel pan filled with water directly under the grill racks. Light the coals and get them plenty hot. Meantime, put the wood chunks on to soak, along with the rosemary sprigs.
- When the coals are good and white spread them out flat, rearranging any black coals on top of the white ones. Add about 1/2 of the wood chunks to the coals being careful not to put the fire out! Place the rosemary sprigs on top of the wood chunks. Blow on the coals to get the smoke going, close the lid and open up the flue and chimney vent. When the temperature inside of the BBQ reaches 200 degrees F, open the top and arrange the turkey pieces on the grill rack. Close the top and start the smoking process. Do not open the top unless absolutely necessary for at least 45 minutes. Add more fresh coals and the other half of the wood after 45 minutes of smoking.
- Turn the turkey pieces over to get smoked on both sides. You should only have to smoke the turkey about 45 to 55 minutes more. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. About 155 to 160 degrees F for the breasts, and 145 to 150 degrees F for all the other pieces should do the trick. Remove the turkey to a cutting board and tent with heavy duty foil for 10 minutes before carving. Serve with a homemade cranberry sauce.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 10 servings |
| Calories | 1429 |
| Total Fat | 89 g |
| Saturated Fat | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Protein | 111 g |
| Cholesterol | 442 mg |
| Sodium | 2307 mg |
| Serving Size | 1 of 10 servings |
| Calories | 1429 |
| Total Fat | 89 g |
| Saturated Fat | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Protein | 111 g |
| Cholesterol | 442 mg |
| Sodium | 2307 mg |
Reviews
I found this recipe delicious, but I also made adjustments to it like adding more flavor enhancers to the applewood chunks by soaking them in allspice seasoning and apple flavored water. It worked out very well. I will definitely be making this again. The beer brine was great on the turkey parts as well.
Marilynn
Wanted to try this before the Thanksgiving Holiday. Halved the recipe and used just a bone-in breast section from the turkey. Very good flavor and the meat stayed nice and moist. Not too smoky using applewood chunks – just the right amount of flavor. Will definitely be using this recipe again.
Fantastic, peppery turkey.My favorite!!!