Thanksgiving Test-run! The Great White North TurkeyDay.

[SouthernSmoked]

Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.

But today - well....



Started with a simple Brine.

1 cup kosher salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
5 bay leaves
2 tbs black pepper corns
1 tbs garlic powder
1 tbs fresh rosemary
1 tbs sage
1 tbs coriander seeds

Dissolve brine in 2 quarts of boiling water.
Once dissolved - add in 1-2 quarts more water (depending on the size of your turkey)

Let bird sit in brine for 12-24 hrs.
Remove, rinse and smoke.





I seasoned with Susie Q's "Santa Maria Valley Style Seasoning" and Buffalo Style wing sauce.




Got my Charcoal going.



Hickory chips as needed and I will use a Bradley puck one every 30 minutes. I plan on 3 1/2 hours of smoke.



I place the bird inside the smoker and will cook until IT reaches 167.

[GusRobin]

do you cover up the opening of the cold smoke box or does the heat carry the smoke upward and nt out the side

[muebe]

That is gonna be good Mark ;)

[SouthernSmoked]

Gus I will close the back off once the charcoal is white...

[classicrockgriller]

Not gonna do a Turkey this year.

But I will watch all you Guys do some.

How big was that Turkey?

[SouthernSmoked]

Darn - of all the pic's that I took - I forgot to take one of the size plus I forgot to write it down.

But it was big! Filled the rack out.

[SouthernSmoked]

Pulled once the IT reached 168f.
I let the turkey rest for 15 minutes.





Grab a plate and enjoy!

[SiFumar]

You aced that pre-test forsure!  If I could, I'd grab a plate and be first in line!  Great looking too!

[hal4uk]

Dadgummit!!!  That looks fantastic, Mark!
How much difference do you think the brine made (the ingredients sounded really good)....

[SouthernSmoked]

This was the first time that I every used a brine on Turkey but I will always do it from now on.

It was very moist and had a great flavor.

[hal4uk]

This was the first time that I every used a brine on Turkey but I will always do it from now on.

It was very moist and had a great flavor.

Cool... I'm thinking I'll try that brine. 
I wuz just thinking about a Thanksgiving "test" run.
Think I'll pick up a turkey tomorrow!

[SouthernSmoked]

This was the first time that I every used a brine on Turkey but I will always do it from now on.

It was very moist and had a great flavor.

Cool... I'm thinking I'll try that brine. 
I wuz just thinking about a Thanksgiving "test" run.
Think I'll pick up a turkey tomorrow!

I did this test run because I needed to make room in my chest freezer. ;D

You going do the turkey on the New Toy?

[hal4uk]

You going do the turkey on the New Toy?

Well...  Something is giving me the itch to do my turkey test!!!
(Uhhh..  that's a YES)
;D

Seriously, That brine sounds great.  I'm all over it!

[hal4uk]

Hey--- Having tried it..  Would you add more or less of any brine ingredients?

[SouthernSmoked]

Hey--- Having tried it..  Would you add more or less of any brine ingredients?

Not really sure I would change anything - it was pretty good.