Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
Smoking a turkey on a Weber Kettle might sound intimidating, but itโs much simpler than you thinkโand the results are unforgettable. With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you can transform your grill into a turkey-smoking machine, perfect for Thanksgiving or any time youโre craving smoky, juicy turkey. The combination of sage, lemon, butter, and wood smoke creates a bold, mouthwatering flavor that will impress everyone at the table. Plus, the Weber Kettle doubles as an outdoor oven, cooking your bird evenly and efficiently.
Get the Recipe Here: Smoked Whole Turkey
Ingredients For Weber Kettle Smoked Whole Turkey
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For smoking a whole turkey on a Weber Kettle, you’ll need a 12 to 13-pound whole turkey, fully thawed with giblets removed. Season it with 1 tablespoon each of salt and pepper. For a flavorful exterior, rub the bird with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and baste with ยฝ cup of melted butter, enhanced with 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh sage and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice for a zesty herbaceous touch.
Set Up the Weber Kettle for Smoking
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Arrange your Weber Kettle for indirect heat. Fill a charcoal chimney with briquettes, light them, and once ready, place the hot coals evenly into two piles on opposite sides of the charcoal grate. Add three additional briquettes and two pieces of soaked smoking wood or chips to each pile.
Prepare the Turkey
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Bring the turkey to room temperature and pat it dry. Generously season with salt and pepper, including the cavity. Brush olive oil over the entire bird and truss the legs and wings for even cooking.
Smoke the Turkey
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Place the turkey in the center of the grill grate and close the lid. Smoke over indirect heat for about 2 hours, maintaining consistent heat. Add charcoal and wood every 30 minutes as needed. Cook until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 160ยฐF.
Baste the Turkey
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Combine melted butter, chopped sage, and lemon juice to create the baste. At the 1 ยฝ-hour mark, brush the turkey generously with the butter mixture. Repeat basting every 15 minutes until the turkey reaches its target temperature.
Rest and Carve
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Remove the turkey from the grill and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 30 minutes before carving and serving.
Variations and Substitutions for Weber Kettle Smoked Whole Turkey
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Try smoking other types of poultry, such as chicken, Cornish hens, duck, geese, pheasant, or quail, using the same method. Just remember to adjust the cooking time and temperature to suit smaller birds. Donโt skip the gravyโitโs a must-have for serving smoked turkey. While store-bought gravy works in a pinch, making a flavorful pan gravy while the turkey smokes is a simple way to elevate the meal and make the cooking time more enjoyable.
Tips And Tricks For Weber Kettle Smoked Whole Turkey
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For a perfectly smoked whole turkey on the Weber Kettle, use a hinged grilling grate to easily add charcoal or wood chips without disrupting the cooking process. If the turkey skin starts to darken too much during smoking, cover the affected areas with aluminum foil or rotate the turkey away from the hottest spot to prevent overcooking. Place a disposable aluminum pan filled with about an inch of water on the charcoal grate between the coal piles. This pan will keep the turkey moist while catching drippings for easier cleanup. These tips ensure a flavorful, evenly cooked turkey every time.
Get the Recipe Here: Smoked Whole Turkey
