Smoked Turkey

 We happen to have a Traeger grill. It's the best grill ever made. I am also lucky enough to have a boyfriend who will De-bone an entire turkey, which makes smoking a turkey AWESOME! We just turn the grill on smoke and there you have it.....here is the recipe. Served with a fresh side, some cranberry salsa* and a healthy stuffing*....*.Recipes coming up....A quick, easy THANKSGIVING FEAST at our house. Leaves plenty of time to relax and enjoy a Cocktail (or 2)...

FEELING ADVENTUROUS? here's the glaze we use while smoking the Turkey...

• 1 1/2 cups 100% pomegranate juice
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup no-sugar-added strawberry jam
• 2 tbsp honey

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small saucepan, combine pomegranate juice, 1/2 cup broth, jam and honey. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until mixture reduces by half, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to allow glaze to thicken.

       Ingredients

• 12 cups (3 quarts) water, divided
• 3/4 cup kosher salt
• 1 medium shallot, roughly chopped
• 1 medium clove garlic, smashed
• Zest of 1 lemon, removed in large strips 
• 10 thyme sprigs
• 8 sage leaves
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon allspice berries
• 1 6-pound bone-in whole turkey breast (Rick De-bones a 15-20# turkey)
• 1 pound wood chips , (about 8 cups), such as apple wood

Preparation

1. Place 4 cups (1 quart) water, salt, shallot, garlic, lemon zest, thyme, sage, bay leaves and allspice berries in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
2. Pour the brine into a large bowl or clean tub; add the remaining 8 cups (2 quarts) water. Set turkey in the brine and refrigerate for 6 hours.
3. Two hours before preheating the grill, place wood chips in a large bowl of water to soak.
4. About 20 minutes before you are ready to grill, preheat a gas grill with all burners lit to 300°F or build a fire in a charcoal grill and let it burn down to low heat (about 300°F).
5. Drain the wood chips. If using a gas grill, fold a 12-by-20-inch piece of heavy-duty foil in half to create a 12-by-10-inch double-thick piece. Transfer the wet wood chips to the center of the foil and crimp up the edges to create a “basket.” (If you have a gas grill with a smoking box, place the chips directly into the box.) Set the foil basket on the grill rack directly over the heat source. If using a charcoal grill, you will add the chips directly to the coals as the turkey cooks.
6. If using a gas grill, turn off one burner (leaving 1 to 2 burners lit, depending on your grill). If using a charcoal grill, move the coals to one side.
7. Remove the turkey from the brine, pat dry and set on the unheated side of the grill rack. If using a charcoal grill, place one-third of the wood chips on the coals. Close the lid and roast undisturbed for 40 minutes.
8. Rotate the turkey 180 degrees, add half the remaining wood chips to the coals if using a charcoal grill, cover and continue roasting for 40 minutes.
9. Rotate the turkey 180 degrees one more time, add the remaining wood chips if using a charcoal grill, cover and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meat without touching bone registers 165°F, 40 minutes to 1 hour more. Transfer the turkey to a clean cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.