Simple Hickory-Smoked Turkey
Simple Hickory-Smoked Turkey delivers juicy, tender meat with crackly bronze skin and a woodsy aroma from hickory. Fresh sage and savory mingle with black pepper to create a balanced herbal crust that complements the rich turkey flavor. Serve for a holiday centerpiece or any special weekend dinner when you want impressive results with minimal fuss.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook4 hrs
- Serves12
- DifficultyMedium
- 1
Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Mix the savory, sage, salt, and black pepper in a bowl; rub 2 tablespoons of the herb mixture inside the turkey cavity and inside the neck cavity. Loosen the skin over the breast and legs; rub the remaining 2 tablespoons of the herb mixture under the loosened skin. Rub olive oil over the entire turkey.
- 2
Light 20 charcoal briquettes and arrange 10 on each side of the lower grate of a kettle charcoal grill. Set a drip pan or disposable aluminum baking pan in the center of the lower grate and pour in water. When the coals turn gray with ash, place a 2-inch square piece of hickory or other hardwood onto each bank of coals.
- 3
Set the turkey on the cooking grate and cover the grill. Use a grill thermometer to keep the temperature between 150 and 250 degrees F (65 to 120 degrees C); add 3 to 5 coals to each side about every 90 minutes. Add more wood chunks as needed to keep a gentle smoke. If open flames flare up when you remove the lid, lightly douse them with water or beer.
- 4
Smoke the turkey for 20 minutes per pound, about 4 to 4½ hours; allow the heat to rise to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) during the last hour of smoking. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, without touching a bone, should read at least 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).
- 5
Remove the turkey from the grill and let it rest, loosely covered with foil, before carving.
- Calories 303.88 kcal Moderate
- Protein 39.88 g Good Source
- Carbs 1.47 g Moderate
- Total Fat 13.87 g Moderate
- Saturated Fat 4.41 g High
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source
- Cholesterol 126.24 mg High
- Sodium 1241.95 mg High
- Fiber 0.72 g Low Source
- Sugar 0.46 g Low Source
- Added Sugar 0.41 g Low Source
- Calcium 16.11 mg Low Source
- Iron 0.28 mg Low Source
- Potassium 21.86 mg Low Source
- Vitamin A 2.84 mcg_rae Low Source
- Vitamin C 0.26 mg Low Source
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
No known allergens listed for this recipe. Always double-check ingredients for your needs.