EDITOR'S NOTE:  When making this recipe, be sure to check out all of our other great recipes -- from cocktails and appetizers to side dishes and desserts and more -- by checking out our recipe section atGrillocracy.com/grilling-recipes!

SMOKED TURKEY

I have been a fan of the Pit Barrel Cooker since one first arrived on my doorstep a few years ago.  While barrel cooking is nothing new, the fact that the PBC allows the user to hang meat directly above Kingsford charcoal brings out my primal cooking side.  Plus, it is truly accessible at $299.00.

Just in time for the holidays, the company has released a special hanger designed specifically for hanging a turkey and while I have not yet tried it on a turkey, I did give it a test run with a whole hen to wonderful results (recipe to follow soon).

In honor of this product launch, I have asked the team at PBC to share their favorite turkey recipe, one that can be found below as well as in the included video.

Equally, PBC and Grillocracy will be holding a very special pre-Thanksgiving giveaway starting this Sunday, through which one lucky reader walking away with their very own Pit Barrel Cooker!

PIT BARREL COOKER THANKSGIVING TURKEY

Ingredients

·       1-2 10-35 lb turkey(s), fully thawed. 2 12 lb turkeys as shown. NOTE: 10-15 lb birds yield the most tender and juicy results.

·       Olive oil

·       PBC All-Purpose Pit Rub

·       PBC Turkey Hanger(s) sold separately

·       PBC Pit Grips recommended for use with Turkey Hangers

NOTE ON STUFFING YOUR BIRD
Although you can stuff your turkey prior to cooking, like in any cooker, it may require longer cook times to ensure proper doneness of the stuffing and may affect the moistness of the turkey.
If you do choose to stuff your bird, make sure that all stuffing ingredients are thoroughly cooked prior to consumption.

Instructions

1.     Light your Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC) according to the instructions.

2.     Remove the turkey from the package, remove the neck and giblet bag from inside the turkey, and remove any plastic or wire ties holding the legs in place.

3.     Coat all sides of the turkey with a light coating of olive oil, followed by a liberal dusting of the All-Purpose Pit Rub.

Tip: Make sure that you season the areas under the wings, and inside the cavity.

1.     Slide the turkey hanger rod through the cavity from the neck end. Turn the bird upright so that the breast end is sitting on the double-hook portion of the hanger, and insert the T-bar through the eye on the end of the hanger rod.

Stuffing Tip: If stuffing your bird, cut a slit in the flap of skin over the neck, insert the hanger rod through the slit, and fold it over to seal the opening on the underside of the bird.

1.     Hang the turkey(s) in the center of the PBC so that the T-bar straddles the center of the rods, and secure the lid. Note: depending on the size of the turkey, you may have to lower the turkey(s) into the cooker before inserting the second rod.

2.     Cook approximately 3.5-7 hours, or until the center of the thickest part of the breast reaches an internal temperature of 155º.

Tip: It’s fun and useful to look in on the turkey every couple hours to monitor the progress. Also, to get an extra crisp on the skin, crack the lid 1/4″ for the last 30 mins of the cook.

1.     Remove the turkey from the PBC to a large platter or sheet pan. Remove the hanger and let rest 15-20 minutes, bringing the final temperature to 165°.

2.     Carve, serve and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Pit Barrel Cooker