Simple Smoked Turkey

Simple Smoked Turkey

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Simple Easy Smoked Turkey (Pellet Smoker Recipe)

Elite BBQ Smokers (Jason Hardee)

Servings

12–15 servings

Prep Time

0 hours 30 minutes

Cook Time

4 hours

Cuisine

American / BBQ

Category

Main Dish

Most people think smoking a turkey is complicated — but this Simple Easy Smoked Turkey proves just how easy it can be.


Using a pellet smoker, a few proven BBQ techniques, and the right seasonings, this recipe delivers a juicy, flavorful turkey that’s guaranteed to impress.


In this step-by-step guide, Elite BBQ Smokers walks you through injecting, seasoning, smoking, spritzing, and glazing a whole turkey using Heath Riles BBQ products and a Recteq Pellet Smoker. Finished with a Maple Honey Habanero glaze, this turkey is tender, golden brown, and packed with flavor — perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion.


Main Dish: 19 lb Smoked Turkey

Flavor Boost: Heath Riles Chicken Injection, Chicken Rub, Honey Rub, Maple Honey Habanero Glaze

Equipment: Recteq Pellet Smoker, ThermPro TempSpike

Key Techniques: Injection, spritzing for moisture, glazing for flavor

Simple Easy Smoked Turkey (Pellet Smoker Recipe)

Ingredients

    Protien

    • 19 lb whole turkey

    Injections

    • ¼ cup Heath Riles BBQ Chicken Injection & Brine
    • 16 oz chicken stock
    • Olive oil

    BBQ Rubs

    • Heath Riles BBQ Chicken Rub
    • Heath Riles BBQ Honey Rub
    • Heath Riles BBQ Glaze – Maple Honey Habanero

    Spritz

    • 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and Mott’s White Apple Grape Juice

    Directions

    1. Preheat the Smoker
      Preheat the Recteq Pellet Smoker to 350°F.

    2. Preheat the Smoker
      Preheat the Recteq Pellet Smoker to 350°F.

    3. Prepare the Pan Setup
      Place the turkey on an aluminum sheet pan fitted with a cooling rack. This acts as a heat deflector and promotes even cooking.

    4. Prepare the Pan Setup
      Place the turkey on an aluminum sheet pan fitted with a cooling rack. This acts as a heat deflector and promotes even cooking.

    5. Inject the Turkey
      Mix Heath Riles Chicken Injection & Brine with chicken stock. Inject the turkey in a grid pattern to evenly distribute moisture and flavor.

    6. Inject the Turkey
      Mix Heath Riles Chicken Injection & Brine with chicken stock. Inject the turkey in a grid pattern to evenly distribute moisture and flavor.

    7. Dry and Oil the Skin
      Pat the turkey skin dry with paper towels. Lightly coat the skin with olive oil to help achieve a golden-brown finish.

    8. Dry and Oil the Skin
      Pat the turkey skin dry with paper towels. Lightly coat the skin with olive oil to help achieve a golden-brown finish.

    9. Season
      Season generously with Heath Riles BBQ Chicken Rub and Honey Rub.

    10. Season
      Season generously with Heath Riles BBQ Chicken Rub and Honey Rub.

    11. Smoke
      Place the turkey in the smoker and cook until the breast reaches 165°F internal temperature.

    12. Smoke
      Place the turkey in the smoker and cook until the breast reaches 165°F internal temperature.

    13. Spritz Regularly
      Every 30 minutes, spritz the turkey with the apple cider vinegar and apple grape juice mixture to keep it moist and enhance color.

    14. Spritz Regularly
      Every 30 minutes, spritz the turkey with the apple cider vinegar and apple grape juice mixture to keep it moist and enhance color.

    15. Wrap on Color
      Once the turkey reaches a rich golden-brown color, wrap it loosely in aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent over-browning.

    16. Wrap on Color
      Once the turkey reaches a rich golden-brown color, wrap it loosely in aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent over-browning.

    17. Finish Cooking
      Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the breast.

    18. Finish Cooking
      Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the breast.

    19. Rest
      Remove the turkey from the smoker, unwrap, and rest in a cooler or food-safe warmer for at least 1 hour to allow juices to redistribute without overcooking.

    20. Rest
      Remove the turkey from the smoker, unwrap, and rest in a cooler or food-safe warmer for at least 1 hour to allow juices to redistribute without overcooking.

    21. Glaze
      Apply a liberal coat of Heath Riles Maple Honey Habanero BBQ Glaze to the skin.

    22. Glaze
      Apply a liberal coat of Heath Riles Maple Honey Habanero BBQ Glaze to the skin.

    23. Serve
      Separate the turkey, slice, and serve.

    24. Serve
      Separate the turkey, slice, and serve.

    25. Share
      Take photos and tag @EliteBBQSmokers on Facebook and Instagram.

    26. Share
      Take photos and tag @EliteBBQSmokers on Facebook and Instagram.