Source: How to Grill, pg. 261
Method: Indirect
Serves: 12 to 14
1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds), completely thawed if frozen
3/4 cup Injector Sauce (recipe follows)
2 to 3 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
You’ll also need:
Kitchen syringe; 3 to 4 cups wood chips (preferably apple or cherry), soaked for 1 hour to cover, then drained; butcher’s
string (optional)
Remove the packet of giblets from the neck and/or body cavity of the turkey and set aside for another use. If your turkey has a metal trussing clamp, leave it in place if possible. Remove and discard the fat just inside the body cavities of the turkey. Rinse the bird, inside and out, under cold running water and then drain and blot dry. If the turkey does not have a metal clamp, truss the bird with butcher’s string.
Using a kitchen syringe, inject the Injector Sauce into the turkey.
Brush the outside of the turkey all over with the melted butter; season with salt and pepper.
Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium-low. If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and preheat on high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
When ready to cook, brush and oil the grill grate. If using a charcoal grill, toss 1 cup of wood chips on the coals. Place the turkey in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat, and cover the grill. Grill the turkey until cooked through, 3 to 4 hours. To test for doneness, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of a thigh, but do not touch the bone. The internal temperature should be between 160 and 170 degrees F. If using charcoal, you’ll need to add 12 fresh coals and 1/2 cup wood chips per side every hour. If the turkey starts to brown too much, cover it with aluminum foil.
Transfer the turkey to a platter, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 10 minutes, then untruss. Carve and serve.
Sub-Recipe 1:
INJECTOR SAUCE
Makes 3/4 cup
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Cajun Rub (recipe follows)
let’s use commercial
Coarse salt, if needed
Combine the chicken broth, butter, lemon juice, and rub in a nonreactive saucepan over medium heat and cook just until the butter melts. Taste for seasoning, adding salt if necessary. Let the mixture cool to room temperature (or slightly warmer than room temperature—the butter should remain liquid), then put it in the kitchen syringe.
Sub-Recipe 2:
CAJUN RUB
Use commercial.
Makes about 3/4 cup
1/4 cup coarse salt
1/4 cup paprika
1 tablespoon garlic flakes
1 tablespoon onion flakes
1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon black pepper
2 teaspoons white pepper
1 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground bay leaf
Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to mix. Store in an airtight jar away from heat or light; the rub will keep for at least 6 months. |