Smoked turkey 🦃 Happy Canadian Thanksgiving 🇨🇦

First time ever grilling a whole turkey over charcoal, happy to report that it went super well!

For turkey prep, I first dry brined with salt overnight. Before cooking, I stuffed the turkey with apples, oranges, onions, rosemary, and thyme. Coated the turkey with a garlic butter compound and it was ready to grill.

For grill setup, I filled a chimney with charcoal, set up the coals on either side of the grill, and put the turkey in the middle for indirect cooking. Put a drip pan underneath as well and a couple pieces of applewood for smoke.

Set the grill at around 300F (top vent around 1/4 open) and surprised that it kept that temperature for the three hours it took to fully cook the bird – I did not have to add any charcoal throughout the cook, but did have to slowly open the top vent all the way.

Pulled the bird at 160F in the thickest part of the thigh and let it rest for 45 mins. Was absolutely heavenly – everyone set it was the best turkey they've ever had. Juicy, tender, and smokey, what more could you want?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone