Easy Smoked Turkey

Total Time: 61 hrs Preparation Time: 48 hrs Cook Time: 13 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 1 (12 lb) whole turkey
• 1 cup pickling salt
• 2 cups morton's tender quick
• 10 tablespoons liquid smoke (about five ounces)
• 2 gallons water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Recipe

• 1 1st day: remove turkey from freezer.
• 2 2nd day: clean turkey and soak in marinade.
• 3 3rd day: start baking.
• 4 while turkey is thawing out, prepare marinade. add salt, tender quick and liquid smoke to a large, clean bucket. (a new mop-bucket or rubbermaid container works well. do not use metal!) add water to bucket, and whisk well until granules are dissolved. keep cool until turkey is ready.
• 5 the turkey must soak in the brine, completely submerged, for 24-36 hours.
• 6 when done marinating, rinse brine completely off under cold water. dry completely with paper towels.
• 7 spread skin with salad oil, covering all lightly. (do not use butter!) place breast side down in large roasting pan; do not cover.
• 8 bake at 350 degrees f for one hour, then at 250 degrees f for 12 hours, or one hour per pound for smaller bird.
• 9 when done, cool 3-4 hours before cutting (it will be hard!), to let breast juices rest.