There are plenty of delicious holiday turkey recipes out there, but this Sweet Coated Smoked Turkey just hits in a different way! It’s DAYUMMM good. Sweet AND smokey. What else do you need after that?! The sugars caramelize and create a candied skin on the turkey and the time spent on the smoker imparts a deep flavor into the meat.
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Lastly, if you make this Sweet Coated Smoked Turkey recipe, be sure to leave a comment! Above all, I love to hear from ya’ll and do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of your dayyyummm good recreations is my favorite!
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Ingredients
- 1/2 gallon water, divided
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 gallon apple cider
- 5 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons whole peppercorns
- 1/2 gallon ice
- 1 (12-14 pound) turkey, thawed and gizzards removed
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- To a large saucepan add 1 quart of water, salt and maple syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the salt. Pour the salt and maple syrup concentrate into a bucket or a @yeti cooler. Add the remaining water, apple cider, bay leaves, peppercorn and 1/2 gallon ice. Stir to cool.
- Once the brine has completely cooled, place the turkey in the cooler to submerge. Add more ice if needed, close the cooler and brine for 24 hours.
- Remove the turkey from the brine. Rinse under cold water. Pat dry and place on a dry large baking sheet.
- In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Work the rub into the surface of the turkey.
- When ready to cook, set the Traeger Grill to 180°F. Place the turkey directly on the grill grates of the preheated grill. Smoke at 180°F for 2 hours. Increase the temperature to 275°F, continue to cooke until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, or the red button has popped, about 20-25 minutes per pound.
- Remove the turkey from the grill, rest on a sheet pan wrapped in foil or in a (clean) yeti cooler for 20-30 minutes before carving.
Ingredients
- 1/2 gallon water, divided
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 gallon apple cider
- 5 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons whole peppercorns
- 1/2 gallon ice
- 1 (12-14 pound) turkey, thawed and gizzards removed
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- To a large saucepan add 1 quart of water, salt and maple syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the salt. Pour the salt and maple syrup concentrate into a bucket or a @yeti cooler. Add the remaining water, apple cider, bay leaves, peppercorn and 1/2 gallon ice. Stir to cool.
- Once the brine has completely cooled, place the turkey in the cooler to submerge. Add more ice if needed, close the cooler and brine for 24 hours.
- Remove the turkey from the brine. Rinse under cold water. Pat dry and place on a dry large baking sheet.
- In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Work the rub into the surface of the turkey.
- When ready to cook, set the Traeger Grill to 180°F. Place the turkey directly on the grill grates of the preheated grill. Smoke at 180°F for 2 hours. Increase the temperature to 275°F, continue to cooke until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, or the red button has popped, about 20-25 minutes per pound.
- Remove the turkey from the grill, rest on a sheet pan wrapped in foil or in a (clean) yeti cooler for 20-30 minutes before carving.