RUBS FOR SMOKING TURKEY RECIPES

Steps:

• Remove the turkey breast from the packaging but leave the net intact as this is what holds it's shape while it cooks.
• To a medium pot add 1 quart of water, 1 TBS of course ground black pepper, 1 TBS of red pepper flakes, 2 long sprigs of thyme, 2 long sprigs of rosemary and 8-10 garlic cloves smashed with the side of a knife.
• Bring to a boil then remove it from the heat and let it steep covered for 20-30 minutes.
• Place the mixture in the fridge for several hours to cool.
• To make the brine, add 3 quarts of cold water to a gallon sized pitcher and 1 cup of kosher salt.
• Stir the mixture until the salt is dissolved.
• Add the cooled mixture from the fridge into the brine and stir to combine.
• Place the turkey breasts into a brining container and pour the brine over the turkey to cover and then into the fridge for 4 hours.
• After brining is complete, rinse the turkey breasts under cold water.
• With the net still intact, brush on a little cooking oil and season the outside of the turkey breasts liberally with Jeff's original rub.
• Set the seasoned turkey onto Weber grill pans, Bradley racks or regular cooling racks and they are ready to go into the smoker
• Setup your smoker for cooking at 225-240 °F with indirect heat.
• When the smoker is preheated, place the pan with the turkey breasts into the smoker.
• Let the turkey cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 162°F.
• Remove the turkey from the smoker and let it rest under loose foil for about 10-15 minutes.
• Remove the net from the turkey breasts being careful to not disturb the crust more than necessary.
• Slice and serve.

Steps:

• Remove the neck and giblets from the cavity of the turkey (if desired, save to make gravy). Dry the skin of the turkey with paper towels. Fold the wings under the turkey.
• Roughly chop one-half of one of the onions. Remove the leaves from four sprigs of rosemary. Put the chopped onion and rosemary leaves into a food processor along with the butter, bacon, garlic cloves, 1½ teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Blitz into a paste.
• Stuff the paste under the skin of the turkey’s thighs and breast. Lightly coat the turkey all over with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Prepare the barbecue for indirect cooking over medium heat (190°C to 230°C). If using a Weber Family Q barbecue, set up your barbecue with a convection tray and a trivet.
• Chop the remaining onion into quarters. Place the onion quarters and the two remaining sprigs of rosemary into the cavity of the turkey. Using kitchen string, tie the legs together.
• To calculate the cooking time for whole turkey, allow for 20 minutes, plus an additional 20 minutes per kilo. For example, for a 5kg turkey allow 20 minutes plus 5 x 20 minutes for a total of 120 minutes.
• Roast the turkey over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, for the required cooking time or until the internal temperature has reached 71°C. The internal temperature will continue to rise 3° to 6°C while resting (final doneness temperature for turkey is 74°C).
• Once the turkey has cooked, cover with aluminium foil and leave to rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.