Honey Smoked Turkey
Diane
INGREDIENTS
1 (12 pound) whole turkey
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
2 tablespoons celery salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (12 ounce) jar honey
1/2 pound mesquite wood chips
DIRECTIONS
Preheat grill for high heat. If you are using a charcoal grill, use about twice
the normal amount of charcoal. Soak wood chips in a pan of water, and set next
to the grill.
Remove neck and giblets from turkey. Rinse the bird and pat dry. Place in a
large disposable roasting pan.
In a medium bowl, mix together sage, ground black pepper, celery salt, basil,
and vegetable oil. Pour mixture evenly over the turkey. Turn the turkey breast
side down in the pan, and tent loosely with aluminum foil.
Place the roasting pan on the preheated grill. Throw a handful of the wood chips
onto the coals. Close the lid, and cook for 1 hour.
Throw about 2 more handfuls of soaked wood chips on the fire. Drizzle 1/2 the
honey over the bird, and replace the foil. Close the lid of the grill, and
continue cooking 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 180
degrees F (80 degrees C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
Uncover turkey, and carefully turn it breast side up in the roasting pan. Baste
with remaining honey. Leave the turkey uncovered, and cook 15 minutes. The
cooked honey will be very dark.