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Juicy Smoked Cajun Turkey

Juicy Smoked Cajun Turkey

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cajun, compound butter, Holiday Feast, Smoked, smoked paprika, Smoker, Turkey
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 902kcal

Equipment

  • Electric or Wood Burning Smoker

Ingredients

  • 8-10 lb Whole Turkey thawed and innards removed
  • Cooking Spray to bind spices to skin

Cajun Rub Seasoning

  • 2 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • tsp garlic powder
  • tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp celery salt
  • ½ tsp rubbed sage

Cajun Compound Butter*

  • 1 cup butter 2 sticks softened
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper more or less to your desired spice level
  • ½ tsp dried thyme

Instructions

Cajun Compound Butter

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
  • Get a large piece of plastic food wrap. Form a log with the butter mix on the wrap and twist up the ends to secure the log shape.
  • Stick in the fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight until firm.

Cajun Seasoning

  • Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside to season the whole turkey.

Smoked Turkey

  • Preheat your smoker to 250F.
  • Spray the spatchcocked turkey with cooking spray to bind the spices to the skin. Sprinkle on the Cajun rub seasoning and massage into the skin to fully coat the top.
  • Slice 3/4 of the cajun compound butter into 1/2-inch thick slices. Gently pull the skin away from the meat of the breast and thighs of the turkey. Place the slices of butter in various areas along the breast and thigh meat.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining butter. Then using a meat injector, inject the melted butter directly into a few areas along the breast, thighs, and drumstick meat.
  • Place the seasoned turkey in your preheated smoker and place a drip pan under the meat to collect the drippings for a dressing or gravy.
  • Let cook until the internal temp in the thickest part of the breast meat reads 165F. Usually, it should take 4 hours for an 8-8.5 lb turkey, but this time varies depending on the size of your bird.

Notes

*Cajun Compound Butter - Stores for up to 2 weeks in the fridge in an air-tight sealed container.

Nutrition

Calories: 902kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 94g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 391mg | Sodium: 4034mg | Potassium: 1097mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2693IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 5mg
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