Orange Marinated And Brined Smoked Turkey Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the orange juice concentrate, orange slices, lemon slices, lime slices, thyme, pepper, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and water in a large stockpot; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
• Wash and dry your turkey. Make sure you have removed the innards. Place the turkey, breast down, into the brine. Make sure that the cavity gets filled. Place the bucket in the refrigerator. Allow turkey to marinate 1 to 2 days before cooking. Remove the turkey carefully. Drain and discard the excess brine and pat dry.
• Cook the turkey as desired reserving the drippings for gravy. Keep in mind that brined turkeys cook 20 to 30 minutes faster.

Steps:

• MAKE THE BRINE: In a large stockpot or other container large enough to hold the turkey and brine, combine the water, bourbon, salt, brown sugar, orange wedges (squeeze each wedge to release the juice), bay leaves, peppercorns, and cinnamon stick. Stir to dissolve the salt and sugar. Add the turkey to the brine, breast-side down, weighting it with resealable plastic bags filled with ice or cold water. Refrigerate the turkey and brine for 24 hours. When ready to cook, drain the turkey and discard the brine. Blot the turkey dry with paper towels and knock off any solid bits of spices. Remove any large gobbets of fat at the front of the main cavity. Put the orange wedges and herbs in the main cavity. Tie the legs together with butcher's string and fold the wings behind the back. Combine the butter and Grand Marnier, if using, and coat the outside of the turkey. Start your grill, oven or roaster - set to 350°F. Roast the turkey until it is deeply browned, the skin is crisp, and the internal temperature of the thickest part of a thigh is 165°F when read on an instant-read meat thermometer. If deep frying - heat oil to 375°F. When lowering the turkey into the oil it is recommended to turn off the burner. Once turkey is fully submersed light the burner and cook maintaining 350°F oil temperature. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per pound. Internal temperature should be 165 to 170°F in the breast, 175 to 180°F in the thigh. Remove and let grease drain. Set on paper towel to rest for 15 minutes.

Steps:

• To make brine, Combine all ingredients in a stock pot or large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 45 minutes. Let cool completely. (May be prepared 1 day ahead and refrigerated in a non-metal container.) Thoroughly rinse and dry turkey inside and out, removing and reserving,giblets, liver and neck. Place the turkey in a large plastic bag and pour in the brine. Place in a close fitting tub or cooler. Make sure that the brine completely covers the turkey. Cover and refrigerate for 3 days. If the brine does not completely cover the bird, turn it every 12 hours. Soak about 2 lbs.wood chips for smoking at least 4 hours before use. Use hickory, orange wood or grapevine cuttings. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry; truss and place on a roasting rack in a pan. Rub with olive oil, salt and pepper. Smoke turkey on the grill for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Maintain about an inch of water at all times in the drip pan. Carefully add water if drippings appear to be boiling away. If turkey skin gets too dark, cover with foil. When meat thermometer reaches 165-170 degrees in the thickest part of the breast without touching the bone, carefully transfer turkey to carving platter and let rest for about 15 minutes before carving. Reserve pan drippings for gravy.

Steps:

• Rub salt onto your turkey, and place remaining salt, lemons, oranges, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme and pepper into a large pot. Place the turkey in the pot, and fill with water. Refrigerate overnight. Discard brine after removing turkey.