No-Brine Smoked Turkey

No-Brine Smoked Turkey: Crispy, Flavorful, and Oh-So-Easy

If you love the idea of a juicy, flavorful turkey but don’t want to deal with the hassle of brining, let me introduce you to the magic of No-Brine Smoked Turkey. This method skips the soaking but delivers super crispy, perfectly seasoned skin and incredibly tender meat.

While whole turkeys tend to be associated with Thanksgiving, we love roasting a turkey any time of year! Pair it with homemade sides like creamy potato salad and home-canned green beans; broccoli salad and roasted sweet potatoes; or creamy veggie-packed pasta salad.

And the leftovers? They make killer turkey Cobb salads and smoked turkey soup. Sometimes we even smoke two turkeys and stash the extra in the freezer for easy future meals.

Ingredients for the Perfect No-Brine Smoked Turkey

Here’s everything you need to create the perfect No-Brine Smoked Turkey, with a few tips along the way:

• One whole turkey – Pasture-raised is best! You’ll taste the difference with a rich, full-bodied flavor and superior nutrition that factory-farmed birds just can’t match.
• Butter – Not just any butter—the grass-fed type straight from a farm is best! Slather it on for a golden, crispy skin and deep, rich flavor.
• Organic season salt – We love Redmond’s Organic Season Salt, and it’s a go-to for meats, including these delicious Oven Roasted Potato Wedges. It brings out the turkey’s natural flavor without overpowering it.

Use code KEEPITREAL to save 15% on your Redmond’s Real Salt order.

How to Prepare No-Brine Smoked Turkey

Now, let’s get this bird ready for the smoker! 

By the way, if you’re a wife reading this recipe and your husband has asked for or is considering purchasing a smoker, may I encourage you to LET HIM GET A SMOKER?  It’s the ultimate gift that keeps on giving, if you know what I mean.  

It’s a win-win: he smokes delicious meats; I prepare tasty sides.  I don’t know what it is about guys and smoking meat, but I am more than happy to oblige that hobby.  

We have the Daniel Boone model from Green Mountain Grills, which may be discontinued.  This one looks similar and is available on Amazon. There is also this brand, which is highly rated and raved about online.  Whichever brand or model you choose, my husband recommends a smoker powered by pellets.

Okay, now back to our no-brine smoked turkey…

1. Thaw your turkey (if frozen). No skipping this step—this is not a place to cut corners.
2. Preheat your smoker to 325°F.
3. Rub that turkey down with butter—all over, under the skin, around the cavity—wherever you can get it!
4. Pop extra butter inside the cavity because, well, butter makes everything better.
5. Generously cover the turkey with organic season salt. Don’t hold back!
6. Smoke the turkey for about 45 minutes to an hour or so uncovered, letting that skin crisp up beautifully.
7. Transfer the turkey to an aluminum pan, add even more butter (yes, really), wrap it in foil, and return it to the smoker.
8. Continue cooking for about 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
9. Remove it from heat and let it rest in the foil for at least 30 minutes. This keeps all those delicious juices locked in.
10. Carve and enjoy!

There you have it—an easy, flavor-packed turkey that skips the brining but delivers all the goodness. Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a special gathering, No-Brine Smoked Turkey is a winner every time.

Who’s ready to fire up the smoker and get cooking?

Perfect Sides for Smoked Meats

• Paleo Classic Potato Salad
• Honey-Sweetened Apple Slaw
• Creamy Paleo Broccoli Slaw
• Paleo Bacon Broccoli Salad
• Creamy Gluten Free Pasta Salad with Veggies
• Coconut Oil Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Savory Oven Roasted Potato Wedges
• Perfect Baked Potatoes
• Maple Glazed Kale with Red Onion
• Home-Canned Green Beans
• Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Cornbread

No-Brine Smoked Turkey

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• Author: Kathleen | Roots & Boots
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2-3 hours
• Total Time: 0 hours

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Description

Skip the hassle of brining and enjoy super crispy, flavorful No-Brine Smoked Turkey—perfect for any meal, with amazing leftovers!  Note that you’ll need an aluminum pan and tin foil for the smoking process.

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Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey, thawed
• 1 pound butter, divided
• approximately 1/2 cup organic season salt

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Instructions

1. Thaw your turkey (if frozen).
2. Preheat your smoker to 325°F.
3. Rub the turkey with butter—all over, under the skin, around the cavity—wherever you can get it! use about half a pound of cold butter, sliced into about 1/4 or 1/2-inch rounds.
4. Pop any extra butter (from the first half-pound) inside the cavity.
5. Generously cover the turkey with organic season salt. Be sure to get the sides and underside.
6. Smoke the turkey for about 45 minutes to an hour or so uncovered, until the skin gets brown and crispy.
7. Transfer the turkey to an aluminum pan and add the remaining half-pound butter by slicing it into rounds and spreading them over the turkey. Wrap turkey in foil and return to the smoker.
8. Continue cooking for about 2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.  Smoking time depends on the size of the turkey.  A smaller turkey will finish cooking sooner while a large turkey will require more time.
9. Remove turkey from the smoker and let it rest in the foil for at least 30 minutes. This keeps all those delicious juices locked in.  If your turkey will rest for longer than 30 minutes, I recommend placing it inside an oven set on warm or about 170°F
10. Carve and enjoy!

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Notes

Save 15% on my favorite unrefined sea salt, including this killer organic season salt blend, with code KEEPITREAL.