Smoked Turkey with Sweet Coffee Glaze
Elevate your holiday table with a Smoked Turkey with Sweet Coffee Glaze, a show-stopping centerpiece bursting with bold flavors. This recipe combines the smoky allure of apple wood chips with a rich, caramelized coffee glaze for a savory-sweet masterpiece that’s sure to impress. A flavorful dry rub featuring smoked paprika and coffee grounds infuses the turkey with earthy undertones, while the glaze—made from maple syrup, brewed coffee, and apple cider vinegar—adds a luscious finish. Perfectly brined for juiciness and slow-cooked to tender perfection in a smoker, this 12-pound turkey is ideal for gatherings of 10. Whether you're a BBQ enthusiast or hosting a festive feast, this smoked turkey recipe guarantees a harmonious blend of smoky, sweet, and robust flavors that will leave your guests asking for seconds.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pounds whole turkey
- 0.5 cup kosher salt
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons coffee grounds
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 0.5 cup maple syrup
- 0.25 cup brewed strong coffee
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 4 cups apple wood chips
- 8 cups water
Instructions
1. Prepare the turkey: Rinse the turkey under cold water, remove any giblets, and pat it dry with paper towels.
2. Brine the turkey: In a large pot, dissolve the kosher salt and brown sugar in 8 cups of water. Submerge the turkey in the brine and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
3. Preheat and prepare the smoker: Preheat your smoker to 250°F (121°C). Soak the apple wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes.
4. Create the dry rub: In a small bowl, mix black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and coffee grounds.
5. Season the turkey: Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse with cold water, and pat dry. Generously apply the dry rub all over the turkey, including under the skin.
6. Smoke the turkey: Place the turkey in the smoker and add drained apple wood chips to the smoker box or directly to the coals. Smoke for about 4-5 hours, or until the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165°F (74°C) and the thigh reaches 175°F (79°C). Add more wood chips as needed to maintain smoke.
7. Make the coffee glaze: While the turkey is smoking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the maple syrup, brewed coffee, and apple cider vinegar. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
8. Glaze the turkey: During the last hour of cooking, brush the turkey with the coffee glaze every 15-20 minutes to build a sweet, caramelized crust.
9. Rest and serve: Once fully cooked, remove the turkey from the smoker and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. Serve warm with additional glaze on the side if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1184 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 49.6 g | 64% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.3 g | 142% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 124 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 53806 mg | 2339% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 197.6 g | 72% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.0 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 177.3 g | ||
| Protein | 5.0 g | 10% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 283 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 4.9 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 683 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
