Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground sage
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons thyme
  • 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon Neelys Seasoning, recipe follows
  • 1 gallon water
  • 2 cups salt
  • 3 cups apple juice
  • 1 cup bourbon
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 (22-pound) turkey
  • Olive oil
  • 4 cups hickory wood chips, soaked in water for 60 minutes
  • BBQ Gravy, recipe follows
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups paprika
  • 3 3/4 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Drumstick, from turkey
  • Neck, from turkey
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 8 cups turkey stock or chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup BBQ Sauce (recommended: Neelys BBQ Sauce)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

  • Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and reserve.
  • Mix the water, salt, apple juice, bourbon, peppercorn, and sugar into a 5-gallon bucket lined with a resealable bag.
  • Stir until the salt and sugar is dissolved.
  • Add the turkey into the bag with the brine.
  • In a garbage bag-lined ice chest filled with ice, place the bucket in and surround with ice.
  • Keep in a cool place and let brine 6 hours or overnight.
  • Turn the turkey after 3 hours.
  • Remove turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Rub the turkey with olive oil and massage the rub onto the Turkey.
  • Soak wood chips for 1 hour prior to cooking the turkey and drain well.
  • Fill the chimney starter with charcoal and light.
  • Burn until they ash over.
  • Place the burned coals to 1 side of the grill.
  • Place wood chips on top of coals.
  • Line a standard size loaf pan with aluminum foil and fill 2/3 with water.
  • Place in the grill opposite the coals.
  • Take the turkey and place on the grill over the pan of water.
  • Insert a probe thermometer in the thigh to keep a check on the temperature as it cooks.
  • Place the lid on the grill with the vent open.
  • The temperature should remain constant at 225 degrees F. You may need to add more coals and chips every few hours.
  • After 1 hour check the turkey, if the skin is golden brown cover with foil.
  • Continue cooking for 4 to 6 more hours or until a probe thermometer reaches 160 degrees F.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest 20 minutes before you carve.
  • Serve with BBQ Gravy.
  • Mix ingredients together and store in an air tight container for up to 6 months.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan on medium-high heat.
  • Add the drumstick and neck and sear until brown.
  • Remove from pan and reserve.
  • Lower heat and saute the onions.
  • Add the stock, scrapping up the fond on the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the drumstick and neck into the saucepan.
  • Cover and let simmer until it comes to a boil; about 1 hour.
  • Sauce will reduce down greatly.
  • Remove turkey parts.
  • Add BBQ sauce to pan and whisk together.
  • Gravy will thicken.
  • Season with salt and pepper.