Recipe

Smoked Turkey on a WSM

Two small turkeys smoked on a Weber Smokey Mountain at 230°F with hickory. Smaller birds mean faster cook times, better skin-to-meat ratio, and four drumsticks instead of two. Frees up the oven for all the holiday sides.

By Luis Ramirez(Updated )

Prep

30 min

Cook

9 hrs

Total

9 hrs 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Yield

Serves 16-20 (two 12-lb birds)

Method

Smoked

Wood

Hickory

Smoke Temp

230°F

Internal Temp

165°F

Fuel

charcoal

This was one of my first smoked turkeys; the other one is on the bottom grate. I was trying to get out of doing the BBQ turkey altogether, just because of all the craziness that having a new baby brings. But my family wasn't going to allow that. Plus, the baby isn't that new anymore and I should be able to work within this so-called craziness.

I must say, I was impressed with the results, and nothing could have been easier. This was especially true of the cleanup — no roasting pans to scrub.

My smoker (WSM) fits two small birds, about 12 lbs each. I like the smaller birds for a few reasons. First, they cook faster. Second, the meat-to-skin ratio is more to my liking. Third, the drumsticks are way more manageable. They're smaller and you have four of them.

Jump to IngredientsJump to Instructions

What You Need

Ingredients

Main

  • 2 whole turkeys (about 12 lbs each)
  • BBQ seasoning/rub
  • Hickory wood chunks

Step by Step

Instructions

  1. 1

    Season the Birds

    Generously rub BBQ seasoning all over both turkeys, covering all surfaces.

  2. 2

    Set Up the Smoker

    Get the WSM up to temperature. Add hickory chunks to the coals.

  3. 3

    Smoke

    Place both turkeys on the smoker grates. Smoke at about 230°F for approximately 9 hours. Time will vary depending on the size of your birds.

  4. 4

    Wrap and Transport

    Place the finished turkeys in an aluminum tray and wrap tightly in foil for transport or resting.

Pro Tips

  • WSM fits two small birds (about 12 lbs each) on both grates
  • Smaller birds cook faster and have a better meat-to-skin ratio
  • Four drumsticks are more manageable than two giant ones
  • Cleanup is extremely easy — no roasting pans to scrub
  • Next time: brine the birds, inject for deeper flavor, make gravy from drippings, and consider offering BBQ sauce as a condiment

Equipment

  • Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM)
  • Aluminum tray
  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories

240 calories

Protein

34 g

Fat

11 g

Carbs

0 g

Sodium

580 mg

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to smoke a turkey on a WSM?
About 9 hours at 230 degrees F for a 12-lb bird, give or take with size. Cook to 165 degrees F in the thigh, not by the clock.
Why two small turkeys instead of one big one?
Smaller birds cook faster, have a better meat-to-skin ratio, and give you four manageable drumsticks. The WSM fits two 12-lb birds across both grates.
Does smoking the turkey free up the oven?
That’s half the point. It clears the oven for sides and keeps cleanup to almost nothing.
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