Honey Glazed Smoked Turkey Breast
By Justin McChesney-Wachs, Salt Pepper Skillet
About this Dish
“You know that amazing honey-brown sugar glaze that we brush all over our smoked ham? Well, let’s bring that concept to delicious smoked turkey breast to add some wonderfully sweet and smokey flavors to our holiday bird.” – Justin McChesney-Wachs
Ingredients
5 to 8 lb bone-in turkey breast
1 Tbsp butter or canola oil
Brine
8 c water
1/2 c kosher salt
1/3 c sugar
1 tsp peppercorns
Glaze
1/3 c honey
3/4 c packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 c bourbon (optional)
Directions
Brine the turkey
Make the brine by adding 2 cups of boiling water in a large container with the salt, sugar and peppercorns. Stir to dissolve completely, then add a combination of 6 cups of cold water and ice.
Place the turkey breast in the brine and refrigerate for 8 hours.
Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
Make the glaze
While the turkey smokes, make the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the glaze ingredients and stir to combine and dissolve. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low, continuing to cook until the glaze has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Smoke the turkey
While the breast comes to room temperature, prepare the smoker according to the manufacturer’s instructions for indirect cooking with a water drip pan in place. Add wood chunks (or pellets) and bring the temperature to 250° F.
Rub room-temperature butter or canola oil all over the turkey, then place in the smoker.
When the internal temperature of the breasts reaches about 130° F (about 90 minutes in), glaze the turkey and repeat after 15 more minutes.
Remove the turkey at 160° F, as it will continue to rise at least 5° to finish at 165° F. Verify with a probe thermometer.
Rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving with a drizzle more of the glaze.
