As a self-proclaimed foodie, Duane Thorne loves helping others discover the delicious benefits of utilizing a smoker. When people think of a smoker, they often only consider smoking meats, but the smoker can be utilized for delicious side dishes as well. Today, Duane Thorne will provide tips and a few recipes that anyone can take advantage of for their holiday feast.
Duane Thorne on Smoker Options
Before anyone can use a smoker properly, they need to own one. Selecting the proper smoker can be overwhelming as there are several different options to choose from. The first step is to pick between a vertical or horizontal smoker, this is mostly a matter of space and aesthetic preference. The next step is to consider the fuel source for your smoker. Typical fuel sources include electric, charcoal or propane. Charcoal is generally considered the best as it provides a unique, delicious flavor profile for whatever is cooked in the smoker. Electric smokers are typically the easiest to maintain and you won’t have to worry about filling a propane tank or running out for charcoal. Electric wood pellet smokers are an excellent balance between flavor profile and ease of use. Propane smokers are also called gas smokers and are a bit easier to use than their charcoal counterparts. All three options have dampers and vents to control temperature and come in cast iron or stainless-steel options.
Duane Thorne’s recommendation for a weekend, home-based pitmaster would be a wood pellet grill. It offers the best balance of smoking scent and flavor, not having to be a pro, and constantly maintaining your smoke throughout the cook. It is kind of a leave-it-and-forget-it thing invaluable for a home-based pitmaster, so they would not have to babysit a fire box all day.
Duane Thorne believes you can make great dishes and extract delicious smoked flavors utilizing any smoker model, so he recommends looking at the size of the smoker as well as your budget ahead of purchase. Now, let’s get to the best holiday dishes for first-time smokers. Duane Thorne is excited to share his simple smoked turkey recipe that is sure to wow your holiday guests.
What You’ll Need to Make Duane Thorne’s Smoked Turkey:
- A water tray filled with an even split of water and apple juice
- A thawed turkey (Somewhere around 20 pounds should feed up to 10 guests)
- Your marinade of choice
- Cajun seasonings
Duane Thorne recommends starting the smoking process at least six hours before dinner is to be served. Keep in mind the directions are to properly cook a turkey that is about 20 pounds in weight. After preheating the smoker to 275 °F, a turkey that is injected with the marinade and seasoned on the inside and the outside can be placed on the middle rack of the smoker. Don’t be afraid to put on gloves and really rub the seasoning into the turkey as the flavor will be well worth the effort. After the turkey is placed in the smoker, shut the door, and let the smoker do the work for the next five and a half hours. Most expert smokers suggest nearly 20 minutes per pound when smoking at this temperature. To make sure that your turkey is cooked thoroughly, Duane Thorne suggests utilizing a meat thermometer to ensure the breast is reading at 165 °F.
The best way to cook a turkey evenly is to spatchcock the turkey says Duane Thorne. Cut out the backbone with kitchen shears. Score the breastbone on the inside down the middle. Flip the turkey over and press down firmly to break the breastbone down the middle to flatten the turkey. It flattens the turkey, lowers the cooking time, and allows it to cook evenly through the two types of meat on the turkey (dark and white) says, Duane Thorne.
When it comes to the side dishes, just about anything that can be placed in the oven can also be made in the smoker. The benefit of utilizing the smoker is that it will guarantee a flavor profile that you can’t achieve without it. Consider your favorite mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes. Boil until they are cooked through, then instead of going directly to mashing them, throw them on the far side of an indirect grill for 20 minutes. All it takes is 20 minutes to give them that smoky flavor, guests will love. Broccoli rabe can be prepared in minutes when placed in a flat iron pan and then added to the smoker. A lot of people worry that they won’t have the time to properly use their smoker, but holiday dishes can be prepared quickly and efficiently. And for the items that do take some time to cook in the smoker, the flavors make it well worth the wait.
