North Carolina-Style BBQ Turkey (Food Network Kitchens) Recipe

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North Carolina-Style BBQ Turkey (Food Network Kitchens)
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Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. 1. For the brine: In a large stockpot, bring 6 quarts water, 1 1/2 cups salt, brown sugar, coriander, ginger, and bay leaves to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the salt and sugar are dissolved. While the brine is simmering, fill a bucket (or pot) big enough to hold a turkey with the ice. Pour the brine over the ice. When the brine has cooled, add the turkey. Place a heavy object like a plate or lid on top of the turkey to keep it submerged in the liquid. Brine in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.
  2. 2. For the sauce: Heat the vinegar and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Off the heat, stir in the ketchup, honey, 1/4 cup salt, red pepper, and black pepper. Reserve 1 1/2 cups for passing at the table.
  3. 3. For the turkey: Prepare an outdoor grill with a medium-high fire for both direct and indirect grilling. Position a drip pan under the grate on the indirect side of the grill. Sprinkle the cavity of the turkey with salt and stuff with the celery, lemons, onions, and parsley, then tie the legs. Place the turkey breast-side up over the drip pan. Toss 1 cup of the soaked wood chips onto the coals. Cover the grill and rotate the lid so that the vent holes are directly over the meat. To maintain a medium-low smoky fire, add about a dozen pieces of charcoal and another cup of wood chips to the fire whenever the fire dies down. Rotate the turkey about every 45 minutes to prevent the side closest to the coals from overcooking.
  4. 4. After 1 hour, begin basting the turkey every 20 to 30 minutes with the remaining 2 1/2 cups of sauce. (Keep the grill covered between basting.) Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh, not touching the bone, registers 165 degrees F, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes before carving.
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Nutrition Facts

Per ServingPer 100 g
Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories 4883.71 Kcal (20447 kJ)
Calories from fat 2501.16 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 277.91g 428%
Cholesterol 734.67mg 245%
Sodium 7135.61mg 297%
Potassium 2563.56mg 55%
Total Carbs 305.42g 102%
Sugars 49.32g 197%
Dietary Fiber 2.73g 11%
Protein 304.99g 610%
Vitamin C 12.6mg 21%
Iron 11.2mg 62%
Calcium 189.4mg 19%
Amount Per 100 g
Calories 267.55 Kcal (1120 kJ)
Calories from fat 137.02 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15.22g 428%
Cholesterol 40.25mg 245%
Sodium 390.92mg 297%
Potassium 140.44mg 55%
Total Carbs 16.73g 102%
Sugars 2.7g 197%
Dietary Fiber 0.15g 11%
Protein 16.71g 610%
Vitamin C 0.7mg 21%
Iron 0.6mg 62%
Calcium 10.4mg 19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

  • salty
  • savory
  • bitter
  • sweet
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Recipe Tags

Weightwatchers Points

  • 120.3
    Points
  • 132
    PointsPlus

Good Points

  • saturated fat free

Bad Points

  • High in Sodium,
  • High in Total Fat

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