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Wood-Fired Christmas Turkey on the Kamado Joe Classic 3

Lee - Smoke & Sear
Servings: 10 Total Time: 123 hrs 30 mins Difficulty: Intermediate
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BBQ Turkey Fit for a Christmas Feast

Ever fancied taking your Christmas turkey to the next level? This recipe does just that. We’re talking about a wood-fired bird, loaded with the richness of a homemade brine and a slather of garlic herb butter.

Whether you’re using a Kamado Joe Classic 3 or another quality BBQ, follow this method and you’ll be the talk of the dinner table. Get ready for some serious smoke, juicy meat, and crispy skin action.

The best part? You’ve got plenty of time to chill while it cooks.

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Click here to watch me cook this recipe on Instagram!

Wood-Fired Christmas Turkey on the Kamado Joe Classic 3

Prep Time 120 hrs Cook Time 3 hrs Rest Time 30 mins Total Time 123 hrs 30 mins
Turkey
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Author: Lee - Smoke & Sear Cooking Method: , , Cuisine: Courses: Recipe Keys: Family Friendly Family Friendly Show Stopper Show Stopper Smoke & Sear Fav. Smoke & Sear Fav.
Difficulty: Intermediate Cooking Temp: 165  C Servings: 10 Estimated Cost: £ 60 Calories: Approximately 550 per serving Best Season: Winter

Ingredients

For the Turkey:

For the Brine:

Instructions

  1. Defrosting:
    • Start defrosting the turkey 4 days before cooking. Place it in the fridge on a tray to catch any drips.
    • Ensure it's fully defrosted before cooking by checking for no ice crystals and an internal temperature between 0°C and 4°C.
  2. Brining:
    • Heat the water and dissolve salt and sugar. Add the remaining brine ingredients and let it cool completely.
    • Submerge the turkey in the brine for 12-24 hours in the fridge.
  3. Preparation:
    • Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry.
    • Mix softened butter, minced garlic, herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to create herb butter.
    • Gently separate the turkey skin from the breast and spread the herb butter underneath and on the exterior of the turkey.
    • Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking.
  4. Cooking:
    • Set up your Kamado Joe with lumpwood charcoal and heat to 163°C.
    • Place the turkey on a roasting rack for even heat distribution and pour a cup of broth into the pan below.
    • Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours, basting every 30 minutes with melted butter, orange juice, and honey.
    • Ensure the internal temperature reaches 74°C in the thickest parts using a meat thermometer.
  5. Resting:

    Remove the turkey from the grill and tent with foil. Let it rest for 30 minutes to retain its juices.

  6. Carving:

    Detach the legs and thighs first, then wings. Slice the breast meat against the grain for tenderness.

Equipment

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy a product using these links, we get a commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep the BBQ magic alive, and we thank you in advance!

Note

Footnotes:

  • Pro Tip: Rotate the turkey every hour to avoid uneven browning.
  • Brining Hack: Always cool the brine completely to avoid bacteria growth. Using ice in the brine can speed up cooling.
  • Cooking Tip: If the breast skin browns too quickly, shield it with foil.
  • Safety: Always ensure your turkey reaches 74°C in the thickest part for safe consumption.
Keywords: Christmas turkey, BBQ turkey, Kamado Joe turkey, wood-fired turkey, organic turkey recipe, holiday turkey, smoked turkey recipe, brined turkey, festive BBQ
Lee Bishop - Smoke & Sear

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Today at 10:28am (Tuesday 22nd April 2025) I witnessed the best @typhoondisplayteam of the year — 100% the best I’ve seen!

Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer absolutely smashed it over @rafconingsby

There I was . . . iPhone in one hand, Wren (the dog) strapped to my waist, being swarmed by flies (note to self: change aftershave), trying to capture the magic.

Worth every buzz and bite — turn your sound up and enjoy this beauty!

P.S. Don’t worry, the dog you can hear barking in the video occasionally wasn’t Wren . . .

Others had come out to watch the display with their lovely dogs too — one clearly less keen on the noise from the jets haha.

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Today at 10:28am (Tuesday 22nd April 2025) I witnessed the best @typhoondisplayteam of the year — 100% the best I’ve seen! Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer absolutely smashed it over @rafconingsby There I was . . . iPhone in one hand, Wren (the dog) strapped to my waist, being swarmed by flies (note to self: change aftershave), trying to capture the magic. Worth every buzz and bite — turn your sound up and enjoy this beauty! P.S. Don’t worry, the dog you can hear barking in the video occasionally wasn’t Wren . . . Others had come out to watch the display with their lovely dogs too — one clearly less keen on the noise from the jets haha.

When the kids ask for smashburgers . . . who am I to argue?
And being kids, they like ’em just so. No greenery in sight – ha!

Toasted @stpierreuk brioche buns, a slather of @angusandoink Comeback sauce, double smash patties with properly melted cheese, topped off with our own bacon jam – made fresh, same way every single time. A proper house favourite. Bit of crispy onions on top and that’s it. Simple. Smashy. And they all leave with full bellies and big smiles – that’s what it’s all about.

All cooked on the mighty @blackstoneproducts griddle, and yep . . . even air-fried the chips while making the jam and burgers. We don’t mess about.

#smashburger #blackstonegriddle #familyfavourite #bbqfamily #baconjam #doublecheese #blackstonecooking #ukbbq #stpierreuk

125 22
Open
When the kids ask for smashburgers . . . who am I to argue? And being kids, they like ’em just so. No greenery in sight – ha! Toasted @stpierreuk brioche buns, a slather of @angusandoink Comeback sauce, double smash patties with properly melted cheese, topped off with our own bacon jam – made fresh, same way every single time. A proper house favourite. Bit of crispy onions on top and that’s it. Simple. Smashy. And they all leave with full bellies and big smiles – that’s what it’s all about. All cooked on the mighty @blackstoneproducts griddle, and yep . . . even air-fried the chips while making the jam and burgers. We don’t mess about. #smashburger #blackstonegriddle #familyfavourite #bbqfamily #baconjam #doublecheese #blackstonecooking #ukbbq #stpierreuk

First cook on the new Blackstone – had to break it in with a kid-friendly Full English!

Went with the classics: sausages, hash browns, bacon, beans, fried eggs, griddled tomatoes, fried bread and of course… potato waffles (because kids).

Set the Blackstone up with different zones for each bit – sausages and waffles in the hotter section, eggs and bread on the low zone. Used the integrated air fryer basket for the hash browns and the warm drawer came in clutch for holding bits while the rest cooked.

Cooking on the Blackstone is FAST.

You’ve got to juggle it all a bit, but it’s mad satisfying once you get into the rhythm. This wasn’t a fancy cook – just a proper hearty breakfast to get used to the griddle.

The kids? They rated it 10,000,000 out of 10, which either means I’m a breakfast legend or they need a maths lesson.

Either way, I’ll take it.

Plenty more cooks coming – this was just the start.

#BlackstoneGriddleUK #FullEnglishOnTheGriddle #BBQBreakfast #BlackstoneCooking #FamilyBBQVibes

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First cook on the new Blackstone – had to break it in with a kid-friendly Full English! Went with the classics: sausages, hash browns, bacon, beans, fried eggs, griddled tomatoes, fried bread and of course… potato waffles (because kids). Set the Blackstone up with different zones for each bit – sausages and waffles in the hotter section, eggs and bread on the low zone. Used the integrated air fryer basket for the hash browns and the warm drawer came in clutch for holding bits while the rest cooked. Cooking on the Blackstone is FAST. You’ve got to juggle it all a bit, but it’s mad satisfying once you get into the rhythm. This wasn’t a fancy cook – just a proper hearty breakfast to get used to the griddle. The kids? They rated it 10,000,000 out of 10, which either means I’m a breakfast legend or they need a maths lesson. Either way, I’ll take it. Plenty more cooks coming – this was just the start. #BlackstoneGriddleUK #FullEnglishOnTheGriddle #BBQBreakfast #BlackstoneCooking #FamilyBBQVibes

🍍🔥 Pineapple Express Pulled Pork — with shatter-crisp crackling so savage, you’ll hear it from three streets over.

Massive love to @villagebutchers for sending me this absolute unit of a pork leg (9kg of bone-in, rind-on beauty). Injected it with pineapple rum, spun it low ‘n slow on the rotisserie, then crowned it with crispy shards of crackling like some kind of BBQ king 👑

Cooked this beast on the @everdurebyhestonblumenthal Hub 2 — first time I’ve fired it up in ages. Truth be told, I was sent it back in May 2023 to review . . . but with the house move, life chaos and all that jazz, it’s been sat in the garage gathering dust. Good job I kept hold of it — it’s the only kit I own that could handle the sheer size and weight of this bad boy.

Wanna try it yourself? Full step-by-step recipe is live now:

👉 https://www.smokeandsear.world/BBQ-recipes/pineapple-express-pulled-pork-with-shatter-crisp-crackling/

#SmokeAndSear #PineappleExpressPulledPork #CracklingKings #RotisserieLife #BBQUK #EverdureHub2 #PulledPorkPerfection #OutdoorCooking #PineappleBBQ #BBQCrackling #BBQMad #MeatMatters #VillageButchers #BackyardBBQ #LowAndSlow #BBQGoals #BBQRecipe

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🍍🔥 Pineapple Express Pulled Pork — with shatter-crisp crackling so savage, you’ll hear it from three streets over. Massive love to @villagebutchers for sending me this absolute unit of a pork leg (9kg of bone-in, rind-on beauty). Injected it with pineapple rum, spun it low ‘n slow on the rotisserie, then crowned it with crispy shards of crackling like some kind of BBQ king 👑 Cooked this beast on the @everdurebyhestonblumenthal Hub 2 — first time I’ve fired it up in ages. Truth be told, I was sent it back in May 2023 to review . . . but with the house move, life chaos and all that jazz, it’s been sat in the garage gathering dust. Good job I kept hold of it — it’s the only kit I own that could handle the sheer size and weight of this bad boy. Wanna try it yourself? Full step-by-step recipe is live now: 👉 https://www.smokeandsear.world/BBQ-recipes/pineapple-express-pulled-pork-with-shatter-crisp-crackling/ #SmokeAndSear #PineappleExpressPulledPork #CracklingKings #RotisserieLife #BBQUK #EverdureHub2 #PulledPorkPerfection #OutdoorCooking #PineappleBBQ #BBQCrackling #BBQMad #MeatMatters #VillageButchers #BackyardBBQ #LowAndSlow #BBQGoals #BBQRecipe