Wood-Fired Christmas Turkey on the Kamado Joe Classic 3

Wood-Fired Christmas Turkey on the Kamado Joe Classic 3

Lee - Smoke & Sear
Servings: 10 Total Time: 123 hrs 30 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Family Friendly Family Friendly Show Stopper Show Stopper Smoke & Sear Fav. Smoke & Sear Fav.
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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.

Click here to watch me cook this recipe on Instagram!

Wood-Fired Christmas Turkey on the Kamado Joe Classic 3

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

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
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🔥 THE LAZY BUZZARDS BBQ 2026 🔥

Some weekends you enjoy . . .

Some weekends you remember.

This was definitely one of those.

Fifteen teams. Two days. Incredible food. New friendships. A bit of healthy competition . . .and an evening BBQ Olympics that had teams and judges laughing together long after the turn-ins were done.

A huge thank you to Alan & Jo for creating something that’s so much more than a BBQ competition. It’s a weekend built around great food, great people and a genuine BBQ community.

Massive respect to every team that competed too. Thanks for letting me wander around with a camera all weekend and capture what UK BBQ is really about.

This is the second BBQ competition I’ve attended now—back-to-back—and I’ve genuinely caught the bug. I’d love to shine a bigger spotlight on this side of the UK BBQ scene next year.

Could you see yourself competing one day? Let me know in the comments . . .👇🔥

#TheLazyBuzzardsBBQ #UKBBQ #BBQCompetition #LiveFireCooking #BBQCommunity

68 13
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🔥 THE LAZY BUZZARDS BBQ 2026 🔥 Some weekends you enjoy . . . Some weekends you remember. This was definitely one of those. Fifteen teams. Two days. Incredible food. New friendships. A bit of healthy competition . . .and an evening BBQ Olympics that had teams and judges laughing together long after the turn-ins were done. A huge thank you to Alan & Jo for creating something that’s so much more than a BBQ competition. It’s a weekend built around great food, great people and a genuine BBQ community. Massive respect to every team that competed too. Thanks for letting me wander around with a camera all weekend and capture what UK BBQ is really about. This is the second BBQ competition I’ve attended now—back-to-back—and I’ve genuinely caught the bug. I’d love to shine a bigger spotlight on this side of the UK BBQ scene next year. Could you see yourself competing one day? Let me know in the comments . . .👇🔥 #TheLazyBuzzardsBBQ #UKBBQ #BBQCompetition #LiveFireCooking #BBQCommunity

Six years ago I stepped into the UK BBQ scene.

I had no idea that buying a smoker during lockdown would completely change my life.

Since then I’ve shared 100+ free recipes, created over 1,000 pieces of content, surpassed ONE MILLION website views, welcomed 600,000+ active users to Smoke & Sear, and built social profiles, groups and communities with 70,000+ members and followers.

But the numbers aren’t what I’m most proud of.

It’s the friendships, the community, and seeing more and more people across the UK discovering outdoor cooking.

A massive thank you to every brand that’s believed in me over the last six years. Whether you’ve trusted me with your products, invited me to events, or somehow flown me to Nashville . . . (still can’t quite believe that one! ❤️)

Then there’s @fourge.bbq . . .

Starting a business with three great lads I met through the BBQ community is genuinely a dream come true.

It’s still early days, but seeing so many FOUNDERS backing us, our rubs selling so well, and people proudly wearing FOURGE merch honestly means more than I can put into words. Pellets, fuel and plenty more are just around the corner, and I can’t wait to cook for so many of you at @meatupfestival in just a few weeks.

Thank you to everyone who’s followed my journey over the last six years.

I’m just one bloke trying to do his small part to help push UK BBQ forward.

Here’s to the next chapter. 🔥🇬🇧

#UKBBQ #OutdoorCooking #PassTheFlame

106 11
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Six years ago I stepped into the UK BBQ scene. I had no idea that buying a smoker during lockdown would completely change my life. Since then I’ve shared 100+ free recipes, created over 1,000 pieces of content, surpassed ONE MILLION website views, welcomed 600,000+ active users to Smoke & Sear, and built social profiles, groups and communities with 70,000+ members and followers. But the numbers aren’t what I’m most proud of. It’s the friendships, the community, and seeing more and more people across the UK discovering outdoor cooking. A massive thank you to every brand that’s believed in me over the last six years. Whether you’ve trusted me with your products, invited me to events, or somehow flown me to Nashville . . . (still can’t quite believe that one! ❤️) Then there’s @fourge.bbq . . . Starting a business with three great lads I met through the BBQ community is genuinely a dream come true. It’s still early days, but seeing so many FOUNDERS backing us, our rubs selling so well, and people proudly wearing FOURGE merch honestly means more than I can put into words. Pellets, fuel and plenty more are just around the corner, and I can’t wait to cook for so many of you at @meatupfestival in just a few weeks. Thank you to everyone who’s followed my journey over the last six years. I’m just one bloke trying to do his small part to help push UK BBQ forward. Here’s to the next chapter. 🔥🇬🇧 #UKBBQ #OutdoorCooking #PassTheFlame

First time guest judging at Whole Hog 2026 with @comp_bbq_uk . . . and what a weekend🔥

Six rounds. Two days. Nine teams. A LOT of pork.

Honestly, it opened my eyes to a whole other side of UK BBQ. So much skill, creativity, graft and proper passion for cooking over fire.

Massive respect to Comp BBQ UK for building something special, and huge respect to @weberuk and cranswickplc for everything they do to support this event and help the competition BBQ scene grow.

UK BBQ is gathering serious momentum… and this definitely won’t be the last BBQ comp I attend.

Who’s ever thought about getting a few mates together and entering a BBQ team? 👀🔥

#CompBBQUK #WholeHog2026 #UKBBQ #BBQCommunity #CompetitionBBQ

49 2
Open
First time guest judging at Whole Hog 2026 with @comp_bbq_uk . . . and what a weekend🔥 Six rounds. Two days. Nine teams. A LOT of pork. Honestly, it opened my eyes to a whole other side of UK BBQ. So much skill, creativity, graft and proper passion for cooking over fire. Massive respect to Comp BBQ UK for building something special, and huge respect to @weberuk and cranswickplc for everything they do to support this event and help the competition BBQ scene grow. UK BBQ is gathering serious momentum… and this definitely won’t be the last BBQ comp I attend. Who’s ever thought about getting a few mates together and entering a BBQ team? 👀🔥 #CompBBQUK #WholeHog2026 #UKBBQ #BBQCommunity #CompetitionBBQ

This started as a daft little comp I set up in the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community to get the regional groups talking, cooking, meeting up and generally giving each other grief.

Most regions went suspiciously quiet.

But two actually stepped up.

SOUTH vs NORTH

The South came in swinging with a proper land, sea and fire feast — venison haunch wrapped in nori, reverse-seared smoked lamb, lobster, scallops, shell-on prawns, Sussex mackerel, monkfish, black sea bream, focaccia, fresh green sauce and a Sussex Smokie finished with a breadcrumb crust.

Then the North answered with an absolute monster board — rack of lamb, black pudding burnt ends with Newcastle Brown Ale sauce, sticky pork ribs, Cumberland sausage, smoked chuck scouse, fish and chips, roast beef, ribeye steaks, venison burgers, grilled potato skewers, sweet Yorkshire pudding with bone marrow crème pâtissière and smoked sticky toffee pudding with bourbon ice cream.

And honestly, this is exactly what it was meant to be about.

People getting together. Cooking outdoors. Making new mates. Sharing ideas. Having a laugh. Creating something that represents where they’re from.

But… there can only be one winner.

To vote, comment:

SOUTH

or

NORTH

I’ll somehow collate the votes from Instagram and Facebook on Monday 6th July, and we’ll find out who takes the regional glory for 2026.

More details on both cooks are on the website, and you can also join the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community there if you fancy getting involved. It really is a cracking bunch.

Now then…

Who gets the glory?

SOUTH or NORTH?

66 128
Open
This started as a daft little comp I set up in the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community to get the regional groups talking, cooking, meeting up and generally giving each other grief. Most regions went suspiciously quiet. But two actually stepped up. SOUTH vs NORTH The South came in swinging with a proper land, sea and fire feast — venison haunch wrapped in nori, reverse-seared smoked lamb, lobster, scallops, shell-on prawns, Sussex mackerel, monkfish, black sea bream, focaccia, fresh green sauce and a Sussex Smokie finished with a breadcrumb crust. Then the North answered with an absolute monster board — rack of lamb, black pudding burnt ends with Newcastle Brown Ale sauce, sticky pork ribs, Cumberland sausage, smoked chuck scouse, fish and chips, roast beef, ribeye steaks, venison burgers, grilled potato skewers, sweet Yorkshire pudding with bone marrow crème pâtissière and smoked sticky toffee pudding with bourbon ice cream. And honestly, this is exactly what it was meant to be about. People getting together. Cooking outdoors. Making new mates. Sharing ideas. Having a laugh. Creating something that represents where they’re from. But… there can only be one winner. To vote, comment: SOUTH or NORTH I’ll somehow collate the votes from Instagram and Facebook on Monday 6th July, and we’ll find out who takes the regional glory for 2026. More details on both cooks are on the website, and you can also join the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community there if you fancy getting involved. It really is a cracking bunch. Now then… Who gets the glory? SOUTH or NORTH?

Second walk out with the Lads Project today and honestly… what a proper day.

Hot as anything, big Peak District views, Thor’s Cave, River Dove, miles in the legs, plenty of laughs and just a really good bunch of lads getting outside and doing something positive.

No pressure, no awkwardness, no forced deep chats — just fresh air, good people, proper conversation when it comes, and a reminder that getting out of your usual routine does a lot.

Any lads want to join the next monthly social walk? Drop me a DM and I’ll send you the link to the WhatsApp group where it’s all planned.

#LadsProject #PeakDistrict #MensMentalHealth #MensCommunity #HikingUK

61 0
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Second walk out with the Lads Project today and honestly… what a proper day. Hot as anything, big Peak District views, Thor’s Cave, River Dove, miles in the legs, plenty of laughs and just a really good bunch of lads getting outside and doing something positive. No pressure, no awkwardness, no forced deep chats — just fresh air, good people, proper conversation when it comes, and a reminder that getting out of your usual routine does a lot. Any lads want to join the next monthly social walk? Drop me a DM and I’ll send you the link to the WhatsApp group where it’s all planned. #LadsProject #PeakDistrict #MensMentalHealth #MensCommunity #HikingUK

DRAGON01 over Coningsby 🔥

It’s been a few weeks since I last watched Flt Lt Tom Nation put the Typhoon through its paces over RAF Coningsby — but the second I heard today’s slot announced on the NOTAM, there was absolutely no chance I was missing it.

And what a display.

I may have lost half of it to the sun, and the other half to Tom flying so low he disappeared behind the trees . . . but wow. 😂

The speed, power and agility of the Typhoon is ridiculous — but the way Tom handles it is something else entirely.

Huge respect to Tom and the whole Typhoon Display Team behind the scenes.

Absolutely epic.

#DRAGON01 #TyphoonDisplayTeam #RAFConingsby #EurofighterTyphoon #TyphoonFGR4 RoyalAirForce Aviation

477 9
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DRAGON01 over Coningsby 🔥 It’s been a few weeks since I last watched Flt Lt Tom Nation put the Typhoon through its paces over RAF Coningsby — but the second I heard today’s slot announced on the NOTAM, there was absolutely no chance I was missing it. And what a display. I may have lost half of it to the sun, and the other half to Tom flying so low he disappeared behind the trees . . . but wow. 😂 The speed, power and agility of the Typhoon is ridiculous — but the way Tom handles it is something else entirely. Huge respect to Tom and the whole Typhoon Display Team behind the scenes. Absolutely epic. #DRAGON01 #TyphoonDisplayTeam #RAFConingsby #EurofighterTyphoon #TyphoonFGR4 RoyalAirForce Aviation