HOT HONEY SWEET TEA SMOKED TURKEY 🦃🍯

Ingredients

1 (12–14 lb) thawed turkey 🦃
1 gallon sweet tea 🍹
1¼ cups Lola’s Hot Honey 🍯🔥
2 lemons, sliced into ½-inch rounds 🍋
1 cup salt 🧂
1½ cups melted butter (or squeeze butter) 🧈

For Seasoning:
Salt, garlic, pepper, and thyme (or your favorite savory bird rub) 🌿

Brine

1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine sweet tea, salt, and ¾ cup of Lola’s Hot Honey.

2. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the salt and honey have completely dissolved.

3. Remove from heat and let the brine cool to room temperature.

4. Place the turkey (breast-side down) into a large stock pot or brining bag. Pour in the cooled brine and add lemon slices.

5. Top with 10 cups of ice, cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours. ❄️

Preparation

1. After brining, remove the turkey and place it on a baking sheet fitted with a drying rack.

2. Pat the turkey completely dry, then let it sit for 30 minutes to air-dry. This helps achieve crispy, golden skin instead of rubbery texture. ✨

Injection

1. In a small bowl, mix melted butter with ½ cup of Lola’s Hot Honey until well combined.

2. Using a meat injector, evenly inject the honey-butter mixture into the breasts, legs, thighs, and wings. 🍯🧈

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your smoker to 300°F. 🔥

2. Lightly spray the outside of the turkey with cooking spray (or brush with plain melted butter). Avoid using honey butter on the skin—it can burn easily.

3. Season the turkey evenly with salt, garlic, pepper, thyme, or your favorite poultry rub. 🌿🧂

4. Place the turkey in the smoker and cook until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 160°F.

5. Remove from the smoker and let rest for at least 30 minutes—carryover cooking will bring it to perfection.