Smoked Turkey with Herbs Recipe

Ingredients: Makes 10 to 12 serving
2 cups mesquite wood chips
1 (13 pound) turkey, giblets removed
1 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon miced fresh sage
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspon ground black pepper
Garnish: fresh parsley, sage, and rosemary

Procedures:

• Soak wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes; drain. Prepare smoker according to manufacture’s directions, bringing internal temperature to 225F to 250F; maintain temperature for 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle soaked wood chips over coals.
• Rinse turkey inside and out with cool water; place breast side up. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
• In a medium bowl, combine butter and next 5 ingredients. Loosen skin from turkey breast without totally detaching it; rub half of butter mixture under skin. Replace skin, and rub remaining butter mixture over skin. Tie legs together with butcher’s twine. Place turkey on rack in smoker.
• Smoke turkey, maintaining temperature inside smoker between 225F to 250F, for 6 to 7 hours or until an instant read thermometer inserted in thickest portion of turkey registers 165F. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley, sage, and rosemary, if desired.