Kansas City Style Traditional Smoked Turkey

Name: Holiday Bird with a BBQ Twist: Kansas City Flavor Meets Thanksgiving Tradition
Prep time: 12 h
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 16 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds), thawed and giblets removed; 1 bottle Revolution Barbecue Bird Brine; ¼ cup Revolution Barbecue Kansas City BBQ Rub; 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter or olive oil

November 9, 2024

This Kansas City-style smoked turkey brings a bold barbecue twist to the holiday table. Brined with Revolution Barbecue’s Bird Brine, this turkey stays tender and juicy, locking in flavors that go beyond your average roast. A generous coating of our Kansas City BBQ Rub gives the bird that signature sweet-and-smoky crust, adding a caramelized kick to each bite. Smoked over cherry or pecan wood, the turkey absorbs a subtle sweetness that complements the spices perfectly. This recipe transforms a holiday classic into a BBQ masterpiece, making it a standout centerpiece for Thanksgiving or any family gathering.

Holiday Bird with a BBQ Twist: Kansas City Flavor Meets Thanksgiving Tradition

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Cuisine

American

Servings

Prep Time

12 hours

Cook Time

4 hours

This Kansas City-style BBQ turkey brings bold barbecue flavors to the holiday table. Brined in our Revolution Barbecue Bird Brine, the turkey stays tender and juicy, with subtle seasonings infused into each bite. A generous coating of our Kansas City BBQ Rub adds a layer of sweet and smoky flavor, creating a caramelized crust on the skin. Smoked over cherry or pecan wood, this turkey takes on a rich, wood-fired aroma—cherry adds a touch of sweetness, while pecan gives a warm nuttiness that complements the BBQ spices. Perfect for Thanksgiving, this recipe turns tradition into a BBQ masterpiece.

Author:

Glenn Connaughton

Image of Holiday Bird with a BBQ Twist: Kansas City Flavor Meets Thanksgiving Tradition

Ingredients

1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds), thawed and giblets removed
1 bottle Revolution Barbecue Bird Brine
¼ cup Revolution Barbecue Kansas City BBQ Rub
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter or olive oil

Directions

Start by prepping the brine. Follow the instructions for Revolution Barbecue’s Bird Brine to create a flavorful brine solution. Submerge the turkey in the brine, ensuring it’s fully covered, and refrigerate for 12-24 hours. This brine locks in moisture and infuses the meat with a balanced blend of savory, slightly sweet flavors.
Once the brine time is up, remove the turkey from the solution, rinse it with cold water, and pat it dry with paper towels. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to take off the chill while you prep your smoker to 275°F. For this Kansas City-style turkey, cherry or pecan wood works beautifully to add a touch of sweetness to the smoke, pairing perfectly with the BBQ rub.
Rub the turkey all over with melted butter or olive oil, then coat it generously with Revolution Barbecue’s Kansas City BBQ Rub, pressing it into the skin and any exposed meat. The rub’s mix of paprika, chili powder, and a touch of sweetness will build that traditional Kansas City BBQ crust on the skin.
Place the turkey breast-side up on the smoker grates, close the lid, and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thickest part of the thigh. This usually takes around 3-4 hours, but be sure to keep a meat thermometer handy to avoid overcooking.
When done, remove the turkey from the smoker and tent it with foil. Let it rest for 20-30 minutes to allow the juices to settle before carving. The result is a tender, juicy bird with a smoky, slightly sweet BBQ crust.

Recipe Note

Brining with our Bird Brine ensures this turkey stays juicy, while our Kansas City BBQ Rub adds that classic BBQ flavor and caramelized crust. Looking to make your holiday turkey a hit this year? Grab some Bird Brine and Kansas City BBQ Rub from our website and bring out the best in your smoked turkey. Enjoy the feast!

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