Smoking a turkey for Thanksgiving or any special occasion can seem daunting, but with the right technique and seasonings, you can make a juicy, flavorful bird that will wow your guests The key is Kosmos Dirty Bird – a signature spice blend from Kosmos Q that takes turkey from dry to decadent
What is Kosmos Dirty Bird?
Kosmos Dirty Bird is a special turkey rub from Kosmos Q, makers of competition-winning barbecue seasonings and recipes. It contains a proprietary blend of herbs, spices, garlic, onion and other ingredients to give turkey an incredible depth of flavor. While the full recipe is a secret, you can expect notes of sage, thyme, rosemary and pepper.
Why Use Kosmos Dirty Bird on Turkey?
There are a few reasons Kosmos Dirty Bird can transform your holiday turkey
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Flavors the meat: The blend of herbs and spices permeates the turkey, seasoning it from the inside out. This prevents the bland, cardboard-like texture of an unseasoned bird.
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Creates a crispy skin: Kosmos Dirty Bird helps form a flavorful, crispy skin your guests will rave about. The spices and touch of sugar aid browning for texture on the outside and juiciness within.
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Easy to use: There’s no complicated brine or marinade needed. Just rub Kosmos Dirty Bird directly onto the skin before smoking. The blend adheres nicely and brings big flavor.
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Developed by pitmasters: Kosmos Q tested Kosmos Dirty Bird extensively on competition turkeys, so you can trust it’s engineered for perfect results.
With rave reviews from barbecue enthusiasts, Kosmos Dirty Bird is sure to be the MVP of your turkey recipe this year. Now let’s get into how to use it for smoking.
Brining is Key
While Kosmos Dirty Bird packs a punch of flavor, brining is still highly recommended. The brining process keeps turkey meat incredibly moist and tender after cooking by allowing it to soak up extra moisture.
For best results, combine Kosmos Q Turkey Brine with water the day before smoking your turkey. Submerge the bird, cover, and refrigerate 1 hour per pound. For example, brine a 15 lb turkey for 15 hours.
Once brined, rinse the turkey, pat it dry and let it air dry in the fridge for 4-6 hours before the smoke.
Smoking Your Turkey with Kosmos Dirty Bird
With your bird brined and ready, it’s time for the fun part – firing up the smoker! Here are the simple steps:
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Prep the smoker: Heat your smoker or grill to around 325°F. For even heat, keep the temp as close to 325°F as possible.
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Coat in olive oil: Lightly coat the turkey skin with olive oil. This helps the rub adhere and promotes even browning.
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Apply Kosmos Dirty Bird: Generously season the turkey, inside and out, with Kosmos Dirty Bird. Massage it into the skin so the blend permeates.
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Smoke to temp: Place turkey breast-side up on the smoker rack. Smoke until breast meat hits 165°F and thighs reach 180°F.
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Shield the breast: When the turkey is around 2/3 done, loosely tent foil over the breast and wings to prevent overcooking.
Once the target temps are hit, remove turkey and let rest 15 minutes. The juices redistribute, leaving you with a super moist interior.
Slice up your masterpiece and get ready for the rave reviews! Kosmos Dirty Bird delivers a smoke-kissed, beautifully browned turkey.
More Turkey Tips and Tricks
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Wet brining (with Kosmos Q Turkey Brine) gives the best results, but you can also dry brine. Rub kosher salt and baking powder onto the bird and refrigerate uncovered up to 2 days. Rinse before smoking.
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For a show-stopping finish, brush the hot smoked turkey with Kosmos Q Cherry Apple Habanero Glaze. It delivers a touch of sweet and heat.
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Struggling to hold steady smoker temps? Try oven “smoking”. Get an oven-safe smoking box, fill with wood chips, and place in the oven during roasting per instructions.
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Let turkey rest before carving. The juices get pulled back into the meat. Chill it an ice bath if you’re pressed for time.
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Stuck with turkey leftovers? Dice or shred them for amazing smoked turkey chili, turkey tetrazzini, turkey pot pie, casseroles, sandwiches, and more!
Make Kosmos Dirty Bird Your Go-To
With its specially engineered blend of spices and herbs, Kosmos Dirty Bird delivers on its promise of incredible turkey flavor. The rub really shines when paired with a brine like Kosmos Q Turkey Brine.
Smoking a turkey can feel intimidating if you haven’t done it before. But with Kosmos Dirty Bird, the process is streamlined. You’re guaranteed a juicy, seasoned bird that looks and tastes incredible!
Want to try Kosmos Dirty Bird? Shop online at KosmosQ.com for rubs, brines, glazes and more winning barbecue seasonings.
