Master a Perfectly Smoked Turkey with the Masterbuilt 560

As the holidays approach, thoughts turn to festive meals with family and friends. For many, the centerpiece of these gatherings is a beautifully bronzed smoked turkey. Getting the bird just right can feel daunting, but with the right tools and techniques, you can master smoking a turkey on your Masterbuilt 560 electric smoker.

Why Smoke Your Turkey?

There are several excellent reasons to smoke your holiday bird rather than roasting it in the oven

• Incredible flavor – Smoking infuses the meat with delicious smoky flavor you just can’t get from an oven. The smoke permeates the flesh, seasoning it inside and out.

• Moist and tender – Low, slow smoking cooks the turkey gently, breaking down the proteins and keeping the meat incredibly moist and tender. No more dried out Thanksgiving birds!

• Foolproof – With the Masterbuilt 560 handling the temperature control, smoking a turkey is easy. No worrying about burning or undercooking.

• Hands-off – Once your turkey is prepped and loaded in the smoker, you don’t have to babysit it The smoker does the work for perfectly smoked results

• Showstopper presentation – A deep mahogany smoked turkey is a gorgeous centerpiece. Your guests will be impressed!

Masterbuilt 560 Overview

The Masterbuilt 560 is one of the best electric smokers for beginners but has the capabilities to satisfy smoking enthusiasts too. Here’s a quick look at what makes it ideal for smoking turkeys:

• 945 square inches of cooking space – Enough room for a 20 lb. turkey with space to spare.

• Precise temperature control – Easily dial in and maintain the ideal smoking temp from 100-275°F.

• Wood chip loading system – Efficiently smokes for hours with automatic wood chip dispensing. Just load chips and go.

• Integrated meat probe thermometers – Monitor internal temps of the turkey without opening the smoker.

• Insulated smoker body – Helps the smoker easily maintain target temperatures.

• Simple cleanout – Remove grease and ash buildup quickly after smoking.

With the Masterbuilt 560 handling the temperature control and smoke, all you need to focus on is preparing the perfect turkey.

Turkey Prep

Proper preparation is key to smoked turkey success. Here are some tips:

• Size – Look for a turkey between 14-18 lbs. Over 20 lbs. can be difficult to smoke evenly. Under 12 lbs. may dry out.

• Thaw safely – Keep thawed turkeys at 40°F or below. Thaw in the refrigerator 1 day for every 4 lbs.

• Dry brine – Gently dry out the skin overnight in the fridge uncovered on a rack over a baking sheet. Pat skin dry before smoking.

• Season generously – Rub skin liberally with olive oil then season inside the cavity, under the skin, and all over the outside with salt, pepper, and your favorite poultry seasoning.

• Truss tightly – Truss the legs and wings securely to the body to maintain shape during smoking. Use kitchen twine.

• Set up a drip pan – Place a disposable foil pan under the turkey to catch drippings. Fill with water or apple juice/cider for moisture and flavor.

Once prepped, it’s time to get smoking!

Smoking Your Turkey to Perfection

With the Masterbuilt 560 dialed in at 275°F and filled with your favorite smoking wood, follow these steps:

• Place prepared turkey breast side up directly on the middle racks, no pan needed. Insert meat probes into thickest part of breast and thigh, avoiding bone.

• Close the smoker and smoke the turkey for about 4-5 hours until breast temp reaches 165°F and thigh reaches 175°F.

• Baste turkey all over with melted butter or olive oil every hour for crispy, flavorful skin.

• Add a wood chunk or more chips to the loader as needed to maintain thin blue smoke.

• Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute. Keep breast covered loosely with foil.

The Masterbuilt 560 takes the guesswork out of properly smoking a turkey. With an hour or so of prep beforehand, the electric smoker does the rest for you. Just relax until your juicy, smoky bird is ready to wow your guests!

Masterbuilt Smoked Turkey Tips

Take your smoked turkey to the next level with these pro tips:

• Inject flavor – Use a marinade injector to infuse the breast and thighs with chicken broth, apple juice, or Creole butter for added moisture and taste.

• Stuff the cavity – Fill with aromatics like onion, apple, and fresh herbs for flavor. Stuffing bread-based filling can be unsafe. Cook it separately.

• ** Crisp the skin** – Bump smoker temp to 300°F for the last 30-60 mins once the meat is nearly done.

• ** Make turkey broth** – Simmer the neck, giblets, aromatics, and veggies in water while you smoke the turkey. Use for gravy.

• ** Let it rest** – Never slice into a smoked turkey straight out of the smoker. Letting it rest allows juices to absorb back into the meat.

• ** Carve properly** – Place turkey breast side up on a cutting board. Remove legs and wings, then slice breast meat across the grain into thin slices.

Masterbuilt Smoked Turkey Recipes

The Masterbuilt 560 allows you to impart any flavor profile you desire to your smoked turkey. Play with different woods and seasonings to make yours unique. Here are some inspiration recipes to try:

Cajun Smoked Turkey

Coat a brined turkey with Cajun seasoning inside and out. Smoke with hickory wood at 275°F for 4-5 hours until 165°F breast temp. Baste with melted butter and Tony Chachere’s Creole Butter.

Apple Cider Smoked Turkey

Inject turkey breast and thighs with apple cider. Smoke with apple wood at 275°F for 4-5 hours, basting with apple cider vinegar, butter, and maple syrup.

Mediterranean Herb Smoked Turkey

Inject turkey with olive oil and lemon juice. Season inside and out with Mediterranean herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Smoke with oak and baste with olive oil, white wine, and lemon.

Don’t be intimidated to try smoking your holiday turkey on the Masterbuilt 560. With some simple prep and the precise control of the electric smoker, you can master cooking picture-perfect smoked turkeys worthy of any festive feast. Impress your family with your impressive culinary skills this season with a little help from Masterbuilt.