Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you’re looking for a delicious and convenient main dish to serve your family and friends, look no further than a Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey.
With its mouth-watering brown sugar glaze and fully cooked, sliced meat, this turkey is perfect for busy families or those who want to simplify their holiday meal.
But how do you cook it to perfection?
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to ensure your Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey is juicy, flavorful, and ready to impress.
So grab your apron and let’s get started!
How To Cook A Honey Baked Ham Smoked Turkey?
Step 1: Thawing
Before you start cooking your Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey, you’ll need to thaw it properly. Allow 24 hours in your refrigerator for your turkey breast to thaw. This will ensure that it cooks evenly and retains its moisture.
Step 2: Preheating
Preheat your oven to 300°F.
Step 3: Glazing
Remove the turkey from its packaging and place it in a roasting pan. Spread a generous amount of the brown sugar glaze over the turkey, making sure to cover all sides.
Step 4: Roasting
Place the turkey in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the turkey from the oven and spread another layer of glaze over it. If the skin is becoming too brown, loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Roast for another 30 minutes.
Step 5: Final Glazing
Remove the turkey from the oven and spread with another layer of glaze. Continue roasting for the remaining 15 minutes. Check the temperature at the meatiest part to ensure it has reached 165°F.
Step 6: Resting
Spread the remaining glaze over the turkey. Loosely cover the turkey with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
Preparing The Turkey For Cooking
Before cooking your Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey, it’s essential to prepare it properly. Start by thawing the turkey breast in your refrigerator for 24 hours. This will ensure that the turkey cooks evenly and retains its moisture.
Once the turkey is thawed, preheat your oven to 300°F. Remove the turkey from its packaging and place it in a roasting pan. Before roasting, you’ll want to apply a generous amount of the brown sugar glaze to the turkey, making sure to cover all sides.
When roasting the turkey, it’s important to keep an eye on the skin. If it’s becoming too brown, loosely cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning. After 30 minutes of roasting, remove the turkey from the oven and spread another layer of glaze over it. Roast for another 30 minutes before repeating this process one more time.
When the turkey has been roasted for a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes, check the temperature at the meatiest part to ensure it has reached 165°F. If it has, remove the turkey from the oven and spread with another layer of glaze. Let it roast for the remaining 15 minutes.
Once the turkey is fully cooked, spread any remaining glaze over it and loosely cover it with foil. Let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
Choosing The Right Cooking Method
When it comes to cooking a Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey, there are several cooking methods to choose from. The ideal method will depend on your personal preference and the equipment you have available.
One popular method is roasting the turkey in the oven. This method involves preheating the oven to 300°F and roasting the turkey for a set amount of time, depending on its weight. This method produces a tender and juicy turkey with crispy skin.
Another option is smoking the turkey. This method involves placing the turkey on a smoker and checking it every hour. If the outside starts to look dry, use some of the glaze for basting. The entire cook is only going to take about 2 1/2 – 3 hours. This method produces a smoky and flavorful turkey with a crispy skin.
If you’re short on time, you can also cook your Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey in a pressure cooker or slow cooker. Both methods require less time and effort than traditional roasting or smoking, but may result in a slightly different texture and flavor.
No matter what cooking method you choose, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and use a meat thermometer to ensure that your turkey reaches the proper temperature of 165°F at its meatiest part. This will ensure that your turkey is safe to eat and will be juicy and flavorful.
Cooking The Honey Baked Ham Smoked Turkey In The Oven
Cooking a Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey in the oven is a great way to enjoy a delicious and flavorful meal. The key to success is to follow these simple steps to ensure that your turkey comes out moist, tender, and full of flavor.
First, make sure to thaw your turkey breast properly. Allow 24 hours in your refrigerator for your turkey breast to thaw. This will ensure that it cooks evenly and retains its moisture.
Preheat your oven to 300°F. Remove the turkey from its packaging and place it in a roasting pan. Spread a generous amount of the brown sugar glaze over the turkey, making sure to cover all sides.
Place the turkey in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the turkey from the oven and spread another layer of glaze over it. If the skin is becoming too brown, loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Roast for another 30 minutes.
Remove the turkey from the oven and spread with another layer of glaze. Continue roasting for the remaining 15 minutes. Check the temperature at the meatiest part to ensure it has reached 165°F.
Spread the remaining glaze over the turkey. Loosely cover the turkey with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a delicious and flavorful Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey cooked perfectly in your oven.
Cooking The Honey Baked Ham Smoked Turkey On A Grill
If you prefer to cook your Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey on a grill, follow these steps:
Step 1: Thawing
Allow 24 hours in your refrigerator for your turkey breast to thaw. This will ensure that it cooks evenly and retains its moisture.
Step 2: Preparing the Grill
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Soak wood chips in a pan of water and place them next to the grill. This will add a smoky flavor to your turkey.
Step 3: Seasoning
Mix sage, pepper, celery salt, basil, and oil together in a bowl. Remove and discard neck and giblets from turkey. Rinse turkey and pat dry; place into a large, disposable roasting pan and rub all over with herb mixture.
Step 4: Grilling
Turn turkey so the breast is facing down and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Place the roasting pan on the preheated grill. Throw a handful of wood chips onto the coals. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour. Throw about two more handfuls of soaked wood chips onto the fire.
Drizzle 1/2 of the honey over turkey and tent again with foil. Close the lid and continue cooking until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Leave turkey on the grill. Remove the foil and carefully turn turkey so the breast is facing up; baste with remaining honey. Cook, uncovered, for 15 more minutes; cooked honey will be very dark.
Step 5: Resting
Spread the remaining glaze over the turkey. Loosely cover the turkey with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
Glazing The Honey Baked Ham Smoked Turkey
One of the key steps in cooking a Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey is the glazing process. The glaze adds sweetness and flavor to the turkey, making it a delicious centerpiece for any meal. Here’s how to glaze your Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey:
1. Brown Sugar Glaze: Start by preparing a brown sugar glaze. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of orange juice, and 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the brown sugar has dissolved and the mixture has thickened slightly.
2. Apply The Glaze: Once your turkey is thawed and ready to cook, remove it from its packaging and place it in a roasting pan. Use a basting brush to spread the brown sugar glaze over the turkey, making sure to cover all sides.
3. Roasting Time: Place the turkey in a preheated oven at 300°F and roast for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the turkey from the oven and spread another layer of glaze over it. If the skin is becoming too brown, loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Roast for another 30 minutes.
4. Repeat The Process: Remove the turkey from the oven and spread with another layer of glaze. Continue roasting for the remaining 15 minutes. Check the temperature at the meatiest part to ensure it has reached 165°F.
5. Final Glazing: Spread the remaining glaze over the turkey. Loosely cover the turkey with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
By following these steps, you’ll have a perfectly glazed Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey that’s sure to impress your guests!
Serving And Enjoying Your Delicious Honey Baked Ham Smoked Turkey
Once your Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey is cooked to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy this delicious meal. Here are some tips on how to serve and enjoy your Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey:
1. Carve the Turkey: Use a sharp carving knife to slice the turkey breast into thin, even slices. Make sure to cut against the grain for maximum tenderness.
2. Serve with Sides: Your Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey will pair perfectly with a variety of sides such as mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce. Consider adding some of HoneyBaked’s frozen Heat ‘N Serve Side Dishes for a convenient and delicious addition to your meal.
3. Store Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the leftover turkey for up to 2-3 months.
4. Reheat Leftovers: To reheat your leftover Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the turkey slices in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
5. Enjoy!: Sit back, relax, and enjoy your delicious Honey Baked Ham smoked turkey with your loved ones!
