Month: November 2025

Categories
Recipes Traeger Recipes

Smoked Spatchcocked Turkey on the Traeger

smoked turkey on the Traeger

After several attempts I have determined that the best way to smoke a turkey on a Traeger is to first brine and spatchcock the turkey. This is the best smoked turkey recipe!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

Tools needed to smoke a turkey on the Traeger

Smoked Turkey Ingredients:

  • 14 pound Turkey
  • Turkey brine – find the best recipe here
  • 5-6 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil

How to brine a turkey

Please don’t skip this step if you plan to smoke your turkey. The brine with help to season your turkey and make it more tender. Most importantly it will help the turkey resist drying out, which can occur if you overcook it. Choose your favorite brine recipe, or use this recipe.

Place your thawed turkey in the brine, in the refrigerator, 12-24 hours prior to cooking.

How to Spatchcock a Turkey

Remove the neck. Place your turkey breast side down on a large cutting board or platter. Cut along both sides of the backbone with a poultry shears. Remove the backbone.

how to spatchcock a turkey

Flip the turkey over and press down until you hear a crack. The turkey should lie flat.

spatchcocked turkey

How to season your Turkey prior to smoking

Coat both sides of the turkey with the olive oil. Stuff the butter, rosemary leaves and smashed garlic cloves under the skin, on top of each breast.

How to Smoke a spatchcocked Turkey

Start by preheating your Traeger to 275 degrees F. Place the seasoned spatchcocked turkey directly on the grate. Insert the meat thermometer into one breast.

spatchcocked turkey on the Traeger

Smoke for 4 – 4.5 hours or until the meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees F in the breast.

smoked turkey on the Traeger

Remove the turkey from the Traeger and allow it to rest for 15-30 minutes before carving.

Thanksgiving dinner on a plate

More Thanksgiving Recipes:

Printable Recipe:

Smoked Spatchcocked Turkey on the TraegerDownload

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dinner Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

minutes

Preparing Time

30 minutes

Cooking Time

240 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 14 pound Turkey<br>Turkey brine<br>5-6 garlic cloves, smashed<br>2 Tablespoons Butter<br>1 sprig of fresh rosemary<br>2 Tablespoons olive oil

DIRECTION

  1. Start by Brining your turkey. Choose your favorite brine recipe. Place your thawed turkey in the brine, in the refrigerator, 12-24 hours prior to cooking.<br>

  2. Next Spatchcock your turkey. Remove the neck. Place your turkey breast side down on a large cutting board or platter. Cut along both sides of the backbone with poultry shears. Remove the backbone. then, flip the turkey over and press down until you hear a crack. The turkey should lie flat.
  3. Preheat your Traeger to 275 degrees F. Place the seasoned spatchcocked turkey directly on the grate. Insert the meat thermometer into one breast. Smoke for 4 – 4.5 hours or until the meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees F in the breast.
  4. Remove the turkey from the Traeger and allow it to rest for 15-30 minutes before carving.

NOTES

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Categories
Recipes

Best Turkey Brine Recipe

turkey brine

Brining a turkey is an important step to enhance flavor and moisture. This brine will help make your turkey more moist, which will help make the meat more tender. Brining also helps the turkey stay moist even if you accidently overcook it. This brine will ensure your turkey is tender and flavorful.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

Tools needed to make turkey brine:

Turkey Brine Ingredients

  • 2 gallons of water
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1 1/2 Cups of kosher salt
  • 5 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary
  • 1 orange sliced
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • 2 Tablespoons peppercorns
turkey brine ingredients

How to Brine a Turkey

In an 8 quart stock pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the salt and stir until dissolved. Add the peppercorns, garlic and rosemary. Continue to simmer for 5 more minutes. Pour the remaining water, and cider into the 5 gallon food grade bucket. Add the salty water and remaining brine ingredients. Place the turkey into the brine. Put the bucket in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.

When ready to cook the turkey remove it from the bucket, pat dry and prepare as desired. Now it is time to roast or smoke your turkey.

How long do you need to thaw a turkey?

Generally plan on 1 day for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. Your turkey is still safe to cook for 2 more days after fully thawed, so plan to thaw it one day early if you plan to brine your turkey.

Turkey thawing time

Printable Turkey Brine Recipe

Turkey Brine RecipeDownload

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dinner Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

minutes

Preparing Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

20 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 2 gallons of water

  2. 2 cups apple cider

  3. 1 1/2 Cups of kosher salt

  4. 5 garlic cloves, smashed

  5. 2 sprigs of rosemary

  6. 1 orange sliced

  7. 1 lemon sliced

  8. 2 Tablespoons peppercorns

DIRECTION

  1. In an 8 quart stock pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the salt and stir until dissolved. Add the peppercorns, garlic and rosemary. Continue to simmer for 5 more minutes. Pour the remaining water, and cider into the 5 gallon food grade bucket. Add the salty water and remaining brine ingredients. Place the turkey into the brine. Put the bucket in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. When ready to cook the turkey remove it from the bucket, pat dry and prepare as desired. Now it is time to roast or smoke your turkey.

NOTES

As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

Categories
Desserts Recipes

Easy Apple Cranberry Pie

apple cranberry pie

Why didn’t I think of this tasty idea sooner? This apple cranberry pie is sweet, tart and totally worth the calories! Try it for Thanksgiving or for any event this Fall.

Disclaimer: I earn commission on qualified purchases at no additional cost to you.

Tools needed to make apple cranberry pie

Apple Cranberry Pie Ingredients:

  • 5 Cups Apples, peeled and cubed
  • 1 1/2 Cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup tapioca
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • a pinch of salt
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • Best pie crust: find the recipe here

How to make Apple Cranberry pie

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Place the cubed apples and cranberries into a large mixing bowl.

apples and cranberries

Add the sugar, tapioca, cinnamon and salt to the bowl. Mix until well coated.

pie filling ingredient
pie filling

Next prepare the crust. Press the bottom crust into the 9.5 inch Pyrex pie dish. Pour the fruit mixture into the pie dish. Top with slices of butter, then cover with the top crust.

apple cranberry pie filling in bottom crust

Slit the top crust a few times. Crimp the edges with the handle of a butter knife.

apple cranberry pie ready to bake

Cover the edges of the crust with foil.

Bake the pie for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes to brown the edges. Remove the pie from the oven and place it on a cooling rack.

Apple cranberry pie on a cooling rack

What kind of Apples are best for pie?

Any apple can be used for pies. I prefer McIntosh apples because they are soft and sweet.

Printable Recipe

Apple Cranberry PieDownload

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dessert Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

8 minutes

Preparing Time

30 minutes

Cooking Time

40 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 5 Cups Apples, peeled and cubed

  2. 1 1/2 Cups fresh cranberries

  3. 1 Cup Sugar

  4. 1/4 Cup tapioca

  5. 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  6. a pinch of salt

  7. 2 Tablespoons butter

  8. Best pie crust

DIRECTION

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the cubed apples and cranberries into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar, tapioca, cinnamon and salt to the bowl. Mix until well coated. Next prepare the crust. Press the bottom crust into the 9.5 inch Pyrex pie dish. Pour the fruit mixture into the pie dish. Top with slices of butter, then cover with the top crust. Slit the top crust a few times. Crimp the edges with the handle of a butter knife. Cover the edges of the crust with foil. Bake the pie for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes to brown the edges. Remove the pie from the oven and place it on a cooling rack.

NOTES

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

Categories
Healthy Recipes Recipes Sides Soups

Simple Creamy Coconut Curry Hubbard Squash Soup

Coconut Curry Hubbard Squash Soup

This Creamy Coconut Curry Hubbard squash soup is an easy and delicious. It is a great vegan option for the holidays and is also great for packed lunches. Protein packed and healthy! Note: If you can’t find Hubbard squash you can also use pumpkin puree.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

Tools needed to make coconut curry Hubbard squash soup:

Hubbard squash
Hubbard squash

Coconut Curry Hubbard Squash Soup Ingredients:

  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups vegetable stock – find a recipe to make your own here.
  • 1 15.5 ounce can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15.5 ounce can of Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 14 ounce cans of diced fire roasted tomatoes
  • 3 Cups of Hubbard squash puree – find the recipe here.
  • 1 Cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 2 Tablespoons curry powder
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

How to make Coconut Curry Hubbard Squash Soup

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven sauté the diced onion in the olive oil until softened. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for 1 minute.

Add the vegetable stock, beans, tomatoes, squash, and coconut milk. Stir until well combined and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes until warmed throughout. Add the seasonings and stir. Taste and add salt and fresh ground pepper if desired. Spoon into bowls, garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.

Hubbard squash soup

Can you use a different squash to make Hubbard Squash Soup?

Yes, if you can’t find Hubbard squash you can use butternut squash puree, or pumpkin puree. Find instructions for making pumpkin puree here. You can also use canned pumpkin puree, just make sure it is not sweetened or seasoned.

Printable Coconut Curry Hubbard Squash Recipe

Coconut Curry Hubbard Squash SoupDownload

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Soup Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

8 minutes

Preparing Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

20 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 1 large onion, diced

  2. 2 tablespoons olive oil

  3. 5 garlic cloves, minced

  4. 4 cups vegetable stock

  5. 1 15.5 ounce can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed

  6. 1 15.5 ounce can of Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

  7. 2 14 ounce cans of diced fire roasted tomatoes

  8. 3 Cups of Hubbard squash puree

  9. 1 Cup unsweetened coconut milk

  10. 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  11. 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  12. 1 teaspoon turmeric

  13. 2 Tablespoons curry powder

  14. 2 teaspoons chili powder

  15. Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

  16. Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

DIRECTION

  1. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven sauté the diced onion in the olive oil until softened. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for 1 minute. Add the vegetable stock, beans, tomatoes, squash, and coconut milk. Stir until well combined and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes until warmed throughout. Add the seasonings and stir. Taste and add salt and fresh ground pepper if desired. Spoon into bowls, garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.

NOTES

As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

Categories
Healthy Recipes Recipes Sides

Easy Roasted Whole Hubbard Squash

Hubbard squash
Hubbard squash

The easiest way to roast a Hubbard squash is to roast it whole. Hubbard squash is very hard and is very difficult to slice in half even with a high quality chef’s knife. Try this simple technique to bake you Hubbard squash whole.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

What is Hubbard squash

It is a fall squash with a grey exterior and orange interior. Although it is very ugly, it is often used for an autumn decoration. The exterior is very hard to slice which is why baking the whole squash is the preferred method. When blended into a puree it has a creamy texture that works well with soups. The texture is more comparable to a sweet potato than other autumn squashes.

Tools needed to bake Hubbard squash

  • pairing knife
  • parchment paper
  • sheet pan
  • large spoon
  • Immersion blender – to make hubber squash puree

Baked Hubbard squash ingredients:

One 6-8 pound Hubbard squash

Hubbard squash

How to roast a whole Hubbard squash:

Preheat you oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse you Hubbard squash. Use a pairing knife to cut 10-12 slits around your Hubbard squash. Place the whole squash on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

cut slits into Hubbard squash

Bake the squash for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Remove the squash from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes.

roasted Hubbard squash

Slice the squash in half. This will be very easy to do.

Roasted Hubbard quash sliced in half

Use a large spoon to remove the seeds.

remove the seeds from the squash

Once the seeds are removed you can begin scraping the flesh from the rind.

remove the flesh from the roasted Hubbard squash

Place the flesh in a large mixing bowl.

squash in a large bowl

How to make Hubbard squash puree

Most recipes call for Hubbard squash puree.

Use an immersion blender to blend the squash into a puree. Season and use as desired.

Hubbard squash puree

Can you freeze Hubbard Squash?

Yes you can freeze Hubbard squash. First roast the squash and puree the flesh. Allow the squash to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight. Place the squash in a freezer safe container, label and date it, then place in the freezer.

What can you make with Hubbard Squash?

Use Hubbard squash puree in soups, risottos and other tasty recipes.

As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualified purchases.

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