Dr. BBQ's Sherry Butter Turkey

Dr. BBQ-Big Time Barbecue Book - Click photo to purchase onlineDr. BBQ's Sherry Butter Turkey

Ingredients:
- 2 cups sherry (no need to buy tops shelf, but buy something you could also have a glass of - don't buy cooking sherry.)
- 2 cups melted butter
- 1 turkey (18 pounds)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 red apple, chopped, skin left on
- 1 medium onion

The night before you plan to cook, mix 1 cup of sherry with 1 cup of melted butter. Inject this with a syringe evenly all throughout the turkey. Put the turkey in a covered container in the refrigerator.

One-half hour before you plan to begin cooking, take the turkey out of the refrigerator.

Prepare the grill for indirect cooking at 325ºF, using apple wood for flavor, if desired.

Sprinkle the turkey liberally wit salt and pepper both inside and out. Put chopped apple and onion in the turkey's cavity. Tuck the wings underneath and tie the legs together with string.

Place turkey on the grate away from teh heat source and cook for 1 hour.

Remove the turkey to a platter. Inject the turkey again with the rest of the sherry mixed with the rest of the butter. Return turkey to the grill and continue cooking until the thighs reach an internal temperature of 180ºF and the breast reaches an internal temperature of 160ºF. This should take an additional 1.5 to 2 hours.
Remove the turkey to a platter and tent loosely with foil. let it rest for 20 minutes. Carve and serve.
Yields 12-16 servings.