Step 1

In a very large container, combine water, salt and sugar. Whisk until the salt & sugar dissolve. Set the turkey breast in the water (add more water, if needed, to completely submergand refrigerate 8-12 hours.

Step 2

Remove the turkey from the fridge 45 minutes before cooking, and pat it dry (inside & ouwith paper towels.

Step 3

In a small mixing bowl, combine butter, garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, mustard, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.

Step 4

Using your fingers, carefully separate the skin from the breast from the meat underneath.

Step 5

Spread 3 tablespoons herb butter under the skin of each breast and the remaining 3 tablespoons butter over the outside of the breasts. Use 2-3 toothpicks per breast to secure the skin to the breast (along the edge of the breast). Securing the skin with toothpicks prevents the skin from shrinking during cooking.

Step 6

Soak the wood chunks or chips in water for 30 minutes while waiting for the coals to heat. If using wood chips, after soaking them, place them in a packet made with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Cut 3-4 slits into the top for the smoke to vent.

Step 7

Open the bottom vent all the way. Light the coals using 2 paraffin wax cubes set in a good, level base of lump charcoal. Leave the lid open until the fire is burning and the coals get hot.

Step 8

Close the bottom vent to about a 1-inch opening and close the top vent almost all the way. The top vent will need additional adjustments to keep the temperature at 225°F.

Step 9

Set the wood chunks on top of the coals and place the heat deflector plate, feet-side up, over the coals.

Step 10

Set the aluminum foil pan in the middle of the deflector plate and add 2 cups water and 2 cups apple juice or cider (most fruit juices will worto the pan.

Step 11

Set the cooking grate in-place and close the lid.

Step 12

Bring the internal temperature to 225°F, open the lid and clean and oil the grate.

Step 13

Set the turkey on the grate, close the lid and cook the turkey at 225°F for 2 hours. (Adjust the top vent as needed to keep the temperature at 225°F.)

Step 14

After 2 hours, check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast and continue cooking, adjusting the top vent as needed.

Step 15

As the internal temperature of the turkey gets closer to 163°F, check its internal temperature more often.

Step 16

Turkey breast takes about 35-45 minutes per pound when cooking at 225°F, so a 6-pound breast could take 2-3½ hours to cook at 225°F.

Step 17

The turkey is done when its internal temperature registers 162°F-163°F on an instant-read thermometer. The skin should be amber colored and beautiful.

Step 18

Thirty minutes before cooking the turkey, open the bottom vent of the grill halfway and place the foil pan in the center of the bottom grill and pour in 2 cups water and 2 cups apple juice or cider.

Step 19

Fill a charcoal chimney with charcoal and light it from the bottom. The coals are ready when the top coals are partially covered with ash, about 20-30 minutes.

Step 20

Pour half the coals along one side of the foil pan and the other half along the other side.

Step 21

Place the wood chunks/or foil packet of wood chips on top of one side of the coals.

Step 22

Set the cooking grate in place, close the lid and open the lid vent halfway. Heat the grill 5 minutes, then clean and oil the grate.

Step 23

Place the turkey, skin side up, over the foil pan in the center of the grill.

Step 24

Cover the grill (with the lid vent positioned over the turkeand cook 1½-2½ hours (keep the internal temperature of the grill between 325°F-350°F). The turkey is done when the internal temperature of the turkey registers 162°F-163°F on an instant-read thermometer. The skin should be amber colored and beautiful.

Step 25

Remove the top cooking grate and place the foil packet of wood chips on the primary burner. Replace the cooking grate and turn all burners to high. Cover the grill and heat until hot and the wood chips are smoking. This should take about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and adjust burners, as needed, to keep the grill’s internal temperature between 325°F-350°The total cooking time could be 1½-2½ hours.

Step 26

The turkey is done when the internal temperature of the turkey registers 162°F-163°F on an instant-read thermometer. The skin should be amber colored and beautiful.

Step 27

When the internal temperature reads 162°F-163°F, transfer the turkey to a cutting board, tent with foil, and allow it to rest 20-25 minutes before slicing.

Step 28

Carve and serve.

Step 29

Enjoy!