How to Cook Jamaican Jerk Turkey

Wha gwon mon?
We're Going to show you how to cook a turkey - Authentic Jamaican Jerk Style. 
When you are done, it should look like this picture and it will be Juicy, spicy and the aroma will make your mouth water :) 
What makes this authentic, is the use of Pimento Wood and leaves. These are from the Pimento Tree -(Jamaican Allspice Tree)

Step 1-
Marinate your bird. Find your favorite jerk marinade sauce or recipe. We recomend "SPUR TREE JERK SEASONING" 
you can order it by clicking here:  Order Spur Tree
Or, here's a link to my personal recipe: Secret Jerk Recipe

 Rub the bird inside and out. If you want to inject the bird, You can add a bit of soya sauce to thin it. Try to get a good amount of marinade under the skin.

Cover and refrigerate at least overnight or up to 24 hours

Both charcoal and gas grills will work just fine.

Soak the Pimento Leaves in water.
Pimento Leaf is the Leaf from the Jamaican Allspice Tree. It carries the essential oils of the tree and has an abundance of flavor. They are similar in strength to Bay Leaves. In fact, pimento leaves are a great substitution for, and tastes much better than bay leaf.

Soak Pimento Wood Sticks in water.
Cooking on top of pimento wood is an ancient method of cooking and flavoring. The theory goes:
Meat cooks on wood,
meat heats up,
juices drip down onto wood,
wood heats up,
juices / drips evaporate along with wood flavor  
Flavors rises back up into meat

This is similar to the modern style of  "Plank Grilling"  - Pimento Wood Planks can be used instead of the sticks

Prepare your grill for In-Direct or Offset Cooking:
The heat on one side of grill and the food on the other. If you have a gas grill, turn off burners on one side. See Picture.
This style allows you to cook "Low and Slow" = lower temperature for a longer period of time allows for absorbing more smoke and yields a moister meat.

Wrap the wood chips tightly in foil and poke small holes in foil. 
The holes should be big enough to let smoke escape but not so big as to let air in to cause fire.

Directly on coals or  directly above gas burner. Or, You cn use a smoker box if you have one.

Place a bed of leaves on the Non Heat side of the grill

PLace soaked sticks on top of leaves to form a wooden cooking grate.

Place the marinated turkey on top of the Pimento wood sticks. You can use a wire grate underneath turkey for ease of moving and turning later.

Place a shallow water pan with a few more Pimento leaves directly above the heat. This will add a flavorful steam for cooking and keeping the meat moist,  plus, the added  moisture helps to regulate the temp of the grill.  Try to keep the pan from drying out during the cook. 

Let er smoke : Cook  at 250 -  275 about 30 Min per pound. 

After about 2 hours, add another package of soaked Pimento Wood Chips. Rotate the bird clockwise every hour or so.

Baste with your favorite liquid - I love to use red stripe beer.

Use a meat thermometer. Check the temp in the thigh nearest to breast. Turkey is done @ 165 degrees. 

I serve with peas and rice and hard dough bread. Enjoy the feast !
Ye Mon 
Irie