Sort ingredients
rel1028
QR Code
Listen
Pdf
Add 1 cup of salt to 1 gallon of cold water
Stir until the salt is dissolved
Add 1 cup of brown sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.
Rinse cornish hens under cold water
Place birds in food safe container such as a bowl or zip top bag
Pour brine over birds to cover
Place brining container with cornish hens into fridge for 1.5 hours
When brining time is elapsed, rinse birds under cold water
Pat dry with paper towel
Apply mayonnaise liberally to cornish hens
Sprinkle rub on top, bottom and sides of chickens
Set up smoker for cooking at 230 to 260°F. If you can maintain the higher temperature, the hens will only take about 1.5 hours. At the lower end, they will take about 2 hours.
Once smoker is ready, place birds on smoker grate breast side down
Continue cooking until they reach 165°F as read by a digital meat thermometer.
Remove the chickens from the grate when they are done and place one cornish hen on each person's plate with sides.