When it comes to how long to cook a turkey, you don’t want to play guessing games.
If your Traeger turkey cook time is too short, you’ll end up with an undercooked bird that could make your loved ones sick. If you cook your bird for too long, you’ll recreate the famous dry turkey scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. There’s not enough gravy in the world to fix that!
Unfortunately, the answer to “How long does it take to cook a turkey?” doesn’t have a quick answer. Your timing is going to depend on several factors, including weight, stuffing, and cooking methods. But don’t worry because we’ve rounded up all the answers you need for a crash course in cook times that’ll help you make sure the bird comes out picture-perfect on Turkey Day.
Smoking a 20 pound turkey can seem daunting, but with the right temperature and some patience, you can have juicy, smoky perfection. In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to smoke a turkey up to 20 pounds.
Why Temperature Matters
Temperature is crucial when smoking a turkey for two main reasons
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Food Safety – Poultry needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to eliminate bacteria and pathogens. Smoking at too low of a temp could leave the bird in the “danger zone” between 40-140°F for too long, allowing bacteria to grow.
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Texture – Higher heat helps render fat and crisp the skin Lower heat may result in flabby skin and uneven cooking
Recommended Smoker Temperatures
225°F – The lowest temperature I recommend for smoking a turkey this size. Cooking time will be 40-45 minutes per pound. While safe, the bird may not brown or crisp as nicely.
250°F – Better for getting crispy skin and tender meat. Cook time will be 30-35 minutes per pound. My minimum recommendation.
275-300°F – The ideal temperature range for the best texture. Skin gets crispy and meat stays juicy. Cooks in 25-30 minutes per pound.
325°F – Hot and fast, but may dry out meat. Cooks in about 20-25 minutes per pound. Higher risk of burning/overcooking.
Smoking Times for a 20 Pound Turkey
Based on the recommended temperatures, approximate smoking times for a 20 pound turkey are:
- 225°F – 12-13.5 hours
- 250°F – 10-11.5 hours
- 275°F – 8.5-10 hours
- 300°F – 8-9 hours
- 325°F – 6.5-8 hours
Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness rather than relying solely on time.
Tips for Smoking a Big Bird
Here are some tips to ensure success when smoking a 20 pound turkey:
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Brine the Bird – Brining makes the meat juicier and more flavorful. Use a simple brine of 1 cup kosher salt per 1 gallon of water.
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Dry Brine – For a quick brine, dry brine by rubbing the turkey with salt a day in advance.
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Spatchcock – Cutting out the backbone and flattening the bird speeds cooking. Figure 15 minutes per pound at 250°F.
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Cook Breast Side Down – This protects the lean breast meat from drying out. Flip over towards the end for crispy skin.
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Maintain Temperature – Keep an eye on the smoker temp, as a big bird can lower it when first put on.
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Use a Thermometer – Invest in a good digital meat thermometer with a probe to monitor doneness.
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Let It Rest – Never slice straight from the smoker. Let rest 20-30 minutes for juices to redistribute.
Smoking a 20 pound turkey requires patience and a target temperature between 250-300°F for the best results. With some simple prep tips, you can have a juicy, flavorful bird with crispy skin in about 8-10 hours at 275°F. Always use a meat thermometer rather than time to determine doneness. Letting your turkey rest before carving is also crucial. Follow this guide for smoky turkey perfection!
What Is the Best Temperature to Cook a Turkey?
To Roast: The best temperature to cook a turkey is 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This consistent temperature will cook the interior of the bird while the outside crisps nicely. At higher temperatures, the exterior of the bird can start to burn before the interior is cooked.
To Smoke: One very low-and-slow method of cooking a turkey is smoking. If you make smoked turkey, cooking at 225 to 275 degrees Fahrenheit for the start of the cook will deliver the best results.
You can monitor your turkeys internal temperature through an internal meat thermometer like a MEATER.
How Long To Cook a 20-Pound Turkey at 325 Degrees?
If you’re cooking a 20-pound turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit, you should plan for a cooking time from 4 ½ hours to 4 ¾ hours. The exact length of time you’ll need to cook your bird depends on whether it’s stuffed, though.
An unstuffed 20-pound turkey will naturally cook faster, so it will take around 4 ½ hours. By stuffing your bird, you’re adding that extra 15 minutes onto your wait for a cooking time of closer to 4 ¾ hours.
To be clear, these cooking times are approximate, and they’ll vary a little bit based on your cooking method. That’s why you should always use a food thermometer and check the internal temperature of your turkey before calling time. Its best to plan an hour of extra cooking time into your day, just in case.
For turkey, the USDA recommends an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing, and the thickest part of the turkey breast. Hit that temp, and your bird is properly roasted.
AWESOME Smoked Turkey Recipe For Beginners!
FAQ
What temperature should I smoke a 20lb turkey?
smoking the turkey. I smoke turkeys at temps between 275-300 degrees. Higher temps make for a better bird.
Is it better to smoke turkey at 225 or 325?
325-350. It’s not a low and slow like a brisket or pork shoulder. Poultry soaks up the smoke flavor so you run the risk of having way too much smoke flavor if you go 225. Also 225 will never give you crispy skin.
Can you pull turkey off a smoker at 155?
Smoked turkey breast temperature
In fact, skinless turkey breast reaches the same kill-off at only 157°F (69°C) in only 47.9 seconds. It will have the same safety at 155°F (68°C) in 1.2 minutes!
How long to cook a 20 lb turkey on a pellet smoker?
Place the turkey on the smoker and smoke for 6 hours or about 30 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F for the breast and …Oct 18, 2024
How long to smoke a 20 pound turkey?
At a temperature of 275°F, the cooking timescale is 30 – 35 minutes per pound. You have a 20-pound turkey and are smoking at the ideal temp of 275°F. 20 x 35 = 10 hours at this consistent temperature. Can I Smoke At Other Cooking Temperatures? Below are some other temperatures that are fine for smoking a turkey.
What temperature should a Turkey be smoked at?
Setting the temperature to 225 or 250 degrees ensures that you’ll have plenty of time before the turkey is ready to be taken off the heat. Since opening the smoker will cause the temperature to drop, it’s a good idea to let it do its work undisturbed. Smoking the turkey overnight is an excellent way to do this.
Should you smoke a Turkey?
Smoking a turkey is a delicious and flavorful way to prepare the bird for holiday gatherings or special occasions. However, it’s important to pay attention to the cooking time and temperature to ensure that the turkey is cooked to perfection.
What temp is a smoked turkey breast cooked to?
According to the USDA, all parts of a turkey, including the breast, have to reach a minimum temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before it is considered safe to eat. If the turkey was smoked at around the 300 degree range, remove the breast from the smoke when it reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you smoke a turkey overnight?
Since opening the smoker will cause the temperature to drop, it’s a good idea to let it do its work undisturbed. Smoking the turkey overnight is an excellent way to do this. To take advantage of this method, put the turkey in the smoker before you retire for the evening. Make note of the time, then set an alarm for no more than 10 hours later.
How long does it take to smoke a 20 lb bird?
Tie legs together with kitchen string and tuck wing tips under body. This helps ensure even cooking. While 10-12 hours is typical for a 20 lb bird at 225-250°F, cooking time can vary based on smoker temp. Here are some general time estimates: Lower temperature = longer smoking time. Higher temperature = shorter smoking time.