How Long to Smoke a Turkey on a Traeger Pellet Grill

Smoking a turkey on a Traeger pellet grill is a great way to enjoy moist, flavorful meat with crispy skin for Thanksgiving or any special occasion But knowing how long to smoke a turkey is key to perfect results

The time needed to smoke a turkey depends on a few factors

Turkey Weight

• Smaller birds smoke faster. A 12 lb turkey may smoke for 6-8 hours while a 20 lb turkey may need 8-10 hours.

Grill Temperature

• Using a higher temp (325°F+) towards the end will speed up cooking time. Lower and slower 225°F smoking will take longer.

Pellet Grill Model

• Different Traeger grills have varying abilities to maintain steady heat which impacts cook times.

By understanding how these factors impact your Traeger turkey smoke time, you can learn to estimate cook times and turn out amazing wood-fired turkey every holiday.

How Long to Smoke a Turkey by Weight

The most important factor determining Traeger turkey cook time is the size and weight of your bird.

Here are general time estimates:

• 12-14 lb turkey: Approx. 6-8 hours
• 16-18 lb turkey: Approx. 8-10 hours
• 20-22 lb turkey: Approx. 9-11 hours

As a general rule, estimate 30-40 minutes of smoking time per pound at 225°F.

So for a 14 lb turkey, estimate 14 x 30 minutes = 420 minutes (7 hours).

For a 20 lb turkey, estimate 20 x 40 minutes = 800 minutes (13 hours).

These time ranges account for differences in grill temp, weather, and other variables. Better to plan for longer cook times and finish early if possible.

Note: Very large turkeys over 22 lbs are not recommended for smoking whole due to uneven cooking. Stick to smaller birds or split the breast and legs.

Monitoring Internal Temperature

Rather than obsessing over exact cook times, it’s best to monitor internal temp to determine when your smoked turkey is finished.

Use a leave-in meat thermometer and check the temp in the thickest part of the breast without touching bone.

Target internal temp: 165°F

This guarantees the meat is fully cooked and safe to eat. Let rest 20 minutes before carving.

If using a wireless thermometer like the MEATER Plus, you can monitor the temp remotely without having to open the grill lid repeatedly. Very handy!

Traeger Grill Cooking Temp for Turkey

The temperature you set your Traeger grill to will impact overall cook time.

There are two temperature approaches:

1. Low and Slow (225°F)

The traditional smoking method is to use a lower temp like 225°F for the entire cook. This results in thorough smoking flavor but takes more time.

2. High Heat Finish (325°F+)

An alternative is to start low at 225°F to get smoke flavor for a few hours, then increase to 325°F+ to finish cooking faster.

The high heat helps render fat and crisps the skin. But you may sacrifice a bit of moisture.

Both methods work. Just account for the temp differences in your cook time.

And make sure to use a meat thermometer for guaranteed doneness either way.

Pellet Grill Model Cooking Ability

Not all Traeger grills are equal when it comes to maintaining steady temperatures. Higher-end Traeger models with features like TRU Convection tend to recover heat faster and hold a consistent temp better.

For example, the Timberline 1300 pellet grill recovers rapidly after opening the lid. So your target smoking temp will be held steadily.

Entry-level grills may struggle to return to temp as quickly. Opening the lid repeatedly on a smaller or older Traeger model will increase cook time.

That means the same 14 lb turkey may smoke faster in a Timberline 850 than a Pro Series 22.

Weather and Ambient Temperature

Cooking on a Traeger in cold weather versus hot will also impact cook times.

Colder ambient temps could add 1-2 hours to your turkey smoke. The grill needs to work harder to reach and maintain temperature.

That’s why it’s smart to overestimate smoking times based on weather in your area.

A few degrees difference in outside temp doesn’t make a huge difference. But cold winter days vs. warm fall afternoons can extend cook time.

Elevation Impacts Cook Time

Higher elevation will increase the time needed to smoke meat on a Traeger pellet grill.

At higher elevation, air pressure is lower so water evaporates faster. This causes food to cook more slowly.

As a general guideline, add 5% cook time for every 1000 feet of elevation above 2000 feet.

For example, at 5000 ft elevation, plan for 15% longer cooking time for turkey vs. sea level.

Should You Wrap Turkey While Smoking?

Wrapping the turkey breast in foil or butcher paper partway through smoking will speed up cook time.

Once the turkey hits an internal temp of 150°F or after a few hours of smoke exposure, you can wrap it to power through the stall.

Wrapping traps heat and steam to accelerate cooking. Just make sure to unwrap and crisp the skin at the end.

Tricks to Reduce Turkey Smoke Time

If you’re pressed for time, here are some turkey smoking shortcuts:

• Spatchcock or spilt – Halves cook time by increasing surface area.

• Higher temp (325°F+) – After initial smoke, increase heat to finish faster.

• Inject marinade – Helps meat cook quicker from the inside.

• Turkey breast only – Cooks much faster than a whole bird.

• Meat tenderizer – Enzymes weaken protein bonds so meat cooks quicker.

• Wrap in foil/paper – Traps heat to shorten time in the danger zone.

• Cook stuffing separately – Avoid extending cook time for inside stuffing safety.

How Long to Smoke Turkey Parts

Besides whole turkeys, smoking turkey parts is a great way to cut down on cook time while still enjoying wood-fired flavor.

Here are estimates:

• Boneless turkey breast (5 lbs): 2.5 – 3 hours
• Bone-in turkey breast (7 lbs): 3.5 – 4 hours
• Turkey drumsticks (2 lbs): 2.5 – 3 hours
• Boneless turkey thighs (2 lbs) : 1.5 – 2 hours
• Bone-in turkey thighs (2.5 lbs): 2 – 2.5 hours

A boneless turkey breast is a go-to because it cooks relatively quickly.

For even shorter cook times, turkey thighs and drumsticks let you enjoy smoked turkey flavor in under 3 hours.

Doneness: How to Tell When Turkey is Fully Smoked

Relying on cook times alone is tricky. The best way to test doneness is by:

• Temp – Breast should reach 165°F minimum. Thighs 175°F.

• Color – Meat darkens and skin browns when fully cooked.

• Texture – Meat firming up and shrinking from bones indicates doneness.

• Juices – Clear juices running from pierced meat rather than pink.

Use all these signs together to determine when your Traeger smoked turkey is ready to carve and serve.

Mastering the Art of Traeger Turkey

When using a Traeger grill to smoke a turkey, allow ample time based on the size of your bird and grill temp. Monitor internal temperature, not just time, to nail the perfect finish.

Smaller birds and turkey parts require less time if you’re in a pinch. And you can always speed up cook times by spatchcocking, using higher heat, and other tricks.

With Traeger’s wood-fired flavors, your holiday turkey is sure to be a hit no matter how long it takes to smoke.

So relax and let your pellet grill work its magic. Enjoy the aromas wafting from your smoker and anticipate the amazing meal ahead. Your patience will be rewarded with the best smoked turkey ever!

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