Smoking a turkey on a gas grill produces incredibly juicy, flavorful meat with a delicious smoky aroma and taste While smoking a turkey does require some time and effort, it is well worth it for the mouthwatering results. If you are wondering just how long you need to allot to smoke a turkey on your gas grill, read on for a detailed guide
Overview of Smoking a Turkey on a Gas Grill
Smoking a turkey on a gas grill involves cooking the turkey “low and slow” at a temperature between 225-275°F using indirect heat and generating smoke by adding wood chips. The general rule of thumb is to allow 30 minutes of smoking time per pound of turkey.
So for a 15 lb turkey you would need about 7-8 hours of smoking time at 225°F. It’s always smart to allot some extra time as a buffer.
Step-by-Step Process
Here is an overview of the basic process:
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Prep the turkey – thaw if frozen, remove giblets, rinse, pat dry, trim excess fat, apply rub/seasoning.
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Soak wood chips – usually 1-2 cups of chips, soaked for 30 minutes. Apple, cherry, hickory, and maple all work well.
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Set up grill for smoking – get grill to temperature of 225-275°F. Place soaked wood chips in a smoker box or foil pouch.
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Place turkey on grill grate, away from direct heat. Add drip pan underneath.
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Maintain temperature and smoke – add more wood chips every 45-60 minutes to maintain smoke. Monitor temperature.
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Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F in breast and 175°F in thighs.
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Rest turkey for 15-20 minutes before carving.
Time Per Pound Guidelines
As a general guideline, you should calculate around 30 minutes of smoking time per pound of turkey at 225-250°F.
So for a:
- 10 lb turkey – allow about 5 hours
- 12 lb turkey – allow about 6 hours
- 15 lb turkey – plan on 7-8 hours
- 18 lb turkey – you’ll need 9+ hours
- 20 lb turkey – estimate 10-11 hours
At a slightly higher temp of 275°F, you can decrease the time slightly to around 25 minutes per pound. But keeping the temp lower results in more tender, juicy meat.
It’s always smart to give yourself some extra cushion of 30-60 minutes in case your turkey cooks slower than expected. Slow and low is key for the best results. Rushing it leads to dry, overcooked meat.
Factors That Affect Cook Time
There are a few factors that can influence just how long your turkey takes to smoke:
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Turkey size – The main determinant is the size and weight of your turkey. A small 10 lb turkey will cook much faster than a 20 lb beast.
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Temperature – Cooking at a lower temp of 225°F will take longer than 275°F. But lower temps are recommended.
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Brining – A brined turkey may cook slightly faster than an unbrined one. The extra moisture helps it cook quicker.
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Stuffing – An unstuffed turkey often cooks more evenly and may be faster. A stuffed turkey takes longer.
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Wind/weather – Windy conditions can cool your grill temp and slow the cooking. Cold ambient temps can also extend the time needed.
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Grill type – Some grills hold heat better than others. A heavy duty grill will maintain temperature well.
Tips for Getting Perfectly Smoked Turkey
Follow these tips for smoking turkey success:
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Brine your turkey for added moisture and flavor. A saltwater brine works well.
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Use an instant read thermometer to monitor the internal temperature in multiple spots. Remove from grill when it reaches 165°F at breasts, 175°F at thighs.
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Resist the urge to peek under the lid too frequently, which can lower the temperature. Only lift the lid when necessary.
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Add a foil tent if the breast or wings start to get too dark. This prevents burning.
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Maintain your temperature consistently around 225-250°F. Avoid temperature flare ups.
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Let your smoked turkey rest for 15-20 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
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Store leftovers properly in the fridge or freezer and reheat gently to prevent drying out.
Is the Time and Effort Worth It?
Smoking a turkey does require you to babysit your grill for several hours, refilling the smoke chips regularly. So while it takes more active time and planning than roasting a turkey in the oven, most pitmasters agree the juicy, smoky reward is well worth the effort.
If you start your turkey early in the day, the long cook time isn’t too much of an inconvenience. Sit back, enjoy the smoky aroma, and look forward to an unforgettable feast!
So don’t be intimidated by the time required. Smoking a turkey on your gas grill results in incredibly moist, tender meat with a wonderful smoky flavor your guests will rave about.
Steps to Make It
- Gather the ingredients.
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The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi - In a large saucepan, mix the brown sugar, apple juice, and salt together. Bring to a boil over high heat and stir it around a few times to break up the sugar and salt. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Remove and throw away any foam that forms on top. Allow to cool completely. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- The apple juice mixture should be mixed with water, oranges, ginger, cloves, bay leaves, and garlic in a large stockpot (5 gallon or larger). The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Get rid of any extra fat that you find on the turkey and everything inside the body. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Put the turkey in the brine mixture and set it aside for 24 hours. Make sure that the turkey remains completely submerged. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Put the hickory chips in water and let them soak for twenty to thirty minutes. Take out one cup of the chips from the water and put them in a foil packet. Make 15 to 20 holes in all sides of the package. Remove the grill grates. Set up your grill so that it can cook food indirectly over medium heat (about 325 F/165 C). Place the foil package on the grill’s direct-heat side. Replace the grill grates. Close the lid and heat the grill until the foil packet starts to smoke. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Take the turkey out of the brine and pat it dry with paper towels. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Hold the legs together with kitchen twine, and brush vegetable oil all over the turkey. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Set the turkey on a rack inside a foil pan to roast. Place the turkey on the grill’s side that doesn’t have direct heat. Cover the grill. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Wrap the wings in foil after 30 to 40 minutes to keep them from burning. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Brush with vegetable oil periodically. Put foil over the breasts if they get too brown. Every two hours, switch out the old foil packet for a new one that has one cup of the soaked hickory chips inside. Make 15 to 20 holes in the new package all the way around. Keep the old foil packets in a heat-safe container until the fires are out completely. Then, throw them away safely. The smoked turkey is done when the temperature inside the thigh reaches about 170 F/80 C and the temperature inside the breast reaches about 155 F/75 C. Keep in mind that the turkey’s temperature will rise another 10 to 15 degrees while it rests. It will take about 12 to 14 minutes per pound. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Take the meat off the grill when it’s done and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Carve and serve.
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The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi
- While you cook the turkey, keep an eye on how hot the grill is. Gas grills are simple to control, but a charcoal grill will need a little more care. You can keep the temperature around 325 F by either opening the grill vents more to raise the temperature or closing them more to lower it. You should never shut off the bottom grill vent all the way, though, or the charcoal could go out.
- Adding 8 charcoal briquettes to a charcoal grill every hour is a good idea. If you don’t, the charcoal will run out before the turkey is done cooking.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat turkey gently, covered with foil in a 325 F oven until just heated through. If you don’t want to risk drying out the meat, you can also slice leftover turkey very thinly, put it on warmed plates, and pour piping hot gravy over top to reheat it.
Use leftover turkey on sandwiches, in soups, or in casseroles.
How to Smoke a Turkey on a Gas Grill
FAQ
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
How long to smoke a 10 lb turkey?
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Weight
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Cook Time
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8-12 lbs.
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4-8 hrs.
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12-18 lbs.
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6-10 hrs.
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Should you smoke turkey in foil when smoking?
Can you smoke a turkey on a Weber gas grill?
How long to cook a Turkey on a gas grill?
The cooking time for a turkey on a gas grill will vary depending on the size of the turkey, the temperature of the grill, and the desired degree of doneness. For a general guideline, plan on cooking a turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, a 10-pound turkey will take about 3 hours to cook.
How long do you cook a Turkey in a smoker?
Pre-heat the smoker to 225 degrees F and set up for indirect heat. Load the smoker with your wood of choice and a drip pan full of water. Transfer the turkey to a pre-heated grill. Cook for 30 minutes per pound at 225 degrees F, spritzing with the broth every 45-60 minutes. When spritzing, check the drip pan to see if more water needs to be added.
What temperature do you smoke a Turkey on a gas grill?
If you’re opting to use a manual smoker or gas grill, aim to keep it between 225 – 250 degrees F. No matter what method you use, make sure the smoke coming off the grill is thin and has a light blue tint. Turkey – The turkey should be 100% defrosted and weight under 15 pounds. Smoking Wood – Chunks, chips or pellets.
How do you cook a Turkey on a grill?
Put a drip pan on the flavorizer bars with 2-3 liters of water under where the turkey will go. If you plan on using the drippings in a gravy then only use 1 liter of water. Set-up the grill for indirect heat, meaning that the turkey will not be directly over a lit burner. Preheat your grill for 10-15 minutes before adding your turkey.
How do you smoke a Turkey on a grill?
Make sure you have a drip pan at the ready to catch the drippings as well as keep your smoker environment moist. I use an aluminum pan that I can position on the grill underneath my turkey. Fill the pan with several cups of water at the beginning of the smoke.
Can you smoke a Turkey on a gas grill?
Yes, you can smoke an entire turkey using your gas grill. Smoked turkey is delicious and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Just smoking a turkey on a gas grill is possible.