This delicious Traeger Smoked Turkey with stuffing is incredibly juicy and flavorful! It’s the best way to make your Thanksgiving turkey with only 15 minutes of prep, and the result is moist, tender meat from a flavorful turkey stuffed with delicious apple stuffing and crispy, crunchy candied pecans.
Imagine the scene, right out of a Dickens novel: your guests gather around the table, eyes widening as you unveil a masterpiece – a flawless smoked turkey, its skin glistening with a deep mahogany hue. But the real showstopper? The aroma of candied pecans and apples from the perfectly cooked stuffing – promising a smoked turkey that knocks the classics out of the park.
We’ve combined the time-honored tradition of smoking with a stuffing with the simplicity of a pellet smoker. What you get is a turkey that’s moist and flavorful, with a stuffing so good, you’ll be tempted to make it year-round.
Smoking a stuffed turkey is a great way to add delicious flavor to your holiday bird. When smoked correctly the turkey emerges juicy, tender and infused with a lovely smoky aroma. However, smoking a stuffed turkey does require some special considerations regarding cook times. Here’s what you need to know about how long to smoke a stuffed turkey for the best results.
Average Cook Times
The general rule of thumb for smoking an unstuffed turkey is about 30 minutes per pound at a temperature between 220-275°F. So a typical 12-14 lb turkey would take 6-7 hours to smoke without stuffing.
When stuffing is added, plan to add about 30-60 minutes of additional cook time. The extra thermal mass from the stuffing means the turkey will take a bit longer to come up to temperature.
So for a 12 lb stuffed turkey, expect around 8 hours of total smoke time, give or take. For a 14 lb bird, plan on 8-9 hours Monitor the temperature and use a meat thermometer to determine doneness rather than relying solely on cook times
Factors That Affect Cook Time
Several factors can increase or decrease the amount of time needed to smoke a stuffed turkey:
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Turkey size – Smaller birds cook faster than larger ones. An 18 lb turkey could need up to 10-11 hours of smoke time.
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Meat temperature – Ensure turkey is fully thawed before smoking. Frozen or partially frozen turkey will require longer cook time.
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Ambient temperature – If smoking in very cold weather, it may take longer for turkey to come to temperature.
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Smoker temperature – Keep smoker temp steady between 220-275°F for best results. Higher heat will decrease cook time.
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Stuffing ingredients – Dense, thick stuffings with a lot of bulk take longer to heat than lighter stuffings.
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Smoke absorption – The more smoke flavor desired, the longer the cook time.
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Stuffing location – Turkeys stuffed under the skin cook faster than cavity-stuffed.
Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures
It’s critical to smoke the stuffed turkey to proper doneness, as determined by safe minimum internal temperatures:
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165°F – The minimum safe temperature for stuffed poultry according to USDA guidelines. The center of the stuffing and thickest part of breast and thighs must reach 165°F.
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170-175°F – For optimum quality, smoke stuffed turkey to 170-175°F in breast and 175°F in thighs. The stuffing should register at least 165°F.
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185°F – The thigh joint area takes longest to come up to temperature. Check for 185°F in innermost joint area.
Use a good digital meat thermometer to check multiple areas. Temperatures can vary in different parts of the bird. Rest turkey for 20-30 minutes before carving.
Tips for Smoking Success
Follow these tips when smoking a stuffed turkey for best results:
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Use an instant-read thermometer to monitor temps. Check in multiple areas.
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Maintain steady, even heat in the smoker between 220-275°F.
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Brine turkey first for added moisture and flavor.
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Choose a lighter, drier stuffing rather than heavy, soggy stuffing.
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Smoke stuffed turkey breast-side up to protect stuffing from direct heat.
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Tent turkey with foil if browning too quickly or drying out.
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Allow turkey to rest before carving so juices redistribute evenly.
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Cook any leftover stuffing to 165°F before serving.
Step-By-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step overview of the stuffed smoked turkey process:
1. Thaw – Ensure turkey is completely thawed before smoking. This prevents food safety issues and decreases overall cook time.
2. Brine (optional) – Soaking turkey in a saltwater brine imparts moisture and seasons the meat. Brine 12-24 hours.
3. Prepare stuffing – Mix your favorite stuffing recipe. Cook sausage, onions, etc before stuffing turkey.
4. Stuff turkey – Fill neck and body cavities loosely. Don’t overpack. Secure openings with skewers.
5. Prep smoker – Set up smoker for indirect heat, with water pan. Target temp of 240-260°F. Add wood chunks.
6. Smoke turkey – Place turkey breast up on middle rack. Expect approx 30 min per lb, plus 30-60 min for stuffing.
7. Check temp – Insert instant read thermometer in breast, thighs and stuffing. Cook to 170°F breast, 175°F thighs, 165°F stuffing.
8. Rest and serve – Allow turkey to rest 20-30 minutes before carving for juiciest results. Enjoy your smoked masterpiece!
With some simple planning, you can master smoking a moist, delicious stuffed turkey. For a 12-14 lb bird, expect around 8-9 hours at 220-275°F. Monitor internal temperatures and allow for carryover cooking during rest time. Maintaining proper heat and using a thermometer are keys for success. With the right technique, your smoked stuffed turkey will become a new holiday tradition.
Best pellets for smoking turkey
When it comes to the best wood for smoking turkey, we love B&B Pecan Pellets or Jack Daniel’s Charcoal pellets for a perfect smoke flavor.
MAKE THE CANDIED PECANS
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then toast the pecans until fragrant, stirring as needed.
- Combine the water, brown sugar, and creole seasoning in a small bowl.
- Remove the pecans from the heat and quickly pour the brown sugar mixture over them. Toss to coat.
- Pour the coated pecans onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet to cool.
Stuffed Smoked Turkey
FAQ
How long to smoke a stuffed turkey at 225 degrees?
How Long to Smoke a Turkey. A good rule of thumb is that smoking a turkey typically takes about 30-40 minutes per pound at a temperature of 225°F to 250°F.
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
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Cooking time:At 250°F, a turkey will cook faster than at 225°F, which can be beneficial if you want a quicker cook time.
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Skin crispness:Higher temperatures like 250°F may help achieve crispier turkey skin compared to a lower temperature like 225°F.
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Smoke flavor:While both temperatures can infuse smoke flavor, a lower temperature like 225°F may result in a more intensely smoky turkey.
How long to smoke a 15 lb turkey?
- At 225°F, it takes about 30 minutes per pound
- At 250°F–275°F, you can smoke a turkey faster
How do you keep a turkey moist when smoking?
Dry-brining the bird by rubbing it with salt (or a spice rub that includes salt) and letting it sit in the fridge for a few nights in order to allow the salt to work its way into the meat and loosen up its muscle structure, thus keeping it juicy as it cooks.
How long do you smoke a Turkey in a smoker?
Set the smoker to 225° F. Place the turkey on a cooking rack and cook for 8 to 12 hours or until the inner thigh temperature reaches 180° F. Check the temperature of your turkey after 3½ hours. Your turkey must pass through a critical range of 40° F to 140° F in 4 hours or less. Can you stuff a turkey and then smoke it?
How long does it take to smoke a stuffed turkey?
So for a 12 lb stuffed turkey, expect around 8 hours of total smoke time, give or take For a 14 lb bird, plan on 8-9 hours Monitor the temperature and use a meat thermometer to determine doneness rather than relying solely on cook times. Several factors can increase or decrease the amount of time needed to smoke a stuffed turkey:
What temperature do you smoke a stuffed turkey?
A: The ideal temperature for smoking a stuffed turkey is between 225F and 250F. This will allow the turkey to cook evenly and slowly, resulting in a juicy and flavorful bird. Q: How long does it take to smoke a stuffed turkey?
How long does it take to smoke an unstuffed Turkey?
The general rule of thumb for smoking an unstuffed turkey is about 30 minutes per pound at a temperature between 220-275°F. So a typical 12-14 lb turkey would take 6-7 hours to smoke without stuffing When stuffing is added, plan to add about 30-60 minutes of additional cook time.
How long does a stuffed turkey take to cook?
The extra thermal mass from the stuffing means the turkey will take a bit longer to come up to temperature So for a 12 lb stuffed turkey, expect around 8 hours of total smoke time, give or take For a 14 lb bird, plan on 8-9 hours Monitor the temperature and use a meat thermometer to determine doneness rather than relying solely on cook times.
Can you smoke a stuffed turkey?
The answer is yes, you can certainly smoke a stuffed turkey, but there are a few important factors to consider when doing so. Do you like this article? When smoking a stuffed turkey, it’s important to keep in mind that the internal temperature needs to reach a safe level to ensure that both the turkey and the stuffing are fully cooked.