What’s not to love about smoked turkey? You get tasty and tender meat, and the smoky flavor is just irresistible. Even better, smoked turkey is healthier and has less calories than most other smoked meats, meaning you can indulge without feeling guilty.
Is good smoked turkey hard to find in your area? If so, you should consider making your own smoked turkey. It’s not as hard as you might think, and to prove it, we are about to show you how to smoke a turkey on a grill or smoker at home.
Smoking a turkey is a fantastic way to add incredible flavor while keeping the meat incredibly moist and tender, Cooking the bird low and slow results in the signature pink smoke ring and imbues the meat with a delicate smoky essence But smoking times can vary based on the temperature you use So how long does it take to smoke a turkey at 275°F?
Here is a complete guide to smoking times for turkeys of all sizes at 275°F. Follow these tips and your turkey will turn out flawlessly juicy and smoky every time.
Why Smoke a Turkey at 275°F?
There are a few key reasons 275°F is an ideal temperature for smoking turkey
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Provides even, consistent heat throughout the cooker.
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Infuses turkey with lovely smoky flavor
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Cooks the meat slowly so it stays incredibly moist.
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Allows fat to render slowly for a tender texture.
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Gives the skin time to get crispy and browned.
Higher temperatures like 325°F will cook the turkey faster but can result in drier meat. Lower temperatures down to 225°F will impart more smoke flavor but require much longer cook times. 275°F strikes the perfect balance between smoke infusion and total cooking time.
Smoking Time Per Pound at 275°F
The general rule of thumb for smoking turkey at 275°F is approximately 25 minutes per pound. However, always rely on a meat thermometer over cook times for accuracy, as many factors can affect total smoking time.
Here are estimated smoking times at 275°F based on turkey size:
- 12 lb turkey: 5 hours
- 14 lb turkey: 5 hours, 30 minutes
- 16 lb turkey: 6 hours, 40 minutes
- 18 lb turkey: 7 hours, 30 minutes
- 20 lb turkey: 8 hours, 20 minutes
These times are for fresh, fully thawed turkeys. A frozen turkey will take considerably longer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Smoking Turkey at 275°F
Follow these simple steps for foolproof smoked turkey success:
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Thaw – Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator 1-2 days before smoking.
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Brine – Soak turkey in a wet or dry brine for added moisture and flavor.
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Prep – Pat turkey dry. Tuck wings under and tie legs. Coat with oil or rub.
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Smoke – Add soaked wood chips and heat smoker to 275°F. Smoke turkey to an internal temp of 165°F.
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Rest – Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes before slicing for juicy meat.
Tips for the Best Smoked Turkey
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Brine turkey for extra moisture and flavor. A saltwater wet brine or dry brine impart flavor and keep meat juicy.
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Apply a rub for seasoning and crispy skin. Try a basic poultry seasoning or get creative with spice blends.
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Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Cook until breast reaches 165°F.
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Allow turkey to rest before carving. This redistributes juices for tender, juicy meat.
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Add moisture. Use a drip pan with water under turkey or mop with broth while cooking.
Choosing the Right Turkey Size
For smoking, smaller turkeys around 12-16 pounds are ideal. Larger birds take considerably longer to smoke evenly at 275°F. Smaller turkeys make it easier to achieve juicy, tender meat throughout.
Plan for about 1-1.5 pounds of uncooked turkey per person. For leftovers, allow 1.5 pounds per guest. A 12-14 pound turkey feeds 8-10 people comfortably.
Additional Smoking Turkey Tips
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Cook to temperature, not time. Factors like weather can affect total smoking duration.
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Use apple, cherry, or pecan wood for mild, sweet smoke flavor.
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Keep smoker lid closed as much as possible for heat retention.
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br> – Let thicker thigh pieces reach 175°F final internal temperature.
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Use remote thermometer to monitor turkey and smoker temp.
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Apply high heat last 30 minutes for crispy skin if desired.
Master the Art of Smoked Turkey
Smoking a turkey at 275°F results in tender, juicy meat with delicate smoky essence. Allow 25 minutes per pound for total cook time. Rely on a meat thermometer for accuracy and cook until the breast reaches 165°F. Rest turkey before slicing, season with care, and savor the delicious flavors. Your next holiday turkey will be a huge hit!
Preparing Turkey for the Smoker
Before putting your turkey in a smoker, you need to prep it. If you have a frozen whole turkey, your first step should be thawing your turkey. Otherwise, you may experience a longer cooking time and an uneven cook. You can thaw your frozen turkey by placing it in a 40°F fridge for 24 to 36 hours.
After thawing your turkey, take the giblets and neck out and dry or wet brine the whole turkey overnight. If you have a fresh turkey, you can skip the thawing process move right to brining it. Brining will enhance the turkey’s flavor and ensure that the meat stays moist throughout the smoking process. Learn more about how to brine a turkey here.
You cannot smoke a turkey without these items:
- Smoker or Grill: If you do not have a smoker, you can use a grill to smoke your turkey. However, if you want your turkey to have that distinct smoky flavor, you should only use a wood smoker or charcoal grill.
- Shady Brook Farms Turkey: You can buy and smoke a fresh or frozen whole turkey. If a whole turkey is too big for you, buy a bone-in turkey breast.
- Seasonings: You can buy a dry rub or make your own by mixing kosher salt, pepper, onion powder, and any other spices you like.
- Large Roasting Pan with Cooking Grate: The grate will hold the turkey, and the pan will catch the drippings during the roasting process.
- Wireless Thermometer: Your wireless thermometer will let you know when your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. A wireless thermometer is better because you don’t have to keep opening the smoker to check the turkey’s doneness. Frequently opening the smoker or grill can cause lost heat and increase your cooking time.
What’s So Good about Smoked Turkey?
Our fresh whole turkey is rich in protein, vitamin A, iron, and calcium. Even better, turkey meat is lean, making it a healthier choice for individuals trying to lose weight.
Smoking your turkey will lend it an enticing smoky flavor and further reduce its fat content, making it leaner and tastier. Also, smoking with pecan, maple, hickory, or cherry wood can elevate the flavor of your smoked turkey.
How to Smoke a Turkey Full of Flavor and Dripping with Moisture
FAQ
Is 275 too high to smoke a turkey?
The goal is to keep your ambient grill temperature at an even 275 degrees F for the entire smoke.Jan 10, 2025
How long to smoke a 14-pound turkey at 275 degrees?
At 275 F/135 C, your turkey will take 20 to 25 minutes per pound.
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.
Is 275 too low for turkey?
It is not safe to cook any meat or poultry in an oven set lower than 325 °F.