Despite owning several smokers, when it comes time to cook the turkey, I find I almost always end up firing up my pellet grill.
Smoking a turkey on the pellet grill is the easiest way to get a perfectly cooked bird with crispy skin and a subtle smoky flavor.
I’ll show you step-by-step how to brine, season, and smoke roast a turkey on your pellet grill to perfection. This no-fail pellet grill turkey recipe will wow your guests this Thanksgiving.
Smoking a turkey in a pellet grill is one of the best ways to prepare a turkey for a special occasion like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The smoke imparts incredible flavor while the indirect cooking method keeps the meat incredibly moist and tender. But knowing exactly how long to smoke a turkey can be tricky.
The cooking time depends on several factors
- Weight of the turkey
- Temperature of the smoker
- Whether the turkey was frozen
- If the turkey was brined
Follow this complete guide to determine the perfect smoking time for turkey on your pellet grill. We’ll cover how to calculate time based on weight, temperature, and prep method so your smoked turkey turns out perfect.
Calculate Smoking Time Based on Turkey Weight
The most important factor in determining smoking time is the size of your turkey. Larger birds take longer to fully cook through than smaller ones. Here are general time estimates based on turkey weight:
- 8-12 lb turkey: Approximately 4-6 hours
- 12-15 lb turkey: Approximately 6-7 hours
- 16-20 lb turkey: Approximately 7-8 hours
- 20-24 lb turkey: Approximately 8-9 hours
So if you have a 12 lb turkey, expect it to take around 6 hours to smoke at 225°F For every additional pound, tack on an extra 30-45 minutes to the total time
These time ranges are just estimates You’ll still need to use a meat thermometer to check precise doneness as we’ll explain more below But it provides a rough guide for planning purposes,
Factor in the Smoking Temperature
The temperature you choose to smoke the turkey at will impact overall cooking time. Lower smoking temperatures mean longer cook times. Here’s how smoking temperature correlates to time:
- 225°F: Approximately 30 minutes per lb
- 240°F: Approximately 25 minutes per lb
- 275°F: Approximately 20 minutes per lb
If you smoke a 12 lb turkey at 240°F rather than 225°F, it will finish about an hour faster thanks to the higher heat.
Most experts recommend smoking turkey between 225-275°F. Anything lower may not provide enough heat. Temperatures above 300°F can lead to drier meat.
Aim for the low end of this range around 225-250°F for the best balance of thorough cooking while retaining moisture.
Use a Meat Thermometer For Doneness
While the above times can provide ballpark figures, the only surefire way to know your smoked turkey is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Poultry is safe to eat once it registers 165°F at the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
Once your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F throughout, it’s ready to come off the smoker. Allow it to rest 15-30 minutes before carving.
Relying on temperature over estimated cook times ensures the turkey reaches the ideal level of doneness without over or undercooking.
Factor in Thawing and Brining
A couple other factors that impact total cook time are whether you started with a frozen turkey and if you brined the bird.
Obviously, cooking a frozen turkey will take longer than one that’s fresh or fully thawed. So be sure to account for thawing time if using a frozen turkey.
Brining, while highly recommended for juicy flavorful meat, adds 12-24 hours to the process. But the results are worth the extra time investment, so consider brining and factor it into your timeline.
Tips for Perfectly Smoked Turkey
Follow these tips for the highest success rate when smoking turkey on a pellet grill:
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Choose a sweet fruit wood pellet flavor like apple or cherry. Hickory can overpower poultry.
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Brine the turkey 12-24 hours before smoking to guarantee juicy meat.
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Skip stuffing the turkey which can prevent proper smoke absorption. Cook it separately.
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Smoke at 225-250°F to balance smoke flavor with shorter cook time.
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Always use a meat thermometer for precise doneness.
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Let the turkey rest 20-30 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
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Carve the turkey rather than slicing it whole for easier serving.
With the right technique, you can make incredibly moist, tender and flavorful smoked turkey in your pellet grill. Use these guidelines to determine the best smoking time based on the weight and temperature. Smoking turkey is very forgiving so don’t stress too much about getting the time exactly right. Just maintain a low smoking temperature and rely on your thermometer for perfectly cooked meat.
Smoking the turkey
Place the turkey in the pellet smoker and roast at 325°F for three hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
You can periodically spray the turkey with cooking oil or spritz it with melted butter to enhance the flavor and texture of the turkey skin.
Trussing the turkey
Truss the turkey by cutting three strands of butcher twine about two feet long each. Bring the legs back to cross each other and tie them together. Tie each wing and pull them back, connecting the twine to the legs.
You can tie a butcher’s knot/slip knot or follow the old saying “if you can’t tie a proper knot, tie a lot”.
Tying the wings back isn’t completely necessary, however the wings will cook faster if not tucked back. You can also clip the wing tips, some turkeys come that way already.
Easy Smoked Turkey Recipe for Thanksgiving (on a Pellet Grill!)
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke a turkey at 225 on a pellet grill?
This turkey took just over 6 hours to smoke on our pellet grill at 225 degrees F. This is going to vary based on the weight of the turkey.Oct 18, 2024
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 on a pit boss pellet grill?
Cook time at 225°F is 30 minutes per pound, or when the temperature internally reaches 165°F.
How long does it take to smoke a 14-pound turkey?
- A 12–18 lb turkey takes 6–10 hours to cook in a water smoker.
- A 12–16 lb turkey takes 13 minutes per lb if roasting empty and 15 minutes per lb if stuffed.