It’s that time of year again, and it’s the best time to fire up the smoker. Once you try cooking a turkey in the smoker, there’s really no going back to the old ways. The smell of smoke in the air, the sound of the wind blowing through the trees, and all the empty space in your oven The best smoked turkey is very juicy and tender, with a beautiful mahogany color and just the right amount of smoke flavor.
Let’s go over all the tricks and make it happen! A 14-lb bird will smoke for seven wonderful hours at 250° F. If you are in a rush, be sure to check out the speedier spatchcock smoked turkey recipe.
Come Thanksgiving or Christmas, a juicy smoked turkey is a showstopping centerpiece. Getting that gorgeous brown exterior while keeping the meat tender and moist requires patience and the right technique. Smoking the turkey low and slow at 275°F delivers ideal results, but how long exactly?
Read on for a complete guide to smoking times for whole turkeys to help you plan We’ll cover everything from prep to carving to serve up perfect holiday feasts
Why Smoke a Turkey at 275°F?
Low and slow smoking at 275°F creates the ideal environment for flavorful, fall-off-the-bone turkey. Here’s why this temperature works so well:
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Penetrates Meat – Lower heat allows smoke to thoroughly penetrate and tenderize the turkey
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Prevents Drying – Higher heat dries out the delicate white meat. 275°F keeps moisture locked in.
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Deepens Color – Longer cook develops a rich mahogany color without burning
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Infuses Flavor – More time for smoke to infuse natural wood taste into the meat.
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Hands Off – Set it and forget it. You won’t need to constantly monitor and baste.
For the perfect balance of smoke, moisture, and color, 275°F can’t be beat for whole turkey smoking.
Smoking Times Per Pound at 275°F
To estimate total smoking times, here is a handy guide for approximate cook times per pound:
- 8-12 lb turkey – Cook 20-25 minutes per lb
- 12-15 lb turkey – Cook 22-27 minutes per lb
- 15-20 lb turkey – Cook 25-30 minutes per lb
- 20-24 lb turkey – Cook 30-35 minutes per lb
At 275°F, smaller birds need around 20-25 minutes per pound, while larger turkeys over 15 pounds often need up to 30-35 minutes per pound.
Let’s look at some examples:
- 10 lb turkey: 3-4 hours
- 14 lb turkey: 4.5-5.5 hours
- 18 lb turkey: 6-7 hours
- 24 lb turkey: 8-10 hours
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey has reached 165°F internally before removing from the smoker.
Step-by-Step Guide to Smoking Turkey at 275°F
Follow these simple steps for foolproof smoked turkey every time:
1. Thaw
Completely thaw turkey in the refrigerator 1-2 days before smoking. Never thaw at room temperature.
2. Brine (Optional)
Soaking in a saltwater brine adds moisture and seasoning. Brine 12-24 hours.
3. Prepare Smoker
Get smoker heating to 275°F. Use preferred wood like hickory, apple, cherry, etc.
4. Pat Dry
Remove turkey from brine; pat dry inside and out with paper towels.
5. Season
Coat all over with olive oil or butter, then add desired rub or herbs.
6. Insert Probe Thermometer
Place probe thermometer deep in thickest part of breast.
7. Smoke
Add wood chunks or chips to smoker. Carefully place turkey in smoker, breast side up.
8. Check Doneness
Smoke until thermometer reaches 165°F internally. Time varies based on size.
9. Rest and Carve
Let rest 15-20 minutes before carving. Slice and serve immediately.
And that’s all there is to it! With these simple steps, you’ll have perfect smoked turkey in time for your next holiday feast.
Smoking Times for Smaller Turkeys
For boneless turkey breasts and smaller birds like turduckens or game hens, adjust cooking times. Here are some rough guidelines:
- Boneless turkey breast (2-3 lbs) – 1.5 to 2 hours
- Turkey legs or thighs – 90 mins to 2 hours
- Small turduckens (6-8 lbs) – 2.5 to 4 hours
- Game hens (1-2 lbs) – 1 to 1.5 hours
Smaller cuts of meat require less time to fully cook and absorb smoke flavor. Monitor temperature and appearance closely.
Choosing the Right Smoker
You don’t need fancy equipment to smoke turkey at home. Here are some smoker options:
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Charcoal smoker – Most affordable option. Easy temperature control.
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Electric smoker – Precise temperature settings. No charcoal needed.
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Propane smoker – Push button start. Portable sizes available.
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Pellet smoker – Auto feeds wood pellets. Holds temp well.
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Offset smoker – Traditional smoke flavor. Advanced users.
Any style smoker will work fine. Look for one with adequate cooking space for your turkey size.
Handy Tips for the Best Results
Follow these handy tips and tricks for perfectly smoked turkey every time:
- Inject marinade deep into meat for added moisture and flavor
- Apply a dry rub under the skin for maximum flavor
- Use a disposable foil pan to catch drippings
- Add a water pan to smoker to prevent drying out
- Mop or spritz with broth to keep skin from drying
- Let turkey rest before carving for juicier meat
With the right technique, you can enjoy incredible smoked turkey worthy of any holiday feast. Impress your family and guests by smoking up a delicious bird at 275°F this season.
Key Temperatures & Times
Turkey breast finished internal target temp: 165° F (73° C). Turkey thigh finished internal temp: 175° F (79° C).
*The pull temp should be 5 to 7° F lower than the target to allow for carryover cooking.
| Smoker Temp | Minutes Per Pound | Total Time (14 lb turkey) |
| 225° F | 30-35 | 8+ hours |
| 250° F | 30 | 7 hours |
| 275° F | 25 | 5 1/2+ hours |
| 325° F | 13 | 3 hours |
5 Tips & Tricks for the Best Smoked Turkey
- Put the turkey on a V-rack so it’s easy to move in and out of the smoker.
- Close the lid! Opening it as little as possible during the coo will keep the temperature even, keep the smoke inside, and get better results.
- With a remote probe thermometer, you can keep an eye on both the smoker’s temperature and the bird’s internal temperature to know when it’s done.
- Be aware of carryover cooking. Inside the turkey, the temperature will keep going up after it is taken off the heat. Take the turkey out of the smoker when it’s about 5 to 7 degrees below the temperature you want it to be when it’s done.
- Cook it faster by spatchcocking (butterflying the turkey). Get the recipe for smoked spatchcock turkey.
How long does it take to smoke a turkey breast at 275?
FAQ
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
Is 275 too low for turkey?
How long to cook 15 lb turkey at 275 degrees?
How long does it take to smoke a Turkey at 275?
It will take 20-25 minutes per lb, so it will take approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes to cook a 18 lb turkey at 275 degrees F. It will take 20-25 minutes per lb, so it will take approximately 7 hours and 10 minutes to cook a 19 lb turkey at 275 degrees F. How long does it take to smoke a turkey at 300 F?
What temperature do you smoke a whole turkey?
We prefer to use a smoker temperature of 275 for whole turkeys. It might take longer to cook than it would if you’d roasted the meat in the oven, but smoking requires patience no matter what cut you’re using. We would recommend setting the smoker to 275 degrees the first time you attempt to smoke a whole turkey.
Can you smoke a whole Turkey in a smoker?
Citrus fruits are another nice choice, especially if you’re using fruit woods to smoke the turkey. We prefer to use a smoker temperature of 275 for whole turkeys. It might take longer to cook than it would if you’d roasted the meat in the oven, but smoking requires patience no matter what cut you’re using.
How long does it take to smoke one pound?
It takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to smoke one pound when the smoker temperature is in the 225 to 250 degree range. At 275 degrees, it takes around 20 to 30 minutes per pound. If your smoker can maintain 325 degrees, the time required will be significantly shorter, at about 15 to 20 minutes per pound. These times are just an estimate.
How long to cook a Turkey at 275 degrees?
Let’s talk about how long to cook a turkey at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum results. When smoking a turkey at 275 degrees, expect the meat to cook at a rate of 20-25 minutes per pound. If the smoker runs on the cooler side, or if you’ve stuffed the turkey beforehand, it will take a bit longer for the turkey to cook through.
How long does it take to cook a 14 lb Turkey?
It will take 20-25 minutes per lb, so it will take approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes to cook a 14 lb turkey at 275 degrees F. However, as with any poultry, the best way to gauge doneness is by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the turkey should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe to eat.