Smoked wild turkey breast is a true culinary treat The mild, rich flavor of wild turkey takes perfectly to the sweet, smoky essence imparted by hours of slow smoking. While wonderful, smoking a turkey breast can be time consuming So just how long does it take to smoke a wild turkey breast to juicy, smoked perfection?
In this article, you’ll learn about approximate smoke times, factors that affect cooking duration, tips for doneness, and how to ensure your smoked turkey breast turns out moist and delicious every time.
Average Smoking Times for Wild Turkey Breasts
The smoking time for wild turkey breasts can vary substantially based on a few key factors (which we’ll cover next) However, on average you can expect smoking times of
- 3 to 4 hours for a 1 pound turkey breast
- 5 to 6 hours for a 2 to 3 pound breast
- 6 to 8+ hours for a 3 to 4 pound breast
These time ranges assume you are smoking at a temperature between 225°F to 250°F
For whole bone-in turkey breasts, increase smoke times up to 10 to 12 hours depending on weight.
Patient, low and slow smoking is vital for wild turkey, which tends to be lean with dense, tight meat. The long smoke helps break down the proteins for tenderness.
Factors That Affect Smoking Time
Several key factors impact how long your wild turkey breast will need in the smoker:
Size of the breast – Larger, thicker breasts require longer smoke times. A 1 pound breast may only need 3 hours while a 3 pound version could need 8+.
Bone-in or boneless – Boneless breasts will smoke faster. Bones help retain heat and moisture.
Brining – Brined meats absorb more smoke flavor quickly. Non-brined breasts may need more time.
Smoking temperature – Keep temperatures between 225-250°F. Higher heat will decrease total time but risks drying out the lean meat.
Altitude – At higher altitudes, foods cook slower from lower air pressure. Extend smoke times if over 3000 feet elevation.
Weather conditions – Cold, windy, or rainy days increase overall smoking durations.
Knowing these factors will help you estimate the approximate smoking time needed for any size wild turkey breast.
Doneness Tests for Smoked Turkey Breast
With wild turkey breast, you can’t rely on smoking time alone to gauge when it’s done. Use these foolproof tests instead:
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Internal temperature – Use an instant read thermometer to check for a minimum internal temp of 165°F in the thickest area. The breast is fully cooked at this temp.
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Texture – Smoke-cooked breast will be firm yet still moist when pierced. If it seems spongy or raw when pierced, continue cooking.
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Color – Fully smoked turkey breast is beige or pale pink throughout with no traces of uncooked pinkness. Juices will run clear.
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Loosened meat – Check that the meat has pulled away from the bones slightly for bone-in breasts. This signals doneness.
Rely on multiple doneness indicators for best accuracy. Never rely on smoking time alone for perfectly smoked turkey!
Tips for Keeping Your Smoked Turkey Breast Moist
With wild turkey’s leanness, preventing dryness during long smoking sessions can be tricky. Use these pro tips for succulent moisture:
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Brine the breast before smoking for 8-24 hours to infuse flavor and moisture.
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Fill your smoker’s water pan to generate humidity against drying heat.
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Cook low and slow at 225-250°F to break down collagen gently over time.
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Baste the breast with butter, broth or oil during the last 1-2 hours of smoking.
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Allow proper resting time after smoking so juices distribute evenly in meat.
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Check for doneness early and avoid overcooking. Pull at 165°F max internal temp.
Mastering the Perfect Smoked Wild Turkey Breast
With its mild flavor and leanness, wild turkey breast requires special care when smoking. For the juiciest results:
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Select breasts with uniform shape and thickness.
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Trim excess fat and sinew before brining.
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Brine 8-24 hours to infuse moisture and seasoning.
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Smoke low and slow at 225-250°F until 165°F internal temp.
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Baste during smoking and rest after to seal in juices.
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Slice thinly across the grain to serve.
With proper brining, temperature control, and monitoring doneness, you can enjoy incredibly moist, smoky wild turkey breast anytime. Just allow 5 to 8 hours for smoking times depending on size. Enjoy this scrumptious smoked turkey on sandwiches, salads, or with classic sides for a memorable meal.
How to Make a Smoked Turkey Breast With Wild Turkey
I enjoy smoking wild turkey breast from time to time, although itâs not my go-to technique. It’s not easy to smoke wild turkey for a long time because the meat is so lean and dense, especially if it’s an older tom. However, if you plan ahead and use the right method, you can smoke a wild turkey that is juicy and tasty. Here are a few things to consider.
Wet Smoke a Wild Turkey Brest For the Best Results
I rarely use the water pan in my Camp Chef Smoke Vault
, but there are a few times when itâs necessary. Smoking lean meat like a wild turkey breast is one of them. By adding hot water to the pan, you make the smoker more humid, which helps the meat keep its moisture. The surface moisture also makes the meat sticky, allowing smoke to adhere for better flavor. Skip the beer, wine, stock, or additional spices. Iâve never found them to make a big enough flavor difference to justify the money.
The Best Way To Cook Smoked Wild Turkey Breast
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke a turkey breast at 225 degrees?
What is the best way to smoke a wild turkey?
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
What is the safe temperature for wild turkey?
How do you smoke a turkey breast?
Here’s how to smoke a turkey breast: Brine the turkey. Whisk all ingredients for the brine in a bowl. Submerge the turkey breast in the brine, and refrigerate for 8-12 hours. Add some flavor! Remove the turkey from the brine, and pat dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the turkey breast with my Best Sweet Rub Recipe or my Smoked Turkey Rub.
How do you smoke a wild turkey?
Using a grill set up for smoking and warmed up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit, smoke the turkey until it reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit at the thickest point. Remove the turkey breasts and place them in a covered container to rest for 30 minutes. Slice and serve as you like it. Smoked wild turkey is a real treat to be shared with your loved ones.
How long do you smoke a 8 pound turkey breast?
You will need to smoke a 8-9 pound turkey breast for approximately 4 hours with the first 2 hours at 215 degrees and the last hour at 350 degrees (or approximately 35 minutes per pound). Of course, ultimately let the internal temp at the thickest part of the thigh (not touching the bone) be your guide.
How long do you cook a smoked wild turkey breast?
Remove from the smoker and allow to rest and carryover cook at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. Slice across the grain and serve. This maple syrup and apple cider brined smoked wild turkey breast may just be the best and easiest meal you eat all year.
Can you smoke a boneless turkey breast?
Here’s how you cut it: The second technique is to brine or salt cure the meat: That’s the secret to fantastic smoked boneless turkey breast. And while you can get away with not brining a store-bought turkey, smoking a wild turkey breast requires a salt brine. Period.
What temperature should a turkey breast be smoked at?
Get your smoker going at 275 degrees F. You can use whatever wood you have on hand, but apple wood goes great with this turkey breast (it compliments the cider brine perfectly!). Smoke for 3 hours, or until the internal temp of the turkey breast reaches 165 degrees F with an internal thermometer. Rest and enjoy.