Smoking a turkey on a Pit Boss smoker is the ultimate way to prepare a moist, tender and delicious bird for your next holiday feast. The smoky flavor imparted by the wood pellets infuses the turkey with unbelievable taste. With the right technique, smoking a turkey on a Pit Boss can become your new go-to method for serving up the perfect centerpiece for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other celebrations.
Follow these simple steps to smoke a foolproof turkey on your Pit Boss smoker:
Choose the Right Size Turkey
When smoking a whole turkey, you’ll want to pick one that fits the size of your Pit Boss smoker Most Pit Boss models like the 1100 Pro Series can accommodate a 12 to 20 pound turkey. Go for a smaller 10-12 lb bird if you have a portable tailgater model Take the turkey out of the packaging and remove the giblets from the inner cavity. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Brine for Added Moisture
To help retain moisture and amplify the flavor, you’ll want to brine the turkey before smoking Make a simple brine by heating up a gallon of water, 1 cup of kosher salt and 1/2 cup of brown sugar until dissolved Let the brine cool completely then submerge the turkey, breast side down in the liquid. Place in the fridge for 8-12 hours. Rinse and pat the turkey completely dry before moving to the next step.
Prepare the Turkey for Smoking
After brining, prepare the turkey for the Pit Boss smoker:
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Coat the skin liberally in olive oil to help the skin crisp up.
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Season the cavity generously with salt and pepper.
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Stuff the cavity loosely with onions, apples and fresh herbs.
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Tuck the wings under and tie the legs together with butcher’s twine to maintain the shape.
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Coat the skin all over with your favorite dry rub. Try a classic BBQ spice or herb rub.
Get Your Pit Boss Smoker Heated Up
While the turkey is brining, prep your Pit Boss smoker. We recommend using a blend of apple, cherry, hickory or maple wood pellets which pair nicely with poultry. Dump the old ashes, then fill the hopper with fresh pellets. Set your smoker to 275°F using the digital control board. Let it preheat completely until the smoker temp reads 275°F.
Place Turkey on the Grill and Insert Probes
Once preheated, very carefully place the turkey on the main grate of your Pit Boss smoker, breast side up. Insert a digital meat thermometer probe into the thickest part of the breast, taking care that the probe is not touching any bones. Shut the lid tightly
Monitor Temperature and Smoke Time
Maintain the temperature of the smoker between 250-275°F. Estimate about 30 minutes of smoking time per pound. For a 15 lb turkey, the total smoking time will be about 6-7 hours. After the first hour, start basting the turkey every 30 minutes with melted butter or chicken stock to increase moisture.
Check for Doneness
Start checking the breast and thigh temperature of the turkey during the last hour of smoking time. The breast should reach 165°F and the thighs 175°F before removing from the Pit Boss. The skin will be gorgeously browned and the meat very tender.
Let Turkey Rest Before Carving
Once the turkey reaches the perfect internal temp, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 30 minutes on a cutting board, tented loosely with foil. This allows the juices to redistribute evenly. Then slice and serve with your favorite sides.
The combination of brining, smoking low and slow and resting results in an incredibly juicy, flavored-packed turkey cooked to perfection on your Pit Boss pellet grill. Smoked turkey can be enjoyed hot, used for leftovers or frozen for later use. Want to add even more flavor? Try injecting turkey with melted butter, herbs and spices before smoking.
With the right preparation and monitoring, you can feel confident smoking a mouthwatering turkey in your Pit Boss smoker. Serve it up this holiday season and get ready for rave reviews! Let us know how your Pit Boss smoked turkey turns out.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
- A full turkey (12-14 pounds)
- Turkey brining kit
- 1 gallon of water, cold
- 1 gallon + 4 cups water, warm
- Your favorite seasoning or rub
BRINING THE TURKEY
The next step in your Thanksgiving adventure is to brine your turkey. Brining is essential for your turkey to maintain moisture and become juicy and tender during the smoking process. Without getting too deep into the weeds, the brine helps turkey, a traditionally lean meat, retain fat content while it is cooking and prevents it from drying out.
A brining kit makes this process incredibly simple. A good brining kit comes equipped with a bag to put everything in, a brining mixture and seasoning for the turkey. To brine your turkey, add the brining mixture and four cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Carefully add this to one gallon of cold water and place into the bag with the turkey. Close the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour per pound of turkey. We strongly recommend completing this process the night before you plan on preparing your meal.
Smoked Turkey On A Pit Boss Pellet Smoker
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke a turkey in a pit boss smoker?
Cook time at 225°F is 30 minutes per pound, or when the temperature internally reaches 165°F. At 165°F, remove the turkey from the grill and allow to rest for 20 minutes before slicing.
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 do you keep turkey moist in a pellet smoker?
How do you keep turkey moist in a pellet smoker? I highly recommend wet brining your turkey for at least 12 hours before cooking.Nov 27, 2024
How long to smoke a 12 lb turkey at 225 degrees?
- A general rule of thumb is to allow 30 to 40 minutes per pound at a temperature of 225°F to 250°F.
- A 12 lb turkey should take at least six hours to cook in a smoker.
- You can check the temperature of your turkey after 3½ hours.
How do you smoke a Turkey on a pit boss?
If you want a milder smoky flavor, set the smoke setting to low. Once you have prepared your Pit Boss and your turkey, you can start smoking it. * Place the turkey on the smoker: You can either place the turkey directly on the grill grates or you can use a roasting rack.
Can you smoke a Turkey on a pellet grill?
Using a pellet grill is a great way to achieve incredible smoked flavor while achieving crispy skin for the best smoked turkey. Learn the key steps in how to smoke turkey on a pellet grill every time. Do you have a pellet grill and hoping to smoke a turkey that is far better than any oven roasted turkey you’ve ever had? It’s possible!
Can you smoke a Turkey on a pit boss pellet grill?
Smoking a turkey on a Pit Boss pellet grill is a great way to prepare your holiday meal, or to easily add a second turkey when the oven is already full with your first one! In this article, we’ll show you how we prepare our turkey with a simple overnight dry brine oy get crispy skin and juicy meat.