This smoked turkey recipe is the perfect turkey to serve on Thanksgiving or other special occasions. The turkey is delicious and tender, and the whole bird tastes like it came from an upscale restaurant. I can guarantee this smoked turkey will take your holiday meal to the next level!.
On Thanksgiving, nothing is better than a turkey cooked at home. This smoked turkey recipe will help you make the best smoked turkey ever! Don’t be scared of this recipe. Smoking a turkey can be just as easy as cooking it in your kitchen.
No matter what kind of grill you have outside, you can smoke a turkey at home. In fact, our very first smoked turkey was cooked on our old gas grill. It is still one of the best smoked turkeys I’ve ever had (you never forget your first!)
I like using my Camp Chef SmokePro pellet smoker more these days because it keeps the smoke and temperature stable, so I don’t have to do as much monitoring. That being said, you can use any kind of smoker you have to make this smoked turkey. The most important thing is to use a grill that can cook food indirectly, keep the temperature stable, and add wood smoke.
The post below is loaded with lots of information to help you get the best smoked turkey around. Please take the time to read through the entire post before you smoke your first bird. Following all the recommendations below will help you avoid any pitfalls on the big day.
Smoking a turkey on a pellet grill is a fantastic way to prepare a juicy and flavorful bird for Thanksgiving or any special occasion As pellet grill owners, we love being able to achieve that perfect smoky flavor easily with our grill In this guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to smoke a turkey on a pellet grill.
Why Smoke A Turkey On A Pellet Grill?
Pellet grills are ideal for smoking turkeys for a few reasons:
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Easy temperature control – Pellet grills allow you to dial in and hold a specific temp, like 225°F, for hours with little effort. This level of control is crucial for low and slow smoking.
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Consistent smoke – The auger system on a pellet grill provides consistent smoke output automatically throughout the cook, You don’t have to mess with adding more wood chips
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Large capacity – Most pellet grills have ample space to accommodate a full-size turkey and sides,
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Moist and juicy meat – The indirect heat and low temperature of smoking leads to incredibly moist, tender meat.
Pellet Grill Smoking Tips
Follow these tips when smoking a turkey on your pellet grill:
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Cook at 225-250°F using a mild wood pellet flavor like apple or cherry. This keeps the smoke flavor subtle.
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Use a drip pan under the turkey filled with broth or water. This adds humidity and catches the drippings.
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Spritz the turkey with broth/apple juice every hour for extra moisture and flavor.
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Rub the turkey with a basic poultry seasoning or dry brine it overnight before smoking.
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Cook to an internal temp of 165°F in the breast and thigh before removing.
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Let the turkey rest 15-20 minutes before carving for juicy results.
Step-By-Step Guide
1. Prep the Turkey
Rinse the turkey, pat it dry, and trim away excess fat. Tie the legs together with butcher’s twine. Apply a simple seasoning rub or dry brine to flavor and tenderize the meat.
2. Preheat the Pellet Grill
Ignite your pellet grill, open the lid, and set it to 225°F. Give it 10-15 minutes to preheat.
3. Add Wood for Smoke
For a light, sweet smoke flavor, use apple, cherry, pecan, or maple pellets. Load the hopper with your chosen flavor.
4. Place Turkey on the Grill
Put a drip pan filled with broth under where you’ll place the bird. Position the turkey breast-side up directly on the grill grates over indirect heat.
5. Monitor Temperature
Maintain your grill at 225-250°F. Use a digital meat thermometer to monitor the breast and thigh temp.
6. Spritz and Rotate
Every 45-60 minutes, rotate the turkey and spritz with broth to moisten and enhance flavor.
7. Check for Doneness
Cook until 165°F in the breast and thighs. The total time will be 10-15 minutes per pound, around 4-6 hours for a 15 lb turkey.
8. Rest and Carve
Let the smoked turkey rest 15-20 minutes before slicing. Dig in and enjoy your juicy, smoky turkey!
Smoking a turkey on a pellet grill results in a flavorful, juicy bird that looks and tastes like you spent all day tending to it. By following these tips, you’ll have a foolproof turkey ready for your next holiday feast.
Fuel & Wood Chips
Ensure you have plenty of propane, gas, pellets, or wood prior to smoking the turkey. You do not want to run out while you are in the middle of the smoking process.
I recommend using apple, cherry, or hickory wood chips for smoking a turkey. The light flavor from these woods won’t overpower the turkey, but they still give it a great BBQ smokey flavor.
An instant-read meat thermometer or remote meat thermometer is going to be your best friend while cooking this smoked turkey. Temperature is key when smoking a turkey, so make sure you have a good thermometer on hand to monitor the temperature of the various parts of the turkey while it is cooking.
This smoked turkey recipe can be cooked on whatever smoker you prefer. It’ll taste great cooked on a pellet grill, offset smoker, or even an electric smoker. You can use your favorite grill or even something you happen to have on hand. A pellet smoker is great and easy to use, and an offset will give you great flavor.
Catching the Smoked Turkey Drippings
Please make sure you have a drip pan ready to catch the juices and keep the smoker moist. I use an aluminum pan that I can position on the grill underneath my turkey.
Fill the pan with several cups of water at the beginning of the smoke. This water is likely to evaporate while the food is smoking, so be ready to fill the pan up again and keep a few cups of water in it at all times. Make the best Smoked Turkey Gravy you’ve ever had with the juices left over after cooking your turkey.
Easy Smoked Turkey Recipe for Thanksgiving (on a Pellet Grill!)
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke a turkey in a pellet grill?
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
How do you keep turkey moist in a pellet smoker?
How long to smoke a 10 lb turkey?
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Weight
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Cook Time
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8-12 lbs.
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4-8 hrs.
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12-18 lbs.
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6-10 hrs.
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