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.
The Perfect Temperature for Smoking Turkey on a Pellet Grill
Smoking turkey on a pellet grill is a fantastic way to prepare a juicy, flavorful bird for your next holiday feast or meal. The wood smoke infuses amazing flavor while the steady, even heat of the pellet grill ensures the turkey cooks perfectly moist and tender.
But what temperature should you set your pellet grill to for smoking turkey? Choosing the right temp is key to getting ideal results, Keep reading to learn the best temperature range for smoking turkey on a pellet grill
The Benefits of Smoking Turkey on a Pellet Grill
Before we dive into temperatures, let’s first look at why a pellet grill is so great for smoking turkey:
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Provides consistent, even heat for thorough cooking without hot spots or flare ups. The entire turkey cooks evenly.
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Imparts a delicious subtle smoke flavor from the burning wood pellets. Apple, maple and cherry work well.
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Allows precise temperature control so you can easily set and maintain the ideal smoking temp.
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Cooks at a lower temperature to keep turkey incredibly moist and tender.
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Helps render fat and crisp the skin at the end by increasing the heat.
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Infuses flavor while freeing up your oven for sides, pies and more!
Choosing the Right Pellet Grill Smoking Temperature
Low and Slow Is Key
For the most tender, juicy smoked turkey, you want to cook it “low and slow” at a temperature between 225°F and 275°F. This gently cooks the turkey for several hours, melting collagen into succulent meat.
A good middle ground target is around 240-250°F. At this temp, figure on cooking times of:
- 8-12 lb turkey: 4-5 hours
- 12-16 lb turkey: 5-6 hours
- 16-20 lb turkey: 6-8 hours
Monitor closely with a meat thermometer, and allow extra time if needed until the breast and thighs reach the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Going above 275°F speeds cooking, but risks drying out the delicate white meat. Temps below 225°F may not fully penetrate to the center.
Finish Hotter for Crispy Skin
One pitfall of low and slow smoking is flabby skin. Finishing at a higher temperature for the last 30-60 minutes fixes this.
Once the breast hits 160°F, remove the turkey and increase the pellet grill to 350°F. Return breast side down to crisp the skin without overcooking the breast meat.
This high heat finish renders the fat and turns the skin beautifully browned and crispy!
Should You Brine the Turkey?
Brining is another great way to boost moisture and flavor when smoking turkey. Dissolve 1 cup salt per gallon of water. Submerge the turkey, and refrigerate 6-12 hours.
The salt seasons the meat while the water hydrates it. Rinse and pat dry before smoking. Brining ensures tender juiciness!
How to Smoke a Turkey on a Pellet Grill – Step by Step
Follow these simple steps for smoking turkey perfectly on your pellet grill:
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Thaw: Thaw turkey completely in the fridge 1 day per 4-5 lbs.
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Prep: Remove giblets, rinse turkey, pat dry. Trim excess fat or skin.
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Brine (Optional): See brine recommendations above.
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Preheat: Ignite grill, set to 240°F, close lid until temperature stabilizes.
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Smoke: Place turkey breast up, insert probe thermometer into thickest part of breast.
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Monitor Temp: Maintain steady 240°F, avoiding opening the lid often.
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Crisp Skin: At 160°F, remove turkey, increase temp to 350°F. Return breast down 30-60 mins.
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Check Doneness: Cook until 165°F breast, 180°F thighs.
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Rest and Carve: Let rest 15+ minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
With the right pellet grill temperature and a little patience, you’ll have the best smoked turkey ever. The wood smoke flavor takes it up a notch from oven roasting.
Experiment with different wood pellet varieties like apple, maple and hickory to find your favorite. Serve alongside classic Thanksgiving fixings or on sandwiches all year long.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should you brine a turkey before smoking?
Brining is highly recommended when smoking turkey. It seasons the meat and helps retain moisture during the prolonged cook time. Dissolve 1 cup salt per 1 gallon water and submerge 12-24 hours.
- What is the benefit of smoking turkey on a pellet grill?
Cooking turkey on a pellet grill imparts delicious subtle smoke flavor while the low, steady temperature keeps the meat incredibly moist and tender. The grill also crisps the skin at the end.
- How long does it take to smoke a turkey?
Figure approximately 30 minutes per pound when smoking turkey at 240°F. So a 16 lb turkey may take 8+ hours including time for resting and crisping the skin. Use a meat thermometer for best results.
- What temperature should you smoke turkey at?
For the most tender, juicy meat aim for 225-275°F. We recommend 240-250°F as the ideal turkey smoking temp on a pellet grill. Finish at 350°F to crisp the skin.
- What is the minimum safe internal temperature for smoked turkey?
Cook smoked turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F at the breast and 180°F in the thigh before removing from the grill.
Smoking a turkey on a pellet grill results in one of the juiciest, most flavorful holiday birds you’ll ever enjoy. Follow these guidelines for pellet grill temperature and technique success.
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.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
A good rule of thumb is to plan on 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person. Remember, you will be cooking a whole turkey with bones, skin, wings, etc. that won’t necessarily be consumed at the Thanksgiving table.
Personally, I estimate 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person. This will ensure everybody gets enough, and you’ll have leftovers for sandwiches the next day.
How To Smoke A Turkey On A Traeger Pellet Grill – FULL STEP-BY-STEP
FAQ
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
What is the best temperature to smoke a turkey on a pellet grill?
How long to smoke a 13 lb turkey at 250 degrees?
How long should I smoke turkey at 350?
How do you smoke a Turkey on a pellet grill?
Then follow these simple steps for smoking your turkey on your pellet grill. Remove the giblets and place your turkey in a brining bag. In a separate container, mix 1 cup of salt with 4 quarts of water. Pour this mixture over the turkey and seal the bag. Make sure to read the label of your turkey to see if it has been pre-brined already.
What temperature should a smoked turkey be smoked?
For the best smoked turkey, we recommend smoking it at 225°F. We then crank this to 350°F at the end so you get the crispiest skin. How long does it take to smoke a turkey? For this smoked turkey recipe, we’re smoking according to temperature, not time. This is because the cook time can vary depending on both the turkey size and the grill type.
How do you cook a turkey breast on a pellet grill?
Slide a meat thermometer or digital temperature probe into the thickest part of a turkey breast. For a juicy turkey, shoot for 160°F. The internal temperature of the dark meat (leg or thigh) will read 170°F when it’s fully cooked. Once it’s done, remove the turkey from your pellet grill. It will have beautiful mahogany skin. Feast.
Can you cook a whole Turkey on a pellet grill?
Smoking the perfect whole turkey on a pellet grill is easy if you follow my instructions: cook it at the right temperature (325°F), pick the right pellets (apple, pecan, and hickory are my favorites), and remove it when the breast reads 160°F internal temperature.
How long does it take to smoke a Turkey on a pellet smoker?
This is because the cook time can vary depending on both the turkey size and the grill type. So we recommend using a good thermometer and taking the turkey off the pellet smoker once the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. But at 225 degrees, the general rule is that it takes about 30 minutes to smoke per pound of turkey.
How do you smoke a whole turkey?
For smoking a whole turkey, you will need a smoker that can maintain a temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours. If you are using a pellet smoker, set the temperature to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and add a handful of wood pellets to the firepot.