What Traeger Pellets Are Best For Smoking Turkey? Top Flavor Blends Revealed

One of the keys to incredible smoked turkey is choosing the right wood pellet flavors With so many options, it can get overwhelming deciding which Traeger pellets to use Should you go sweet? Savory? A blend? We’ll break down the best pellets for turkey to take the guesswork out and help you serve up amazing wood-fired birds.

Traeger Turkey Pellet Blend Options

Traeger currently offers 3 main pellet varieties tailored specifically for poultry like turkey:

Turkey Blend – Maple and hickory blended with a touch of rosemary. The maple provides a mildly sweet backbone, while the hickory boosts savory umami qualities Rosemary adds subtle herbal aroma

Poultry Blend – Made with apple, maple and cherry woods. The fruit woods impart a sweeter profile contrasted by maple’s earthiness. Ideal for balancing turkey’s delicate flavor.

Signature Blend – Traeger’s flagship blend of maple, hickory and cherry. The cherry mellows smoke while maple and hickory add texture. A versatile middle-of-the-road option.

This covers the flavor spectrum from sweet fruit woods to savory maple and hickory, with herb accents. Turkey benefits from smoke that enhances its natural flavor without overpowering it.

Benefits Of These Blends For Turkey

These specialized blends have advantages over traditional smoking woods:

• Milder Smoke – Hickory and mesquite are very intense. The fruit and maple tones temper the smoke.

• Moisture Retention – Cleaner smoke prevents turkey from drying out. Keeps meat tender and juicy.

• Sweetness – Fruitwoods provide delicate sweetness that balances savory aspects.

• Herbal Notes – Rosemary and maple add seasoning and aromatic effects.

• Subtle Complexity – Layering woods creates flavor depth without overwhelming the turkey.

Tips For Best Results

Follow these tips when smoking turkey with Traeger pellets:

• Brine the turkey overnight before smoking for maximum juiciness.

• Rub the skin with oil or butter then apply a spice rub. Improves bark formation.

• Smoke at 225-275°F using indirect heat. Use a drip pan to catch drippings.

• Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in thighs.

• Let turkey rest 30 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.

• Use a moist cooking method like spritzing to prevent skin drying out.

• Add fruit juice or a water pan for extra moisture and flavor.

• Use herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary to complement the wood smoke.

Pellet Recommendations By Taste

Tailor your pellet selection to specific flavor preferences:

• For Purists – Signature Blend enhances natural turkey flavor.

• For Contrast – Poultry Blend provides sweet/earthy balance.

• For Savory – Turkey Blend amps up umami with hickory and rosemary.

• For Convenience – Turkey Brine Kit + Pellets simplifies prep work.

• For Bold Smoke – Blend in some pecan or mesquite pellets for robust flavor.

• For Sweetness – Extra apple or cherry pellets increase fruity essence.

Creative Seasonings and Sauces

Don’t limit yourself – get creative with seasonings, glazes and sauces:

• Rub with cajun or jerk seasoning for spicy flavor.

• Glaze with fruit preserves, chutney, spiced honey or brown sugar.

• Brush skin with garlic & herb-infused olive oil during smoking.

• Inject turkey with a marinade of melted butter, citrus and herbs.

• Glaze with barbecue sauce or Traeger sauces in the last 30 minutes.

• Top with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or green onion before serving.

Traeger’s specialized blends make it easy to infuse incredible flavor into smoked turkey. Their Signature, Poultry and Turkey varieties balance fruit woods with maple smoke. Creative spices, rubs and sauces let you customize the flavor profile. Follow these pellet recommendations and tips for the juiciest, most mouthwatering wood-fired turkey possible. Your guests will gobble it up!