How Long Does It Take to Smoke a Turkey on a Gas Grill?

Smoking a turkey on a gas grill is a great way to free up oven space and add delicious smoky flavor to your holiday bird But smoking a turkey requires patience – it can take hours for the bird to fully cook and absorb the smoke flavor. So how long exactly does it take to smoke a turkey on a gas grill? Let’s take a closer look.

Factors That Affect Smoke Time

Several factors impact the time it takes to smoke a turkey on a gas grill

Size of the Turkey – Not surprisingly, the larger the bird, the longer the smoke time. A good rule of thumb is to estimate 12-15 minutes of smoking time per pound So a 15 lb turkey will take 3-4 hours
Grill Temperature – The temperature you maintain in your grill is key. Lower temperatures (225-250°F) mean a longer smoke, while higher temps (300-325°F) reduce the time. But don’t rush it – longer smoke times result in more flavorful birds.
Brining – Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine before smoking will increase the time slightly since brined birds tend to be heavier. Figure an extra 30-60 mins for a brined turkey.
Weather Conditions – Wind, cold temps, rain, or snow can affect your grill temperature and required smoke time. Colder weather may necessitate a longer smoke.

Estimated Smoke Times

Based on the factors above, here are some general guidelines for estimated smoke times for turkeys of different sizes:

12 lb turkey – 3 to 4 hours
15 lb turkey – 4 to 5 hours
18 lb turkey – 5 to 6 hours
20 lb turkey – 6 to 7 hours
24 lb turkey – 7 to 8 hours

These times assume a grill temp around 250°F and normal weather conditions. Brined birds may take slightly longer.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps for smoking a turkey on a gas grill:

Remove giblets and rinse turkey inside and out. Pat dry.
Brine (optional): Soak turkey in brine 12-24 hrs. Rinse and pat dry.
Prepare grill: Soak wood chips 30 mins. Set up grill for indirect cooking.
Season turkey inside and out with herbs, salt, pepper, etc.
Place turkey on grill opposite burners/heat source, breast up. Add drip pan.
Maintain temperature of 250-300°F, adding more wood chips every 45-60 mins.
Rotate turkey 180 degrees every 1-2 hours for even cooking.
Use meat thermometers to monitor temperature. Turkey is done at 165°F thigh/breast.
Let rest 30 mins before carving.

Doneness and Food Safety

When smoking a turkey, always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness – appearance alone is not a reliable indicator. The USDA and food safety experts recommend heating turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and thigh areas. This ensures any bacteria are killed and the turkey can be safely consumed.

Resting the smoked turkey for at least 30 minutes before carving also allows the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat for better moisture.

Other Tips for Delicious Smoked Turkey

Use aromatic wood chips like apple, cherry, hickory, pecan or mesquite for the best flavor. Avoid strongly flavored woods like oak.
Brining is highly recommended to keep the turkey moist and seasoned throughout the long smoking time.
Resist peeking under the grill lid too frequently, which can cause temperature fluctuations and add time.
Use a disposable aluminum drip pan under the turkey to prevent flare ups.
If the turkey skin gets too dark, tent it loosely with foil without touching the skin.

With the right technique, some patience, and a good meat thermometer, you can enjoy a perfectly smoked turkey with delicious crispy skin and juicy tender meat. Smoking the holiday bird on a gas grill frees up your oven and rewards you with fantastic flavors. Just be sure to allow plenty of time for good smoked turkey – it’s definitely worth the wait!

how long does it take to smoke a turkey on a gas grill

Steps to Make It

Gather the ingredients. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi
In a large saucepan, mix the brown sugar, apple juice, and salt together. Bring to a boil over high heat and stir it around a few times to break up the sugar and salt. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Remove and throw away any foam that forms on top. Allow to cool completely. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
The apple juice mixture should be mixed with water, oranges, ginger, cloves, bay leaves, and garlic in a large stockpot (5 gallon or larger). The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Get rid of any extra fat that you find on the turkey and everything inside the body. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Put the turkey in the brine mixture and set it aside for 24 hours. Make sure that the turkey remains completely submerged. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Put the hickory chips in water and let them soak for twenty to thirty minutes. Take out one cup of the chips from the water and put them in a foil packet. Make 15 to 20 holes in all sides of the package. Remove the grill grates. Set up your grill so that it can cook food indirectly over medium heat (about 325 F/165 C). Place the foil package on the grill’s direct-heat side. Replace the grill grates. Close the lid and heat the grill until the foil packet starts to smoke. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Take the turkey out of the brine and pat it dry with paper towels. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Hold the legs together with kitchen twine, and brush vegetable oil all over the turkey. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Set the turkey on a rack inside a foil pan to roast. Place the turkey on the grill’s side that doesn’t have direct heat. Cover the grill. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Wrap the wings in foil after 30 to 40 minutes to keep them from burning. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Brush with vegetable oil periodically. Put foil over the breasts if they get too brown. Every two hours, switch out the old foil packet for a new one that has one cup of the soaked hickory chips inside. Make 15 to 20 holes in the new package all the way around. Keep the old foil packets in a heat-safe container until the fires are out completely. Then, throw them away safely. The smoked turkey is done when the temperature inside the thigh reaches about 170 F/80 C and the temperature inside the breast reaches about 155 F/75 C. Keep in mind that the turkey’s temperature will rise another 10 to 15 degrees while it rests. It will take about 12 to 14 minutes per pound. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Take the meat off the grill when it’s done and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Carve and serve. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

While you cook the turkey, keep an eye on how hot the grill is. Gas grills are simple to control, but a charcoal grill will need a little more care. You can keep the temperature around 325 F by either opening the grill vents more to raise the temperature or closing them more to lower it. You should never shut off the bottom grill vent all the way, though, or the charcoal could go out.
Adding 8 charcoal briquettes to a charcoal grill every hour is a good idea. If you don’t, the charcoal will run out before the turkey is done cooking.

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat turkey gently, covered with foil in a 325 F oven until just heated through. If you don’t want to risk drying out the meat, you can also slice leftover turkey very thinly, put it on warmed plates, and pour piping hot gravy over top to reheat it.

Use leftover turkey on sandwiches, in soups, or in casseroles.

How to Smoke a Turkey on a Gas Grill

FAQ

Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?

When you’re ready to smoke your turkey, aim to keep the smoker between 225°F and 275oF. The ideal temperature for smoking a turkey is low and slow at 250oF, but even the best smokers will have temperature fluctuations in the five- to six-hour cooking time.

How long to smoke a 10 lb turkey?

Water Smoker Cooking Times

Weight	Cook Time
8-12 lbs.	4-8 hrs.
12-18 lbs.	6-10 hrs.

Should you smoke turkey in foil when smoking?

Instead, let the turkey smoke uncovered. If the turkey is done early, you can then wrap it in foil to insulate the heat and help the juices absorb into the meat.

Can you smoke a turkey on a Weber gas grill?

smoke the Turkey in the Weber Smoky Mountain. over indirect heat at. 325 degrees with the fruity wood chunks of your choice. grab a beer. this cooks gonna take a few hours. open the lid every hour. during the smoking process. and spray the Turkey skin with your favorite oil spray.

How long to cook a Turkey on a gas grill?

The cooking time for a turkey on a gas grill will vary depending on the size of the turkey, the temperature of the grill, and the desired degree of doneness. For a general guideline, plan on cooking a turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, a 10-pound turkey will take about 3 hours to cook.

How long do you cook a Turkey in a smoker?

Pre-heat the smoker to 225 degrees F and set up for indirect heat. Load the smoker with your wood of choice and a drip pan full of water. Transfer the turkey to a pre-heated grill. Cook for 30 minutes per pound at 225 degrees F, spritzing with the broth every 45-60 minutes. When spritzing, check the drip pan to see if more water needs to be added.

What temperature do you smoke a Turkey on a gas grill?

If you’re opting to use a manual smoker or gas grill, aim to keep it between 225 – 250 degrees F. No matter what method you use, make sure the smoke coming off the grill is thin and has a light blue tint. Turkey – The turkey should be 100% defrosted and weight under 15 pounds. Smoking Wood – Chunks, chips or pellets.

How do you cook a Turkey on a grill?

Put a drip pan on the flavorizer bars with 2-3 liters of water under where the turkey will go. If you plan on using the drippings in a gravy then only use 1 liter of water. Set-up the grill for indirect heat, meaning that the turkey will not be directly over a lit burner. Preheat your grill for 10-15 minutes before adding your turkey.

How do you smoke a Turkey on a grill?

Make sure you have a drip pan at the ready to catch the drippings as well as keep your smoker environment 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.

Can you smoke a Turkey on a gas grill?

Yes, you can smoke an entire turkey using your gas grill. Smoked turkey is delicious and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Just smoking a turkey on a gas grill is possible.