This easy double smoked turkey is simple and delicious. Your friends will think you spent all day prepping a Thanksgiving quality turkey!.
**Post written by The BBQ Brothers. Read The BBQ Brothers Beginner’s Guide To Grilling first to learn how to prepare meat, set up the grill, control temperature and humidity, choose the right tools, and follow the steps in their recipes. Then, get cooking!
Hey guys, Andrew here. To begin, I do not enjoy turkey in any way (I understand, I am strange). Though I can promise you that this simple smoke will make all of your guests happy and make them think that you spent all day cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving!
When my parents’ freezer broke, they had to store some of their food at our house so it wouldn’t go bad. That’s how I found this recipe. I’m so lucky! When Caitlin saw this turkey in our freezer, she asked me to cook it for our friends and family during “Dipsgiving.” Lucky me again! (Although I think everyone filled up on dips before the turkey was done smoking. )So let’s get started.
To begin, I strongly advise that you buy a turkey breast instead of a whole bird if you don’t want to spend all day stuffing it. In this case, we used one from The Kansas City Steaks Co. They have great stuff on there so I encourage you to give them a try. Our turkey breast was already pre-cooked/smoked. First, we want to rub the bird down with some vegetable oil and our All Purpose BBQ Rub. Heat the smoker to 250 degrees and throw it on indirect heat with some mesquite wood chips.
You must remember the number one complaint about turkey is that it is DRY. So we want to get something on the smoker to baste it with as we smoke. Since the turkey breast is already cooked, we are just heating it up and adding smoke flavor at the same time. We’ll put a coffee mug with two sticks of butter, two teaspoons of hot sauce (I used Tabasco), one teaspoon of honey, and a sprinkle of rub next to the turkey. Place the mug over direct heat. This will be our basting mix. The butter melts as the food smokes, and when we open the lid, everything is already hot on the grill, so we don’t have to bring anything out in the cold. (We made this in November after all!).
Leave the lid on the first time we smoke for about 45 minutes (resist the urge to peek). Then we’ll baste the bird every 15 to 20 minutes for another two hours, or until it reaches 170 degrees, which is the temperature we want it to be when we serve it. As the last 10 minutes approach, we want to baste it really hard (where the bird is dripping) and turn up the heat to get a good bark. Once it is done let it rest for about 30 mins, slice and then serve.
There it is! All done. No stuffing or carving, just a plain turkey with a big smokey flavor! Want more ways to spice up your Thanksgiving menu? Check out this Smoked Turkey Porchetta and this Thanksgiving Bacon Explosion!
The holidays are right around the corner, which means it’s turkey time again! If you have leftovers from your holiday feast or picked up a pre-cooked turkey from the store you may be wondering if you can add smoky flavor by smoking it. The answer is a resounding yes! Smoking a fully cooked turkey is totally doable with the right technique.
Why Smoke a Pre-Cooked Turkey?
There are several good reasons to smoke a fully cooked turkey:
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Add delicious flavor – Smoking infuses an incredible depth of flavor into meat that you just can’t replicate any other way It takes a plain turkey from boring to bold
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Use up leftovers – Don’t waste leftover turkey – give it new life by smoking it for tasty sandwiches, salads, casseroles and more.
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Moisture preservation – Low, indirect smoker heat helps reheat turkey without drying it out.
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Make it feel fresh – Smoking transforms leftover turkey so it tastes like you just cooked it.
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Excite your taste buds – The smoky flavor makes your taste buds sing. It’s like experiencing the turkey for the first time again.
With just a touch of smoke, you can reinvigorate turkey leftovers or pre-cooked turkey into something exciting.
How to Smoke a Fully Cooked Turkey
Smoking a pre-cooked turkey is easy. Here are the basic steps:
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Pat turkey dry – Remove excess moisture for better smoke absorption and crisper skin.
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Season lightly – A simple rub adds flavor but go easy since it’s already cooked.
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Preheat smoker to 300-325°F – Low, indirect heat prevents drying out the meat.
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Add turkey and wood chunks – Use milder woods like apple or maple so smoke flavors complement turkey.
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Smoke for 1-2 hours – Smoke until 165°F internal temp or warmed through.
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Rest and slice – Let rest 15 minutes before slicing for juicy results.
It’s that simple! The turkey will gently reheat while absorbing maximum smoke flavor at a low temperature.
Smoking a Whole Turkey
For a full turkey, spatchcocking helps it smoke evenly. Calculate about 1-1.5 hours of smoking time per pound. Place breast up in the center of the smoker, away from direct heat.
Smoking Turkey Parts
You can smoke any cooked turkey pieces like breast, legs or wings using the same method. Pieces will take less time, usually 30-45 minutes. Monitor temperature and pull when fully heated.
Handling Leftover Turkey for Great Results
For the best results when smoking leftover turkey, handle it properly after the initial cook:
- Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving to preserve juices
- Carve turkey and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
- Store tightly wrapped in fridge for 3-4 days maximum
- Slice, dice or shred turkey before smoking to maximize smoky flavor
Perfectly smoked turkey starts with proper storage and handling. Prevent bacterial growth by promptly refrigerating and using leftovers within a safe timeframe.
Choosing Woods for Smoking Turkey
The smoke flavor should complement the delicate turkey without overpowering it. Good wood choices include:
- Apple – mild, sweet, fruity smoke
- Maple – subtly smoky with a hint of sweetness
- Cherry – mellow smoke with a touch of fruitiness
- Pecan – rich and nutty but still mild
Avoid heavy smoke from hickory, oak or mesquite wood, which can easily make turkey taste bitter.
Smoked Turkey Dishes to Try
Adding smoke to cooked turkey opens up amazing possibilities for leftovers. Some tasty ideas:
- Smoked turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
- Turkey chili or soup with a touch of smokiness
- Smoked turkey tacos or nachos for a fun twist
- Turkey salad or wraps with smoky flavor
- Smoked turkey pizza with crispy crust and gooey cheese
- Turkey casserole or pot pie infused with apple wood smoke
With just a little smoke, you can give pre-cooked turkey new life in so many dishes beyond plain old sandwiches. Get creative!
Yes, You Can Smoke a Fully Cooked Turkey!
Pre-cooked turkey from the store or your own leftovers are perfect candidates for smoking. The low indirect heat warms the turkey while infusing it with incredible flavor. With the right handling and the proper woods, smoked fully cooked turkey is moist, tender and full of flavor. It breathes new life into holiday leftovers and makes meals exciting. Give your taste buds a jolt by smoking turkey!
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How to Heat and Serve – Smoked and Fully Cooked Turkey
FAQ
Can you smoke a precooked turkey?
Is it safe to smoke a 15 pound turkey?
How long does it take to cook a precooked turkey?
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Turkey Weight
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Servings*
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Reheating Time
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10 lbs.
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8
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1 hr 20 mins – 1 hr 40 mins
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15 lbs.
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12
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2 hrs – 2.5 hrs
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20 lbs.
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16
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2.5 hrs – 3 hrs 15 mins
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25 lbs.
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20
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3 hrs 15 mins – 4 hrs 15 mins
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Can you smoke a precooked Turkey?
So there you have it. You absolutely can smoke a precooked turkey, whether it’s whole or broken down into its various cuts. Whenever you’re smoking turkey, whether it’s precooked or not, the key focus remains the same: keep it moist! Smoking a precooked turkey at 300°F – 325°F tends to yield the best smokiness.
Can you smoke both a ham and a Turkey?
Thanks. Yes you can smoke both the ham and the turkey. They are fully cooked so you are basically just warming them up. If you do this in the smoker you will get a very nice smoke flavor on the meat. I like to warm them up at a low heat around 225 so it gets that extra smokey flavor and it shouldn’t dry out.
Do you need to Bast a smoked turkey?
Basting is not necessary when reheating a fully cooked smoked turkey. The turkey is already cooked and basting may increase the cooking time. However, you can brush it with a light glaze or melted butter for added flavor if desired.
Can you smoke a turkey without a smoker?
To smoke the turkey, you will need a smoker. If you do not have a smoker, you can also use a grill or a charcoal barbecue. The first step is to preheat the smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the smoker is preheated, place the turkey inside.
How long does it take to smoke a Turkey?
90 Minutes at 180: Place turkey (breast side up) on the smoker grate*, insert temperature probe (if any) and close the lid. Let smoke for 90 minutes and then baste with melted butter. 2 Hours at 215: After 90 minutes increase temperature to 215 degrees F and let turkey smoke for an additional 2 hours. Then baste with melted butter.
Can you smoke a precooked turkey breast?
When it comes to smoking a precooked turkey breast, you want to allow the smokiness to infuse into the turkey without overcooking it – otherwise, it can become tough! To smoke a precooked turkey breast, preheat your smoker to 300°F – 325°F and place your turkey in the best spot in your smoker.