When it comes to the holiday season, we all know smoked turkey is the undisputed king. Nothing beats a wood-fired bird surrounded by all the trimmings on Thanksgiving day. If youre curious about how to smoke a turkey like a pro, read our turkey smoking guide for the best tips and tricks.
How Long to Smoke a Bone-In Turkey Breast for Perfectly Juicy Results
Smoking a bone-in turkey breast is a fantastic way to enjoy delicious, juicy turkey without having to smoke a full-sized bird. With a smaller cut of meat than a whole turkey you can get your turkey breast fully smoked and cooked in only 3-4 hours. This makes bone-in turkey breast the ideal size for feeding a smaller gathering of 4-6 people.
In this article, we’ll provide tips on how long to smoke a bone-in turkey breast to get perfect results every time
Selecting and Preparing the Turkey Breast
When selecting a bone-in turkey breast for smoking, allow about 1/2 to 3/4 pound per person. A breast in the 5-7 pound range would be ideal for feeding 4-6 people. Go for the largest, meatiest breast you can find within your budget.
Be sure to remove the turkey breast from packaging and pat it completely dry before applying any rubs or seasoning. Getting the skin as dry as possible will help it crisp up beautifully when smoked.
Applying a Dry Brine
Dry brining is highly recommended to boost flavor and moisture in a smoked turkey breast. Simply coat the breast all over with a mixture of salt, pepper, herbs and spices. Let it rest uncovered in the fridge for 8-24 hours before smoking. The salt will draw moisture out of the breast initially, then that moisture will reabsorb along with the seasoned salt for a more deeply flavored, tender and juicy finished product.
How Long to Smoke a 5-7 lb Bone-In Turkey Breast
- 225°F smoker temp: Approximately 3-4 hours
- 250°F smoker temp: Approximately 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours
The best way to know when your turkey breast is done is to use a digital meat thermometer. You’ll want to smoke the breast until it reaches an internal temperature of 160-165°F. Then carryover cooking while it rests will bring it up to the ideal safe temp of 165°F.
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, estimate around 45 minutes per pound smoked at 225°F or 35-40 minutes per pound at 250°F. But always rely on temp rather than time.
Smoking Tips
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Apply a spice rub for flavor and crispy skin. Try brown sugar, chili powder, garlic, herbs.
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Use apple, cherry, pecan or hickory wood for optimal flavor.
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Place breast on a rack in a foil pan to catch drippings for making gravy later.
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Spray with apple juice or broth every 45-60 minutes to prevent drying out.
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Rest 20-30 minutes tented in foil before slicing for juiciest results.
Letting it Rest
An important step after smoking your turkey breast is letting it rest before slicing and serving. This resting period of 20-30 minutes allows the juices to redistribute back into the meat. If you skip this step, the juices tend to run out when you slice it, resulting in dry turkey.
Tenting the breast with foil while it rests keeps it nice and warm until ready to serve. Then you can slice and serve it with all those lovely juices locked in.
Making Gravy from the Drippings
One of the best parts of smoking a bone-in turkey breast is getting to make gravy from all the flavorful drippings. Be sure to place a foil pan underneath the rack holding your turkey to catch the drippings.
After removing the smoked turkey, pour the drippings into a saucepan. Add a couple tablespoons of flour and whisk vigorously over medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes to form a thickened roux. Whisk in chicken broth until desired gravy consistency is reached. Season with salt, pepper and herbs as desired.
For an even more intense smoky gravy, add a splash of liquid smoke flavoring. This homemade gravy is the ideal accompaniment for your juicy smoked turkey breast.
Serving Suggestions
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Slice smoked turkey breast and serve on sandwiches with cranberry sauce.
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Dice or shred for amazing smoked turkey salad, tacos, pizza, casseroles and more.
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Pair slices with mashed potatoes and smoky gravy for a satisfying dinner.
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Add to a hearty chef or cobb salad for a filling smoked turkey salad.
Leftover turkey breast also freezes very well for later use. Simply slice, tightly seal in freezer bags and freeze up to 3 months.
Smoking a bone-in turkey breast is one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to enjoy turkey. With the tips above on dry brining and following temperature guidelines, you’ll have tender, juicy results in only 3-4 hours. Serve it for dinner or slice it up for endless leftovers. A smoked turkey breast is sure to become a go-to item perfect for feeding smaller gatherings.
How to Smoke a Turkey Step-by-Step
Truss the Turkey – Or Not
Trussing a turkey means securing the legs close to the body of the bird. Some store-bought turkeys come with a built-in plastic truss. You can also use kitchen twine to tie the ends of the legs together.
The point of trussing is to make the surface of the bird a more regular shape. Sometimes, this can prevent hotspots on certain parts of the bird, which could dry out the meat. However, you can easily skip this step if you want.
And, perhaps obviously, if youre spatchcocking a turkey, you cant truss it.
Smoked Bone In Turkey Breast
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke a bone-in turkey breast at 225?
- Preheat smoker to 225°F.
- Wash turkey well and pat dry. …
- Ingredients. …
- Place on middle rack of smoker and smoke for 4 ½ to 5 hours, about 45 minutes per pound, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Is it better to smoke a turkey breast at 225 or 250?
325-350. It’s not a low and slow like a brisket or pork shoulder. Poultry soaks up the smoke flavor so you run the risk of having way too much smoke flavor if you go 225. Also 225 will never give you crispy skin.
What is the best temperature to cook a bone-in turkey breast?
375°F is the ideal temperature for roasting bone-in turkey breast with skin. This temperature creates a beautiful crust and at the same time, it helps retain moisture by rendering the fat slowly.
How long to smoke a 2 lb boneless turkey breast?
Smoking a 2 lb boneless turkey breast at 250°F will take approximately 2 to 3 hours to reach an internal temperature of 157° F, which allows for 5 to 7 …Nov 7, 2023
How long does it take to smoke a bone-in Turkey Breast?
It’s the ideal size for feeding a smaller gathering of 4-6 people. With less meat than a whole turkey, you can get your turkey breast fully smoked in only 3 to 31⁄2 hours. This saves a ton of time compared to the 6-8 hours for a full turkey. Throughout this article, I’ll provide a complete guide to successfully smoking a bone-in turkey breast.
How long does it take to smoke a 2 pound turkey?
A 2-pound turkey breast will take about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours to smoke. However, remember the turkey breast’s internal temperature is more important than the cooking time. So, remove it once it has the correct temperature. It takes about 40-45 minutes to cook at 225. Therefore, a 7-pound turkey takes about 4 1/2 hours to 5 1/2 hours to cook.
Should you smoke a bone-in Turkey Breast?
Smoking a bone-in turkey breast is a fantastic way to add incredible flavor and juiciness to this lean cut of meat When done properly, a smoked turkey breast can be just as moist and delicious as a whole smoked turkey, but without needing to smoke a massive bird.
How long does it take to cook a bone-in Turkey Breast?
Depending on your location, you may only be able to find bone-in turkey breast. Ultimately, the cooking time will depend on the size of the breast. Generally, it would take about 40-45 minutes to smoke a bone-in turkey. So, cooking a 3-pound bone-in turkey breast will take about 2 to 2 hours and 15 minutes.
How big should a smoked turkey breast be?
Follow these tips and you’ll have a smoked turkey breast with juicy meat that pulls right off the bone with just a gentle tug. For the best results, choose a bone-in turkey breast that’s 5-7 pounds. Smaller or larger turkey breasts can work but may need their cook times adjusted.
How long does it take to smoke a boneless breast?
On average, smoking time will be: 3 to 4 hours for a bone-in breast: The bone conducts heat slower than meat, extending cooking time. Plan for around 3 1⁄2 hours for a 5 to 7 pound bone-in breast. 2 1⁄2 to 3 1⁄2 hours for a boneless breast: Without the bone, the meat smokes and cooks faster. A 4 pound boneless breast takes about 2 1⁄2 hours.