How Long Do You Smoke a Turkey on a Traeger?

Smoking a turkey on a Traeger wood pellet grill is one of the best ways to get a delicious juicy and flavorful bird for your Thanksgiving dinner. But cooking times can vary quite a bit depending on the size of your turkey and a few other factors.

Here’s a complete guide to how long you should expect to smoke your turkey when using a Traeger grill along with tips to ensure perfect results.

Overview of Turkey Smoking Times on a Traeger

As a general guideline, smoking a turkey on a Traeger will take approximately 30-40 minutes per pound at a temperature between 225-250°F.

So for a

• 12 lb turkey – Expect around 6-8 hours total
• 14 lb turkey – Around 7-10 hours
• 16 lb turkey – 8-12 hours
• 18 lb turkey – 10-14 hours
• 20 lb turkey – 12-16 hours

These times can vary though depending on a few factors:

Turkey Size

The most obvious factor is the size of your turkey. Larger birds will simply take longer to cook through to the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.

Grill Model

Different Traeger grill models heat up at slightly different rates, which affects total cook time. Timberline and Ironwood models with TRU Convection tend to cook a bit faster.

Outdoor Temperature

If you’re smoking your turkey in very cold weather, it will likely take a bit longer to cook than during warmer temperatures.

Increased Grill Temp

While 225-250°F is ideal for smoking, you can shorten the cook time by cranking up the temperature to 275°F or even 350°F towards the end to finish faster. This helps ensure the skin gets nice and crispy too.

Spatchcocking

“Spatchcocking” the turkey (removing the backbone and flattening it out) significantly decreases smoking time. A spatchcock turkey will be done in about half the time or less.

Brining

Soaking your turkey in a saltwater brine before smoking helps retain moisture, but it can extend cooking time slightly since brined birds weigh more.

Step-by-Step Guide to Smoking Times for Whole Turkey

Follow this timeline as a guide for approximating the smoking stages and times required when cooking a whole turkey on your Traeger grill:

1. Turkey Prep – Up to 24 Hours

• If frozen, thaw turkey in fridge 1 day for every 4 lbs
• Remove giblets & neck from cavity
• Trim excess fat & skin
• Brine turkey (optional) – needs 8-12 hours
• Apply dry rub the night before – up to 24 hours ahead

2. Remove Turkey from Fridge – 30 Minutes

• Take turkey out of fridge 30 minutes before smoking
• Let it come closer to room temp before cooking

3. Preheat Grill – 15 Minutes

• Preheat Traeger grill to 225°F
• Use Super Smoke mode if available
• Let it preheat 15 minutes with lid closed

4. Place Turkey on Grill – Monitor Temp

• Insert probe thermometer into thickest part of breast
• Place turkey on grill breast-side up
• Maintain temperature at 225-250°F
• Monitor internal temp – target is 165°F

5. Estimate Smoking Time

Approximate time ranges:

• 12 lb turkey – 6-8 hours
• 14 lb turkey – 7-10 hours
• 16 lb turkey – 8-12 hours
• 18 lb turkey – 10-14 hours
• 20 lb turkey – 12-16 hours

6. Let Turkey Rest – 30 Minutes

• Once breast temp hits 165°F, remove turkey
• Tent loosely with foil and let rest 30 minutes
• Internal temp will rise to 170°F+
• Turkey is now safe to eat!

7. Carve and Serve

Your Traeger smoked turkey is ready to carve and serve! Dig in and enjoy.

Tips for Maximizing Flavor

Follow these tips when smoking turkey on your Traeger pellet grill for the best possible flavor:

• Brine the turkey – Brining makes the meat super juicy and seasoned throughout. Aim for about 1 cup of kosher salt per gallon of water.

• Use a rub – Coat the turkey evenly with a Traeger turkey rub or poultry seasoning for great flavor. Apply at least 12 hours before smoking.

• Try turkey injection – Injecting a flavorful marinade deep into the turkey adds moisture and flavor. Popular options are broth, melted butter, herbs, citrus or hot sauces.

• Use wood pellet flavors – Opt for milder, sweeter pellets like apple, cherry, pecan, or Traeger’s Turkey Blend to complement the turkey.

• Crank up the heat – Finish at 350°F to crisp the skin.

• Make turkey stock – Simmer the neck, giblets, aromatics and veggies in water while smoking then strain for an amazing turkey stock.

Troubleshooting Smoking Times

If your smoked turkey is taking much longer than expected to reach the target internal temp, here are a few things to try:

• Increase the smoker temperature to 275-300°F

• Check that your probe thermometer is properly placed deep in the breast and not touching bone

• If breast is cooked but thighs aren’t, tent foil over breast and continue cooking until thighs are 165°F

• If turkey seems done on outside but not inside, tent loosely with foil and continue cooking until breast hits 165°

• Be sure to calibrate your thermometer in boiling water to ensure accuracy

The most surefire way to guarantee your turkey is fully cooked through to a safe temperature is to use a reliable digital meat thermometer. This takes the guesswork out of determining doneness.

Enjoy Perfectly Smoked Turkey

Smoking a turkey on a Traeger pellet grill results in an incredibly flavorful, moist and tender bird, but cook times can vary. Plan on about 30-40 minutes per pound as a general rule of thumb. Monitor the temperature closely with a meat thermometer and use these timing guidelines to ensure your turkey turns out perfectly cooked.

With a little preparation and patience, your Traeger smoked turkey will be a huge hit on Thanksgiving and any time of year. Just relax and let your pellet grill do the hard work of infusing your turkey with delicious Traeger wood-fired flavor.