Smoking a whole turkey is easier than you think! Tips on how to Prepare, How to Brine, What temperature to Smoke a Turkey, and How long to Cook!
Typically, we’ve usually had Oven Roasted Turkey, and a few times we’ve had Fried Turkey, but last year, we researched How to Smoke a Turkey and tried that for the first time!
In fact, every last bite of the 15 lb Turkey was devoured, and people were looking for more.
I’d just had major surgery, so Nick and the boys were on their own for the Thanksgiving Dinner Meal Preparation.
We have some amazing local friends who invited us to eat dinner with them, they handled most of the meal, we just brought the Turkey, a couple of sides, and a dessert.
If serving for a holiday meal (or you just want Turkey & Dressing) try this delicious southern cornbread dressing – it’s so good!
He bought a Camp Chef Smoker, and it uses Pellets to smoke. (It was worth the investment, we smoke on it at least 1-2 times per week. Living in Texas, we are able to use it year round.)
When he smokes turkeys, he prefers to use Apple, Hickory, or Cherry Wood Pellets in the smoker.
If you do not have a smoker, you can also prepare a turkey in a dutch oven! This recipe for dutch oven turkey breast is divine! It produces a perfectly roasted turkey breast with crispy skin, slathered in a garlic and herb compound butter and topped with homemade gravy.
We chose a 15lb Butterball Turkey, let it unthaw for a few days ahead of time in the refrigerator, and the day before began the brining process.
Smoking a turkey for Thanksgiving or any special occasion results in incredibly moist, flavorful meat when done right. But smoking a large 19 lb bird requires patience. At 275°F, you need to allow ample time for the turkey to cook through while absorbing maximum smoke.
So how long does it take to smoke a 19 lb turkey at 275°F?
Through research and trial and error, I’ve nailed down a timeline to ensure your 19 lb turkey turns out perfectly cooked with intense smoky flavor every time
Calculating Times for Smoking a 19 lb Turkey
The general rule of thumb when smoking turkey is to allow 15-25 minutes per pound at 275°F,
For a 19 lb turkey, this equals:
- 15 minutes/lb = 285 minutes (4 hours, 45 minutes)
- 25 minutes/lb = 475 minutes (7 hours, 55 minutes)
So you can expect a total smoking time of 5-8 hours for a 19 lb turkey at 275°F.
I recommend planning for 6.5-7.5 hours to be safe. This allows enough time for the thick breast meat to reach 165°F and thighs to reach 175°F.
If you smoke at a lower temperature like 225°F, the times increase to over 10 hours. While smoking longer develops more flavor, 275°F gives the best balance of smoke penetration and reasonable cook time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Smoking a 19 lb Turkey
Follow my detailed instructions for smoking a juicy, tender 19 lb turkey:
1. Thaw the Turkey
Make sure the turkey is fully thawed before smoking. Place it in the fridge 2-3 days ahead.
2. Dry Brine the Bird
Mix 1 tbsp salt per lb with brown sugar, herbs and spices. Coat the turkey inside and out. Refrigerate 12-24 hrs.
3. Prep the Smoker
Bring your smoker to 275°F using wood chunks. Apple, pecan and cherry work well.
4. Smoke the Turkey
Place turkey breast up on a rack in a foil pan. Insert a probe thermometer in the thickest part of breast. Smoke 6.5-7.5 hours until 165°F.
5. Rest and Carve
Let rest 30 mins before carving for juicy meat!
Turkey Smoking Times Per Pound
For reference, here are general guidelines per pound when smoking turkey at 275°F:
- 12 lb turkey: 4-5 hours
- 14 lb turkey: 5.5-6 hours
- 15 lb turkey: 6-7 hours
- 16 lb turkey: 6-8 hours
- 17 lb turkey: 6.5-8 hours
- 18 lb turkey: 7-9 hours
As you can see, the times scale up as the turkey size increases. A good rule of thumb is 20-25 minutes per lb when smoking at 275°F.
Why 275°F is the Best Temperature for Smoking Turkey
While hotter temperatures like 325°F shorten the cooking time, you sacrifice smoke penetration and moisture.
The relatively low and slow 275°F gives you:
- Slow collagen breakdown for tender meat
- Time for smoke to fully permeate
- Decreased drying out, especially in the breast
- More leeway vs. higher temps
Maintaining an even 275°F and smoking to 165°F internal temp results in the juiciest texture and richest smoky flavor.
Helpful Tips for Smoking Turkey Success
Follow these tips for the best smoked turkey possible:
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Use a probe thermometer to monitor the temp.
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Add a foil pan of water to the smoker for extra moisture.
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Rub butter under the skin before smoking for added fat.
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Once at 150°F, wrap in foil to power through any stall periods.
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Let rest 30 mins up to 1-2 hours after smoking before carving.
The Takeaway
Allow 5-8 hours when smoking a 19 lb turkey at 275°F for ideal juicy, tender and smoke-infused meat. With some patience and my step-by-step instructions, you’ll have amazing smoked turkey for Thanksgiving or any celebration!
HOW TO BRINE THE TURKEY
We prepared the turkey (remove giblets, wash, pat dry) then placed the turkey in a XL Ziploc Bag. Add in 1 gallon vegetable broth, 1 gallon ice water, 1 cup kosher salt, 1 cup brown sugar, 12 oz molasses, 12 oz honey, 8 oz minced garlic, 1 tbsp rosemary, 1 tbsp thyme, 1 tbsp sage, and 1 tbsp poultry seasoning.
Do you HAVE to brine? No. But, it does come out more flavorful and moist if you do.
An alternate brining recipe is this citrus turkey brine. You can add different things to the brine but make this brine with quality ingredients so your Thanksgiving menu is perfection.
In our research, we found that the rule of thumb is to smoke the turkey at 275 degrees, 15 minutes for each pound.
We had a 15 lb Turkey, so we smoked it at 275 degrees for just under 4 hours.
When smoking food, the key factor is indirect heat and consistent temperatures.
The goal is to keep your ambient grill temperature at an even 275 degrees F for the entire smoke.
Times may vary according to type of smoker, did it hold a constant temperature, etc. so be sure to allow some extra time and monitor the smoker temperature while it’s smoking.
*Edited to add, we do not spatchcock our smoked turkeys, but you could if you wanted to.
We use a Food Thermometer to test the temperature before we remove it from the smoker.
Turkey is safe to take eat when it’s reached 165 degrees in the thickest part of the breast and 180 in the thigh.
When our turkey reached it’s perfect temperature, we removed it to a roasting pan for transport, and allowed it to rest for 20 minutes on our drive to our friends house, covered in foil. When we arrived, we removed the foil, and carved it. We prefer to use an electric carver.
We received an electric carver as a wedding gift 23 years ago, and it’s still going strong! It makes slicing SO quick and easy, so you can get the turkey on everyone’s plate as fast as possible, and get down to enjoying the meal!
Do you Stuff a Smoked Turkey:
Sometimes we stuff ours with Sliced Apples, Oranges, and Butter.
Other people we know like adding onions and garlic to the mix, but we’ve never tried that simply because I have an onion allergy. I LOVE smoked turkey and if it’s been stuffed with onions, I can’t eat it.
Consider serving with easy sourdough stuffing!
How To Smoke A Turkey On A Traeger Pellet Grill – FULL STEP-BY-STEP
FAQ
How long to smoke a 19 pound turkey at 275 degrees?
At 275 F/135 C, your turkey will take 20 to 25 minutes per pound.
Is 275 too high to smoke a turkey?
The goal is to keep your ambient grill temperature at an even 275 degrees F for the entire smoke.Jan 10, 2025
Is it better to smoke turkey at 225 or 325?
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.
Is 275 too low for turkey?
It is not safe to cook any meat or poultry in an oven set lower than 325 °F.
How long does it take to smoke a Turkey at 275?
It will take 20-25 minutes per lb, so it will take approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes to cook a 18 lb turkey at 275 degrees F. It will take 20-25 minutes per lb, so it will take approximately 7 hours and 10 minutes to cook a 19 lb turkey at 275 degrees F. How long does it take to smoke a turkey at 300 F?
How long do you smoke a 17 pound turkey?
To smoke a 17-pound turkey at 300 degrees, follow the rule of thumb: smoke it for 15 minutes per pound, for a total of 30 minutes (17 pounds x 15 minutes = 255 minutes or 4 hours and 15 minutes). The turkey in this recipe was smoked at 275-300 degrees for slightly under 4 hours.
How long does it take to cook a 17 lb Turkey?
It will take approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes to cook a 17 lb turkey at 275 degrees F. It will take 20-25 minutes per lb, so it will take approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes to cook a 18 lb turkey at 275 degrees F. It will take 20-25 minutes per lb, so it will take approximately 7 hours and 10 minutes to cook a 19 lb turkey at 275 degrees F.
Is it safe to smoke a Turkey at 275 degrees?
Since smoking occurs at low temperatures, the risk is even greater. As long as your smoker temperature remains steady at 275 degrees, the turkey should climb out of the danger zone within a reasonable time frame. If your unit tends to run on the cooler side, consider setting the target temp a bit higher, just to be safe.
What temperature should a Turkey be smoked at?
Smoking turkeys is best done at a low temperature, between 250-300 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the smoke to slowly penetrate the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful finished product. If the temperature is too high, the turkey will cook too quickly on the outside while the inside remains raw.
How big should a Turkey be for a smoker?
For the most part, we prefer to select turkeys for the smoker that are on the lower end of the spectrum, size-wise. If you can find a bird that weighs 10 to 12 pounds, that’s probably your best bet. On the other hand, we recognize that it’s not always easy to find turkeys that small, as their average weight falls in the 17- to 30-pound range.