Mastering the Art of Smoking Turkey Breast on a Pellet Grill for Juicy, Flavorful Results

Smoking turkey breast on a pellet grill results in incredibly moist, tender meat infused with delicious smoky flavor. It’s an amazing way to prepare turkey. But to nail it, you need to understand how long to smoke turkey breast for ideal doneness.

With the right timing and technique, your smoked turkey breast will turn out perfect every time. Let’s dive into the details.

Turkey breast is a lean, healthy cut of white meat from the breast portion of the turkey. Boneless turkey breast is readily available at grocery stores.

Smoking is a low and slow cooking method using indirect heat and aromatic wood smoke Pellet grills make smoking easy thanks to precise digital temperature control

The combined effect of gentle smoking and wood-fired flavor takes turkey breasts to new heights. Let’s look at how long you should plan to smoke turkey breasts.

How Long to Smoke Boneless Turkey Breasts

Smoking times for boneless, skinless turkey breasts

• 1-2 lbs: Smoke for 2-3 hours at 225°F

• 3-4 lbs: Smoke for approximately 4 hours at 225°F

• 5 lbs: Smoke for around 5 hours at 225°F

These timeframes allow the breasts to fully cook while staying nice and juicy. Monitor temperature with a meat thermometer for best results.

Smoking Turkey Breasts with Bones

For bone-in breasts, increase smoke times:

• Bone-in breasts: Add 30 mins – 1 hour

The bones help retain moisture but do require slightly longer cooking.

What About Smoking Whole Turkey?

For whole turkeys, use these general smoke times as a guide:

• 10-15 lb turkey: Estimate 5-6 hours

• 15-20 lb turkey: Estimate 6-8 hours

Whole birds take longer than single breasts. Again, use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.

Internal Temperatures for Safely Cooked Turkey

Regardless of cut, turkey is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

After smoking, double check the minimum internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast and thigh using an instant read thermometer.

Cooking to 165°F destroys any potential bacteria for food safety. Let the turkey rest 5-10 minutes before carving.

Step-by-Step Smoking Method

Follow these steps for juicy smoked turkey breast on a pellet grill:

• Trim excess fat. Rinse and pat the breast dry.

• Season the turkey breast liberally with favorite spices or rub.

• Preheat pellet grill to 225°F with preferred smoking wood.

• Place breast on grill, meat side up. Smoke for recommended time.

• Check internal temp, remove at 165°F. Let rest before slicing.

It’s that easy for deliciously smoky turkey breast off the pellet grill.

Choosing the Best Wood Pellets for Turkey

Milder fruit woods like apple, cherry, and pecan work wonderfully for smoking turkey:

• Apple wood provides a slightly sweet, fruity smoke flavor.

• Cherry wood also gives a milder, sweeter smoke profile.

• Pecan wood imparts a nutty, rich flavor while smoking.

You can also use hickory or mesquite for a stronger, bolder smoky taste. It’s fun to try different wood pellet flavors and see what you like best.

Brining First Makes Turkey Even More Flavorful

For the juiciest texture and most flavor, consider brining the turkey breasts before smoking. Here is an easy brine recipe:

• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• Herbs and spices

Submerge turkey in brine 4-8 hours. Rinse and pat dry before seasoning and smoking as usual.

Handy Time Saving Tip

For convenience, smoke turkey breasts the day before needed. Reheat gently in the oven later when ready to serve.

This allows you to smoke on your own schedule. Then just reheat to serve.

Serving Smoked Turkey Breast

Smoked turkey breast makes wonderful sandwiches, salad topping, pizza and more. Some tasty sides to serve it with include:

• Smoked Mac and Cheese
• Grilled Asparagus
• Coleslaw
• Baked Beans
• Collard Greens

With the right timing, you’ll master perfectly smoked turkey breast on your pellet grill. Enjoy the juicy texture and wonderful smoky flavor.