If youre looking for a new way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey this year, give this Traeger Smoked Turkey Recipe a try! Its tender, smokey, and easy to prepare! But if you have a smaller gathering, try my Traeger smoked turkey breast recipe instead!
When you smoke a turkey on a pellet grill, low and slow, then finish it at a higher temperature you get a turkey with juicy breast meat, crispy skin, and an amazing smokey flavor!
Smoking a turkey on a pellet grill is a fantastic way to prepare a juicy and flavorful bird for your next holiday meal. With the right techniques, smoking a turkey on a pellet grill can result in moist, tender meat infused with delicious wood smoke flavor. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step so you can smoke the perfect turkey on your pellet grill.
Choosing and Preparing the Turkey
The first step is selecting a high quality fresh or thawed turkey. Look for a bird that is 10-15 pounds to fit comfortably in most pellet grill cook chambers. Make sure to thaw frozen turkeys for 3-5 days in the refrigerator before smoking.
Once thawed trim away excess fat and skin flaps and remove the neck and giblets from the cavity. Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry. Next brine the turkey for 12-24 hours in a salt, sugar and herb brine to impart moisture and flavor.
After brining, rinse the turkey again and pat dry. Apply a dry rub inside the cavity and all over the skin. Try using a smoked turkey rub blend or poultry seasoning. The rub will add another layer of flavor during smoking.
Setting Up the Pellet Grill
Before placing the turkey on the grill, get your pellet grill dialed in. Clean the grill grates and line the drip pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Fill the hopper with your favorite smoking wood pellets like hickory maple or cherry.
Preheat the grill to 225-250°F using the smoke setting Add a disposable foil pan filled with water to the grill to help regulate temperatures and add moisture
Once preheated, place the seasoned turkey breast side up on the grill grates, away from direct heat. Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, taking care not to touch bone. Close the lid and let the smoking begin!
Maintaining Ideal Temperatures
The ideal smoking temperature for turkey is 225-250°F. This low and slow cooking method allows the poultry to gently cook while absorbing tons of smoky flavor.
Monitor the grill and turkey temperatures closely. If grill temp falls below 225°F, increase pellet feed rate. If it creeps above 275°F, vent to release heat.
Maintaining a steady, low temperature is key to perfectly smoked turkey. The bird is done when the thickest part of breast reaches 165°F.
Spritzing and Basting
A common technique when smoking meat is spritzing or misting the surface with a flavorful liquid. Mix up a spritz with apple juice, chicken stock or wine. Spray the turkey every 45-60 minutes to help retain moisture and add a layer of flavor.
You can also baste the turkey with melted butter or an oil-based mop sauce. Basting helps promote browning and caramelization of the skin. Apply baste during the last 1-2 hours of smoking.
Allowing the Turkey to Rest
Once the turkey breast hits 165°F, use heavy duty gloves to remove it from the grill. Let it rest on a cutting board for 30-60 minutes.
This resting period allows juices to redistribute through the meat for a moist, tender texture. The internal temp will also rise 5-10 degrees during this time for perfectly safe doneness.
Carving and Serving
After resting, carve the smoked turkey. Slicing across the breast grain helps yield tender, juicy meat. Arrange sliced turkey on a platter with pan juices for serving.
Your hard work has paid off with a show-stopping smoked turkey with succulent meat, crispy skin and incredible smoke flavor. Pair it with your favorite sides and get ready for rave reviews!
Smoking a whole turkey on a pellet grill results in the perfect centerpiece for a holiday feast or anytime meal. Follow this foolproof process for your best smoked turkey yet. The sweet smoky flavor is sure to become a new family favorite.
How to Plate A Thanksgiving Turkey
Here is an easy way to plate a Thanksgiving turkey. Line the edges of a large platter with a mixture of fresh or dried herbs. I used two varieties of sage, thyme, and rosemary, the same herbs I used to stuff the turkey.
Next, I placed a smaller plate in the center. Make sure its large enough to accommodate the size of your turkey. Finally, add a pop of color. I added dehydrated oranges and dried lemon slices. If serving this Traeger smoked Turkey for Christmas, you can add pine fronds, dried bay leaves, and cranberries.
Not sure how to carve your turkey, heres a How to Carve A Turkey Guide with video and step-by-step instructions.
If youre looking for side dish ideas to serve with this Traeger turkey recipe, Ive got your back! This beautiful Thanksgiving fruit salad is a real show-stopper! If youre feeling a little naughty, this Chipotle Smoked Mac and Cheese is creamy, smoky and oh so comforting!
Another great option is these Easy Scalloped Potatoes start off in an Instant pot and finish off in the oven. Finally, you may want to try this yummy whole berry cranberry sauce and this easy and delicious sausage stuffing for more classic Thanksgiving side options!
The size of the turkey will depend on the number of guests. You should plan for 1 to 1-½ lbs of turkey per guest. Remember that some of that weight accounts for the bones, neck, and giblets (gizzards, liver, and heart). If you have more than 10 guests, consider smoking another turkey or a turkey breast.
Apple, maple, cherry, pecan, oak, and hickory are all great options for smoking a turkey on a pellet grill.
Although there are many brined turkey recipes out there, I prefer to skip this step. Instead, I inject the turkey with butter, which makes it really tender. Smoking the turkey at a lower temperature and basting it further ensures that the turkey remains tender and juicy.
In order for the smoke to penetrate the turkey, it should not be covered with aluminum foil. However, the turkey can be loosely tented with foil as it rests.
Ensure the skin is coated with ample oil, butter, or pan juices then smoke the turkey until the internal breast temperature reaches 150°F. Turn the grills temperature up to 400°F and continue to smoke the turkey until the breast temperature registers at 165°F.
Plan on smoking your turkey for approximately 30 to 40 minutes per pound.
It will take approximately 7-8 hours to smoke a 15-pound turkey. Keep in mind this number can fluctuate based on the outside temperature and how many times the lid is lifted.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This Traeger smoked turkey recipe does not require brining. I dont know about you, but I never have enough room in the fridge for a turkey soaking in brine, especially around Thanksgiving!
- My favorite thing about smoking turkey on a Traeger is that it frees up the oven for side dishes, bread rolls, and pies!
- Leftover smoked turkey breast can be used to make delicious gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches!
- The Traeger smoked turkey carcass can be used to make a delicious creamy turkey soup.
Easy Smoked Turkey Recipe for Thanksgiving (on a Pellet Grill!)
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke a turkey in a pellet grill?
Place the pan with the pellet grill turkey on the grill grates. Close the lid and start smoking a turkey on a pellet grill for 2 1/2-3 hours.
Is it better to smoke a turkey 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.
How long to smoke a 15 lb turkey at 225 degrees?
Set the smoker to 225° F. Place the turkey on a cooking rack and cook for 8 to 12 hours or until the inner thigh temperature reaches 180° F.
How do you keep turkey moist in a pellet smoker?
While the turkey is smoking every 1-2 hours, you can baste the turkey with chicken or vegetable broth. This will help keep it juicy and avoid drying out.Oct 18, 2024