This tasty Traeger Smoked Turkey with stuffing is very juicy and full of flavor! It’s the easiest way to make your Thanksgiving turkey, and it only takes 15 minutes to prepare. The meat is moist and tender, thanks to the tasty apple stuffing and crunchy candied pecans.
Imagine a scene straight out of a Dickens book: your guests gather around the table, their eyes widening as you present a work of art: a perfectly smoked turkey with deep mahogany-colored skin. The real show-stopper, though, was the smell of apples and candied pecans from the perfectly cooked stuffing. It made me think of a smoked turkey that would beat all the classics.
We’ve combined the time-honored tradition of smoking with a stuffing with the simplicity of a pellet smoker. You’ll end up with a moist and tasty turkey and stuffing that tastes so good you’ll want to make it all year.
Smoking a turkey on a pellet grill is a great way to add delicious smoky flavor to your Thanksgiving centerpiece. When you stuff the turkey with flavorful ingredients like cornbread, sausage, or wild rice, you take the flavor to the next level. With the right techniques, smoking a stuffed turkey on a pellet grill results in a moist, juicy bird infused with wood smoke. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to smoke the perfect stuffed turkey.
Choosing the Right Pellet Grill
The first step is choosing the right pellet grill for the job. You need a grill with enough capacity to hold a large turkey, precise temperature control, and good smoke production. Look for a pellet grill with at least 500 square inches of cooking space. Leading brands like Traeger, Camp Chef, and Green Mountain Grills make excellent choices. Make sure to select food-grade wood pellets designed for smoking, like hickory, apple, cherry, or pecan.
Prepping the Turkey
Start with a fresh, unfrozen turkey if possible. Carefully remove the giblets and neck from the cavity. Pat the turkey dry inside and out with paper towels. If desired, you can brine the turkey beforehand to boost moisture and flavor. Make sure the turkey is fully thawed if using a frozen one.
When it comes to stuffing, you have options. Cook your favorite stuffing separately and stuff it in the cavity just before smoking. You can also loosely stuff the cavity with aromatics like onions, apples, fresh herbs or citrus before smoking.
Trussing for Success
Properly trussing the turkey is key for even cooking, Use butchers twine to tie the legs together and tuck the wings under the body, Trussing keeps the turkey compact so it cooks evenly Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast before smoking
Perfecting the Smoke
Set up your pellet grill for indirect smoking with the heat on one side and no direct heat under the turkey. Target a smoking temp between 220°F to 250°F using a smoking wood pellet flavor like hickory, cherry, or apple.
Place the stuffed turkey breast-side up on the opposite side of the heat source. Insert a drip pan filled with water, broth, wine, or cider under the turkey to help keep it moist. Close the grill lid and let the turkey smoke for around 1 hour per pound, 5-6 hours for a 12-15 lb bird.
Maintaining Moisture and Temperature
Basting is key for a juicy smoked turkey. Open the grill every 45-60 minutes and baste the turkey with melted butter, chicken or turkey stock, or herbed olive oil. Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature, aiming for 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh.
If the skin starts to get too dark, tent the turkey loosely with foil. Let the turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute. The result is a tender, juicy stuffed turkey infused with rich wood smoke flavor.
Troubleshooting Issues
Here are some common problems and solutions:
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Turkey drying out – Baste more frequently. Tent with foil if skin gets too dark. Use a drip pan. Brine turkey beforehand.
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Uneven doneness – Ensure turkey is properly trussed. Cook at a consistent temperature. Rotate turkey if possible.
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Not enough smoke – Make sure pellets are lighting and producing smoke. Add smoke tube if needed.
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Takes longer than expected – Use an instant read thermometer for doneness, don’t rely solely on time.
Handy Tips for Success
Follow these tips and you’ll be feasting on perfect smoked turkey in no time:
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Brine 12-24 hours for extra moisture and flavor
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Stuff cavity loosely to allow smoke penetration
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Truss legs and tuck wings to ensure even cooking
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Maintain steady smoker temp between 220°F-250°F
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Baste every 45-60 minutes with melted butter or stock
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Tent with foil if skin browns too quickly
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Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving
Smoking a stuffed turkey on a pellet grill results in incredibly moist, tender meat infused with delicious wood smoke character. With the proper techniques, your holiday table will be graced with the perfect centerpiece turkey. Follow this guide for smoking success.
MAKE THE CANDIED PECANS
- Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pecans and toast them until they smell good, stirring them around a few times.
- In a small bowl, mix the water, brown sugar, and creole seasoning together.
- Take the pecans off the heat and quickly pour the brown sugar mixture over them. Toss to coat.
- Place the pecans on a baking sheet lined with wax paper to cool.
How to stuff turkey
Let the turkey smoke for 3 hours before carefully removing it from the grill.
Using a turkey baster, remove any fat from the cavity. You can save these fats and boil them later to make gravy.
Carefully put the stuffing inside the turkey and tie the legs together at the ankles to keep it in place. Then, cook the turkey as directed on the recipe card.
Easy Smoked Turkey Recipe for Thanksgiving (on a Pellet Grill!)
FAQ
How long to smoke a stuffed turkey at 225 degrees?
How long does it take to smoke a 15 lb turkey on a pellet grill?
How do you keep turkey moist in a pellet smoker?
Can you stuff a turkey and then smoke it?
Can you smoke a stuffed turkey on a pellet grill?
Smoking a stuffed turkey on a pellet grill results in a juicy, flavorful meal that your family will love As pellet grills grow in popularity, more people are discovering how well they perform for poultry. The even, indirect heat gently cooks the turkey from the inside out The smoke from the wood pellets gives it a delicious flavor.
How do you cook a turkey breast on a pellet grill?
Prepare pellet grill for indirect cooking at 300 degrees F (148 degrees C) using a combination of Hickory, Maple, and Cherry wood pellets for flavor. Any flavor pellet can be used. Place the turkey on the smoker and cook until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (73 degrees C) in the breast.
How do you cook a smoked turkey on a pellet grill?
Coat skin with olive oil and rubs. Smoke at 300°F on pellet grill with apple/cherry blend until 165°F, about 4 hours. Rest 30 minutes before carving. This method results in a flavorful smoked turkey with tender juicy meat and delicious stuffing. Adjust cooking time up for larger birds. Enjoy this savory meal with your family!
Is pellet smoked turkey stuffed?
Unlike oven roasted turkey, pellet smoked turkey is best not stuffed. Herbs and rubs are fine, but we want to allow as much good smoke and air flow as possible. Mild woods with sweeter notes are best with turkey. Consider woods like maple, apple, cherry or pecan.
Can you cook a Spatchcock Turkey on a pellet grill?
Spatchcocking increases the surface area, which cooks your turkey quicker. It may smoke more evenly compared to a whole bird. A spatchcock turkey is easier to carve. Smoking a spatchcock turkey on a pellet grill isn’t the most common choice… But it can be done!
How long does it take to smoke a 15 lb Turkey?
When smoking a 15 lb turkey on a pellet grill at 240 degrees F… It should take 7.5-11 hours to smoke your turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F. When smoking a 12 lb turkey on a pellet grill at 225 degrees F… It should take 6 hours to smoke your turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F.