A smoked Traeger turkey is cooked to perfection with smoke and heat giving it a nice crispy skin and juicy meat. We brined this turkey in buttermilk and spices to make sure this is the juiciest turkey you have ever served for Thanksgiving.
For many people, the star of a holiday feast is a beautifully roasted turkey And there’s no better way to achieve turkey perfection than cooking it in a Traeger wood pellet grill
Traeger grills unlock next-level wood-fired flavor and tenderness in turkey through precise temperature control and smoky aroma from hardwood pellets.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook an amazing turkey in a Traeger including
- Benefits of using a Traeger
- Choosing the right model
- Preparing and seasoning
- Cook times and temps
- Carving and serving
Let’s get started on the path to your best Traeger turkey yet!
Why Cook Turkey in a Traeger?
Traeger pellet grills offer major advantages when cooking turkey:
Wood-Fired Flavor – Hardwood pellets infuse the turkey with delicate smoky flavor you can’t achieve with an oven. Apple maple and oak blends work great.
Juicy and Tender – Low and slow cooking retains moisture. The turkey roasts evenly with no hot spots.
Hands-Off Convenience – Hold target temp automatically with precision controllers. No need to constantly check and adjust.
Safer Cross Contamination – Turkey juices don’t spread mess in the oven. Just empty and clean the drip tray.
Space Savings – Grill your turkey outside and free up oven space for sides.
Choosing the Right Traeger Grill
Nearly any Traeger model can accommodate a full turkey, but larger units will offer more interior capacity.
Here are some top options:
- Timberline 1300 – Extra large 21 lb turkey capacity
- Ironwood 650/885 – Fits up to 18 lb turkey
- Pro 575/780 – Good for turkeys up to 16 lb
Make sure to check the dimensions of your turkey and grill’s cooking area. Allow 2+ inches of clearance on all sides for proper air circulation.
If you have a smaller grill, smoked turkey breast is a great alternative to a whole bird. Slice and serve it like you would a full turkey.
Preparing and Seasoning the Turkey
Proper prep is key for the best possible Traeger turkey:
- Thaw safely – Allow 24 hours per 4 lbs in the fridge. Do not thaw at room temperature.
- Dry brine – Rub kosher salt and baking powder inside cavity and under skin a day ahead.
- Season outside – Coat with olive oil and rub in Traeger turkey seasoning.
- Truss legs – Tie drumsticks together with kitchen twine to hold shape.
- Insert probe thermometer – Monitor ambient and internal temp.
With prep complete, let’s get this bird on the grill!
Traeger Turkey Cook Times and Temps
The right combo of temperature and cook time results in a flawlessly cooked turkey.
For best results, target an ambient grill temp of 225-275°F and cook until the breast and thighs reach 165°F internally.
Here are estimated Traeger cook times for various turkey sizes:
- 10-12 lb turkey: Approximately 3 hours
- 14-16 lb turkey: Approximately 4 hours
- 18-20 lb turkey: Approximately 5 hours
Always rely on a meat thermometer over cook times for doneness, as each grill and turkey can vary slightly.
After pulling the turkey off the grill, let it rest 20-30 minutes before slicing for improved moisture.
Carving and Serving Traeger Turkey
Time to put your carving skills to work! Follow these steps:
- Transfer turkey to a cutting board, tent with foil.
- Using a sharp knife, remove legs and wings.
- Cut along both sides of the breastbone to remove breasts.
- Slice breast meat crosswise into thin slices.
- Cut leg meat off thighs and drumsticks.
- Arrange meat nicely on a platter to serve.
For the juiciest meat, make sure to slice across the grain. And don’t forget to save those bones for leftovers!
Offer your guests a little crispy skin, tender white meat, and juicy dark meat for the perfect Thanksgiving meal.
Achieving Turkey Greatness
That covers everything you need to know to cook a mouthwatering turkey in your Traeger grill!
The wood smoke flavor and juicy tenderness you’ll achieve is well worth the minimal effort.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Cook turkeys up to 20 lbs in most Traeger grills
- Prep turkey at least a day ahead
- Use kosher salt and Traeger rub to season
- Smoke at 225-275°F until 165°F internal temp
- Let rest before slicing neatly across the grain
I hope these Traeger turkey tips help you wow your family this holiday season. Now get out there and start grillin’!
Video – How to make a Traeger Turkey
First, we brined this turkey in buttermilk overnight with an assortment of great spices and herbs. This ensures the turkey is going to turn out extremely juicy when you serve it for dinner. I use a brine when cooking any turkey or my Traeger Chicken recipe.
Second, smoking with a variety of fruit woods gives it a nice smoky flavor that you just wont get when roasting a turkey in the oven. Rubbing the outside with butter also helps that skin crisp up.. My favorite part!
Choosing fresh ingredients and brining overnight will really make the difference when preparing this Traeger turkey recipe.
- 15lb Turkey (Should serve 8-10 people)
- Butter
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
- Buttermilk
- Kosher Salt
- Black Peppercorns
- Bay Leaves
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
Turn up the Heat
After 3 hours the turkey should be close to 110°-120°F internal temperature. Leaving the bird on the smoker, increase the Traeger smokers temperature to 350°F. Turning up the heat is going to help get that skin nice and crispy!
Continue to spritz the bird every 30-45 minutes during this high temperature cooking to help keep the turkey moist. Smoke until the the breast reads 165°-170°F and the thigh reads 180°F internal temp.
When these temperatures are reached, the turkey is finished cooking and ready to be removed to a cutting board or serving platter. Use meat gloves to transfer the turkey from the grill to your cutting board/platter.
Allow the turkey to rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute within the meat.
THIS IS IMPORTANT! You have done everything you can up to this point to keep this turkey moist, dont ruin all your hard work by carving too soon.
Use an electric carving knife when carving turkey for extreme ease. Its the best way to get consistent slices and super easy to use. I find the perfect thickness to be ⅛ – ¼” thick.
Arrange the sliced turkey on a serving platter making it easier for guests to pick the ones they want! Everyone will love the buttery and delicious smoky flavor this smoked turkey recipe brings to the table!
Dont expect that many leftovers. The juicy meat and crispy skin will be irresistible, causing overeating and satisfied dinner guests.
Smoked Traeger Turkey | Thanksgiving Turkey | Smoked Turkey Recipe
FAQ
How long does a turkey take to cook in a Traeger?
How long and and what temperature do I cook my turkey? A small bird (8 to 12 pounds) requires 2-1/2 to 3 hours at 325 degrees F; a medium (12 – 18 pounds) will need 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours; and a large bird (over 18 pounds) could take up to 6 hours.
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.
How long to smoke a 15 lb turkey on a pellet grill?
For example, this 15 pound turkey will take 7 and 1/2 hours at 225 degrees F. I always plan an extra 30 minutes, just in case.Oct 24, 2022
How do you keep turkey moist in a pellet smoker?
How do you keep turkey moist in a pellet smoker? I highly recommend wet brining your turkey for at least 12 hours before cooking. This is the key to producing an incredibly flavorful and juicy turkey.