This smoked turkey recipe is the perfect turkey to serve on Thanksgiving or other special occasions. The turkey is delicious and tender, and the whole bird tastes like it came from an upscale restaurant. I can guarantee this smoked turkey will take your holiday meal to the next level!
Nothing beats a home-cooked turkey on Thanksgiving, and this smoked turkey recipe will help you get the best smoked turkey ever! Don’t feel intimidated by this recipe. Smoking a turkey can be just as easy as cooking it in your kitchen.
You can make a smoked turkey at home, no matter what kind of grill you’ve got on your deck. In fact, our first-ever smoked turkey was done on our old gas grill, and to date, is one of the most amazing smoked turkeys I’ve ever had (you never forget your first!).
Nowadays, I prefer to use my Camp Chef SmokePro pellet smoker because it maintains the smoke and temperatures for me so I don’t have to do as much babysitting. But you can make this smoked turkey on a gas grill, charcoal grill, or any type of smoker you have. The most important thing is to use a grill where you can create indirect heat, maintain consistent temperatures, and add in the element of wood smoke.
The post below is loaded with lots of information to help you get the best smoked turkey around. Please take the time to read through the entire post before you smoke your first bird. Following all the recommendations below will help you avoid any pitfalls on the big day.
Smoking a turkey can seem intimidating, but with the right temperature, it can turn out incredibly juicy, flavorful and tender. As an avid barbecue enthusiast and blogger, I’ve smoked many turkeys over the years and learned the ideal temperature range to use. In this article, I’ll share my tips on what temperature you should use when smoking a turkey for the perfect results.
Why Temperature Matters
The temperature you smoke the turkey at affects both food safety and the final texture of the meat Poultry needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any harmful bacteria. Smoking at too low of a temp could keep the turkey in the danger zone between 40-140°F for too long On the flip side, too high of a temperature may cause the turkey to dry out.
Choosing the right temperature balanaces cooking the turkey safely while retaining moisture and tenderness. The ideal temperature for smoking turkey is between 225-275°F. Let’s look at why this range works so well.
The 225-275°F Sweet Spot
Smoking turkey between 225-275°F produces the best results in my experience for a few key reasons
-
Slow cooking tenderizes – The lower temperature range tenderizes the turkey by gently breaking down connective tissue over several hours. The collagen melts into delicious gelatin that keeps the meat juicy.
-
Time to absorb smoke – Cooking low and slow gives the smoke more time to fully penetrate the meat, elevating the flavor. The smoke binds to the turkey skin as well, helping it get crispy.
-
Moist interior – Smoking at a lower temperature evaporates moisture slower from the turkey as compared to roasting at a high heat. The turkey stays nice and moist, not dried out.
-
Food safety – At 225-275°F, a 15 lb turkey will fully cook in under 5 hours, keeping it safely out of the danger zone. Higher temps cook even faster.
Within this optimal range, I recommend picking either 225°F or 275°F as your target temperature when smoking a turkey. Let’s compare the differences between these two recommended temperatures.
Smoking at 225°F
Setting your smoker to 225°F will give you:
-
Longer cooking time – Figure about 30 minutes per pound at this temp.
-
Very tender meat – More time for the collagen to break down.
-
Pronounced smoke flavor – Long cook really allows the smoke to soak in.
-
Moist meat – Slow evaporation of moisture.
Smoking at the lowest end of the range means cooking the turkey low and extremely slow. This extended time allows the smoke to fully permeate the meat. The breast meat ends up incredibly juicy at a lower temperature.
The biggest downside is the longer cook time. A 15 lb turkey will need 7-8 hours at 225°F. You’ll also want to monitor it closely and rotate periodically to prevent uneven cooking. Overall an excellent choice for small gatherings where you can devote the time.
Smoking at 275°F
Moving up to 275°F produces:
-
Shorter cook time – Around 30-35 minutes per pound.
-
Tender meat – Collagen still has time to break down.
-
Good smoke absorption – Flavor still penetrates well.
-
Crispier skin – The higher heat helps render the fat under the skin.
At 275°F, you cut the smoking time nearly in half compared to the 225°F cooks. A 15 lb turkey will finish in under 5 hours, making this temp better for larger gatherings.
The turkey skin crisps up better at the higher heat as well. The breast meat may end up slightly drier than at a lower temp, but is still juicy if you don’t overcook it. Overall 275°F produces a great smoked turkey in a shorter timeframe.
Key Tips for Smoking Turkey
Beyond picking the right temperature, follow these tips for success:
-
Brine the turkey – Brining keeps the meat incredibly moist and adds flavor. Use a simple saltwater brine or spiced broth.
-
Cook to 165°F – Use a meat thermometer to ensure the breast and thigh reach 165°F minimum.
-
Allow to rest – Letting the turkey rest for 15-20 minutes after smoking allows the juices to reabsorb for a tender bite.
-
Flavor with rub – For fantastic flavor, coat the turkey with a savory spice rub before smoking.
-
Use fruit wood – Apple, cherry and pecan wood add wonderful flavor without overpowering the turkey.
Smoking turkey between 225-275°F produces perfectly cooked, juicy and delicious results. The lower end of the range delivers incredibly tender meat while the higher end reduces cook time. Brining, monitoring temperature and resting the turkey helps ensure you achieve the ideal flavor and texture. With the right temperature and some simple tips, you can master smoking turkey at home.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
A good rule of thumb is to plan on 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person. Remember, you will be cooking a whole turkey with bones, skin, wings, etc. that won’t necessarily be consumed at the Thanksgiving table.
Personally, I estimate 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person. This will ensure everybody gets enough, and you’ll have leftovers for sandwiches the next day.
Supplies Needed for a Smoked Turkey
Here are the supplies you’ll need to gather prior to making your smoked turkey:
Make sure the fresh turkey your purchase is around 15 pounds or less for food safety reasons. If you have a large group gathering for Thanksgiving, I recommend getting 2-3 smaller birds instead of one large turkey for dinner. See the next section about how much turkey to plan per person if you are unsure what size turkey to purchase.
The reason I recommend avoiding smoking a turkey over 15 pounds is that it can take too long to cook. Your bird will be sitting in the food safety danger zone between 40-140 degrees F for too long, and you risk bacteria overgrowing and spoiling your turkey before it is finished.
It’s best to cook 2-3 smaller turkeys versus a large one. If you REALLY want to cook a larger bird, I recommend using my Spatchcocked Smoke Roasted Turkey recipe. It is a flattened bird that cooks at a higher temperature so it is safer and more evenly cooked (no dry breasts on a spatchcocked bird!).
What temperature do you smoke a turkey on a pellet grill?
FAQ
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.
What temperature do you pull turkey off a smoker?
When the high-temp alarm sounds, check your turkey with a Thermapen® ONE in a few places to be sure it is thoroughly cooked. Make sure the lowest temp you see is 157°F (69°C).
Can you pull turkey off a smoker at 155?
Smoked turkey breast temperature
In fact, skinless turkey breast reaches the same kill-off at only 157°F (69°C) in only 47.9 seconds. It will have the same safety at 155°F (68°C) in 1.2 minutes!
Is a smoked turkey 165 or 180?
Turkey Doneness Temperature
Turkey Doneness Temp: 157°F (69°C) in the breast—not 165°F!, and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh for moist turkey. (USDA charts here or read more below to see why this is safe.)