This delicious Traeger Smoked Turkey with stuffing is incredibly juicy and flavorful! It’s the best way to make your Thanksgiving turkey with only 15 minutes of prep, and the result is moist, tender meat from a flavorful turkey stuffed with delicious apple stuffing and crispy, crunchy candied pecans.
Imagine the scene, right out of a Dickens novel: your guests gather around the table, eyes widening as you unveil a masterpiece – a flawless smoked turkey, its skin glistening with a deep mahogany hue. But the real showstopper? The aroma of candied pecans and apples from the perfectly cooked stuffing – promising a smoked turkey that knocks the classics out of the park.
We’ve combined the time-honored tradition of smoking with a stuffing with the simplicity of a pellet smoker. What you get is a turkey that’s moist and flavorful, with a stuffing so good, you’ll be tempted to make it year-round.
What to Stuff a Turkey With When Smoking: 10 Delicious Stuffing Ideas
Smoking a turkey is a fantastic way to infuse delicious smoky flavor while keeping the meat moist and juicy. But what should you stuff it with? The right stuffing provides extra flavor and aroma that permeates the turkey as it slow cooks.
When smoking turkey, you want a stuffing with bold flavors that can stand up to the smoke. Here are 10 delicious ideas for stuffing to try in your next smoked turkey
- Sausage and Herb Stuffing
A savory sausage and herb stuffing is a classic choice. Try a combination of ground sausage onions celery, sage, thyme and parsley. The sausage provides a nice meaty flavor while the herbs give it freshness. For extra richness, toast fresh bread cubes in the sausage drippings.
- Cornbread Stuffing
For a Southern-style stuffing, use crumbled cornbread as your base. Sauté onions, celery and sage in butter or turkey drippings. Toss the cornbread with chicken or turkey broth and the sautéed veggies. You can also add roasted pecans, diced apple and fresh herbs.
- Wild Rice and Mushroom Stuffing
Wild rice gives great texture and nutty flavor. Cook wild rice and mix with sautéed mushrooms, onions, garlic and celery. Chicken or turkey broth and a dash of white wine add moisture. Finish with parsley and thyme.
- Apple and Cranberry Stuffing
Tart apple and bright cranberry make a fruity fall stuffing. Use diced Granny Smith apples, dried cranberries, onion, celery and poultry seasoning. Adding pecans or walnuts gives crunch. Fresh orange or lemon zest brightens it up.
- Bacon and Brussels Sprouts Stuffing
The smoky bacon flavor pairs perfectly with shredded Brussels sprouts. Cook bacon, remove, then sauté shallots and shredded sprouts in the drippings. Toss with torn bread cubes and crumbled bacon.
- Mexican Inspired Stuffing
Southwestern flavors like chili powder, cumin, corn and black beans make a tasty change from traditional stuffing. Sauté onion, garlic and jalapeño. Mix with roasted poblano peppers, cooked black beans, corn, cilantro and spices. Stuff corn bread cubes with the mixture.
- Italian Sausage Stuffing
Italian sausage and sun-dried tomatoes give this stuffing robust flavor. Cook loose Italian sausage and onion. Combine torn bread cubes with the cooked sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, basil and Asiago cheese.
- Oyster Stuffing
For an old-school seafood stuffing, oysters are the star. Make this bread-based stuffing with sautéed celery, onions and oysters, flavored with parsley, thyme and sage. The briny oysters pair great with the smoky turkey.
- Chestnut and Pancetta Stuffing
Roasted chestnuts and crispy pancetta add nice texture and richness. Cook chopped pancetta till crisp. Sauté shallots, celery and herbs. Toss mixture with cubed French bread, chicken stock and chopped roasted chestnuts.
- Classic Bread Stuffing
You can’t go wrong with a classic bread stuffing seasoned with onion, celery, butter, sage, thyme, parsley and chicken broth. Use sturdy bread like sourdough, French or ciabatta so it holds up.
Tips for Best Results
Here are some tips to get the most flavor from stuffing when smoking turkey:
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Use bold flavors like sausage, nuts, mushrooms and cheese that can stand up to smoke.
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Chop ingredients small so flavors blend evenly.
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Toast bread or cornbread to prevent sogginess.
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Cook vegetables, sausage and aromatics first to build flavor.
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Use broth, wine or drippings to moisten.
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Stuff loosely rather than tightly packed to allow smoke to penetrate.
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Insert stuffing right before smoking instead of the night before.
You can also skip stuffing and insert quartered citrus fruits or aromatics into the cavity while smoking. The citrus and herbs will slowly infuse flavor.
How Long to Smoke a Stuffed Turkey
Smoking time varies depending on size, temperature and if stuffed. Plan for around 15-20 minutes per pound. A stuffed turkey takes a little longer than an unstuffed one. Use a probe thermometer and cook until 165°F in the thickest part of breast and thigh. If smoking at 225-250°F, a stuffed 12 lb turkey may take 4-5 hours, 15 lbs around 6 hours.
Should You Cook Stuffing Separately?
It’s difficult to ensure stuffing reaches 165°F when cooked inside the turkey. For safety, it’s best to cook stuffing separately in a baked casserole dish. You can use the same stuffing recipe and put aromatics in the cavity while smoking. Cook the stuffing alongside the smoked turkey.
Enjoy Delicious Smoked and Stuffed Turkey
Smoking turkey with the right stuffing results in incredibly juicy, tender and flavorful meat. Try one of these creative stuffing ideas that complement the smokiness. Using flavorful aromatics, veggies, fruits, nuts and herbs allows the stuffing to shine. Fire up your smoker and get ready for amazing stuffed smoked turkey this holiday season. Just be sure to use a thermometer and cook thoroughly.
How to stuff turkey
Let the turkey smoke for 3 hours before carefully removing it from the grill.
Using a turkey baster, remove any drippings from the cavity (you can set these aside to boil later for gravy).
Carefully, fill the cavity of the turkey with the stuffing and tie the legs together at the ankle to hold it in place, then continue cooking as the recipe card instructs.
Pellet Grill Turkey Ingredients
This recipe looks complicated, but it’s really 3 quick and easy recipes in one. Trust us, it’s worth it. See our guide for The Best Wood for Smoking Turkey before you even get started to make sure the hopper is full!
- Pecans – Use whole pecans, not chopped.
- Water and Brown Sugar – The “candy” for the pecans. The brown sugar dissolves into the water, which then hardens around the pecans to form a sweet, crunchy exterior.
- Creole Seasoning – We use Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning Apple Stuffing.
- Wheat Bread – Cut into ½-inch cubes.
- Apples – Any tart apple will work. Be sure to peel, seed, and chop into small chunks.
- Butter – Used to add flavor depth and sauté the veggies.
- Onion and Celery – Sautéed with the apple to add sweetness, flavor, and texture to the stuffing.
- Garlic – We recommend using freshly minced garlic for the best flavor.
- Parsley, Rosemary, and Thyme – We recommend using fresh herbs but dry herbs will work in a pinch.
- Candied Pecans – From above.
- Fresh Parsley – More for garnish, if desired.
- Turkey – You’ll need one 12 to 17-lb fresh turkey or whatever size is right for your family. Make sure it’s thawed ahead of time and no longer frozen, with the giblets removed, so you have plenty of time to cook it the day of (and make giblet gravy to go with it all). See our notes on turkey cooking time below. Be sure to save the leftover bones for homemade turkey stock.
- Injectable Marinade – We use Tony Chachere’s Praline Honey Ham Injectable Marinade.
- Oil – You can use vegetable or canola oil.
- Creole Seasoning – Again, use Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning Apple Stuffing.
- Candied Pecans, Coarse Kosher Salt, and Fresh Parsley – For garnish!
Stuffed Smoked Turkey
FAQ
What do you put in a turkey cavity when smoking?
The cavity is stuffed with a variety of ingredients (cola, apple, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper) to infuse the bird with irresistible flavor from the …Oct 24, 2024
What should I put in the cavity of my turkey?
Place breast-side down on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Stuff turkey cavity with 1/2 the onion, 1/2 the carrots, 1/2 the celery, 1 sprig of thyme, and bay leaf. Scatter remaining vegetables and thyme in the bottom of the roasting pan; pour white wine over vegetables.
How do you keep turkey moist when smoking?
We swear by wet brining our turkey before smoking because it not only adds a ton of flavor but also helps the turkey retain moisture during the smoking process.Oct 17, 2022
What is the best binder for smoked turkey?
Mayonnaise. I usually enjoy using mustard as my binder, but this turkey needed something milder. Mayonnaise is a great binder when you don’t want to add extra flavor, just something to help the spices stick. I use full-fat mayonnaise for the best results.
Should you stuff a Turkey on a smoker?
Although stuffing is often served alongside turkey, we don’t like to stuff the bird when it’s going on the smoker. Here’s why. A stuffed bird takes longer to cook than an unstuffed one. Since you’ll be putting the turkey on the smoker for several hours as it is, stuffing it will prolong the cooking time to an uncomfortable degree.
What can I add to a smoked turkey?
Onion, celery, granny smith apples, spinach, cauliflower, and small pumpkins can complement your herbs and spices. Many people add mushrooms to help soak up the taste of the herbs and spices, making the stuffing a complete compliment to the taste of the turkey. Can You Stuff A Turkey Before Smoking It?
Should you cover a Turkey while smoking?
Covering the turkey while it smokes can help to retain moisture and promote even cooking. However, you may want to uncover the turkey for the last portion of the cooking time to allow the skin to crisp up. 6. Can I stuff a turkey with cold stuffing? It’s best to use the stuffing while it’s at room temperature or slightly warm.
What is a good stuffing for a smoked turkey?
Tart apple and bright cranberry provide a fruity stuffing perfect for fall smoked turkey. Use diced granny smith apples, dried cranberries, onion, celery and poultry seasoning. Adding pecans or walnuts gives crunch. Fresh orange or lemon zest brightens it up. 5. Bacon and Brussels Sprouts Stuffing
Can you add stuffing before smoking a Turkey?
Before smoking your turkey, you can add stuffing to it, choosing herbs and spices that work well with the smoking process. If the turkey has already been smoked and you are reheating it, you can add spices as a stuffing to add some complimentary bold flavors.
How do you eat a smoked turkey?
Make sure to carve through the stuffing in the cavity so everyone gets some in their portion. Serve the smoked turkey with the stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and your favorite side dishes. Smoked turkey also makes amazing sandwiches and tacos when repurposed as leftovers. Here are some handy turkey smoking tips and common questions: