How to smoke a turkey breast on a pellet grill. Start off with a simple rub, smoke for a few hours and then bump up the temp to give you a juicy, tender turkey breast. You won't even miss having the entire bird!
Are you cooking a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner this year and don't want to cook an entire turkey? That's okay! No one says you need the whole bird. Especially if you only like white meat, a turkey breast is a great choice.
Cooking a turkey breast is a great way to put a delicious turkey on the table. It's a lot less work and is perfect for a small family or a large gathering if you cook more than one.
While roasting in the oven is great, make it even easier and better by smoking on a pellet grill. This will free up your oven for all the other things, and will give it a delicious smoky flavor.
It's a very simple process and requires almost no work upfront.
This smoked turkey breast recipe can also be baked in the oven. Just follow the same steps but cook according to the direction on your turkey package.
If you do want to tackle an entire turkey, check out my smoked turkey recipe. Smoking a turkey is the best way to prepare one for Thanksgiving and the only way my family does it.
Need some ideas for that leftover turkey? Make a turkey noodle soup or turkey stroganoff, turkey divan.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a dry rub. While any poultry rub could be used it's really simple to make your own as well. Just mix together the ingredients and spread all over the turkey breast.
Here is what you will need for this smoked turkey breast recipe:
- 3-4 Pound Boneless Turkey Breast
- Kosher Salt
- Olive Oil
Dry Rub Recipe
- Black Pepper
- Brown Sugar
- Dried Rosemary
- Dried Thyme
- Dried Oregano
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
Full measurements in the printable recipe card.
Preparing the Turkey Breast
Make sure you give a frozen turkey breast time to thaw. Raw turkey breast should only take a day or two to thaw in the refrigerator.
About 30 minutes before you want to start smoking your turkey, take it out of the fridge, remove all packaging, netting, and discard it.
Trim off any excess fat or skin but leave the top layer on as seen in the picture below.
Dab with paper towels to remove any moisture.
Start off by sprinkling salt on both sides of the breast. About 1-2 teaspoons depending on how big the breast is.
NOTE: If the turkey breast is pre-brined or salt injected, use a little less salt.
Allow the breast to sit for 30 minutes. This helps the salt infuse into the meat.
While resting, mix the rub in a small container.
Using a brush, rub on a thin layer of olive oil all over the turkey breast.
Evenly coat the turkey breast with the rub on both sides.
Smoking a Turkey Breast
Cook time will depend on the size of the turkey breast. It can take anywhere from 2-5 hours.
Make sure your grill has enough wood pellets before beginning.
You can cook in a roasting pan or right on the grill grate.
Turn your smoker on and let it warm up. Place turkey breast on the grill and insert the temperature probe into the thickest part of the breast.
Smoke for 2 hours at 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
After 2 hours, increase the temp to 350 degrees and continue to cook for 1-3 hours until the internal temp reads 165 or what your package directions recommend.
Total cooking time will depend on how large the breast is.
A smaller turkey breast should only need about an hour while a larger breast could take up to 3.
For a 3-pound breast, it took a total of 4 hours. Two hours at 225 and two hours at 350.
I'ts done when the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165 degrees with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast.
Remove from grill and allow to rest for 10-20 minutes. Slice and serve.
Equipment
Instant read thermometer: While you can use the probe on your grill, an instant read thermometer is an great way to get the most accurate reading.
Traeger Pellet Grill: While you can use any pellet grill, my preferred one is a Traeger Grill.
Substitutions
Butter: The olive oil can be substituted for melted butter.
Poultry Seasoning: If you do not want to make a dry rub, any poultry seasoning can also be used.
Other Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes:
Leftover Turkey Recipes:
Did you make this recipe? If you enjoyed it, please leave a 5-🌟rating and a comment in the recipe card below.
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Smoked Turkey Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 Pound Turkey Breast
- 1-2 teaspoons Kosher Salt See notes on salt
- 1-2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
For the Dry Brine
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
Instructions
Prepare the Turkey
- Make sure you give a frozen turkey breast time to thaw. Raw turkey breast should only take a day or two to thaw in the refrigerator.
- About 30 minutes before you want to start smoking your turkey, take it out of the fridge, remove all packaging, netting, and discard it.
- Trim off any excess fat or skin but leave the top layer on.
- Dab with paper towels to remove any moisture.
- Start off by sprinkling salt on both sides of the breast. About 1-2 teaspoons depending on how big the breast is. See notes on Salt.
- Allow the breast to sit for 30 minutes. This helps the salt infuse into the meat.
- While resting, mix the rub in a small container.
- Using a brush, rub on a thin layer of olive oil all over the turkey breast.
- Evenly coat the turkey breast with the rub on both sides.
Smoking the Turkey
- Cook time will depend on the size of the turkey breast. It can take anywhere from 2-5 hours. See notes on cook times.
- Make sure your grill has enough wood pellets before beginning.
- You can cook in a roasting pan or right on the grill grate.
- Turn your smoker on and let it warm up. Place turkey breast on the grill and insert the temperature probe into the thickest part of the breast.
- Smoke for 2 hours at 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After 2 hours, increase the temp to 350 degrees and continue to cook for 1-3 hours until the internal temp reads 165 or what your package directions recommend.
- A smaller turkey breast should only need about an hour at 350 while a larger breast could take up to 3. Just watch the internal temp and pull when it reaches 165 degrees.
- I'ts done when the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165 degrees with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast.
- Remove from grill and allow to rest for 10-20 minutes.
- Slice and serve.
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