How To Make a Smoked Turkey

If you don’t own a smoker, I have a simple turkey recipe for you! Plus another one for the turkey necks!

This recipe will teach you everything you need to know about smoking a turkey. Using these step-by-step instructions, you will put to rest the stereotype of a dry bird. The smoker makes turkey oh-so moist and anything but bland. 

Smoked Turkey Rub 

I love concocting my own rubs. It’s super fun and you can ensure that you get the flavor just right for your tastebuds. For this recipe, I combine paprika, Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute, garlic powder, salt and pepper. 

If you don’t have access to Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute, use any other spice blend that suits your palate. The key is to make sure you rub the turkey generously with whatever rub you decide to use. Apply the spice blend to every portion of the bird you can — under the wings, all over the skin and in every nook and cranny you can reach. Turkey needs the extra spice love to be a knock-out! 

Smoked Turkey Brine

Brining your turkey is another option to keep it from drying out. Soaking your turkey in brine allows the leanest parts of the bird to become tender during the smoking process.

If you decide not to do a rub, follow this recipe from one of my fellow bloggers Dinner at the Zoo. She creates a delicious brine of citrus, rosemary and all the usual suspects. For 24-hours you fully submerge your raw turkey in the brine for an amazingly moist and flavorful smoked bird. 

Using a Frozen Turkey?

If you’re using a frozen turkey, check out this handy guide on how to thaw it properly.

How to Smoke a Turkey in an Electric Smoker

Electric smokers are an awesome investment. Set the temperature dial to 225°F and smoke the turkey 30-40 minutes per pound. Before removing the bird from the smoker, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

How Long it Takes to Smoke a Turkey

To prepare a turkey to a perfect readiness, keep the temperature at 225°F, while smoking the turkey for 30-40 minutes per pound. If your turkey is 20lb, you will need to smoke the turkey for 10 to 13 hours. Every smoker works a little different, so the best way to measure the readiness of the turkey is to check that the internal temperature of the turkey is 165°F.

How to Smoke a Turkey

• Defrost a turkey or purchase a fresh one. If you are using a frozen turkey, it may take over 24 hours to defrost it, so plan in advance.
• Use a smoke rub or brine, and let the turkey marinate at lease for 24 hours.
• Place the turkey on a smoker, breast side up. Stuff it with whole onion and apples. During the smoking process, you can apply butter to the top of the turkey breast. This will add more moisture to the smoked turkey.
• You will need to smoke the turkey at 225°F for 30-40 minutes per pound.
• The internal temperature of a fully smoked turkey should read 165°F.

FAQ

Serve Smoked Turkey With Following

• Mashed Potatoes – Creamy and decadent, these mashed potatoes are the definition of comfort food.
• Pickled Vegetable Salad – Nothing pairs better with meat than crunchy and vinegary veggies.
• Veggie Side Dish – Simple, colorful and healthy. Every dinner table needs a health veggie dish.
• 5 Minute Gravy Recipe – There’s only one thing to do with all those pan drippings — gravy!

Recipe

Smoked Turkey

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Servings

12 people

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 4 hrs

Total Time 4 hrs 15 mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

Smoked Turkey is easier to make than you think. All it takes is a great brine or rub and enough time to let the smoker work its magic.

Ingredients

• 1 Turkey
• 2 tbsp Paprika
• 3 tbsp Salt
• 2 tbsp Black Pepper
• 3 tbsp 21 Seasoning Salute or similar
• 2 tbsp Garlic Seasoning use any choice
• 2 Apples
• 1 Onion

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• To prepare a smoked turkey, combine salt, pepper, paprika, 21 Seasoning Salute and garlic seasoning.
  
• Rub turkey generously with spices. Apply spices under wings, skin and every other area you can get into.
  
• Place the turkey in a smoker with the breast facing up. Stuff the turkey with whole onion and whole apples. This will add great flavors to the turkey.
  
• The smoke time will depend on the size of the turkey. You should plan for 30-40 minutes of smoke time per pound. The turkey is ready once the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F.
  

Nutrition Facts

Smoked Turkey

Amount Per Serving

Calories 338 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 155mg52%

Sodium 1987mg83%

Potassium 612mg17%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 47g94%

Vitamin A 765IU15%

Vitamin C 2.1mg3%

Calcium 95mg10%

Iron 3.6mg20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.