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Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe

We’ve all heard about smoked chicken breast, right? What about smoked turkey breast? If you’ve never had this before, I strongly recommend giving this recipe a shot.

smoked turkey breast

I only needed to make this one time for my wife and kids to get hooked. To add the cherry on top, the meal is quite healthy. It can be difficult to maintain a healthy diet due to it being expensive as well as the cravings. No need to worry. This recipe will take care of those dastardly cravings while being affordable.

How To Make Smoked Turkey Breast

In summary, cooking smoked turkey breast starts with preparing the rub ingredients which consists of poultry seasoning, salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme. Season turkey breast with the spice rub and place in the smoker. Set temperature to 250F and it is done cooking when internal temperature reaches 165F. 

For bonus tips and exact measurement of ingredients, scroll down below to the recipe section!

How Long Does It Take to Smoke Turkey Breast?

It varies. Sometimes it can take as long as 12 hours. Luckily, for this recipe, it should only take 3.5 to 4 hours for the turkey breast to fully cook. It is recommended to apply the rub to the turkey 1 hour before putting it into the oven so be sure to take that into account.

If you are going to brine the turkey, then it’s going to take longer. The brine will have to be prepared one day in advance. However, if you wish to save time, you can go over this part. Just be aware there won’t be as much flavor in the turkey.

Want to try other smoked poultry recipes? Try my tender and juicy smoked chicken breast recipe! Maybe you want to try this delicious smoked chicken thighs! Other smoked chicken recipes in my collection are my fan favorite smoked whole chicken, chili lime smoked chicken, or smoked pulled chicken recipe.

smoked turkey breast brine

Should I Brine Turkey Breast Before Smoking?

As I have just mentioned, If you want to have the best-tasting outcome, yes. Brining can make all the difference in the world in regards to how the turkey will end up tasting. The brine should be made a day ahead of the recipe. This will all the flavor additions to infuse the brine. Plus, this will give the salt and sugar enough time to completely dissolve.

What Is the Best Wood to Use When Smoking a Turkey?

I get asked this question all the time. The truth is, there is no best option. Whatever wood you like to use the most when smoking, is the wood you should use for smoking the turkey. Personally, I like to use applewood. So for this recipe, I have gone with applewood. Again, you don’t have to use this if you don’t like applewood. Use whatever your heart desires.

Another thing I always like to tell beginners is to experiment with different types of wood. You won’t know what you like the best until you have tried everything. And then there’s the option of combining different woods. This is a little more advance so I’ll leave this for a different day,

If you do plan on experimenting with different wood, try using applewood as that is the one I’m using. After trying applewood, try moving onto something like hickory or cherry.

smoked boneless turkey breast

What Makes a Good Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe?

The rub. Think of the rub as the flavor of the recipe. That’s essentially what it is. The amount of time and effort you put in into making the rub as good as it can be will determine how the turkey is going to taste once it enters your mouth.

That’s why I always am very careful with what I use in my rub. Don’t fret. As mentioned earlier, this recipe is affordable so no need to go out and by super expensive ingredients. Price doesn’t always equal quality. Now, this doesn’t mean to go out to your nearest gas station and by the cheapest products there.

If you use the ingredients listed in the article, you are sure to have a tasty, affordable meal.

I should make it clear that what I said above doesn’t only apply to the rub. The turkey is pretty important as well. You have to have a turkey breast that is in good quality. Not just for the sake of the taste, but because it’s safer. You don’t want to get food poisoning.

smoked turkey breast rub

Smoked Turkey Breast

Tender and juicy smoked turkey breast

Course Main Course
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 piece Boneless Turkey Breast

Rub:

  • 3 tbsp Poultry Seasoning
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Thyme

Instructions

  1. Mix the rub ingredients into a small bowl.

  2. Season the turkey breast generously with the spice rub 1 hour before cooking.

  3. Preheat the smoker to 250F with applewood.

  4. Place turkey breast in the smoker. Cook until internal meat temperature reaches 165F (3.5 to 4 hours).

  5. Let turkey breast rest for 10 minutes before serving.

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