Elevate your grilling game with our Z Grill smoked turkey breast recipe. Juicy, smoky, and delicious - a must-try dish!
Course
Main Course
Prep Time30minutes
Cook Time3hours
Brining4hours
Servings6
Ingredients
For the Turkey:
1boneless turkey breast5-6 pounds
2tablespoonsgarlic powder
2tablespoonspaprika
2teaspoonssalt
1teaspoonblack pepper
1teaspoondried thyme
For the Brine (optional):
1/4cupkosher salt
1/4cupbrown sugar
1gallonwater
1bay leaf
1tablespoonwhole black peppercorns
Instructions
Brining (Optional, but recommended)
In a large pot, combine the kosher salt, brown sugar, water, bay leaf, and black peppercorns. Stir until the salt and sugar are dissolved.
Submerge the turkey breast in the brine mixture. Make sure it's completely covered. If needed, use a heavy plate to weigh it down.
Cover the pot and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. This step will help keep your turkey breast moist and flavorful.
Preparing the Turkey
Remove the turkey breast from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme to create your seasoning mix.
Rub the seasoning mix evenly all over the turkey breast.
Preparing the Z Grill
Fire up your Z Grill and set it to smoke at 225°F. This low and slow cooking method is the key to that delicious smoky flavor.
While the grill is heating up, add your hickory wood pellets for that signature smokiness.
Smoking the Turkey
Once your Z Grill is ready, place the seasoned turkey breast directly on the grill grates.
Smoke the turkey for about 2.5-3 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use your meat thermometer to check the temperature. Make sure to insert it into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone.
During the smoking process, periodically baste the turkey breast with some of the drippings or a mixture of melted butter and your seasoning mix. This will add extra flavor and keep the meat moist.
Keep an eye on the grill temperature and add more wood pellets as needed to maintain that steady smoky heat.
Rest and Serve
Once your smoked turkey breast reaches the desired temperature, carefully remove it from the grill.
Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for about 15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat tender and juicy.