Smoking a whole turkey for a large group of people can be intimidating- but don’t let it scare you! Read on to find out exactly how to smoke a turkey on a Traeger, Pit Boss, or other pellet grill. This smoked turkey recipe will help you to achieve a flavourful bird that is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Smoked turkey is an excellent main entree for Christmas, Thanksgiving dinner, Easter, or any other time that you need to feed a big crew! As a bonus, putting the turkey in your smoker will free up precious oven space for things like sourdough hot cross buns or other sides that might go with your feast!
I don’t care who you are, cooking a turkey is no small feat!! Read the recipe in full + make sure you have enough time to thaw the bird, brine it, and then smoke it. If you love my smoked turkey recipe, please leave a review and share on social media!
- 1 Turkey.
- Water.
- 1/2 Cup Salt.
- 1/2 Cup Garlic Salt.
- ¼ Cup Montreal Steak Seasoning.
- ¼ Cup Worcestershire sauce.
- 4 Tbsp Black Pepper.
How the Pit Boss Pellet Grill Works
A wood pellet grill like the Pit Boss is hands down one of the safest and easiest ways to smoke a turkey in your backyard.
Compared to the alternative gas, electric, propane, or charcoal grill, the pellet grill is fool-proof. Plus you don’t have to babysit it all day!
The pellet grill is made up of several main components – the auger, hopper, igniter, fire pot, and induction fan.
Wood pellets are added to the hopper and are automatically fed into the fire pit by the auger. This is all lit by the ignitor. The auger can be adjusted to control the flow of wood chips, therefore controlling the temperature and smoke level.
The induction fan continually circulates the smoke through the cook chamber.
THAW THE TURKEY
The first and among the most important steps in smoking our turkey will be to make sure your bird isn’t frozen. The general rule of thumb is to allow 24 hours of thaw time in the refrigerator for every five pounds your turkey weighs. For this recipe, which calls for a 12-14 turkey, you should allow for three to four days for it to completely defrost.
Choose the Right Wood Chips, Chunks, or Pellets
I like to use applewood or cherrywood wood chips for smoking turkey, it gives it a nice mild flavor.
FAQ
Should you brine a turkey before smoking it?
Does a brined turkey take longer to smoke?
How do you smoke a turkey in pit boss pellet grill?
What temperature do you cook turkey on pit boss pellet grill?
- A brining kit makes this process incredibly simple. …
- After your turkey has been completely prepped, start your Pit Boss® Grill and Smoker and set it to 275°F. …
- Suggested pellet flavors: Pitmaster’s Choice, Apple, Pecan, Cherry or Hickory.
