Smoking a Turkey on Traeger (Traeger Pellet Grill Smoked Turkey Recipe)

Smoking a turkey on Traeger. In this guide, I will be teaching you about smoking a turkey on Traeger. You can prepare your turkey outside on the Traeger to get all the space you need for the sides in the oven.

This Traeger Smoked Turkey recipe will in no time turn into the favorite of the feast. It is soft, juicy, crunchy skin, and filled with flavor.

This recipe for Traeger turkey with smoked turkey dressing will become the most mouth-watering and easiest smoked turkey that you’ve ever made.

Traeger Smoked Turkey

There are so many reasons for you to smoke your turkey, but the fact is that there are two major reasons that stand out.

And the first reason that stands out is the fact that you desire a delicious, crunchy-skinned, yummy turkey.

Following that desire, you can go ahead and smoke your turkey, and to top it off, you will get your ultimate delicious smoked turkey.

As said, there are two reasons that stand out; the second one always comes around during the holidays in most houses.

This is when you don’t have space for your turkey in your oven to roast it. This is the Thanksgiving Turkey that will usually take up so much room in the oven.

However, if there’s a way to free up space in the oven for your turkey from having to cook ranging from the pies, desserts, and also the main side dishes, you can take it.

Although there’s a much better choice or option for this, which is your Traeger grill or smoker, they will bring out your desired result.

Traeger Smoked Turkey Pellet Grill Recipe

With this recipe, you will learn about smoking a turkey on Traeger. A smoked turkey that will be delicious, soft, and filled with flavor.

This will be the best-smoked turkey you’ve ever had, and it will also become the favorite of the feast.

• Preparation Time: 10 min.
• Cook Time: 5 hours
• Resting Time: 20 min.
• Total Time: 5 hours, 30 minutes
• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: American
• Servings: 20

Ingredients

Smoked Turkey

• · 11 Ibs turkey (fresh or defrost)
• · 3 tablespoons of salted butter
• · 3 tablespoons of salt (kosher salt)
• · 2 tablespoons of black pepper (freshly ground)

Smoked Turkey Dressing

• · 1.5 cups of pan drippings (you can add chicken or turkey broth if you do not have enough)
• · 2 tablespoons of white wine
• · 1 tablespoon of flour (or ½ teaspoon xanthan gum)
• · 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

Laid-Out Instructions

Smoked Turkey

• · First, get a fresh whole turkey or a completely defrosted turkey, the entire turkey, and then remove the giblets and any other pieces from the two cavities of the turkey.
• · With that being done, you can now proceed to rinse thoroughly and get a paper towel to pat dry.
• · Afterward, you are to get a large cooking sheet and place the dried turkey on it. Then, get the melted butter and rub the outside of the turkey with it.
• · While the inside and outside of the turkey should be seasoned with salt and pepper. For extra flavor, you can decide to add any fruit or vegetables of your choice to the cavity of the turkey.
• · You are to then warm up your smoker and place the turkey directly on the grill grate. You can now proceed to smoke the turkey at 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
• · Continue this until the turkey’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be measured in the thickest part of the turkey.
• · Afterward, to catch the drippings, you are to get a pan and place it on the rack under the turkey.
• · You are to remove your turkey from the smoker immediately after it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• · With that being done, you are to allow your turkey to rest for 20 minutes, at a minimum. Then, proceed to slice, serve, and enjoy your Traeger smoked turkey.

Smoked Turkey Dressing

• · You are to get a small saucepan and add the drippings to it. Then, proceed to mix the white wine alongside the flour or xanthan gum.
• · With that being done, you are to mix the liquid into the drippings and allow it to simmer. For the dressing to thicken, it will only take a few minutes. You can also season with pepper and salt if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is the Ideal Turkey Size for Smoking?

I will suggest that you go for a turkey that weighs around 12 Ibs for smoking, and this data is also backed up by food safety experts.

You have to keep your turkey at a safe temperature. People have the tendency to smoke larger whole turkeys, and they take the risk of staying in the “Danger Zone” of 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and they also do this for a risky period of time.

Where Do You Put the Thermometer in a Smoked Turkey?

Typically, you can place the thermometer in two places in a smoked turkey.

The thick part is the thick part of the turkey breast, and the second part is the thigh of the turkey.

However, make sure you avoid the bone. Normally, we pull the turkey out of the smoker at about 160 degrees Fahrenheit and measure it in the thigh.

With that being done, we then cover the turkey and allow it to come up to temperature, which is mostly around 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can You Smoke a Frozen Turkey?

I will strongly suggest that you don’t smoke your frozen turkey, and this is for food safety reasons. However, as you already know, you can always smoke a fresh turkey.

You must defrost the frozen turkey. You can, however, cook sous vide frozen turkey breast if you so desire.

How Much Time Does It Take To Smoke A 15-Ib Smoked Turkey?

This is a question that has been asked me several times. So, I will estimate that you can smoke a 15-pound turkey for around 7 to 8 hours, but you should make sure you use a thermometer.

Final Thoughts: Smoking a Turkey on Traeger (Traeger Smoked Turkey Recipe)

You might want to ask the question of the things you can serve with your Traeger smoked turkey.
Well, I will give you a few lists of what you can serve with your smoked turkey.

You can serve your Traeger smoked turkey with candied yams with marshmallows, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts, classic turkey gravy, and jiffy corn casserole.

With all that being said, this will conclude everything you need to know about smoking a turkey on Traeger, as you also have your Traeger Smoked Turkey Recipe.