Published 10/17/2022 • Updated 11/12/2024 We’ve made it at least 5 times over the last few years! It comes out SO juicy thanks to our smoked turkey wet brine and the skin is so flavorful all because of our famous turkey seasoning recipe.
A Quick Rundown on this Smoked Turkey Recipe
If there is ever a Thanksgiving turkey recipe that you make please make it this smoked turkey recipe. We’re pros at cooking meat here at Fit Foodie Finds and let us tell you, this recipe is tried and true. In this post, we’re going in depth on how to smoke a turkey. We used our trusty Traeger, but you can use whatever smoker (or even a grill!) you have. So, buckle up and let’s go! This recipe for smoked turkey uses a 15 lb. turkey and serves about 12 people. As with most full turkey recipes, this one takes at least 2 days to make (+ time to thaw your turkey). Here’s a quick rundown on how to make it:
Do These 5 Things Before Getting Started with Smoking a Turkey
Ingredients Needed for a Smoked Turkey
There are a few different steps to this smoked turkey recipe but the nice part is that many of the ingredients overlap!
Whole Turkey– this recipe calls for a 12-15 pound whole turkey. Be sure you find a turkey that is untreated. Some turkeys come pre-brined and we don’t want that. This turkey should feed between 12-15 people if you are serving it with sides. Brine Ingredients- you are going to bine your bird in this smoked turkey brine which consists of water, salt, rosemary, thyme, peppercorns, garlic, and onions. Turkey seasoning– do not skip this seasoning, it adds so much flavor to this recipe. This turkey seasoning is the most flavorful seasoning that compliments turkey and other poultry so well. It is a combination of sweet + savory. Please please make it! Onion and Garlic– you are going to stuff your turkey with onions and garlic. Don’t skip this, it adds all the best flavors to your turkey and the gravy. Salted butter– oh butter, how we love you. You are going to stick a little butter under the skin of your turkey before you smoke it. Chicken broth– you are going to make a bit of a basting liquid with chicken broth. If you don’t have chicken broth, any type will do! Fresh herbs- we use fresh sage, fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme in this recipe. They are used in a few different parts of the recipe.
How to Prepare a Turkey for Smoking – Thaw, Brine, and Season
To prepare your turkey for brining and smoking, we suggest sanitizing your kitchen sink and placing a baking sheet in the sink. Place your turkey on the baking sheet and remove the wrapping from the turkey. Why brine your turkey before smoking? We swear by wet brining our turkey before smoking because it not only adds a ton of flavor but also helps the turkey retain moisture during the smoking process. How long to brine a turkey before smoking? We recommend brining your turkey for at least 12 hours or overnight. So, you can do this the night before so that it’s ready for smoking in the morning!
Ready to smoke a turkey? Do these things now:
In the last hours that your turkey is brining, there are a few things you can do to get ready to smoke the bird. Remember, it’s going to take around 6 hours to smoke your turkey, so figure out what time you want to eat and work backward! Turkey Seasoning
What temperature do I smoke a whole turkey at?
This smoked turkey recipe is cooked at 225ºF covered with tin foil for 6 hours (for a 12-15 lb. turkey) — low and slow. At 5 hours of smoking, we remove the aluminum cover and turn the heat up to 250ºF for an additional 1 hour to crisp up the skin. It’s delicious!
Smoked Turkey Directions
This 12-15 lb turkey is smoked (covered) for 6 hours. If you have a larger turkey you will need to smoke the turkey longer. Just check the internal temperature. Can I smoke a turkey larger than 15 lb.? We actually don’t recommend smoking a turkey larger than 15 lbs. because it will take too long to cook and the exterior of the turkey could get too dry.
Internal Temperature of a Whole Turkey
The internal temperature of turkey should be 165ºF. Some people follow the rule that the turkey thigh temperature should be 175ºF and the breast meat should come out to 160ºF or 165ºF. Generally, we make sure the whole bird is about 165ºF. Our rule of thumb is to keep the probe of your smoker in the thickest part of the bird to watch the temperature of the turkey throughout smoking.
How to Smoke a Turkey Using a Grill
Yes, you can use a gas grill or charcoal grill as a smoker. It does take a bit more work. All you have to do is buy one of these wood chip smoker boxes and then add wood chips throughout the smoking process to maintain the correct temperature. Check the recipe cards for more specific instructions on how to do this. Thermoworks Thermapen
Smoked Turkey Leftover Ideas
If you have a smaller group of people for this turkey you will definitely have leftovers! Below are some delicious leftover ideas.
Left Over Turkey Soup Turkey Salad Turkey Quesadillas Homemade Turkey Stock Turkey Wild Rice Soup
How long does smoked turkey last in the fridge?
Store your turkey leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Can I freeze smoked turkey?
Yes, you can freeze leftover turkey for soups, salads, or any other recipes. Let the turkey cool completely and then place it in a freezer-safe bag and freeze it for up to 3 months.
What to Serve with Smoked Turkey
You can’t have turkey without delicious sides! Below are some of our most favorite side dishes for Thanksgiving or any other time you are enjoying a turkey dinner.
Smoked Turkey Recipes
Smoked Turkey Breast Smoked Turkey Legs Smoked Turkey Dry Brine
Heat all those ingredients together and slowly whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch until the gravy thickens. Get more thorough instructions from our turkey gravy recipe.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon- This delicious roasted brussels sprouts recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients including thick-cup maple bacon and in less than 30 minutes! Roasted Root Vegetables- These Roasted Root Vegetables are such an easy and delicious seasonal side to serve this fall and winter! Simply cut the veggies, season, and roast for 45 minutes — that’s it! Mashed Potatoes- Add these healthy mashed potatoes to your Thanksgiving dinner. They’re made with russet potatoes, Greek yogurt, a little bit of butter, and tons of fresh herbs for the most perfect mashed potatoes with skin on (just the way I like it!).
Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey Ultimate Smoked Turkey Thanksgiving Turkey Roulade Baked Turkey Tenderloin Spatchcock Turkey Smoked Turkey Breast Sous Vide Turkey Smoked Turkey Legs Ranch Roasted Turkey Breast
