If your grill has a temperature gauge, set it to about 325°F. About 90 minutes into smoking your turkey, turn the bird 180° to ensure even cooking. Smoke the turkey for about 12 minutes per pound—for a 15-pound turkey that means about 3 hours total.
How long does it take to smoke a turkey on the grill?
Plan on smoking the turkey for 12-15 minutes per pound for a small (12- to 14-pound) turkey. A small turkey is best, so the bird can sit away from the coals, and cook from the indirect heat and smoke adjacent to the coals versus grilling directly over them.
How do you smoke a turkey on a regular grill?
Place a handful of smoking chips over the warm coals and place the bird on the top grill grate, above the drip pan. Cover the grill. Smoke for 5-6 hours. Pour ½ c of chicken broth into the cavity every 2 hours, as needed if the bird looks dry.
How long does it take to smoke a 12 pound turkey on a grill?
SMOKED TURKEY COOKING TIMES
I like the higher temp, because it creates a crispier skin, and I like that I can cook a 12-pound bird in around three hours. Once the grill reaches 300-350F degrees, place the turkey over the indirect heat zone. Close the lid, set your thermometer, and go watch the game.
Should I wrap my turkey in foil while smoking?
Watch the smoker carefully and make sure it does not venture too far off course from your desired temperature setting. About 3 hours into the smoke, check the turkey and if the wings or other extremities are getting too brown you can wrap them with small pieces of foil to stop the browning process.
What temperature should a smoked turkey be?
Set the smoker to 225° F. Place the turkey on a cooking rack and cook for 8 to 12 hours or until the inner thigh temperature reaches 180° F. Check the temperature of your turkey after 3½ hours. Your turkey must pass through a critical range of 40° F to 140° F in 4 hours or less.
Do you need to brine a turkey before smoking?
But guess what? With a smoked turkey, you don’t have to brine the turkey first, which is awesome. That is because, with a smoked turkey, the long slow and low heat actually doesn’t dry the bird out too quickly. The low heat draws the moisture into the bird, not evaporate it out.
How long does it take to smoke a 10 pound turkey?
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SMOKE A TURKEY? It’s good to plan 30 minutes per pound when you smoke a turkey between 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do you smoke a turkey at 225?
Low & Slow Smoked Turkey – Smoke your turkey at the low temperature of 225 degrees F for approximately 6-8 hours for a 22 pound turkey. Remove turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towels (this is an important step, don’t skip it).
How do you smoke a turkey and keep it moist?
My solution is to smoke the turkey directly on the grill grates, with a roasting pan filled with 1″ water underneath the grates, about 3-4 inches from the meat. This will keep the cooking environment moist but let the turkey get evenly crisp on the outside.
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
Turkey can be smoked at a smoker temperature as low as 225 degrees, but it’s much quicker if smoked at 275-300 degrees, or even higher. When smoking at a lower temperature you’re looking at more time in the smoker, but that means the turkey could potentially have a richer smoke flavor.
Do you smoke a turkey breast up or down?
Whether you’re using a smoker or a grill, have the bird breast side up. Insert a digital probe meat thermometer, if you have one, into the thickest part of the breast or thigh.
Should I use a water pan when smoking a turkey?
Tips For Using a Water Pan When Smoking a Turkey
In cold weather, a water pan filled with boiling hot water can help maintain the smoker temperature, plus it gets the temperature up quickly for a fast start. This is especially helpful if your smoker can’t quite do the job when it’s cold outside.
Is smoking a turkey worth it?
Smoking is a flavorful way to serve a Thanksgiving turkey, and it frees up your oven for pies and side dishes. Though it requires a bit of preparation beforehand, the end result of juicy meat, smoky flavor, and deeply burnished skin is worth the effort.
What do you put in a turkey cavity when smoking?
Fill the turkey cavity with butter, cola, apple, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover turkey loosely with foil. Add wood chips to the smoker according to the manufacturer’s directions. Place the roasting pan in the preheated smoker.
How long do I smoke a 15 pound turkey?
Smoke the turkey.
At 225 degrees F, you can plan on approximately 30 minutes per pound for your turkey to smoke. For example, this 15 pound turkey will take 7 and 1/2 hours at 225 degrees F. I always plan an extra 30 minutes, just in case.
How long does it take to smoke a 20lb turkey at 250 degrees?
At 225 degrees, a 20-pound turkey should cook at a rate of 30 to 40 minutes per pound. If you increase the temperature to 250, it will take 25 to 30 minutes per pound.
How long do you smoke a 20lb turkey?
Generally, though, you should allow for about 30-40 minutes of smoking per pound. So, if you have a 20-pound turkey, it’ll probably take 10-12 hours to completely smoke it. You should always determine doneness by internal temperature and not by time.
What temperature do you cook a turkey on a gas grill?
Ideally, you want the temperature to be about 425 to 450 degrees F during cook time, so adjust accordinging with your grill. Grill the turkey for 2.5 to 3 hours, checking the bird every 30 minutes or so. You want to be sure you don’t run out of propane and that the grill is holding it’s temperature.
How long does it take to cook an 18 pound turkey at 350 degrees?
If your turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast it at:
350°F for 4 to 4¼ hours. 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours.
Can you cook a turkey on a Weber grill?
The 18.5 inch kettle can grill one turkey breast or a whole turkey up to 10.5 pounds. The 22.5 inch Weber will accommodate two breasts or a whole turkey up to 21 pounds. The big 26.75 inch kettle can handle a whole turkey up to 24 pounds or three breasts.
What do you need to brine a turkey?
The basic ratio for a wet turkey brine is to use 2 cups of kosher salt or coarse sea salt for every 2 gallons of water. The benefit of a wet brine is that it can work slightly quicker than a dry brine because it infuses the entire turkey in a salty solution.
How many minutes per pound do you cook turkey?
The general rule is 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed turkey. Since roasting a stuffed turkey is no longer considered food-safe (not to mention doing so dries out the turkey meat) it’s best to stick to this method and bake one of these crowd-pleasing stuffing recipes in a separate dish.
How long does it take to smoke a 12 pound turkey at 250 degrees?
Smoking a turkey can be a long process, so be sure to start early in the day so that the turkey will be done by dinner time. Typically, it takes at least 6 hours to smoke an average sized turkey at 250 degrees F. Plan on having your turkey cook for about 30 minutes per pound.
How long does it take to smoke a 20 pound turkey at 300 degrees?
The rule of thumb is to smoke the turkey at 300 degrees, 15 minutes for each pound. This is the FASTER method for smoking a whole turkey.
Is it better to brine or inject a turkey?
Advantages of injecting turkey:
Injecting works faster than brining. You can inject the bird immediately before cooking. Fats like melted butter, duck fat, or olive oil can be delivered deep into the breast meat, increasing its succulence.
Do you rinse the turkey after brining?
After brining, rinse the turkey thoroughly under cold water for a few minutes. Take the brined turkey out of the brining bag or pot (or whatever vessel you set it in for brining), then discard the brine and set the turkey in a clean sink.
Is it worth it to brine a turkey?
Brining a turkey is totally optional. If you’re short on time or just want the most straight-forward method to roast a turkey, skip the brining step and just use the Simple Roasted Turkey method. Some people swear that brining yields the most tender, juicy meat, but it takes planning ahead.
What is the best wood to use when smoking a turkey?
Hickory is a classic hard wood choice for smoking turkey for several reasons. It has a distinct flavor that is robust and very forward and is familiar to those who enjoy smoky flavors. Maple wood gives off a sweeter smoke and can add a lovely golden hue to anything you smoke with it.
Is smoked turkey healthy?
Smoked turkey is a healthy lean meat choice for most people, full of vitamins and minerals, although it is high in sodium and might not be appropriate for a low-sodium diet.
What flavor wood chips to smoke a turkey?
What are the best types of wood for smoking turkey?
- Pecan. One of the most common woods used in meat smoking, pecan provides an excellent combination of sweetness, smokiness, and sharpness to your turkey meat.
- Maple.
- Cherry.
- Alder.
- Hickory.
- Oak.
- Mesquite.
Can you smoke a 25 pound turkey?
However, you can smoke your turkey at 250 F/120 C to reduce the cooking time a little. Plan on 25 minutes per pound at this temperature. This is a better strategy for larger turkeys since it reduces the amount of time that bacteria can potentially grow.
How long do you smoke a 18 pound turkey?
A: A small bird (8 to 12 pounds) requires 2-1/2 to 3 hours at 325 degrees F; a medium (12 – 18 pounds) will need 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours; and a large bird (over 18 pounds) could take up to 6 hours.
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
While some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat is safe to consume once it reaches the 165-degree mark. Cooking the breasts past 165 can result in dry meat, but the dark meat can be cooked to 180.
Why is my smoked turkey tough?
This process requires water which means that if your turkey skin dries out too fast, it will never crisp up. The high-convection environment of a smoker is enough to draw out the moisture faster than the skin can crisp. The result is tough, leathery skin.
Will turkey dry out in smoker?
Turkey is a delicate meat that doesn’t have a lot of connective tissue or fat. It will dry out and darken quickly, as well as absorb the flavors of smoke more than other meat does.
Will smoking a turkey make it dry?
When you cook on the smoker, you want to avoid drying out your meat. The larger birds can tend to dry out since you have so much longer to cook.
Do you flip a turkey breast when smoking?
Cook the bird upside down, meaning the breast meat down, then flip it halfway through based on your estimation. If you are using a kettle and have all of your charcoal on one side of the grill, you will also want to rotate the turkey when you flip it so that it doesn’t overcook on one side.
How do you get smoked turkey skin crispy?
Low and slow is perfect for the gorgeous smoky flavored juicy breast meat, but the process does nothing for achieving crispy turkey skin. High heat is required to render some of the fat from the skin and crisp it up. Temperatures between 275-325 are the ideal temp.
How long do I smoke a 7lb turkey breast?
A good rule of thumb is about 35 minutes per pound when smoking a bone in turkey breast at 225°F. So in this case, a 7-pound turkey breast needs about 4 hours in the smoker.
How do you keep meat moist when smoking?
How to Keep Meat Moist While Smoking: 12 Easy Tips You Can Try
- #1 – Carefully Choose Your Cut of Meat.
- # 2- Salt the Meat First.
- # 3 – Inject the Meat.
- #4 – Wrap the Meat to Lock In Moisture.
- #5 – Less Charcoal, More Wood.
- #6 – Cook With Indirect Heat.
- #7 – Properly Control Your Smoker’s Temperature.
Should wood chips be soaked in water before smoking?
Soaking wood chips is a good idea as long as you’re soaking them to delay smoking. The next time you fire up your Broil King grill to smoke some ribs, use these soaking guidelines.
What liquid goes in smoker?
If you are using a smoker you will want to put the 2-3 liters of water, beer, apple juice or wine in the water pan. You can then put a drip pan on bottom cooking grate with a dash of water in it to collect the drippings.
Should I wrap my turkey in foil while smoking?
Watch the smoker carefully and make sure it does not venture too far off course from your desired temperature setting. About 3 hours into the smoke, check the turkey and if the wings or other extremities are getting too brown you can wrap them with small pieces of foil to stop the browning process.
How long does it take to smoke a 12 lb turkey?
It takes about 3 ½ hours to smoke a 10-12lb turkey but checking the internal temps is key. It has to hit at least 165 in the breast and 175 in the thigh. Once again – this is when a Thermapen comes in real handy.
Do you put an apple in a turkey?
Apples. Consider quartering an apple or two for stuffing your turkey. They will provide the turkey with a little extra moisture during the cooking process and a very subtle flavor that will remind you of fall.
How long do you brine a turkey before smoking?
Brine your turkey in a wet brine for 1 hour per pound of turkey. For smoking a turkey, we recommend buying a smaller bird (15 lbs or less). A 15 pound turkey would brine for 15 hours. Don’t brine a turkey for much longer than 18-24 hours maximum as the turkey meat can take on a spongy texture and extra salty flavor.
At what temperature should you smoke a turkey?
Set the smoker to 225° F. Place the turkey on a cooking rack and cook for 8 to 12 hours or until the inner thigh temperature reaches 180° F. Check the temperature of your turkey after 3½ hours. Your turkey must pass through a critical range of 40° F to 140° F in 4 hours or less.
How long does it take to smoke a 15 pound turkey at 275?
In our research, we found that the rule of thumb is to smoke the turkey at 275 degrees, 15 minutes for each pound. We had a 15 lb Turkey, so we smoked it at 275 degrees for just under 4 hours. When smoking food, the key factor is indirect heat and consistent temperatures.
Can I smoke a frozen turkey?
Is it safe to smoke a frozen turkey? Unfortunately, the only safe way to cook a frozen turkey is in the oven. You can try smoking a frozen turkey, but you will risk the possibility of food poisoning.
How do you smoke a turkey and keep it moist?
My solution is to smoke the turkey directly on the grill grates, with a roasting pan filled with 1″ water underneath the grates, about 3-4 inches from the meat. This will keep the cooking environment moist but let the turkey get evenly crisp on the outside.
Can I smoke a 20 lb turkey?
For a faster cooking time, you can smoke at 250 or even 275 degrees, but for a regular-sized turkey, we like 225 for about 30 minutes per pound. In fact, it might be best to avoid smoking big birds (say, 20 pounds), because the increased time required could increase your risk of the bacteria issues we noted above.
How long do I smoke a turkey at 225?
Low & Slow Smoked Turkey – Smoke your turkey at the low temperature of 225 degrees F for approximately 6-8 hours for a 22 pound turkey. Remove turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towels (this is an important step, don’t skip it).
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
Turkey can be smoked at a smoker temperature as low as 225 degrees, but it’s much quicker if smoked at 275-300 degrees, or even higher. When smoking at a lower temperature you’re looking at more time in the smoker, but that means the turkey could potentially have a richer smoke flavor.
How long does it take to smoke a 13lb turkey?
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SMOKE A TURKEY? It’s good to plan 30 minutes per pound when you smoke a turkey between 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit. Our turkey was 13 pounds and took about 7 hours in the smoker to reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
How big of a turkey can you smoke?
Whole turkeys that weigh 12 POUNDS OR LESS are the recommended size for safe smoking. A larger turkey remains in the “Danger Zone” – between 40°F and 140°F – too long. Doesn’t mean don’t do them, just consider food safety when you do.