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    Home » Recipes » Grill Recipes » Smoker Recipes » Smoked Turkey Recipe – Whole Bird Traeger Pellet Grill Guide

    Smoked Turkey Recipe – Whole Bird Traeger Pellet Grill Guide

    Published: Nov 22, 2021 · Modified: Dec 28, 2022 by Jenna Passaro · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    How to smoke turkey graphic with recipe photos and text overlay of smoked turkey.

    Confidently smoke a whole turkey with my easy Smoked Turkey Recipe on the Traeger Pellet Grill. I’ve partnered with them (and Meater) to bring you this post on exactly how to make smoked whole turkey for Thanksgiving. I’m using their dry rub and Traeger Turkey Pellets Kit. Let’s smoke a whole bird!

    How to make Smoked Turkey Recipe on a Traeger BBQ Pellet Grill

    HEY THERE – I’m hosting a smoked turkey takeover on Instagram @sipbitego. Follow me there for the live updates!

    Table of Contents

    • Why my Traeger ​​​​smoked whole turkey is the best
    • How long to smoke a whole turkey?
    • Ingredients
    • How to smoke a turkey
    • FAQs 
    • See more on smoked foods for the holidays
    • More Tasty Grill + Smoker Recipes
    • Meat thermometer recommendations
    • Are you a foodie, too?
    • Smoked Turkey Recipe on the Traeger Pellet Grill (Whole Bird, No Brine) | Sip Bite Go

    Why my Traeger ​​​​smoked whole turkey is the best

    • See how long to smoke a whole turkey so it turns out juicy, flavorful and tender.
    • Super easy seasoning tips. 
    • This no-brine smoked turkey takes up less space in the fridge.
    • Prep it the night before, if you’d like.

    First time smoking turkey on the Traeger? See the full-length video for beginners at the bottom of this page (the YouTube video).

    Smoked Turkey Recipe on a Traeger Ironwood 650
    ​​​​It’s seriously the best smoked turkey recipe with minimal effort.

    Also see my go-to smoked turkey breast recipe, spatchcock smoked turkey, and this buttery, delicious smoked ham. 

    How long to smoke a whole turkey?

    A medium sized whole turkey smokes on the pellet grill in about 3.5-4 hours…

    • STEP 1 – at 275 degrees F (for the first 2 hours).
    • STEP 2 – then finished at 350 degrees F until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F.

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you need to flavor your turkey to perfection.

    Infographic with Ingredients for Smoking Turkey with butter rub, seasonings, baste, and no brine

    Smoked turkey butter rub (for under skin)

    • Butter
    • Garlic
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Lemon zest

    Try making this cranberry BBQ sauce…

    Smoked turkey ingredients with simple seasonings

    • Whole turkey (I smoked a 11 lb turkey, see FAQs for notes on weight)
    • Turkey poultry rub (I used the Traeger turkey rub)
    • Olive oil

    Optional baste for smoked turkey 

    • Butter
    • Garlic powder
    • Rosemary (fresh chopped)

    See how to enhance a turkey gravy packet…

    Smoked Whole Turkey Cooked at 275 and 350 with rub and baste on the Traeger Pellet Grill 650

    The best size turkey for smoking

    ​​In this guide, you’ll see we smoke an 11 pound whole turkey.

    See the notes at the bottom of the page for why larger birds up to 20 lbs aren’t recommended.

    The total smoking turkey time on the Traeger took about 3.5-4 hours until the Meater thermometer read 165 degrees F. 

    What pellets are good for smoked turkey?

    This demonstration uses Traeger Turkey Pellets: a blend of oak, hickory, maple, and some rosemary.

    The flavor is perfect with that hint of rosemary.

    See my review of the Traeger Fin And Feather Rub…

    In addition to any of the flavors above, you can try cherry pellets or pecan pellets.

    See my favorite Thanksgiving recipes cooked with turkey blend Traeger pellets….

    Traeger Turkey Pellets Kit with Brine Turkey Rub Seasonings And Smoked Turkey on a tray
    See the recipe tips in the FAQs section, including details on these turkey pellets.

    How to smoke a turkey

    Now I’ll walk you through how to smoke a whole turkey.

    Infographic demonstrating how to smoke turkey step by step on a Traeger pellet grill
    1. Mix butter rub. (photo A) Add all of the compound butter mixture ingredients to a large bowl. With hands or a potato masher, mash ingredients together until combined. Set aside.
    2. Remove the whole turkey from plastic. Remove inside parts and discard. Pat turkey with paper towel. 
    3. Season turkey. (photo B) First, use your fingers to loosen the skin of the turkey from the meat. Smear butter between skin and turkey breast. Add turkey poultry rub and olive oil to outside skin of turkey. Rub into skin, about 1 minute. Tie legs together with twine like the Sip Bite Go recipe video demonstrates if desired. The gist of it is that you put the twine under the whole turkey, then up and around the legs, tying them together like a shoelace.
    4. Chill turkey in the fridge before smoking. (photo C) Transfer seasoned whole turkey to the fridge and store for at least 2 hours, to overnight. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 30 minutes before smoking it.
    5. Preheat Traeger smoker to 275 degrees F. (photo D) Add Traeger Turkey Blend wood pellet chips, or whatever pellets you’re using to the hopper. If desired, add a roasting pan with raised edges to catch the drippings below the grates (below where the turkey will sit). Add a small pan filled with room temperature or cold water on top of the grates, to the side, to add moisture as the whole turkey smokes (optional).
    6. Smoke the whole turkey. (photo E) Once preheated, add the whole turkey directly to the grill grates, ​​breast side up,  tucking wings under so they don’t stick out and smoke faster than the other parts. Smoke whole turkey at 275 degrees F for 2 hours. 
    7. Make the turkey baste. (photo F) You don’t have to baste the turkey, but it will add a lot of flavor to the skin. To make it, add all the basting ingredients to a small saucepan on a burner set to low heat. Stir until melted then remove from heat and set aside until the next step. 
    8. Raise the temperature of the smoker to 350 degrees fahrenheit. (photo G) Brush turkey with baste. Smoke until internal temperature of the turkey, measured in the thickest part of the turkey (the thigh) with an internal meat thermometer. Traeger whole turkey is done smoking when it measures 165 degrees F (but sometimes people choose to pull the turkey from the heat at 160 F and letting it come up to temperature under foil while it rests). Exactly how long to smoke a whole turkey will depend on how many times the smoker is opened, and the size of the bird. 
    9. Rest smoked turkey for at least 20 minutes, (photo H) under tin foil if desired. Remove twine and carve and enjoy!
    Smoked Turkey Recipe on Traeger Tray with Turkey Pellets

    For an appetizer, try this smoked corn on the cob and smoked wings.

    Inside shot of Smoked Turkey sliced on a cutting board with thigh and breast showing perfectly cooked 165 degree internal temperature and browned skin

    FAQs 

    How long to smoke a turkey at 225, 250, or 275?

    You know, I really like how juicy and tender this recipe turns out so I wouldn’t recommend going lower than 275. It would take a long time to cook any lower.

    The trick is using the two different cooking times of ​​275 and 350. If you’re wondering exactly how long does it take to smoke a turkey because you’re low on time, my version is highly recommended because with a higher smoked turkey temp it cooks really fast. And you don’t have to brine the turkey either.

    Do you make ​​smoked turkey in pan or on rack?

    I use a two-pan method for smoking turkey. I smoke turkey on a rack directly, with a large roasting pan beneath the grates to catch drippings. And another pan to the side of the turkey, on the rack, with water in it to add moisture. Similar to my smoked pulled pork recipe. 

    Infographic demonstrating how to smoke turkey on rack with pans near it with captions

    What’s the best size turkey for smoking? 

    Food safety experts recommend choosing a turkey that weighs up to 12 lbs for smoking. This keeps them at a safe temperature. People smoke larger whole turkeys, even though they risk staying in the “Danger Zone” of 40°F and 140°F for an unsafe amount of time.

    How long does it take to smoke a turkey?

    In this example, we smoke an 11 pound whole turkey. The total smoke time on the Traeger took about 3.5-4 hours until the Meater thermometer read 165 degrees F.

    Standard turkey sizes usually range from petite turkey that’s 10, 11, or 12 lb. To medium young turkeys of 12-14 or 15 pounds. To large turkeys, all the way up to 20 lbs.

    So time varies by weight and you’ll have to start smoking them at 275 for the first 2 hours, then crank up the heat to 350 and smoke it until the turkey thigh’s ​​​​internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (or 160 if you’re giving it time to rest and come up to temperature). 

    Where do you put the thermometer in a smoked turkey?

    We usually put it in two places: a thick part of the turkey breast and also the thigh (avoiding the bone). We usually pull the turkey out of the smoker around 160 degrees F measured in the thigh, then cover it and let it come up to temperature which is usually around 165 F.

    See my video on where to check smoked turkey temperature.

    Can you smoke a frozen turkey?

    For food safety reasons, don’t smoke frozen turkey. Definitely smoke a ​​​​fresh turkey. Thaw turkey according to the chart below. (though you can cook sous vide frozen turkey breast, if you’re into that)

    Infographic demonstrating how many days in advance to thaw turkey for smoking it

    What pellets do you use for smoking turkey?

    In this demonstration, I’m using the Traeger Turkey Pellets which is a blend of the best pellets for smoking turkey. The flavors include oak, hickory, maple, and some rosemary. In case you’re wondering, pellets have a stronger impact than wood chips, which is one of the reasons why using a pellet grill is a little different than an ​​​​electric smoker. Learn more about turkey pellets and why I love them.

    In case you’re wondering, pellets have a stronger impact than wood chips, which is one of the reasons why using a pellet grill is a little different than an ​​​​electric smoker.

    How long does it take to smoke a 15 lb smoked turkey?

    I’ve specifically been asked this a handful of times. Always use a thermometer, but assume about 7-8 hours for smoking a 15 lb turkey.

    What to do with smoked turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving?


    My favorite sandwiches are often made from leftovers from smoked cooking.

    There are just a few enhancements that really make an average smoked turkey sandwich one that is super-delicious. See this recipe for this turkey avocado sandwich.

    Here’s what I recommend you try –

    Slice up some sourdough bread and spread on some creamy dressing like this jalapeno ranch on one side, and sliced avocado on the other.

    Add your favorite cheese, and leftover pellet smoked turkey, and enjoy!

    See more on smoked foods for the holidays

    1 – See the Sip Bite Go review of Traeger Turkey pellets.

    2 – See what’s in the turkey brine kit.

    3 – Check out these tasty holiday dishes to smoke on the pellet grill…

    • Smoked ham 
    • Smoked turkey breast
    • Smoked turkey legs
    • Smoked turkey wings
    • Smoked mac and cheese
    • Smoked mashed potatoes
    • Smoked asparagus
    • Smoked apple pie
    • See more turkey recipes
    • Check out the best smoked foods for a Traeger Thanksgiving dinner
    Resting Smoked Turkey

    More Tasty Grill + Smoker Recipes

    • Smoked mac and cheese
    • Smoked cream cheese
    • Smoked brisket flat
    • 321 ribs
    • Beer can chicken on the smoker
    • Smoked wings
    • Smoked tomahawk steak
    • Traeger tri tip
    • Smoked turkey breast
    • Smoked turkey legs
    • Whole smoked turkey
    • Smoked Traeger pizza
    • Smoked onion rings
    • Traeger smoked ham
    • Smoked whole chicken
    • Smoked jalapeno poppers
    • Smoked corn on the cob
    • Traeger beef ribs
    • Smoked leg of lamb
    • Smoked shrimp
    • Grilled chicken wings
    • Grilled skirt steak
    • Flank steak marinade
    • Grilled potato wedges
    • Smoked pulled pork
    • Want more? See my lineup of easy smoker recipes

    See my favorite smoker tools and seasonings in my Amazon Storefront.

    Meat thermometer recommendations

    Every home chef needs a reliable meat thermometer to cook food perfectly. 

    On Sip Bite Go, you’ll often see me using:

    1. Meater thermometer – a fancy wireless thermometer that connects to a phone app – gifted to me from a Traeger partnership.
    2. ThermoPro digital thermometer – which has a wire that connects the thermometer to a display box outside the oven/grill. 

    It’s like being psychic! The great thing about either of the thermometers above is that I don’t have to take the food out of the oven to know the temperature. 

    How to use ‘em… What I do is stick the digital thermometer in steak, pork, chicken, whatever… Then put the food in the oven, on the smoker, or grill.

    While the meat cooks, it reads the temperature so I know exactly what temp meat is as it’s cooking. Without having to take it out and check. It’s really difficult to overcook food when you know exactly what temp it is inside!

    Smoked Turkey Recipe on Traeger Tray with Tongs

    Are you a foodie, too?

    Hey home chefs, hope that answers all your questions about smoking whole turkey with maximum flavor.

    You can also smoke ​​spatchcock turkey, or if you’re serving just a couple people, smoked turkey breast is a great option. I also have a guide to making roasted turkey breast and sous vide turkey breast, too.

    Don’t forget: I’m hosting a smoked turkey takeover on Instagram — connect with me @sipbitego. You can also subscribe to the Sip Bite Go channel for helpful cooking videos from my recipe collection. 

    Smoked Turkey Recipe

    Smoked Turkey Recipe on the Traeger Pellet Grill (Whole Bird, No Brine) | Sip Bite Go

    Confidently smoke a whole turkey with my easy Smoked Turkey Recipe on the Traeger Pellet Grill. I’ve partnered with them (and Meater) to bring you this post on exactly how to make smoked whole turkey for Thanksgiving. I’m using their dry rub and Traeger Turkey Pellets Kit. Let’s smoke a whole bird! In the recipe example we smoke a whole turkey that’s 11 pounds. The total smoking turkey time on the Traeger took about 3.5-4 hours until the thermometer read 165 degrees F.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Main Dish
    Cuisine: American, BBQ
    Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
    Resting time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 1261kcal
    Author: Jenna Passaro
    Cost: 45

    Equipment

    • Pellet Grill Smoker
    • Traeger Turkey Blend Pellets
    • Traeger Turkey Rub
    • Sheet tray
    • Roasting pan
    • Loaf pan
    • Meater Plus Thermometer

    Ingredients

    Smoked turkey butter rub (for under the skin)

    • ¾ cups butter about 1 ½ sticks butter unsalted, softened
    • 2 cloves garlic grated or minced
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp pepper
    • 1 lemon zest

    Smoked turkey ingredients with simple seasonings

    • 1 whole turkey I smoked a 11 lb turkey
    • ¼ cup turkey poultry rub I used Traeger Turkey Rub
    • 2 tbsp olive oil

    Optional baste for smoked turkey

    • 4 tbsp butter
    • ½ tbsp garlic powder
    • 1 tbsp rosemary fresh, chopped

    Instructions

    • Mix butter rub. Add all of the compound butter mixture ingredients to a large bowl. With hands or a potato masher, mash ingredients together until combined. Set aside.
    • Remove the whole turkey from plastic. Remove inside parts and discard. Pat turkey with paper towel.
    • Season turkey. First, use your fingers to loosen the skin of the turkey from the meat. Smear butter between skin and turkey breast. Add turkey poultry rub and olive oil to outside skin of turkey. Rub into skin, about 1 minute. Tie legs together with twine like the Sip Bite Go recipe video demonstrates if desired. The gist of it is that you put the twine under the whole turkey, then up and around the legs, tying them together like a shoelace.
    • Chill turkey in the fridge before smoking. Transfer seasoned whole turkey to the fridge and store for at least 2 hours, to overnight. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 30 minutes before smoking it.
    • Preheat Traeger smoker to 275 degrees F. Add Traeger Turkey Blend wood pellet chips, or whatever pellets you’re using to the hopper. If desired, add a roasting pan with raised edges to catch the drippings below the grates (below where the turkey will sit). Add a small pan filled with room temperature or cold water on top of the grates, to the side, to add moisture as the whole turkey smokes (optional).
    • Smoke the whole turkey. Once preheated, add the whole turkey directly to the grill grates, ​​breast side up, tucking wings under so they don’t stick out and smoke faster than the other parts. Smoke whole turkey at 275 degrees F for 2 hours.
    • Make the baste. You don’t have to baste the turkey, but it will add a lot of flavor to the skin. To make it, add all the basting ingredients to a small saucepan on a burner set to low heat. Stir until melted then remove from heat and set aside until the next step.
    • Raise the temperature of the smoker to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Brush turkey with baste. Smoke until internal temperature of the turkey, measured in the thickest part of the turkey (the thigh) with an internal meat thermometer. Traeger whole turkey is done smoking when it measures 165 degrees F (but sometimes people choose to pull the turkey from the heat at 160 F and letting it come up to temperature under foil while it rests). Exactly how long to smoke a whole turkey will depend on how many times the smoker is opened, and the size of the bird.
    • Rest smoked turkey for at least 20 minutes, under tin foil if desired. Remove twine and carve and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    See the recipe with FAQ notes on the bottom: https://sipbitego.com/smoked-turkey-recipe
    See my how to smoke a turkey video on Sip Bite Go’s YouTube.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1261kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 189g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 638mg | Sodium: 1446mg | Potassium: 2019mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1284IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 8mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SipBiteGo or tag #sipbitego!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mark Hightwater says

      December 07, 2021 at 8:29 am

      Looking forward to smoking my turkey using this method. Wanted to know what you did to get the Traeger Grill rack high enough to put a full size pan under the rack?5 stars

      Reply
      • Jenna Passaro says

        December 08, 2021 at 1:49 pm

        I don’t know – it just fit!

        Reply

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    jenna passaro food blogger from Portland Oregon

    Hey, I’m Jenna Passaro.

    I develop easy recipes that can transform your kitchen into a restaurant – and you into a true home chef.

      

    Where to start?

    Learn the secrets to smoking tasty Traeger recipes and making pizza at home. And cook amazing tri tip steak dinners.

    Or, fall in love with something new to cook with your air fryer, pellet smoker, BBQ grill, sous vide cooker, and more…

    You’ll notice, I kind of geek out over new cooking trends and tools!

    Instagram me @sipbitego & chef hubs @handmodelpatrick

    My story. Growing up, I didn’t learn to cook.

    (I was actually banned from cooking for years)

    And then in my 20’s I didn’t have to cook because my job as an event planner involved a lot of travel and it was easier to eat out. At the time, I was 100% positive that restaurant food would always taste better than cooking at home, and there was nothing I could do about it.

    Until I fell in love with a chef. He would come over and cook me delicious meals right in my own kitchen. My mind was blown.

    Since then, I’ve been on a mission to figure out easy ways to make restaurant style food at home and share it here on Sip Bite Go.

    Love to eat out and travel? I can totally relate. See my guide on where to eat in Portland, OR.

    jenna passaro the home chef's sous vide cookbook

    Never in a million years did I imagine I’d ditch the 9-5 lifestyle in my late 20’s, move across the country on a whim, start a new life, start a food blog, and write a book.

    But here I am!

    See my book on Amazon: The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook.

     

       

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