Smoked Bone-In Turkey Breast

5 from 1 vote

Published on May 27, 2023

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Smoked Bone-In Turkey Breast is a delicious way to cook your turkey. Smoking your turkey gives it the best flavor and makes it so tender and juicy.

Smoked turkey breast sliced on a plate with mashed potatoes and broccoli

Smoked Bone-In Turkey Breast

Turkey Breast is a staple holiday meat that is cooked many different ways. But we have recently been cooking recipes in the smoker, and wanted to try a Bone-In Turkey. We all agreed that this is our new favorite way to cook our holiday meat.

We loved it so much that we are not waiting until Thanksgiving to have it again. The turkey came out so flavorful and juicy. Adding the delicious rub that is made with simple ingredients, made it that more delicious.

Tender, juicy turkey is the result of this Smoked Bone-In Turkey Breast Recipe. We added our traditional sides of mashed potatoes and green beans to complete the meal. Make this recipe for a weekend dinner or to feed a crowd.

What Temperature to Smoke Turkey Breast?

To cook the perfect turkey breast, set the temperature to 225 degrees. This will cook your turkey breast in about 3 hours, depending on the size.

Cook until turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Ingredients:

Bone-In Turkey Breast
Butter (melted)

For. the Rub:

Dried Thyme Leaves
Black Pepper
Brown Sugar
Paprika
Kosher Salt
Garlic Powder
Dried Oregano
Onion Powder

How to Make Smoked Bone-In Turkey Breast:

Step 1 – Prepare Smoker – Preheat a smoker with a water pan to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2 – Combine Dry Rub Ingredients – Mix the rub ingredients together in a small bowl.

Step 3 – Prepare Turkey Breast – Pat the turkey breast dry with a paper towel. This helps to remove any excess moisture from the turkey.

Step 4 – Place Turkey in Baking Dish – Place the turkey breast on a baking sheet.

Seasoning a turkey breast in a baking dish

Step 5 – Rub Melted Butter – Rub the melted butter on all sides of the turkey breast.

Step 6 – Season Turkey – Season the turkey tenderloins with the rub mixture. By rubbing the mixture into the sides of the turkey breast with your hands.

Step 7 – Place in the Smoker – Then place the turkey (on the baking sheet) in the smoker.

Placing the seasoning turkey breast in the smoker

Step 8 – Smoke Turkey – Cook the turkey for 2 to 3 hours. Cook until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 9 – Remove Turkey – Remove the turkey from the smoker. Let the turkey breast sit for 20-30 minutes (so that the juices can settle). Then the turkey is ready to serve and enjoy!

How Long to Smoke a Turkey:

Depending on the side of your turkey it will take about 2 to 3 hours. Smoking turkey actually takes less time than it does to roast a turkey.

Having a meat thermometer to check turkey temperature is key to make sure chicken doesn’t get dry or undercook.

How do you know when done cooking?

Use an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure that the turkey is cooked to a safe temperature. Once you check and turkey is cooked then you can remove from smoker.

The internal temperature of the turkey should reach 165 degrees. This is the best method to check to make sure turkey is done instead of slicing it. Insert the thermometer in center part of the breast which is the thickest part of the meat.

When you slice the turkey to soon it can release the juices. Which can cause the turkey to be dry when serving.

Can I use a Boneless Turkey Breast?

Yes, you can use a boneless turkey breast instead for this recipe. But we highly recommend the bone-in option. We feel like the bones keep the white meat turkey moist and tender.

What Wood Pellets do you use for Smoked Turkey Breast?

There are many options of wood pellets to use when smoking a turkey breast in your wood pellet grill. We recommend using apple, cherry or hickory wood pellets. The combination of these wood pellets will give a sweet, tart and hickory flavor to your turkey breast.

Do I need to Cover Turkey Breast while Cooking?

No, there is no need to cover the turkey breast while it is cooking in the smoker. We like to keep it uncover so the skin gets golden brown and a crispy texture.

Do I Need to Brine Turkey Breast?

We like to keep things easy around here. This recipe is so simple and no brining is required. You simply prepare the turkey breast as it indicates and let the smoker do all the work.

Brining a turkey is best when do a whole turkey. It helps to keep the white meat from drying out while it is finish cooking. Since we are only doing the breast, there is no need to brine the turkey.

What to Serve with Bone-in Smoked Turkey Breast:

This turkey breast can be served as your holiday meat or for your next BBQ. You can make your sides on the grill or prepare indoors. There are many sides that pair perfectly with this recipe, but these are our favorites.

Grilled Vegetables in Foil – We love to grill out and placing these vegetables in a foil pack locks in the flavor. These can easily be prepared on the grill or in the oven.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes – Make these delicious loaded mashed potatoes for a delicious side dish. Each bite is absolutely packed with ranch flavor, bacon, cheese, chives and sour cream.
Oven Roasted Green Beans – Roasted Green Beans in the oven is now the only way my family will eat green beans. I have made this recipe with fresh green beans and even frozen green beans. They have tasted wonderfully every time.

Recipe Tips:

Adding Wood Chips – Make sure to add chips to the smoker every 15 minutes. This is best if your smoker does not have an automatic feature.
Instant Read Thermometer – Use a meat thermometer to check turkey for doneness. This ensure turkey is cooked at a safe temperature. Before removing turkey from the smoker check the temperature.
Prepare Turkey – Dry turkey before adding the butter and the dry rub.
Seasoning Turkey – Thoroughly season turkey with the combine seasoning blend. This helps to give the turkey so much flavor.
Rest Turkey – When the turkey is cooked thoroughly make sure to allow it to rest for about 30 minutes. This helps to lock in the moisture in the smoked meat.
Cooking Time – Cooking time will vary based on the size of the turkey breast. It will be about 30 minutes per pound.
Olive Oil – If you prefer you can substitute the butter for olive oil.

How to Store Leftovers:

Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. We love to enjoy this smoked turkey breast as leftovers. It heats up easily in the microwave and is delicious served with leftover side dishes.