As the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing more inviting than a pellet grill smoked turkey gracing the dinner table. This time of the year is all about family, friends, and delish meals that leave lasting memories. When everyone gathers around, eager for that first slice of turkey, you’ll want to present an unforgettable turkey centerpiece for Thanksgiving.

Enter our easy-to-follow, beginner-friendly recipe! Thanks to the magic of wet brining, each bite promises to be succulent and bursting with flavors soaked up from the brine. The turkey soaks up the juice and flavors from the brine, and the added salt helps trap those juices so that it does not dry out as the turkey cooks. And, should you wish to add your own spin, we’ve got a plethora of variations to suit every taste. Using your reliable pellet grill smoker, or any smoker really, prepare to impress and create new holiday traditions with this show-stopping turkey.

🗒️ What You Need to Brine a Turkey

• A large waterproof container. Get one that is large enough for the turkey brine liquid to cover the entire turkey. The produce drawer in your fridge is usually large enough but it is better to use a food-grade Rubbermaid or turkey brine bag.
• Kosher salt. Be sure to use coarse Kosher salt.
• Sugar. I’m using brown sugar for a touch of molasses flavor. 
• Aromatics like oranges, lemons, and bay leaves. These are optional but nice. The important thing is the salt. You MUST use salt for the brine.
• Water. Start with warm water so the salt dissolves faster, then add cold water or ice to cool down the water. You don’t want to soak the turkey in warm water.

We used a 20-pound turkey in the video. It was a little too tall to fit in the produce drawer from the fridge, so we used a large Tupperware storage container for the brine. It held 8 quarts of water, so I had to double the brining solution. 

✅ How to Brine a Turkey

Wet brining a turkey overnight allows the meat to soak up the juices in the brine so that when you are ready to cook the turkey the next day on Thanksgiving, you end up with the juiciest, full flavor turkey ever! Turkey is a relatively lean meat, and there is not much fat on the bird, so we have to rely on a brine to provide the juicy flavor that makes the holiday dinner a hit. To prepare your brine, follow these easy steps:

1. Place the turkey in a large container.
2. Soak the turkey in the brine and add aromatics if desired. Ensure the turkey is completely covered in the brining liquid.
3. Allow the turkey to soak overnight. If you can brine the turkey for 24 hours, it will be incredibly juicy!
4. Rinse and pat the turkey dry. Allow it to sit in the fridge for several hours to completely dry before smoking.

💨 How to Smoke the Turkey

1. Fire up your pellet grill smoker. Use your favorite pellets and set the temp to 225°F. Close the lid and let it preheat.
2. Once your turkey is dry, place it in a roasting pan. Rub the entire bird with the softened butter. Get some butter under the skin, too.
3. Stuff the turkey with onion, lemon, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs.
4. Place the turkey on the pellet grill and insert your thermometer probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast.
5. Smoke until the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 110°F.
6. Increase the temperature of the pellet grill to 350°F and continue smoking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
7. Remove the bird from the pellet smoker and cover it with foil to let it rest.

🤔 Recipe Variations For The Brine

Sometimes, the secret to a memorable Thanksgiving turkey isn’t just in the roasting or smoking; it’s in the brine that sets the stage. We’ve come up with four exciting variations to give your turkey that extra oomph. From the zesty to the smoky, these recipes serve as the foundation for flavors that truly penetrate every juicy bite of your bird.

Orange Brine with Herbs

For an aromatic and citrusy spin on the classic wet brined turkey, include the zest and juice of 4 oranges in the mixture or use part of a can of frozen concentrated orange juice.

For added aromatics, toss in a handful of fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme sprigs to the brining liquid. Follow the rest of the original recipe, but make sure to also stuff the turkey cavity with some orange slices and herbs.

Salt Kissed Honey and Garlic Turkey Brine 

Add 1 cup of honey and 8-10 minced garlic cloves to the brine. This turkey has a sweet, garlicky note that pairs exceptionally well with smoky flavors. When you’re ready to smoke, rub a mixture of 2 tablespoons of honey, two tablespoons of brown sugar, one tablespoon of soy sauce, and some minced garlic under the turkey skin.

BBQ Flavored Wet Brine

Incorporate 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce into the brine. When you are ready to smoke the turkey, rub it with a bbq dry rub. As the turkey smokes, mop it every hour with a bit more BBQ sauce. 4. Spiced Apple Cider Wet Brined Smoked Turkey.

⏲️ Timetable for Pellet Grill Smoked Turkey

Here is a general guideline for how long it will take to finish smoking your turkey on Thanksgiving or Christmas day. Use this as a guideline to plan your dinner but make sure you cook the turkey to the proper temperature. 

This timetable is based on the temperature settings in the recipe card. If you use a different temperature, the timing will change. You will also affect the time if you open the grill frequently.

Turkey Size	Smoking Time
8 to 10 pounds	2½ – 3¼ hours
10 to 12 pounds	3 – 4 hours
12 to 14 pounds	3½ – 4½ hours
14 to 16 pounds	4¼ – 5⅓ hours
16 to 18 pounds	5 – 6 hours
18 to 20 pounds	5½ – 6¾ hours

If you have a different-sized bird, then calculate the smoking time at 18 to 20 minutes per pound. Keep in mind that the cooking time for this pellet grill smoked turkey will take longer than an oven-roasted turkey that is generally roasted at 325° to 350°F.  This Traeger turkey smokes at a lower temperature on the Trager grill before cranking it up to crisp up the skin. That extra time is worth it because of the smokiness flavor you get at a lower temp, so plan accordingly. 

🌡️ Smoking According to Temperature

Taking your turkey’s temperature is the only way to ensure you don’t overcook or undercook the pellet grill smoked turkey. The timing can vary for every turkey based on the size of the turkey and how often you open the grill. 

Place the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast.  Don’t push the thermometer in too deep, or else it will hit the bone and mess up the reading. 

I always trust this ThermoWorks Signals WiFi thermometer to tell me when I am done cooking. The Signals thermometer has 4 probes, so you can monitor multiple items, all from the comfort of the couch using the ThermoWorks App on your phone.

For super fast temperature checks, this ThermoWorks ONE Thermapen gives you an accurate reading in only one second! Now you will not have any more excuses for not hitting perfection!

When the turkey is finished smoking, double-check by checking the temp in several locations of the turkey to ensure it cooks evenly. If any areas register less than 160°F, then cook it longer. 

Note: The FDA recommends cooking turkey at 165°F. I always cook it to 160°F on my Traeger grill, remove it from the pellet smoker, and cover it to let it rest. By the time it finishes resting, the temperature is always around 165°F. Carryover cooking is a great technique!

It’s grill time! Get out there and cook your turkey, and then comment below how it turned out!

🪐 Universal Appeal: This Recipe Works with Any Pellet Grill or Smoker

One of the fantastic things about this pellet grill smoked turkey is its adaptability. You might have heard people raving about cooking a turkey on a Traeger smoker, and while that’s great, let’s clear the air: you’re not limited to one brand of pellet smoker.

Whether you own a Traeger, a Pit Boss, a Camp Chef, or any other brand, this recipe is designed to be universally delicious. The key elements (temperature control and consistent smoke) are features common to most pellet grills. Just follow the guidelines, and you’ll get that mouthwatering, smoky flavor and tender texture, no matter what name is stamped on your grill.

So go ahead, power up your pellet grill, and let’s get that turkey cooking to perfection!

🔪 Equipment for Smoked Turkey

• Traeger Timberline 1300
• ThermoWorks Signals
• John Boos butcher block
• Traeger signature blend pellets
• Turkey brining bags
• Shun 9″ carving knife

🦃 Other Juicy Turkey Recipes!

Traeger

Traeger Smoked Spatchcock Turkey

Traeger

Traeger Smoked Turkey Breast (wrapped in bacon)

Main Dish

Brown Sugar Bourbon Brined Traeger Smoked Turkey

Grilling

Disney Smoked Turkey Legs

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Turkey Wings

🔥 More Smoked Recipes

Traeger

Smoked Pork Butt (Smoked Pork Shoulder)

Traeger

Smoked Pork Loin

Traeger

Traeger Prime Rib

Traeger

Smoked Brussels Sprouts

🫙 Storing Leftover Turkey

• Cool before storing. Allow the smoked turkey to come to room temperature before storing. This helps to prevent condensation and is the best food safety practice.
• Use airtight containers. Divide the turkey into smaller portions and store it in airtight containers or in vacuum bags.
• Refrigerate promptly. Place the turkey in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. Leftovers will last for 3-4 days when stored properly.
• For long-term storage. For longer storage, you can freeze the smoked turkey. It’s best used within 2-3 months for optimal flavor.

🥡 Reheating Your Smoked Turkey

• Oven method. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the turkey in an oven-safe dish and add a small amount of broth or water to the bottom. Cover with foil to prevent it from drying out and heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Microwave method. Place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave lid or wrap, and reheat in increments of 30 seconds until warmed through.
• Air fryer method. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Arrange the slices of turkey in the air fryer basket and brush the slices with melted butter to keep them moist. Set the air fryer to cook for 2-4 minutes until the turkey reaches your desired temperature. Be sure not to overdo it and dry the turkey out!

🍗 How to Use Your Leftovers

• Who doesn’t love turkey pot pie?! This recipe for easy turkey pot pie is a wonderful way to use up your leftovers, and it features a light, crispy crust with a rich and savory filling.
• Make your baked beans more hearty and filling! You can easily add your smoked turkey leftovers to these smoked baked beans to lift them up and introduce a different protein.
• This jalapeño popper mac and cheese is super creamy and filled with several different types of cheese! The cheese pull is out of this world! Add in your leftover smoked turkey, and you have a complete meal, ready to go!

❓ FAQ

🎁 Now Go Fire up That Smoker

The pellet grill smoked turkey is a testament to culinary deliciousness, blending tradition and innovation. As the holiday season approahces, this recipe is one you will want to save. It is designed for all cooking levels and provides plenty of opportunity for customizing. While it boasts sophistication, its adaptability welcomes personal flair. Embrace the journey, add your touch, and elevate your celebration with this memorable dish!

💬 Tell Me What You Think!

Did you try out this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it. Also, snap a picture and post it to your favorite social platform. Be sure to tag me at @alicensetogrill and let me know how you liked it!

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