How Long to Smoke a Turkey in a Traeger: The Ultimate Guide

How Long to Smoke a Turkey in a Traeger?

The holidays are coming up, and that means it’s time to start thinking about smoking a turkey. If you’re new to smoking, or if you’re just not sure how long to smoke a turkey in a Traeger, don’t worry, we’re here to help.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about smoking a turkey in a Traeger, including:

* The best temperature to smoke a turkey
* How long to smoke a turkey
* What wood to use
* How to brine a turkey
* What to do with your smoked turkey

So if you’re ready to learn how to smoke a delicious, juicy, and flavorful turkey, keep reading!

Weight (lbs)	Cook Time (Hours)	Temperature (F)
10-12	5-6	225-250
12-14	6-7	225-250
14-16	7-8	225-250
16-18	8-9	225-250
18-20	9-10	225-250

How long to smoke a turkey in a Traeger?

Smoking a turkey in a Traeger is a great way to cook a delicious and juicy bird. However, it’s important to know how long to smoke a turkey in a Traeger so that you don’t end up with a dry or overcooked bird.

There are a few factors that affect how long it will take to smoke a turkey in a Traeger, including:

* Weight of the turkey: The larger the turkey, the longer it will take to smoke. A 10-pound turkey will take about 4 hours to smoke, while a 20-pound turkey will take about 6 hours.
* Temperature of the smoker: The temperature of the smoker will also affect how long it takes to smoke a turkey. A higher temperature will cook the turkey faster, while a lower temperature will cook the turkey slower.
* Type of wood used: The type of wood you use will also affect the flavor of the turkey. Some popular woods for smoking turkey include hickory, oak, and apple.
* Whether the turkey is stuffed or not: A stuffed turkey will take longer to smoke than a turkey that is not stuffed.

With these factors in mind, here are some recommended cooking times for smoking a turkey in a Traeger:

* Whole turkey: 25 minutes per pound at 225 degrees F
* Breast-only turkey: 20 minutes per pound at 225 degrees F
* Legs and thighs: 30 minutes per pound at 225 degrees F

It’s important to note that these are just recommended cooking times. The actual cooking time may vary depending on the size and shape of your turkey, the temperature of your smoker, and the type of wood you use.

To check if your turkey is done, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F.

If you’re not sure how long to smoke a turkey in a Traeger, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and cook the turkey for a longer period of time. A dry turkey is better than a undercooked turkey.

Conclusion

Smoking a turkey in a Traeger is a great way to cook a delicious and juicy bird. By following these tips, you can smoke a perfect turkey every time.

Here are some additional tips for smoking a turkey in a Traeger:

* Use a good quality wood. The type of wood you use will affect the flavor of the turkey. Some popular woods for smoking turkey include hickory, oak, and apple.
* Start the smoker early. It takes a while to smoke a turkey, so it’s important to start the smoker early so that the turkey has plenty of time to cook.
* Monitor the temperature of the smoker. The temperature of the smoker is critical to smoking a turkey correctly. Make sure to keep the temperature between 225 and 250 degrees F.
* Don’t open the smoker too often. Opening the smoker too often will release heat and smoke, which will slow down the cooking process. Only open the smoker when you need to add more wood or check on the turkey.
* Let the turkey rest before carving. After the turkey is done cooking, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy bird.

By following these tips, you can smoke a perfect turkey every time.

How long to smoke a turkey in a Traeger?

The length of time it takes to smoke a turkey in a Traeger depends on the size of the turkey, the temperature of the smoker, and the desired degree of doneness.

For a general rule of thumb, plan on smoking a turkey for 30 minutes per pound at 225 degrees F. So, a 10-pound turkey would take about 3 hours to smoke.

However, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the following factors:

* The size of the turkey: A larger turkey will take longer to cook than a smaller turkey.
* The temperature of the smoker: A hotter smoker will cook the turkey faster than a cooler smoker.
* The desired degree of doneness: If you prefer your turkey more well-done, you will need to cook it for longer.

To check if the turkey is done, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Once the turkey is done, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy turkey.

Tips for smoking a turkey

Here are a few tips for smoking a turkey in a Traeger:

* Brining the turkey before smoking will help it retain moisture. To brine the turkey, soak it in a solution of salt, water, and spices for several hours or overnight. This will help to season the turkey and keep it from drying out during the smoking process.
* Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
* Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy turkey.

Common problems and solutions

Here are a few common problems that can occur when smoking a turkey and how to solve them:

* The turkey is dry. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:
* Not brining the turkey before smoking.
* Smoking the turkey at too high of a temperature.
* Not letting the turkey rest before carving.

To avoid a dry turkey, be sure to brine the turkey before smoking, smoke it at a moderate temperature, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving.
* The turkey is undercooked. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:
* Smoking the turkey at too low of a temperature.
* Not smoking the turkey long enough.

To avoid an undercooked turkey, be sure to smoke the turkey at a high enough temperature and for long enough.
* The turkey is overcooked. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:
* Smoking the turkey at too high of a temperature.
* Smoking the turkey for too long.

To avoid an overcooked turkey, be sure to smoke the turkey at a moderate temperature and for no longer than necessary.

Smoking a turkey in a Traeger is a great way to cook a delicious and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey. By following these tips, you can avoid common problems and ensure that your turkey is cooked perfectly.

How long does it take to smoke a turkey in a Traeger?

The cooking time for a smoked turkey will vary depending on the size of the turkey, the temperature of the Traeger, and the desired degree of doneness. A general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey for 2-3 hours per pound at 225 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the factors listed above.

What temperature should I cook a turkey in a Traeger?

The ideal temperature for smoking a turkey is 225 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow the turkey to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in a moist and flavorful bird.

What wood should I use to smoke a turkey?

There are many different woods that can be used to smoke a turkey, but some of the most popular choices include applewood, hickory, and oak. The type of wood you use will impart its own unique flavor to the turkey, so experiment with different woods until you find one that you like.

How do I baste a turkey while smoking it?

Basting a turkey while it is smoking will help to keep it moist and flavorful. To baste a turkey, simply brush or spoon melted butter or a mixture of melted butter and apple cider vinegar over the turkey every hour or so.

How do I know when a turkey is done smoking?

The best way to tell if a turkey is done smoking is to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

What should I do if my turkey is overcooked?

If your turkey is overcooked, you can try to salvage it by slicing it up and using it in a casserole or soup. You can also shred the turkey and use it in sandwiches or tacos.

What are some tips for smoking a turkey in a Traeger?

Here are a few tips for smoking a turkey in a Traeger:

* Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey is cooked to the proper temperature.
* Baste the turkey regularly to keep it moist.
* Smoke the turkey for a longer period of time at a lower temperature for a more flavorful bird.
* Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving it.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to smoke a turkey in a Traeger. We covered everything from choosing the right turkey to preparing the brine and smoking the bird. We also provided tips for troubleshooting common problems.

We hope that this information has been helpful and that you will enjoy smoking your own turkey this holiday season. Here are a few key takeaways:

* Choose a turkey that is the right size for your Traeger.
* Brine your turkey for at least 24 hours before smoking it.
* Smoke the turkey at a low temperature (225-250 degrees Fahrenheit) for 3-4 hours per pound.
* Rotate the turkey every hour or so to ensure that it cooks evenly.
* Baste the turkey with melted butter or apple juice every hour or so to keep it moist.
* Smoke the turkey until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving it.

We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!