Traeger Turkey: The Ultimate Guide to Smoking a Moist and Flavorful Bird

Traeger Recipe for Smoking a Turkey

Nothing says “Thanksgiving” quite like a smoked turkey. The rich, smoky flavor is the perfect complement to the traditional sides, and it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. If you’re looking for a way to step up your Thanksgiving game this year, give this Traeger recipe for smoked turkey a try.

Smoking a turkey is a relatively simple process, but there are a few things you need to know to get the best results. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of smoking a turkey on a Traeger, from brining the bird to pulling it off the grill. We’ll also provide some tips and tricks to help you make the most delicious smoked turkey you’ve ever tasted.

So if you’re ready to smoke the best turkey of your life, read on!

Ingredients	Instructions	Notes
1 (12-14 pound) turkey 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup water 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder	Preheat your Traeger smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan and pour the brine over it. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the turkey on the smoker and cook for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.	You can also use a different type of wood for smoking the turkey, such as hickory or cherry. If you don’t have time to brine the turkey, you can skip that step and just season it with salt and pepper before smoking. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey.

Introduction

Smoking a turkey is a great way to cook a delicious and juicy bird. The Traeger grill is the perfect smoker for this task, as it allows you to control the temperature and smoke level perfectly. This recipe will walk you through the steps of smoking a turkey on a Traeger grill, from preparation to cooking to serving.

Equipment

The following equipment is required to smoke a turkey on a Traeger grill:

* Traeger grill
* Wood chips (hickory, apple, or cherry)
* Thermometer
* Spray bottle
* Foil
* Butcher paper
* Meat thermometer

Preparation

Before you can smoke a turkey, you need to prepare it properly. This includes thawing the turkey, rinsing it, removing the giblets, and seasoning it.

To thaw a frozen turkey, place it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. If you don’t have that much time, you can thaw the turkey in a sink full of cold water. Just make sure to change the water every 30 minutes.

Once the turkey is thawed, rinse it inside and out with cold water. Pat it dry with paper towels.

Remove the giblets from the cavity of the turkey. The giblets are the internal organs of the turkey, and they’re usually found in a bag inside the cavity.

Season the turkey inside and out with your favorite dry rub. You can use a store-bought rub or make your own. If you’re making your own rub, mix together 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of paprika, 1/4 cup of garlic powder, 1/4 cup of onion powder, 1/4 cup of salt, and 1/4 cup of black pepper.

Cover the turkey with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

Cooking

Once the turkey is prepared, it’s time to cook it. The following steps will walk you through the process of smoking a turkey on a Traeger grill:

1. Preheat the Traeger grill to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Add wood chips to the firebox.
3. Place the turkey on the grill, breast-side up.
4. Cover the grill and cook the turkey for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Baste the turkey with melted butter or chicken broth every hour.
6. When the turkey is cooked through, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Serving

Once the turkey has rested, it’s time to serve it. Carve the turkey and serve it with your favorite sides. Some popular side dishes for turkey include mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.

Smoking a turkey on a Traeger grill is a delicious and easy way to cook a holiday meal. The Traeger grill allows you to control the temperature and smoke level perfectly, resulting in a juicy and flavorful turkey.

Here are some tips for smoking a turkey on a Traeger grill:

* Use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Baste the turkey with melted butter or chicken broth every hour to keep it moist.
* Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
* Serve the turkey with your favorite sides.

With a little planning and preparation, you can easily smoke a delicious and juicy turkey on your Traeger grill. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

Traeger Recipe for Smoking a Turkey

Traeger grills are a great way to smoke a turkey. The wood pellets add a delicious flavor to the turkey, and the indirect heat helps to cook it evenly. This recipe will show you how to smoke a turkey on a Traeger grill.

Ingredients

* 1 (12-14 pound) turkey
* 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
* 1 cup of water
* 1 tablespoon of salt
* 1 teaspoon of black pepper
* 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon of onion powder
* 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
* Optional: 1 cup of your favorite wood pellets

Instructions

1. Rinse the turkey inside and out.
2. In a large bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
3. Place the turkey in the brine and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
4. Preheat the Traeger grill to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry.
6. Rub the turkey with melted butter or olive oil.
7. Season the turkey with your favorite spices.
8. Place the turkey on the grill, breast-side up.
9. Smoke the turkey for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Baste the turkey every hour with melted butter or apple juice.
11. Cover the turkey with foil if it starts to brown too quickly.
12. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.
13. Carve the turkey and serve with your favorite sides.

Tips

* To make sure the turkey is cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Baste the turkey every hour with melted butter or apple juice to help keep it moist.
* Cover the turkey with foil if it starts to brown too quickly.
* Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the turkey more flavorful.
* Serve the turkey with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.

A smoked turkey is a delicious and impressive way to feed your family and friends. This Traeger recipe is easy to follow and will produce a juicy, flavorful turkey that everyone will love.

Q: What is the best temperature to smoke a turkey on a Traeger?
A: The ideal temperature for smoking a turkey on a Traeger is between 225F and 250F. This will allow the turkey to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in a juicy and flavorful bird.

Q: How long does it take to smoke a turkey on a Traeger?
A: The cooking time for a smoked turkey will vary depending on the size of the bird. A general rule of thumb is to allow 1 hour of cooking time per pound of turkey. So, a 10-pound turkey will take approximately 10 hours to smoke.

Q: What wood should I use to smoke a turkey?
A: There are many different woods that can be used to smoke a turkey, but some of the most popular choices include applewood, hickory, and cherry. 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.

Q: What is the best way to brine a turkey before smoking it?
A brine is a salt-water solution that is used to flavor and moisten meat. Brining a turkey before smoking it will help to keep the meat juicy and flavorful. To brine a turkey, simply dissolve 1 cup of salt in 1 gallon of water. Place the turkey in the brine and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.

Q: What are some tips for smoking a turkey on a Traeger?
Here are a few tips for smoking a turkey on a Traeger:

* Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey is cooked to an internal temperature of 165F.
* Baste the turkey regularly with melted butter or olive oil to keep it moist.
* Smoke the turkey for the recommended amount of time, but check it periodically to make sure it is not overcooked.
* Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving it.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when smoking a turkey on a Traeger?
Here are a few common mistakes people make when smoking a turkey on a Traeger:

* Not using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey.
* Overcooking the turkey.
* Not basting the turkey regularly.
* Smoking the turkey for too long or not long enough.

By following these tips, you can avoid these common mistakes and smoke a delicious and juicy turkey on your Traeger.

In this Traeger recipe for smoking a turkey, we discussed the steps on how to smoke a turkey on a Traeger grill. We started by choosing the right turkey and making sure it is thawed properly. Then, we seasoned the turkey with a Traeger rub and smoked it for about 6 hours. Finally, we rested the turkey for 30 minutes before carving it.

We hope this recipe has helped you to smoke a delicious and juicy turkey on your Traeger grill. Be sure to check out our other Traeger recipes for more great ideas!