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Smoked Turkey – How To
The Best Smoked Turkey Breast 🔗
Smoked Turkey Breast is flavorful and oh-so juicy! Cider brined turkey breast combined with a savory turkey rub or sweet rub make for a killer turkey breast.
Prep: 15min
Total: 675min
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 93.9 kcal, Carbohydrate 20.45 g, Protein 1.21 g, Fat 0.73 g, Saturated Fat 0.28 g, Cholesterol 0.09 mg, Sodium 14.87 mg, Fiber 1.37 g, Sugar 11.85 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 4-5 pounds boneless turkey breast (fresh, not previously brined)
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub (or Turkey Rub (recipes in notes))
- 3 cups apple cider
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
Instruction:
- Make the brine. Combine all ingredients for the brine in a large bowl and whisk until the sugar and salt dissolve.
- Brine the turkey breast. Submerge the turkey breast in the brine. Cover and refrigerate for 8-12 hours.
- Preheat. Preheat your smoker to 275 degrees F. Apple wood goes great with this meat to compliment the apple cider.
- Season. Remove the turkey breast from the brine and pat dry. Sprinkle the turkey breast on all sides with Sweet Rub or Turkey Rub.
- Smoke. Place the turkey breast on the smoker, close the lid, and smoke for approximately 3 hours or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees F.
- Rest and enjoy. Remove the turkey from the smoker. Cover lightly with foil, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
FAQ
Should I brine my turkey before I grill it?
Although brining a turkey isn’t necessary, it does enable the meat to retain more water and salt before being grilled, which will enhance the flavor and moistness of the meat.
Should I brine my turkey if I am smoking it?
Use a brine before smoking to keep meat moist while cooking and to add flavor. Brines can be simple with salt and water, or you can kick things up a notch with spices, fresh herbs, or powerful aromatics like lemon and garlic. Don’t let the flavor fall flat by skipping on a crucial step of preparing your turkey: brining.
Can you grill a dry brined turkey?
Once your turkey has been brined, you can cook it using any technique you prefer: roasting it in the oven, deep-frying it, or even grilling it, are all acceptable methods.
Do you rinse turkey after brining before smoking?
Rinsing the turkey after it has finished brining is one of the most crucial steps in this recipe; remove it from the brine and give it a thorough wash in your sink, paying particular attention to the cavity. You want to ensure that it is seasoned, not a salt lick, so take the time to do this.