Smoking a big bird during the holidays is stressful. It’s much easier to smoke a turkey breast. The turkey breast will soak up the smoky flavor and cook much faster than a whole bird.
However, the trick to smoking turkey breast is knowing the right temperature to smoke the meat and how long to smoke it. For example, if you smoke your turkey at 225°F, smoke it for 2 to 3 1/2 hours.
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How Do You Keep Turkey Breast From Drying Out In The Smoker
The secret to preventing turkey breast from drying out is to smoke it at a low temperature. If the turkey is smoked at a temperature that’s too high, the outer portions of the breast will cook faster than its interior. The breast will also lose more moisture before the inside of the bird is cooked.
When the turkey is cooked low and slow at 225°F, it will yield tender meat. More importantly, the turkey breast will keep moist of its moisture.
How Long to Smoke a Turkey Breast at 225
The smoking time of turkey breast depends on several factors. For example, the turkey’s size can affect the cooking time. A smaller breast will take longer to cook than a larger breast.
It takes about 45 minutes per pound to smoke turkey breast on average. However, use the bird’s temperature to determine doneness before you remove it from the grill.
How Long to Smoke a Bone-in Turkey Breast
Depending on your location, you may only be able to find bone-in turkey breast.
Ultimately, the cooking time will depend on the size of the breast. Generally, it would take about 40-45 minutes to smoke a bone-in turkey.
So, cooking a 3-pound bone-in turkey breast will take about 2 to 2 hours and 15 minutes.
How Long to Smoke a Boneless Turkey Breast at 225
A boneless turkey breast cooks faster than a bone-in turkey breast. It takes about 35-45 minutes per pound to smoke turkey breast. For example, a 6-pound turkey breast will take 2-3 1/2 hours to cook.
How Long to Smoke a 2 1/2 Pound Turkey Breast at 225
A 2-pound turkey breast will take about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours to smoke. However, remember the turkey breast’s internal temperature is more important than the cooking time. So, remove it once it has the correct temperature.
How Long to Smoke a 7 Pound Turkey Breast at 225
It takes about 40-45 minutes to cook at 225. Therefore, a 7-pound turkey takes about 4 1/2 hours to 5 1/2 hours to cook.
How Long to Smoke a 7 1/2 Pound Turkey Breast
A 7 1/2-pound turkey takes 5-5 1/2 hours to smoke. However, check the turkey breast after 5 hours. The turkey breast may take more or less time to cook.
How Long to Smoke a 8 Pound Turkey Breast at 225
The larger the turkey breast, the longer it will take to smoke. It takes about 5 hours and 20 minutes to 6 hours to cook a turkey breast at 225°F.
How To Know When Smoked Turkey Breast Is Cooked
As I mentioned above, turkey breast cooking time varies depending on the size of the meat and the smoker you use.
Turkey breasts can take 1 1/2 hours to 4 hours, depending on the size. Therefore, the best way to tell if turkey breasts are done is to use a thermometer.
Your smoker probably has a built-in thermometer. However, it is best to buy a separate smoker.
Built-in thermometers measure the smoker’s internal temperature, not the internal temperature of the turkey breast. These thermometers may make you think that the turkey breast is cooked when it is not, so purchase a separate smoker thermometer.
Turkey breasts are cooked when it has a temperature of 165°F. However, you can remove the turkey breast when it has a temperature between 155°F and 165°F. The turkey breasts will rise 5-10 degrees as it rests.
How to Smoke Turkey Breast on a Pellet Grill
Smoking turkey breast is relatively easy. However, since we are smoking turkey breast on a pellet grill, it requires a little extra work.
Set up your pellet grill. Turn on half of your pellet grills burners and leave the remaining burners off. Preheat the pellet grill to 225°F.
Place the turkey breast onto a butcher block and pat it dry with paper towels. Slather the turkey with a few tablespoons of neutral-flavored oil or butter.
Use your favorite BBQ rub or poultry seasoning to season the turkey. Massage the seasoning all over the turkey breast.
Place your turkey directly onto the grill’s cooking grate. You can place a foil pan directly beneath the turkey breasts to catch any pan drippings. Smoke the turkey breasts for 40-45 minutes.
Remember, the exact smoking time depends on the size of the turkey breast.So, remove it from the smoker once it has an internal temperature between 155°F-160°F.
Make sure you insert the thermometer’s probe into the thickest piece of the turkey breast. If you are smoking a bone-in turkey breast, ensure the thermometer probe does not touch the bone. It could give you an inaccurate reading.
Place the turkey onto a plate and tent it with foil. Let the turkey breast rest for 20-30 minutes.
Letting the turkey breast rest allows its juices to redistribute back into the bird. If not, the juices seep out of the meat, leaving you with tough, dry turkey breast.
If you are worried about the meat getting cold, the foil will keep the turkey breast warm as it rests. Once the turkey breast has rested, slice it and serve it.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, smoking a turkey breast is the best option. It’s much faster and will still have the same delicious smoky flavor as a whole smoked bird. Plus, it will be moist and juicy as long as you smoke for the right amount of time.
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.