Smoked turkey breast is a dream come true. The smoky yet juicy meat sends you to heaven the second you taste it.
However, you can easily ruin smoked turkey if you don’t know how long to smoke it at 275°F. Smoke your turkey breast at 275°F for 2-3 hours and 15 minutes for best results.
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Can You Smoke Turkey Breast at 275?
First, let’s address the temperature. Temperature is critical when smoking meat, especially poultry.
Meat kept at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F (danger zone) for too long can become a hotspot for bacteria. Even though you can technically cook the turkey and neutralize the bacteria, there is still a chance the bacteria will be present once the meat cools down.
This is why you must choose the smoking temperature carefully. If you set your smoker too low, the turkey breast will stay in the danger zone for too long.
Raw meats can only stay in the danger zone for 4 hours. After 4 hours, bacteria will multiply rapidly, making the turkey breast unsafe to eat.
Some people believe that 275°F is too high for smoking turkey. They believe the turkey breast will be tough and dry.
However, if you cook it for the recommended amount of time and cook it to the correct temperature, the turkey breast will remain juicy and moist.
What To Look for When Buying Turkey Breasts
You cannot go to the grocery store and pick up the first turkey breast you see. You should inspect it carefully to ensure it is a quality cut of meat. If you use low-quality turkey breast, you will end up with low-quality smoked turkey breast.
Usually, when selecting meats for smoking, you look for a healthy meat-to-fat ratio. However, turkey breast is lean, so meat to fat ratio does not apply.
For this reason, it’s best to buy smaller turkey breasts. Since turkey is lean, it does not have fat that will render and keep it juicy.
I know what you’re thinking; I am feeding a large group of people. Shouldn’t I get a larger turkey breast?
It’s easier to overcook a large turkey breast. If you choose an 8-pound turkey breast, the outside will cook before the inside. By the time the breast’s interior reaches the correct temperature, the exterior will be tough and dry.
If you choose a smaller turkey breast, the exterior and interior will finish cooking around the same time. The result will be a juicy, tender breast.
You can always smoke several smaller turkey breasts if you are feeding a large crowd. This way, you will have enough meat to feed your guests.
Bone-in Turkey Breast vs. Boneless Turkey Breast
The average turkey breast usually has a breastbone. In some cases, the breast may even contain parts of the wing, rib meat and bone, and the back and neck skin. You can even purchase double turkey breast with the bone still attached.
The bone acts as a regulator. It helps the breast retain moisture. However, it takes a little longer to smoke a bone-in turkey breast.
In contrast, boneless turkey breast has the bone removed. It is usually just the breast and, in some cases, the skin.
It is easier to overcook boneless turkey breast so pay attention to the temperature and time to prevent it from overcooking. Since it does not have a bone, it will cook much faster.
You can smoke bone-in or boneless turkey breast. Both options will be equally delicious as long as you smoke them for the right amount of time.
Raw Turkey Breast VS Moisture Enhanced Turkey Breast
Typically, moisture-enhanced turkey breast is found in US grocery stores. This turkey breast is injected with a solution of salt and sugar. While moisture-enhanced turkey breast may sound like the ideal option, it is not.
First, you do not know what other ingredients are in the injecting solution. Second, it’s not the ideal turkey breast for smoking.
Third, it’s hard to determine the cooking time of moisture-enhanced turkey breast since you do not know how much solution it was injected with.
It’s much better to buy raw turkey breast. If you brine the breast, you will know the exact ingredients used in the brine. Furthermore, it will be easier to estimate the cooking time.
Should I Put Oil on My Turkey Before Smoking?
Yes, you should put oil on the turkey before smoking it. The oil will help the seasoning stick to the turkey. Even if you wet brine your turkey, you will need to add oil to it once you pat it dry with paper towels to help the dry rub stick.
What’s the Best Wood for Smoking Turkey Breast?
Every wood does not work well with turkey. Turkey has a fragile flavor that concentrated woods can easily overpower. You need to select woods that enhance the flavor of the turkey.
Maple wood works well with turkey breast. It will give the turkey breast a subtly sweet flavor and enhances the sweet and spicy notes in the rub.
Hickory wood also pairs well with turkey. It gives the turkey a classic BBQ flavor without overpowering the turkey’s flavor.
Applewood also compliments turkey’s flavor. It gives the turkey a subtle, sweet yet fruity flavor.
How Long to Smoke a Turkey Breast at 275
Determining how long it takes to smoke turkey breast can be frustrating. Luckily, you don’t have to guess anymore.
How long it takes to smoke turkey breast depends on the size of the breast and if it is boneless or bone-in. Generally, it takes about 20-25 minutes per pound to smoke turkey at 275°F.
How Long to Smoke a 2 Pound Turkey Breast
A 2-pound turkey breast takes about 40-50 minutes to smoke turkey breast. However, check the turkey breast’s internal temperature after 40 minutes to prevent it from overcooking.
How Long to Smoke a 3 Pound Turkey Breast
A 3-pound turkey breast takes an hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes to cook turkey breast at 275°F. However, check the turkey breast’s temperature before you remove it from the smoker.
How Long to Smoke a 4 Pound Turkey Breast
A 4-pound turkey breast takes an hour and 20 minutes to an hour and 40 minutes to smoke at 275°F. However, ensure the turkey breast has a temperature of 165°F before taking it out of the smoker.
How Long to Smoke a 6 Pound Turkey Breast
It takes 2 hours to 2 1/2 hours to smoke a 6-pound turkey breast at 275°F. Check the turkey’s temperature after 1 hour and adjust the cooking time if needed.
How Long to Smoke a 8 Pound Turkey Breast
An 8-pound turkey breast takes 2 hours and 40 minutes to 3 hours and 15 minutes to smoke at 275°F.
Remember to check the breast’s temperature after, after 2 hours and 40 minutes, the breasts may be fully cooked.
Final Thoughts
If you smoke your turkey breast at 275°F for the right amount of time, you will have the perfect smoked turkey breast.
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.