Top 7 Smoked Turkey Recipes [Holiday BBQ Dinner Ideas]

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Delicious smoked turkey BBQ ideas for your Thanksgiving or holiday dinner. Paired with delicious dry rubs and moist sheets, these slow roasted turkey chunks will please a crowd.

7 Best Smoked Turkey Recipes [Holiday BBQ Ideas]

Each is topped with traditional roast turkey, but what if we could pack even more flavor into it? Low and slow smoking of turkey increases its tenderness and juiciness while adding a nice layer of wood and smoky notes.

These are the best recipes to get the most out of your turkey with your smoker.

Whole turkey

Smoking a whole turkey is the best way to feed a crowd a bird that fits the tradition but has more flavor than the classic oven-roasted turkey. A whole smoked turkey is exactly what it sounds like, a whole bird. You prepare the bird by removing the neck and innards, tying the legs together and tucking in the wing tips.

To maximize flavor, salt the turkey(if you haven’t already) and season with fat and your favorite dry rub. Then smoke directly on the grill, breast-side up, for about 30 minutes per pound. If you don’t have a smoker, you can smoke a turkey on your pellet grill as long as you use indirect heat.

Turkey feet

Glazed turkey drumsticks on smoking grates

Turkey thighs are a crowd favorite. They’re perfect for finger food as you can hold the bone with your hands and the dark meat of the thigh is one of the tastiest parts of the bird.
Smoked turkey drumsticks are even tastier than regular drumsticks. Start by salting the turkey thighs or spritzing each thigh with marinade. Smoke turkey drumsticks over wood shavings for up to four hours for the perfect flavor and texture.

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Truthful breast

Sliced smoked turkey breast on the wooden counter in the kitchen

Turkey breast can be hit or missed. Although this bland cut is a favorite, especially with picky eaters, it can easily be overcooked and dried out until flavorless. Luckily, smoking the turkey breast has that problem and adds flavor and moisture to this cut.

Most turkey cuts are best when marinated in brine before roasting, and smoked turkey breast is no different. Place in brine overnight, pat dry, and then roast until the breast has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. As soon as it has rested, cut open the turkey breast and serve. Breast meat is also great for recipes that use leftover turkey , like sandwiches or quesadillas.

Tearpit

Pork ribs and beef ribs get all the attention, but turkey ribs are a worthy substitute. Turkey ribs aren’t actually part of the rib cage, but rather a piece of white meat from the shoulder bone. Turkey ribs have a similar flavor and texture to pork ribs, especially since they come with bones but have much less fat.

To smoke turkey ribs, prepare the meat with a dry rub. Be careful not to add too much seasoning as the softer white meat can be overpowered in a way that the pork is not overpowered. Then put in the smoker. Once the ribs are done, brush them with your favorite barbecue sauce and start eating.

Truthfulness

Grilling poultry helps smoke it faster while adding flavor to the meat. This smoked spatchcock turkey is prepared with a nice touch of paprika and brown sugar before being smoked for twelve hours for a poultry cut.

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To staple a turkey, first whole the backbone with scissors. Once the backbone is gone, turn the bird onto its back and press firmly on the chest to break the rib cage. This allows the bird to lie flat in a pan and cook more evenly.

Prepare the rest of the bird like a whole regular turkey. Add dry rub to carry more flavor, then grill.

Truth role

Turkey Roscón is a rolled turkey breast stuffed with a delicious and flavorful filling. While most recipes call for baking a bun in the oven, you can do the same in your smoker.

For a turkey roscón , brush the breasts with butterflies and season with salt. Then fill the breasts with the stuffing of your choice. You can use tomatoes, spinach, cheese or anything else you like. Finally, roll the breast into a spiral and tie with butcher twine. Grilling makes the rolls tasty and juicy.

Bacon wrapped turkey bites

What’s the best way to add flavor to turkey breast? Wrap is natural in bacon! These morsels are the perfect appetizer for your next barbecue.

For turkey bites with smoked bacon, cut the turkey breast into small cubes and season with dry rub. Then wrap each piece in bacon and secure with a toothpick. Smoke them and then coat them with your favorite barbecue sauce.