Allowing meat to rest after cooking is very important if you want it to have the best texture and flavor. Poultry, including turkey, makes no exception. Roasted, grilled, fried, smoked….. all these cooking methods can make turkey taste amazing. Regardless of how you cook it, it’s essential to know how long to let turkey rest, and we’re sharing all the details!
You’ve spent hours tending to your smoker infusing your turkey with delicious woody flavor. The internal temperature hits 165°F so you know it’s safe to eat. Now it’s time to feast, right? Not so fast. Resist the urge to immediately carve up that smoked turkey. Letting it rest first is absolutely crucial for maximizing moisture and flavor.
So how long should you let a smoked turkey rest before slicing into it? The ideal resting time is 20 to 40 minutes. This gives time for the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat. Resting is a simple step that makes a huge difference in creating an incredibly juicy smoked turkey.
Why Smoked Turkey Needs To Rest
There are two main reasons you should always let smoked turkey rest before eating:
- Allows juices to redistribute
- Prevents moisture loss
As the turkey cooks low and slow in the smoker, the heat causes proteins to contract, squeezing moisture out of the cells. If sliced immediately, those juices would spill right out onto the cutting board.
By resting the smoked turkey about 20-40 minutes, the proteins relax and the moisture migrates back inward through a process called carryover cooking This allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat rather than lost.
How Long Should You Rest Smoked Turkey
For ideal results, allow your smoked turkey to rest:
- 20-30 minutes for small birds under 15 pounds
- 30-40 minutes for turkeys over 15 pounds
Larger birds benefit from resting towards the longer end of that timeframe so juices can fully redistribute through the thicker breast and thigh meat.
Resting for less than 20 minutes doesn’t allow enough time for carryover cooking and moisture to equalize. Letting it rest too long (over 1 hour) can cause the turkey to cool down too much.
Always check the internal temperature after resting to confirm it reaches 170-175°F before carving.
Should You Cover Smoked Turkey While Resting?
You can leave your smoked turkey uncovered, loosely tented with foil, or fully wrapped in foil while resting:
- Uncovered – Allows skin to stay crispy
- Loosely tented – Prevents drying without steaming
- Wrapped in foil – Keeps all moisture in but softens the skin
Many pitmasters recommend resting uncovered on a wire rack to retain crispy skin. Lightly tenting foil can help retain some heat and moisture for longer rests. Fully wrapping is best only if holding 1+ hours before serving.
Step-By-Step Guide To Resting Smoked Turkey
Follow these simple steps for perfectly rested, juicy smoked turkey:
- Remove turkey from smoker once internal temp is 165°F.
- Place breast-side down on a cutting board or wire rack.
- Let rest 20-40 minutes uncovered. For large birds, rest up to 1 hour.
- Check internal temperature to confirm it’s reached 170-175°F.
- Carve turkey and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
The longer you let it rest (within reason), the more tender and juicy your smoked turkey will be thanks to carryover cooking and moisture redistribution.
Use A Meat Thermometer
A good digital meat thermometer is essential for smoking turkey. Don’t rely on cook time alone as many factors can vary.
Check in the thickest part of breast and thigh, avoiding bone. Rest until the thermometer reads 170-175°F for perfect doneness.
Worth The Wait
It’s tempting to dive right into that aromatic, golden brown smoked turkey fresh off the grill. But by exercising some patience and allowing your turkey ample time to rest, you’ll be rewarded with incredibly succulent meat brimming with flavorful juices.
For ideal results, allow 20-40 minutes of rest time depending on turkey size. Trust the process – a well rested smoked turkey is well worth the wait! Your guests will be delighted by moist, tender meat infused with delicious smoky flavor.
Why Should You Let The Turkey Rest?
Each type of meat needs a different resting time, but the same principle applies.
As the turkey rests, the internal juices will be reabsorbed into the meat. Start slicing too soon and all those tasty juices will leak instead of staying in the meat.
The resting time will also enhance the flavor of the turkey.
Turkey is well done and safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
After you take it out of the oven, the residual heat left in the bird will continue to cook it a little more while resting. In fact, the turkey’s temperature can raise another 5-10°F after removing from heat.
This is another reason why resting time is important. Letting the turkey benefit from all that heat it accumulated results in juicier and better cooked meat.
How Long To Rest Smoked Turkey
Smoked turkey will cool off at a faster rate, so it will need less resting time compared to a roasted bird.
Tent the turkey loosely with foil and let it rest for 15-30 minutes before carving.
For a whole roasted turkey, the longer resting period would allow you to prep or reheat the sides you want to serve next to it.
Since smoked turkey can be served much sooner, it’s a good idea to have the sides ready as soon as you take it out of the smoker.
How long should a smoked turkey rest before cutting?
FAQ
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