How Long To Smoke A Turkey Breast For Juicy, Tender Results

Smoking a turkey breast is a great way to enjoy delicious smoked flavor in a smaller cut than a whole turkey. When smoking a turkey breast, an important factor is cook time – how long do you need to smoke the turkey breast to ensure it turns out juicy, smoky, and delicious? In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know to smoke a turkey breast perfectly.

Overview of Smoking a Turkey Breast

Smoking a boneless or bone-in turkey breast allows you to enjoy turkey with a wonderful smoky flavor, without having to smoke a full turkey. It’s a great option for holidays or dinner parties when you don’t need to feed a huge crowd.

When smoking a turkey breast there are a few steps

• Brining – Brining helps infuse moisture and flavor. A simple brine of salt, sugar, and water works well. Apple juice or cider can also be used.

• Applying a Rub – For flavor, coat the brined breast with an herb rub or savory seasoning blend before smoking

• Smoking – Set up your smoker or grill for indirect smoking at 225-275°F. Use wood chips, chunks, or pellets such as apple, cherry, or pecan.

• Monitoring Temperature – The most important factor is smoking until the turkey breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

The key is avoiding over or undercooking. This comes down to the cook time.

How Long To Smoke A Turkey Breast

The time needed to smoke a turkey breast can vary quite a bit, from 1.5 hours up to 4 hours, depending on a few factors:

• Size of the breast – A small 3 lb breast may only take 1.5-2 hours, while a large 6 lb breast could need 3.5-4 hours. Calculate around 30 minutes per pound.

• Bone-in or boneless – Bone-in breasts take longer, as the bone slows cooking.

• Brined or unbrined – Brining adds moisture, which can accelerate cooking time slightly.

• Cooking temperature – Higher smoker temps (275°F) will cook the breast faster than lower temps like 225°F.

• Smoker type – Pellet smokers tend to run hotter and cook faster, while charcoal or kamado style cookers run slower at low temps.

So while an estimate can be made based on the size and type of breast, the only sure way to know when it’s done is to monitor the internal temperature.

Checking Internal Temperature

Regardless of estimated cook time, you should always check temperature to determine doneness when smoking meat.

For a smoked turkey breast, the target finishing temperature is 160-165°F in the thickest part of the breast. At this temp, the breast will be perfectly cooked, juicy and safe to eat.

Use an instant read thermometer to regularly check the temperature, especially towards the estimated end of cook time. The breast should not go over 165°F, or it will become dried out.

When the breast hits 160-165°F, it can be removed from the smoker. Always allow it to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing, so juices redistribute.

Smoker Temperatures For Turkey Breast

When smoking turkey breast, a smoker temperature between 225-275°F will work well. Higher temperatures in this range will cook the breast faster.

Some tips on smoker temperatures:

• 225-250°F – The lowest temperature range will provide the most smoke flavor, but will require more time. Estimate at least 2.5-3 hours for a 5 lb breast.

• 250-275°F – Slightly higher temps help the breast cook faster while still imparting good smoke flavor. A 5 lb breast may only need 2-2.5 hours.

• 300°F+ – It’s best to avoid high temperatures over 300°F, as the breast will cook unevenly and likely dry out. Stick under 300°F for optimal results.

In most cases, a temperature between 250-275°F will give you the best balance of smoke penetration and reasonable cook time.

Tips For The Best Smoked Turkey Breast

Follow these tips for smoking a flavorful, juicy turkey breast every time:

• Brine 8-12 hours for the most flavor and moisture – apple juice or cider make great brines.

• Apply an herb rub under the skin and over the skin before smoking.

• Use apple, cherry, pecan, or another complementary wood for flavor.

• Smoke at 250-275°F to balance smoke and cook time.

• Monitor temperature, not time, and remove at 160-165°F.

• Let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juiciness.

• Slice across the grain of the meat for tenderness.

How Long To Smoke Different Size Turkey Breasts

To give you a better idea of estimated cook times, here are some guidelines for smoking turkey breasts of different weights:

• 3 lb breast – Smoke for approximately 1.5-2 hours

• 4 lb breast – Smoke for approximately 2-2.5 hours

• 5 lb breast – Smoke for approximately 2.5-3 hours

• 6 lb breast – Smoke for approximately 3-3.5 hours

• 7 lb breast – Smoke for approximately 3.5-4 hours

Remember, these times are just estimates, and the internal temp is what matters most. Use a meat thermometer to be sure.

Signs Your Smoked Turkey Breast Is Done

Relying on temperature is the most reliable way to know when your smoked turkey breast is finished cooking.

However, there are also a few visual signs to look out for:

• The meat reaches 165°F internally

• The skin is a deep golden brown color

• The breast feels firm when pressed lightly

• The juices run clear when pierced with a fork

• The meat begins to shrink and pull away from the bone (for bone-in)

If you see these signs and the breast is up to temp, you can be confident it’s ready to take off the smoker.

Letting Your Smoked Turkey Breast Rest

After removing your smoked turkey breast from the heat, it’s crucial to let it rest before slicing and serving.

Resting gives the juices time redistribute through the meat. Skipping this step means the breast will leak juices everywhere when you slice it!

Here are some resting tips:

• Rest the breast for 5-10 minutes on a cutting board.

• Lightly tent with foil to keep warm.

• The larger the breast, the longer the rest time.

• Resist cutting into it right away or you’ll lose juices.

• After resting, the breast will be juicy and ready to carve.

So for the best, juiciest results, be sure to let your smoked turkey breast rest before enjoying it.

Smoking a turkey breast is a great alternative to smoking a whole turkey, and results in juicy, flavorful meat when done properly. The keys are brining, applying a flavorful rub, maintaining appropriate smoker temperatures, and monitoring internal temperature. Follow the guidelines above for your desired breast size, and you’ll turn out fantastic smoked turkey breast every time that’s sure to please any crowd.