Smoking a whole turkey for Thanksgiving is a long-standing tradition in my family! This whole smoked turkey recipe is way easier and quicker than you might think.
What’s Thanksgiving without a turkey? Cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving is an American tradition. But, when I married into my husband’s family, I was surprised that they made turkey for other occasions, too!
In his family, big football games or any cold weather gathering were enough of a reason for them to fire up the smoker and throw on a whole turkey! For me, learning how to smoke a whole turkey took time, but I absolutely married into the right family to learn.
I think that my husband’s family was able to pull off having turkey for more than just Thanksgiving because they cooked it on the smoker. Smoked turkey takes on so much delicious flavor, the meat is moist and it’s just so dang good!
So, whether you’re using this smoked turkey recipe as your Thanksgiving turkey or “just because,” I know you’ll love it!
This perfect turkey recipe has been a favorite of ours for over 15 years now, and I am quite convinced that you will feel the same once you give it a try. Below, you can find detailed instructions on how to smoke a whole turkey for Thanksgiving (or any other special occasion)!
Cooking a turkey can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be with the right technique. One of the most important factors in roasting a perfect turkey is cooking it at the ideal temperature. Many experts agree that 275°F is the optimal temperature for roasting a turkey to get moist, juicy meat and crispy skin. But how long does it take to cook a turkey at 275°F? Let’s take a closer look.
Why Cook a Turkey at 275°F?
Cooking the turkey at a moderately low temperature like 275°F allows the meat to cook slowly and gently all the way through without drying out. At higher temperatures, the outside of the turkey may burn before the inside is fully cooked.
Cooking at 275°F gives you a larger window of time to cook the bird fully without overcooking it. The meat has time to become fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy as the collagen breaks down.
You’ll also get beautifully browned, crispy skin at this temperature. The lower heat allows the fat under the skin to render slowly, basting the meat and creating that delicious, crackly skin we all crave.
Turkey Cooking Times per Pound at 275°F
To calculate how long your turkey will need to cook at 275°F plan on roasting for 15-20 minutes per pound. Here are some estimates based on turkey size
- 8-12 lb turkey: 2.5 to 3 hours
- 12-16 lb turkey: 3 to 4 hours
- 16-20 lb turkey: 4 to 5 hours
- 20-24 lb turkey: 5 to 6 hours
These cooking times are for a whole unstuffed turkey. A stuffed turkey will take longer since the stuffing absorbs heat from the oven increasing the overall cooking time.
If you want to stuff your turkey, plan on adding about 30 minutes to the cooking time. It’s also a good idea to cook stuffing in a casserole dish for the last hour to make sure it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
How to Tell When a Turkey is Done
Using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to test doneness Insert an instant-read thermometer into the deepest part of the thigh and wing, without touching the bone The turkey is done when the thigh and wing reach 165°F.
The breast meat can register 155-165°F when the turkey is done. If you prefer darker meat, cook until the breast is 165°F. For juicier white meat, remove it around 155°F. The temperature will rise another 5-10 degrees as the turkey rests.
Other signs your turkey is finished cooking include:
- Drumsticks wiggle easily
- Thigh and wing juices run clear when pierced
- Meat near thigh bone is fork-tender
- Skin is evenly browned
Allow the turkey to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving so the juices can redistribute through the meat. Waiting lets you get the most juicy slices of turkey for an unforgettable feast.
Handy Time and Temperature Chart
Use this handy chart to estimate cook times for turkeys of different sizes at 275°F:
| Turkey Weight | Unstuffed Time at 275°F | Stuffed Time at 275°F |
|---|---|---|
| 8-12 lbs | 2.5 – 3 hours | 3 – 3.5 hours |
| 12-16 lbs | 3 – 4 hours | 4 – 4.5 hours |
| 16-20 lbs | 4 – 5 hours | 5 – 5.5 hours |
| 20-24 lbs | 5 – 6 hours | 6 – 6.5 hours |
Tips for Roasting the Perfect 275°F Turkey
Follow these simple tips for roasting turkey success:
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Thaw safely: Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge 1 day for every 4 lbs. This prevents bacteria growth.
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Dry brine: Rub turkey all over with salt and let sit overnight in the fridge. This seasons the meat and keeps it incredibly moist.
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Use a rack: Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan so air circulates for even cooking.
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Baste with butter: Baste turkey with melted butter every 30 minutes to encourage browning and add flavor.
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Cook stuffing separately: As mentioned, cook stuffing in a baking dish to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature.
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Rest before slicing: Letting the turkey rest after roasting allows juices to be reabsorbed for more moisture and flavor.
Common Turkey Roasting Problems Solved
Even experienced cooks run into problems sometimes. Here are some common turkey roasting troubles at 275°F and how to solve them:
Turkey skin isn’t crispy: Baste more frequently with butter or oil to increase browning. Tenting with foil can also cause soft skin.
Turkey is undercooked: Use an instant-read thermometer to be sure it reaches 165°F. Cook longer if needed.
Turkey is overcooked and dry: Don’t cook longer than recommended times per pound. Tent breast with foil if it browns too fast.
Stuffing isn’t done: Cook stuffing in a baking dish the last hour until it registers 165°F. Never stuff raw turkey and rely on oven heat to cook stuffing fully.
Turkey takes forever: A frozen turkey can take significantly longer to roast. Always thaw in the refrigerator before roasting.
Alternatives to Roasting a Whole Turkey
If roasting a large whole turkey sounds too daunting, consider these alternatives for a smaller crowd:
- Roast just a turkey breast (cook 20 minutes per lb at 275°F)
- Smoke a whole turkey or just the breast at 275°F
- Roast turkey legs and thighs (18-25 minutes per lb at 275°F)
- Make turkey breast roulade stuffed with dressing
- Deep fry a small whole turkey
Any of these options can give you delicious, juicy turkey meat without the long cook times. Smoking also adds wonderful flavor.
Let’s Get Roasting!
As you can see, roasting turkey at 275°F delivers moist, flavorful meat and crispy skin every time. Allow 15-20 minutes per pound for ideal doneness. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F in the thigh and wing.
Following the temperature, time, and tip guidelines above will help you roast a show-stopping turkey this season. Impress your guests with your juicy, perfectly cooked turkey carved straight from the oven.
How to get Crispy Skin on a Smoked Turkey
Although the dry brine will help, it is difficult to get crispy skin on the outside of your turkey without using higher cooking temps.
To do get crispy skin, you can pull the bird off the smoker a few degrees early and finish it on the grill for a few minutes per side.
Or, pop it in a roasting pan, then broil under your oven broiler for a few minutes.
How Long Does it Take to Smoke a Turkey
You have two options for how you smoke your turkey:
- Fast: Smoke the turkey at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per pound. I used a 17 pound turkey for this recipe, and smoked it at 275-300 degrees for just under 4 hours.
- Slow: If you’re eating your turkey dinner later in the day, you can lower your smoker temperature to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and follow a rule of about 25-30 minutes per pound.
The turkey is safe to take off the smoker when it has reached 165 degrees. I recommend using an instant read thermometer to measure the temperature in two places: the thickest part of the thigh, and the thickest part of the breast.
How long does it take to cook a 12-pound turkey at 275 degrees?
FAQ
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 250?
How long to cook a 14 lb turkey at 300 degrees?
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Cooking Temperature
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Weight Unstuffed
|
Estimated Cooking Time
|
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300ºF
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14-18 lbs.
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2½ – 3 hours
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|
300ºF
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18-22 lbs.
|
3 – 3½ hours
|
How long to cook a 15 pound turkey at 250 degrees?
How long to roast a 17 lb turkey?
|
Turkey Weight
|
Servings
|
Cooking Time
|
|
12 to 14 lb
|
8 to 10
|
2 3/4 to 3 hours
|
|
15 to 18 lb
|
10 to 12
|
3 1/4 to 4 hours
|
|
18 to 20 lb
|
12 to 14
|
4 to 4 1/4 hours
|
|
20 to 22 lb
|
14 to 16
|
4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
|
How long do you cook a Turkey in a smoker?
When your smoker is set to 275 degrees, plan on cooking the turkey at a rate of 20 to 25 minutes per pound. Smokers that run on the cooler side will prolong the process, while units with good heat retention should keep the cooking time to 20 minutes per pound. Remember that these are only estimates.
How long to cook a Turkey at 275 degrees?
The cooking time for a turkey at 275 degrees Fahrenheit will vary depending on the size of the turkey. A general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do you cook a 10 pound turkey?
The cooking time for a turkey at 275 degrees Fahrenheit will vary depending on the size of the turkey. A general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey for 15 minutes per pound, plus an additional 30 minutes. So, for a 10-pound turkey, you would cook it for 2 1/2 hours, plus an additional 30 minutes, for a total of 3 hours.
How long does a stuffed turkey take to cook?
A stuffed turkey cooks at a rate of 15 minutes per pound in a 350ºF oven. At this rate, a 6-pound turkey will take 90 minutes (or 1 1/2 hours). A 15-pound turkey will take 225 minutes (or 3 hours and 45 minutes). Be sure to check that both the stuffing and the turkey reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F to prevent food-borne illness.