How Long to Cook Turkey Breast on a Pellet Grill? The Complete Guide

Cooking turkey breast on a pellet grill is a fantastic way to get deliciously smokey and tender meat, But nailing the cook time can be tricky This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know to perfectly smoke turkey breast on your pellet grill

Why Cook Turkey Breast on a Pellet Grill?

There are several advantages to using a pellet grill instead of a traditional oven to cook your turkey breast

• Adds Smokey Flavor – The wood pellet smoke infuses the turkey breast with delicious barbecue flavor you just can’t get from an oven

• Makes Incredibly Moist Meat – The slow, indirect heat gently cooks the turkey breast while keeping it incredibly juicy and tender.

• Sears the Skin – While the interior cooks slowly, the exterior gets crispy from the hot grill grates. This gives you the best of both worlds.

• Infuse Flavor from Spices and Marinades – The low and slow cooking really allows marinades and dry rubs to penetrate deep into the meat.

• More Forgiving – Pellet grills hold their temperature steady, so it’s harder to overcook.

Picking the Right Turkey Breast

The first step is selecting the right turkey breast to smoke. Here are some tips:

• Bone-In vs Boneless – Bone-in turkey breast has more flavor because the bones add juice during cooking. Boneless is easier to work with.

• Skin-On vs Skinless – Skin-on is recommended to get crispy skin. But skinless works too.

• Brined vs Unbrined – Soaking in a saltwater brine overnight makes the meat seasoned and super juicy. But you can also just rely on rubs and spritzing.

• Smaller is Better – For even cooking, choose turkey breasts under 5 pounds. Over 7 pounds can lead to uneven cooking.

Prepping the Turkey Breast

Before smoking, you need to get the turkey breast ready with these steps:

• Trim Excess Fat – Use a knife to remove any large fatty areas which can cause flare ups.

• Loosen the Skin – Separate the skin from the meat so rubs and smoke can get underneath.

• Apply a Dry Rub – For flavor and browning, coat the breast in a spice rub. Let it sit 30+ minutes.

• Insert a Meat Probe – For accurate temperature monitoring, put in a digital meat probe avoiding bone.

• Optional Brining – For extra juicy meat, soak 8-24 hours in a saltwater brine before applying rub.

Selecting the Right Pellet Grill Temperature

Controlling your pellet grill temperature is key to perfectly smoking turkey breast. Here are some temperature guidelines:

• 225-250°F for Smoking – Cook low and slow at this range for 4-6 hours for heavily smoked flavor.

• 275-300°F for Combination Smoke – Moderate heat that still imparts smoke over 2-3 hours.

• 325-350°F for Roasting + Smoke – Quicker cooking that lightly smokes the meat in 1.5-2.5 hours.

Lower temperature = more smoke flavor but longer cook time. Higher temperature = less smoke but quicker cooking.

How Long to Smoke Turkey Breast by Size

To estimate the full cook time, here are general guidelines based on the weight:

• 2-3 lbs – Smoke for about 1.5 – 2 hours at 325°F up to 5 hours at 225°F.

• 3-4 lbs – Allow 2 – 3 hours of smoking at 325°F or 4 – 6 hours at 225°F.

• 4-5 lbs – Estimate 2.5 – 3 hours of cooking time at 325°F or 5 – 7 hours when smoking at a lower 225°F.

• 5-7 lbs – For larger breasts, plan on 3 – 4 hours when hot smoking at 325°F or 6 – 8 hours if going low and slow at 225°F.

Cook times vary based on thickness, shape, and whether bone is in or out. Monitor internal temperature and appearance instead of relying solely on time.

How to Tell When Turkey Breast is Done

Don’t rely just on time to determine doneness. Here’s how to accurately check when turkey breast is fully cooked:

• Internal Temperature – Use an instant read thermometer. Turkey is safe at 165°F. For juicier meat, take it up to 170-175°F.

• Texture – Insert a knife tip into the thickest part. Properly cooked turkey will be easy to cut through.

• Color – The meat should be opaque all the way through with no pink spots. The juices should run clear.

• Appearance – The skin will be nicely browned and crispy when fully cooked.

Let the turkey breast rest about 10 minutes before slicing into it. The temperature will rise another 5-10 degrees.

Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common turkey breast smoking mistakes and how to prevent them:

• Undercooking – Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.

• Overcooking or Drying Out – Keep a close watch and pull it off at 170°F at the highest. Brining also helps.

• Uneven Cooking – Rotate turkey and arrange for consistent thickness for even heating.

• Burning Skin – Avoid flare ups by trimming excess fat and using a drip pan.

• Flare Ups – Trim fat, cook at lower temp, use a drip pan, and place skin side up to prevent.

• Rub Falls Off – Let rub sit for at least 30 minutes before cooking so it adheres.

Tips for the Best Smoked Turkey Breast

Follow these tips and tricks for exceptionally moist, tender and flavorful smoked turkey breast every time:

• Inject with broth or marinate overnight for added moisture.

• Spritz with apple juice or broth every 45-60 minutes while cooking.

• Make sure breast is centered directly over drip pan to prevent flare ups.

• Rotate breast halfway through smoking to ensure even cooking.

• Use apple, pecan, cherry, or maple wood pellets for milder flavor.

• Let breast rest 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.

• Carve across the grain of the meat for tender slices.

Smoking turkey breast on a pellet grill results in incredibly tender, juicy meat with a delicious smoky flavor. Plan about 2.5 – 4 hours of cook time for a 3-5 pound breast at 325°F. Monitor temperature instead of time for best results. With the right preparation and temperature control, you’ll achieve the perfect juicy smoked turkey breast.