How Long to Smoke a Turkey Breast on a Pellet Grill for Perfectly Juicy and Flavorful Results

Smoking turkey breast on a pellet grill is a great way to infuse delicious smoky flavor while keeping the meat moist and tender. But nailing the cook time is key for the best possible results. Undercook it and you risk food poisoning from undercooked poultry. Overcook it and you’ll end up with dried out, tough meat. So how long does it actually take to smoke a turkey breast on a pellet grill? Read on for tips timing and techniques to smoke turkey breast to juicy, smoky perfection.

Choosing the Right Size Turkey Breast

When smoking turkey breast, opt for a smaller cut, around 2 to 3 pounds. Larger cuts take longer to fully cook through to a safe internal temperature without drying out the exterior. A smaller breast size helps ensure even cooking.

Boneless breast halves around 2 pounds are a good choice. For even more moisture and flavor choose bone-in breast halves or quarters around 2 to 3 pounds. The bone helps retain moisture as the turkey smokes.

Prepping the Turkey Breast

Proper prep before smoking is crucial for perfect results. Thaw frozen turkey breast completely in the refrigerator before smoking.

For the juiciest meat, brine the breast 12-24 hours before smoking. A simple brine of kosher salt, brown sugar, and aromatics like garlic, herbs, and peppercorns helps retain moisture. Rinse and pat the breast dry after brining.

Let the breast sit at room temperature 30 minutes before smoking so it cooks evenly. Coat it with an herb butter or dry rub for extra flavor.

Setting Up the Pellet Grill

The right grill setup is key for properly smoking turkey breast. Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F with maple, pecan, apple, or cherry wood pellets, which pair well with poultry.

Use a digital meat thermometer with a probe to monitor the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast. This helps avoid over or undercooking without having to constantly open the grill.

Place the breast on the grill’s main cooking grate over indirect heat, away from the heat source. Smoke with the breast skin-side up for best appearance and evenly browned skin.

Smoking Times for Turkey Breast

When smoking turkey breast at 225°F, plan on about 15-20 minutes per pound of unstuffed, bone-in breast. For a 3 pound bone-in breast, that’s 45 minutes to 1 hour total cooking time.

For boneless breast, estimate 12-15 minutes per pound at 225°F. A 2 pound boneless breast will take 24-30 minutes.

Smaller or thinner breasts may cook slightly faster than larger, thicker cuts. Monitor the internal temp and doneness along the way regardless of estimated cook times.

Internal Temperatures and Doneness

The best way to test doneness is by internal temperature, not just smoking time. Turkey breast is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

For the most tender, juicy meat, smoke until the breast reaches an internal temp of 150-155°F. The temperature will rise 5-10 degrees during resting time after it comes off the grill.

Use an instant read digital thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the breast and near the bone if cooking a bone-in cut. Check temperature in multiple spots to ensure even doneness.

Finishing and Resting

Once the turkey breast reaches 150-155°F internal temperature, remove it from the grill. Let it rest 10-15 minutes before slicing into it.

For extra crispy skin, crank up the grill to 400°F for the last 5-10 minutes of cooking time to quickly crisp up the skin once the interior is nearly cooked through.

The resting time allows juices to redistribute through the meat for moist, flavorful meat. Tent it loosely with foil as it rests to keep it warm.

Serving Juicy Smoked Turkey Breast

Sliced turkey breast straight from the smoker makes amazing sandwiches layered on crusty bread with smoky barbecue sauce. It also shines in main dish salads or enjoyed hot alongside classic Thanksgiving sides.

Proper brining, low and slow smoking, monitoring temperature, and resting results in the juiciest, most flavorful smoked turkey breast. Follow these tips for perfect results every time you fire up your pellet grill.