How to Make Perfectly Juicy BBQ Turkey Breast

BBQ turkey breast is a delicious smokey way to enjoy turkey. When cooked properly on the grill or smoker, it turns out incredibly moist and full of flavor. Here are tips for bbq’ing the most juicy, tender turkey breast ever.

Choosing the Right Turkey Breast

Look for a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast between 4-7 lbs. The bone helps keep the meat juicy and the skin gets crispy and adds great flavor. Try to find an evenly shaped breast with the skin intact and no tears.

Prepare the Turkey Breast

• Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry completely with paper towels,
• Carefully loosen the skin from the breast meat without fully detaching it.
• Rub the meat under the skin with a light coat of olive oil or melted butter,
• Season the meat under the skin generously with salt, pepper and any other spice rubs.
• Truss the turkey breast by tying kitchen string around it to maintain its shape.

Make a Flavorful Rub

Use spices like:

• Salt and pepper
• Chili powder
• Smoked paprika
• Ground cumin
• Brown sugar
• Garlic powder

Rub the spice mix over the skin and under the skin for maximum flavor.

Get Your Grill or Smoker Ready

• For grilling, heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium heat, around 350°F.
• For smoking, heat your smoker to 225-250°F using wood chips, chunks or pellets. Good wood choices are hickory, pecan, apple, cherry, etc.
• Use an instant read thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Smoke the Turkey Breast

• Place the turkey breast skin side up on the cool side of the grill or smoker.
• Smoke the turkey for 2-3 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, rotating halfway through.
• If grilling, sear the skin over direct heat for the last 5 minutes to crisp it up.
• Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Maintain Proper Temperature

The temperature inside the grill or smoker is important. Too hot and the breast will dry out. Too low and unsafe bacteria can grow. Best practice:

• Grill or smoke at a consistent 250°F
• Use a thermometer to monitor
• Allow at least 2 hours for a 5 lb breast

Basting Tips

Basting helps keep the turkey breast moist and adds more flavor. Some good baste options:

• Melted butter
• Chicken or turkey stock
• Apple cider
• Fruit preserves or jellies
• Barbecue sauce

Brush the baste over the turkey every 45-60 minutes.

Frequency of entities:

Butter: 1
Stock: 1
Apple cider: 1
Fruit preserves/jellies: 1
BBQ sauce: 1

Internal Temperature

• Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature, inserting into the thickest part of the breast.
• Remove from the grill when it reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Carving the Turkey Breast

Let the breast rest at least 10-15 minutes after cooking for easier, cleaner slicing. Use a sharp carving knife. Slice across the grain of the meat into thin pieces.

Serving Suggestions

Juicy bbq turkey breast goes great with traditional barbecue sides:

• Baked beans
• Coleslaw
• Corn on the cob
• Mac and cheese
• Collard greens
• Cornbread

Creative BBQ Turkey Breast Recipes

Citrus Herb Turkey: Orange juice, lime juice, cilantro, garlic
Sweet and Spicy: Brown sugar rub, hot sauce glaze
BBQ Turkey: Tomato-based barbecue sauce baste

Gravy from Drippings

Don’t discard those flavorful drippings! Use them to make delicious gravy:

• Drain drippings into a saucepan
• Whisk in 2-3 tablespoons flour
• Cook 2 minutes over medium heat
• Slowly whisk in chicken broth and simmer until thickened
• Season with salt, pepper and herbs

Make Turkey Sandwiches

Leftover bbq turkey breast makes incredible sandwiches:

• Slice or shred turkey
• Pile on brioche buns
• Add pickles, slaw, bbq sauce
• Serve with fries or chips

Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Allow turkey to cool completely before storing.
• Refrigerate in a sealed container for 3-4 days.
• Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving again.

Smoked or grilled turkey breast is perfect for summer barbecues or anytime you want a taste of barbecue. Follow these tips for the juiciest, most flavorful bbq turkey breast off the grill or smoker.