What Temperature Should You Smoke a Turkey at on a Pellet Grill? The Ultimate Guide

Smoking a turkey on a pellet grill is a great way to get moist, flavorful meat with a delicious smoky taste But knowing what temperature to use is key to smoking success. Set the temperature too high, and you risk drying out the turkey Too low, and you are looking at an all-day smoke. So what’s the magic number for the perfect smoked turkey?

After smoking many turkeys over the years, we’ve found a good middle ground is setting your grill to a consistent temperature of 240°F. It’s still low enough of a temperature to allow the smoke flavor to deeply penetrate your turkey and cook it evenly without drying it out But it also won’t take forever to cook like setting the grill to 225°F

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about smoking a turkey on a pellet grill including:

• The benefits of smoking a turkey on a pellet grill
• Pellet grill temperature range for smoking turkey
• Step-by-step instructions for smoking turkey at 240°F
• How long it takes to smoke a turkey at 240°F
• Wood pellet suggestions for turkey
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Why Smoke a Turkey on a Pellet Grill?

Smoking a turkey on a pellet grill offers several advantages over roasting it in the oven:

• Enhanced flavor – The smoke from the wood pellets gives the turkey a delicious, wood-fired taste. Pellet grills impart a more subtle smoke flavor compared to charcoal or wood smokers.

• Moist meat – The low, indirect heat ensures the turkey cooks gently and evenly, keeping it incredibly juicy and tender.

• Hands-off cooking – Pellet grills are very easy to use. Once you set the temperature, they maintain it automatically throughout the cook.

• Free up your oven – With the turkey on the smoker, your oven is freed up to cook sides, pies and more.

So if you want rave reviews for your next holiday turkey, smoking it on a pellet grill is sure to impress.

What’s the Best Pellet Grill Temperature for Smoking Turkey?

Most pellet grill manufacturers recommend smoking turkey between 225°F and 275°F. And while 300°F is usually the max temperature you would want to go for poultry, we don’t recommend setting your grill that high.

Here are the benefits and drawbacks of different pellet smoker temperatures for turkey:

225°F – This low and slow temperature will produce an incredibly tender, juicy turkey with a pronounced smoke flavor. But be prepared for a long smoke upwards of 6+ hours depending on the size.

240-250°F – In our experience, this temperature range hits the sweet spot between smoke penetration and cook time. You’ll get tender, juicy meat with great smoke in a reasonable 4-5 hours.

275°F – Cooking at the high end will speed up the cook time but you risk drying out the breast meat. The turkey also won’t pick up as much smoke flavor.

300°F – We don’t recommend going this high as the turkey will cook too quickly. While the skin may crisp up, the breast meat is likely to turn dry and stringy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Smoking Turkey at 240°F

Follow these simple steps for smoking the perfect turkey at a grill temperature of 240°F:

1. Thaw the Turkey

If working with a frozen turkey, make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator for 24 hours per 4-5 pounds. Never thaw a turkey at room temperature.

2. Dry Brine the Turkey

Dry brining (a.k.a. salting) turbocharges flavor and keeps the meat juicy. Mix together 1/2 cup kosher salt with herbs and spices of your choice. Rub the mixture all over the turkey, including under the skin. Refrigerate for 8-24 hours.

3. Set Up the Pellet Smoker

Assemble and preheat your pellet grill to 240°F. Make sure you have enough pellets, the drip tray is clean, and the grill is properly seasoned.

4. Prep the Turkey

Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Tuck the wings under and tie the legs together with butcher’s twine. Coat with olive oil then your favorite spice rub.

5. Smoke the Turkey

Place the turkey on the grill breast side up. Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding bones. Close the lid and smoke until the breast reaches 160°F.

6. Finish and Rest

Once at 160°F, transfer the turkey to a sheet pan and tent with foil. Let rest for 30 minutes before carving. The temperature will rise to a safe 165°F as it rests.

And that’s all there is to it! With these straightforward steps, you’ll have a perfectly smoked turkey with tender, juicy meat and incredible flavor.

How Long Does it Take to Smoke a Turkey at 240°F?

Smoking times can vary a bit depending on the size of your turkey, pellet smoker model, and outdoor conditions. But you can expect roughly the following times when smoking a turkey at 240°F:

• 10-12 lb turkey: About 3.5-4 hours
• 12-15 lb turkey: About 4-5 hours
• 15-18 lb turkey: About 5-6 hours
• 18-20 lb turkey: About 6-7 hours

The best way to gauge doneness is with a good digital meat thermometer. Cook until the breast reaches 160°F, then carryover cooking will take it up to a safe 165°F as it rests.

If your turkey is not reading 160°F by the times above, continue smoking and checking the temperature every 20-30 minutes until it’s ready.

Also keep in mind that if smoking below 240°F, the times will increase. And smoking above 240°F will decrease the cook time.

Best Wood Pellets for Smoking Turkey

To complement the flavor of turkey, you’ll want to choose a more delicate fruit or nut wood pellet over a strong mesquite or hickory. Here are some great wood pellet options:

• Cherry – Imparts a slightly sweet, fruity flavor
• Apple – Provides a milder, sweeter smoke flavor
• Maple – Gives a subtle smoky-sweetness
• Pecan – Has a mild, nutty taste

We suggest using a cherry or apple wood pellet or a blend to smoke your turkey. Stay away from overly strong wood pellets like mesquite which will overpower the delicate white meat.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Here are some common mistakes people make when smoking a turkey on a pellet grill and tips to ensure success:

Problem: The skin isn’t getting crispy.

Solution: Crank up the heat to 300-350°F at the end to crisp up the skin. Or finish under the broiler.

Problem: The breast meat is drying out.

Solution: Don’t cook over 275°F and use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness instead of cooking by time.

Problem: The turkey has a bitter, sooty taste.

Solution: This is caused by incomplete combustion and poor airflow. Make sure not to overfill the pellet hopper.

Problem: The turkey is taking forever to cook.

Solution: Increase the temperature to 240-250°F. Cook times significantly increase at lower temperatures.

Master Smoking Turkey on Your Pellet Grill

Smoking a turkey on a pellet grill results in incredibly moist, tender meat with tons of wood smoked flavor – far superior to oven roasted. For the best results, we recommend smoking at a temperature around 240-250°F until the breast reaches 160°F.

With the proper technique, your pellet grill-smoked turkey will be a huge hit at your next Thanksgiving or holiday feast. Your guests will be begging for seconds!

So grab a turkey, some quality wood pellets, and your favorite rub. Fire up that pellet grill and get ready for the juiciest, most flavorful smoked turkey you’ve ever tasted. The only hard part will be waiting for the compliments to stop rolling in.