Preheat your electric smoker to 225°F and add wood chips if you prefer. Let your brined and seasoned turkey breast smoke for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove your turkey from the electric smoker and rest for at least 20 minutes.

Table of Contents

What is The Best Way to Smoke a Turkey Breast in an Electric Smoker?

The best way to make smoked turkey breast starts by thawing your frozen turkey and patting it dry. Make a brine and let the turkey breast soak for at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.

Preheat the electric smoker to 225°F and add your favorite wood chips or wood chunks (I prefer Mesquite mixed with applewood). Be sure to follow your manufacturer’s instructions. If your electric smoker doesn’t have a place for wood chips, you can omit this step.

Sprinkle the turkey with a dry rub and set the turkey breast side up on the grill grate.

Let the turkey smoke for a total time of 3 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the turkey from the smoker and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before serving it with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, or your favorite side dishes!

Tools Needed to Make Turkey Breast in an Electric Smoker

You’ll only need an electric smoker and an instant-read thermometer for this recipe.

How to Prep Turkey Breast for Smoking

Prepare the brine and let the turkey soak in the brine for at least 4 hours.

Remove the meat and pat dry. Sprinkle the turkey breast with a dry rub.

Prepare the Electric Smoker

Preheat the electric smoker to 225°F and add your favorite wood chips.

Smoke the Turkey Breast

Smoke the turkey breast for 30 minutes per pound at 225°F. After 3 hours, check the internal temperature of the turkey breast with a meat thermometer. Once it reaches 165 degrees F, it is done.

How Long to Rest Smoked Turkey Breast

Rest smoked turkey breast for at least 20 minutes before carving. Let it sit, uncovered, on a cutting board so that the juices soak back into the meat.

Perfectly Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe

Author: Sarah
Total Time: 8 hours

Print Recipe

Description

Smoked turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving dinner. This smoked turkey breast recipe produces a turkey breast that is flavorful and juicy. Enjoy crispy turkey skin with a hint of smoky flavor. For best results, use a bone-in turkey breast, but you can use a boneless breast if you prefer.

Ingredients

Units Scale

8 lb turkey breast, defrosted
1 tbsp melted butter or olive oil

Brine

1–gallon cold water
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp minced garlic
2 teaspoons black pepper

Dry rub

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt

Instructions

Remove the packaging from your turkey breast.
Combine the cold water and salt in a 2-gallon bucket and stir until the salt is dissolved. Add the rest of the brine ingredients and stir to combine.
Place the turkey breast in the bucket and ensure the brine covers the entire breast. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or as long as 2 days before smoking.
Preheat your electric smoker to 225°F. Add wood chips or wood pellets if your smoker accommodates them.
Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
Combine the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
Drizzle the turkey breast with the melted butter and massage it into the turkey breast.
Sprinkle the turkey rub over the outside of the turkey, making sure the entire turkey skin is coated with the dry rub.
Place the turkey breast on the smoker grate and close the smoker. Let the turkey cook for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Remove the turkey breast from the smoker and let it rest for at least 20 minutes.
Carve and serve with your choice of side dishes!

Notes

Find turkey breasts next to whole turkeys at the grocery store, or ask your butcher for a fresh turkey breast.
If the skin on your turkey starts to get too dark brown, cover your turkey breast with aluminum foil.

Prep Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6 ounces
Calories: 192kcal
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 5.1g
Saturated Fat: 0.2g
Carbohydrates: 1g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 23.1g
Cholesterol: 93mg

What Wood is Best for Smoking Turkey Breast in an Electric Smoker?

Applewood chips are excellent for smoking turkey breasts in an electric smoker. Their mellow flavor compliments the white meat of the turkey breast without overpowering it. You could also use applewood blended with hickory, mesquite, or cherry for a more robust flavor.

While many electric smokers can add wood chips, not every model does. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Target Internal Temperature for Smoked Turkey Breast

The target internal temperature for a smoked turkey is 165°F. Check the thickest part of the turkey breast with a meat thermometer to ensure that the meat has reached the target internal temperature.

How Long Does it Take to Smoke a Turkey Breast in an Electric Smoker?

It takes between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 hours to smoke a turkey breast in an electric smoker. It takes about 30 minutes per pound to smoke a turkey breast in an electric smoker at 225°F. If your turkey breast is 7 lbs, it will take approximately 3 1/2 hours to smoke your turkey breast.

Is it Better to Smoke Turkey Breast at 225 or 250?

The best temperature for smoking a turkey breast is 225°F. This temperature allows the meat to cook to the appropriate internal temperature but still results in a moist turkey. Keeping the temperature between 225°F and 250°F is the perfect range. Any higher than 250°F and you risk your turkey cooking too quickly and drying out.

Should Turkey Breast Be Brined Before Smoking?

You do not need to brine your turkey breast before smoking. Since smoked turkey breasts cook at low temperatures, they stay moist. However, brine your turkey breast before smoking if you want extra moisture and a salty flavor. A brine creates a tender and flavorful turkey breast.

Should Turkey Breast be Wrapped While Smoking?

Wrapping a turkey breast in aluminum foil while smoking can help the turkey breast retain moisture. However, you do not need to wrap the turkey in foil. If you decide to wrap the turkey breast, uncover it about 30 minutes before you expect it to be done cooking so that the skin can get crispy.

Smoked Turkey Breast Side Dishes

What should you serve with your delectable turkey breast? Here are a few of my favorite sides:

How Long to Smoke a Turkey Breast in an Electric Smoker