Impress your loved ones and associates with this scrumptious apple pecan smoked turkey breast recipe. With a step-by-step video tutorial, you’ll have the proper centerpiece to your vacation meal!
There’s not a extra juicy and flavorful turkey than this smoked turkey breast. It is our present favourite for Thanksgiving. I assumed that Instant Pot Turkey was unbelievable, however man, this one simply completely one upped that recipe.
We aren’t missing for turkey recipes on our web site. We love a juicy turkey slice for dinner, however that doesn’t imply that we are able to’t hold including to it. That fried turkey from years in the past continues to be advert favourite, the basic oven roasted whole turkey by no means disappoints, and we make the herb roasted turkey breast all 12 months spherical for a wholesome dinner recipe concept that isn’t rooster.
So even in case you’re like us and there are different turkey recipes you’ve made earlier than, take an opportunity and take advantage of superb apple pecan smoked turkey recipe this Thanksgiving.
Components for Smoked Turkey Breast
This record would possibly look a bit overwhelming at first, however there are a number of elements to this recipe to ensure that it to return collectively simply completely! You want your smoker provides, brine elements, rub elements and turkey gravy elements. Right here is every part you’ll want:
For the Smoker
- Pecan Pellets or Chips
- Tin Pan
Turkey Brine
- Maple Syrup
- Brown Sugar
- Kosher Salt
- Apple Juice
- Orange Juice
- Rooster Broth
- Smoked Paprika
- Turkey Breast: Purchase a bone-in turkey breast for the perfect taste and texture.
Turkey Rub
- Brown Sugar
- Seasonings and Spices: Smoked Paprika, Floor Mustard, Kosher Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Chipotle Chili Pepper Seasoning, Pepper and Cumin
- Butter
Steaming Liquids
Gravy
That is meant to be only a fast overview of the elements you’ll need. The measurements and particulars for every ingredient will be discovered within the recipe card on the finish of the put up.
Turkey Fundamentals
Earlier than we leap in to creating this smoked turkey, I wish to cowl a number of of the fundamentals:
- A frozen turkey will want thaw 24 hours per each 5 kilos.
- Turkey might want to smoke for 25-Half-hour per pound.
- Protected inside temperature for a turkey is 165 levels F within the breast.
So let’s assume you will roast a 6.5 pound turkey that’s frozen once you buy it and also you wish to have your meal on Thursday afternoon. Right here is your temporary timeline:
- Take away turkey from freezer to thaw within the fridge: 2 days forward of time (Tuesday afternoon – Wednesday night)
- Brine: 10-12 hours (Wednesday night – Thursday morning)
- Turkey smokes: 3-3.5 hours
- Turkey rests: 20 minutes
Now the turkey is able to carve and eat Thursday afternoon! Now listed here are those self same steps in a bit extra element…
How one can Make Apple Smoked Turkey Breast
Alright, let’s get all the way down to how one can make The Most Wonderful Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast. Begin out by brining your turkey breast. Despite the fact that it’s not a complete hen, brining is crucial to a young and flavorful turkey breast.
How one can Brine a Turkey
Brining a turkey wants two particular elements after which the remaining elements fluctuate primarily based upon your individual particular person recipes.
- Liquid- Your turkey breast (or complete turkey) will sit in a liquid anyplace from 8-24 hours. The form of liquid does actually make a distinction as they may assist to taste the meat. Brining, in addition to marinating will not be made to soak into the middle of the meat, however to taste the skin so nicely that because it cooks that taste emerges.
- Salt- It’s most popular that you simply use Kosher salt for brining because it’s a extra coarse salt which is able to assist to interrupt down the meat, soak within the liquid for a extra juicy meat and eventually, the salt helps to taste the meat greater than only a rub in a while.
Mix all of the elements for the brine into a big pot with a lid. Rinse the turkey breast totally after which submerge within the brining liquid. Retailer within the fridge with the lid on for 10-12 hours or in a single day.
Subsequent up is the rub on the turkey. Don’t ever make a turkey with out this step as that is the place all of these yummy flavors are going to return from. Right here’s what it is advisable to do:
Rub for a Turkey
- Spices- You normally see a variety of herbs with turkey, however spices are nice to deliver out a bit further taste. On this case, we throw in smoked paprika to actually drive dwelling the flavour but in addition the colour with that deep purple. Cumin, garlic and even floor mustard deliver a stability to the spices that creates a heat, fragrant expertise.
- Sugar- Only a sew of brown sugar like every good BBQ or Smoked recipe provides the tiniest quantity of sweetness which actually balances the garlic and smokiness.
- Butter- Butter is crucial so as to add a bit extra juiciness and taste to the meat. It additionally helps the spices to stay to the meat.
Mix all of the elements for the rub and put aside. Take away the turkey from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels. Unfold the rub everywhere in the turkey breast, beneath and on prime of the pores and skin.
That’s not all although, you continue to have to fill a drip pan with liquids that can assist to steam the hen because it smokes. Belief us on this one, you do not need to only go along with water.
Drip Pan with Juices
Fill a tin pan, we simply get ours on the native grocery retailer, with pineapple juice and water. Despite the fact that that is an apple juice brined turkey the pineapple juice provides a extremely fascinating degree of taste to the hen and the gravy.
Apple or orange juice could also be used in case you can’t discover pineapple juice within the can.
How Lengthy to Smoke a Turkey Breast
Preheat your Traeger smoker to 300 levels F with pecan pellets. Place the drip pan with the smoking liquids in it beneath the rack of the smoker. Then put the turkey breast facet down, on the smoker grill grate and shut the lid.
Let it smoke for 3 – 3 ½ hours or till a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest a part of the turkey breast reads 165 levels F.
As soon as it has reached the specified temperature, take away the turkey from the smoker and tent it with foil for 20 minutes to let it relaxation. RESERVE the drippings within the drip pan to make the gravy.
Mix the water and cornstarch in a small bowl and whisk collectively to mix. Pour all of the drippings from the turkey right into a saucepan on the range prime and produce to a boil. As soon as boiling, slowly add the cornstarch combination and whisk every part collectively till thickened.
learn extra: On the lookout for Traeger recipes? Attempt our Traeger Smoked Chicken Breasts subsequent! Or try our tutorial on How to Make Smoked Chicken (this recipe is for a complete rooster!).
Watch How This Smoked Turkey is Made…
Can Smoked Turkey be Pink?
A smoked turkey will typically have a pink ring across the meat, however that’s from the smoke and taste, it doesn’t imply that it is advisable to hold cooking the turkey.
In reality, typically that pink hue can actually penetrate into the meat, so it’s necessary to acknowledge if it’s the smoke or uncooked meat, which do actually look completely different.
What Goes with Smoked Turkey
Oh my goodness, let’s discuss sides earlier than we neglect. Listed below are a number of of our favourite issues to go along with smoked turkey.
And it might’t be Thanksgiving with out pies too! So make a pecan pie, razzleberry pie, lemon meringue pie and naturally, classic pumpkin pie!
What Temperature for Smoked Turkey
Relying in your smoker and the way a lot time you will have you’ll want to alter the temperature of the Traeger Pellet Smoker. We want 300 levels F for 3-3 ½ hours. You could possibly additionally do 325 levels F for two ½-3 hours, however we a lot want to have a low and gradual meat.
Can You Freeze Smoked Turkey?
You’ll be able to simply freeze smoked turkey, however solely hold it in a freezer bag within the freezer for as much as 2 weeks. In the event you want to hold it for 1-2 months, use a Food Saver like Cade and I’ve.
BEST. INVESTMENT. EVER.
How one can Reheat Smoked Turkey
Place turkey in a casserole dish, and canopy nicely with aluminum foil. Warmth the oven to 350 levels and prepare dinner solely till heat.
You may also use a microwave with paper towels wrapped across the meat to maintain it from drying out.
Take your Thanksgiving turkey to the subsequent degree with this mouth-watering apple pecan smoked turkey breast recipe.
Thanksgiving RECIPES:
Description
Take your Thanksgiving turkey to the subsequent degree with this mouth-watering apple pecan smoked turkey breast recipe.
For the Brine
-
In a big pot, add the brine elements. Stir to mix.
1/2 Cup Maple Syrup, 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar, 1 Cup Kosher Salt, 4 Cups Apple Juice, 1 Cup Orange Juice, 32 ounces Rooster Broth, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
-
Rinse the turkey breast totally.
6.5 lb Turkey Breast
-
Place the turkey within the brine and put the lid on the pot. Refrigerate 10-12 hours or in a single day.
For the Smoker
-
Take away the turkey from the brine, discarding all liquid and pat the turkey utterly dry.
-
In a bowl, mix the spice elements and stir to combine.
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, 1 ½ Tablespoons Smoked Paprika, 2 teaspoons Floor Mustard, 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Chipotle Chili Pepper Seasoning, 1 teaspoon Pepper, 1 ½ teaspoon Cumin
-
Add the butter and stir once more.
6 Tablespoons Butter
-
Rub the combination throughout beneath and over the pores and skin of the turkey.
-
Warmth a Traeger Smoker to 300 levels F with pecan pellets or chips.
Pecan Pellets
-
Place the pineapple juice and water in a tin pan beneath the rack within the smoker.
3/4 Cup Pineapple Juice, 3/4 Cup Water
-
Put the turkey, breast facet down, on the smoker rack and shut the lid.
-
Smoke for 3 to three ½ hours relying in your smoker.
-
Take away the turkey to relaxation for 20 minutes beneath tented foil, reserving the drippings within the tin pan.
Tin Pan
-
Slice the turkey and serve with gravy.
For the Gravy
-
Pour the drippings right into a Gravy Fats Separator .
-
Warmth a skillet to medium excessive warmth and pour off the drippings, avoiding an excessive amount of fats.
-
Whisk collectively the cornstarch and water and because the drippings start to simmer, whisk within the cornstarch slurry.
1-2 Tablespoon Cornstarch, 1-2 Tablespoon Water
-
Proceed to whisk because the gravy thickens and serve instantly.
Turkey Fundamentals
-
A frozen turkey will want thaw 24 hours per each 5 kilos.
-
Turkey might want to smoke for 25-Half-hour per pound.
-
Protected inside temperature for a turkey is 165 levels F within the breast.
Turkey Timeline
-
Take away turkey from freezer to thaw within the fridge: 2 days forward of time (Tuesday afternoon – Wednesday night)
-
Brine: 10-12 hours (Wednesday night – Thursday morning)
-
Turkey smokes: 3-3.5 hours
-
Turkey rests: 20 minutes
Smoked turkey will be frozen for as much as 3 months.
Energy: 868kcal
Advisable Merchandise
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