Pellet Grill Smoked Whole Turkey – American Cuisine Course Recipes 15 Servings Make a PERFECTLY-SEASONED, EASILY-SMOKED, WHOLE TURKEY ON A PELLET GRILL. Prep Time 15 mins Cooking Time: 6 Hours Duration: 6 hours 15 mins 13-pound Whole Turkey with No Salt Added, Lemon Pepper Rub 1 Lemon 1 Onion Sweet Fresh Basil 1 stick of chicken broth butter for basting You can use any pellets on a 225°F pellet grill; we use a variety of flavors.
Stuff the turkey’s cavity with lemon, onion, basil, and the stick of butter while the grill is preheating. Apply Lemon Pepper to the exterior. This will be a dry rub; for brining instructions, please see the link in the post. Place the turkey on the smoker and smoke it for six hours, or approximately thirty minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
(We prefer it at 180°F, but it is cooked at 165°F.) If you prefer, you can baste the meat with chicken broth every hour during the smoking process to maintain its moisture. After complete cooking, serve as desired. The turkey must be smoked for approximately 30 minutes per pound.
How long must a 20-pound turkey cook on a pellet grill?
When it comes to cooking a turkey, there is no room for guesswork. Undercooked turkey will make your guests sick. If you cook your turkey for too long, you will recreate the scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where the turkey becomes dry.
There isn’t enough gravy in the world to make that edible! Unfortunately, there is no simple response to the question “How long does it take to cook a turkey?” Your timing will depend on a number of variables, including weight, stuffing, and cooking technique. Don’t worry, though, because we’ve compiled all the answers you need for a crash course in cooking times that will ensure your Thanksgiving turkey is picture-perfect.
Let’s get started. To grill: The optimal turkey cooking temperature is 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This consistent temperature will cook the interior of the chicken while crisping the exterior. At higher temperatures, the bird’s exterior may begin to burn before the interior is fully cooked.
- To Smoke: Smoking is a very low-and-slow method of cooking a turkey.
- When smoking a turkey, a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit will produce the best results.
- Plan on cooking a 20-pound turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for four and a half to four and a half and a half hours.
- However, the exact cooking time for your bird will depend on whether or not it is stuffed.
The cooking time for a 20-pound turkey that has not been stuffed is approximately four and a half hours. By stuffing your bird, you will add 15 minutes to the cooking time, bringing it closer to 4 34 hours. To clarify, these cooking times are approximate and will vary slightly depending on the cooking method used.
Before calling time, you should always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey. Plan an extra hour of cooking time into your schedule, just in case. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest portion of the breast, the innermost portion of the thigh, and the innermost portion of the wing for turkey.
At that temperature, the bird will be properly roasted. A 15-pound turkey should be cooked at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for between 3 12 and 4 12 hours. Remember that this range is for a turkey weighing between 14 and 18 pounds, and that the exact cooking time will depend on whether or not your turkey is stuffed.1 A 15-pound unstuffed bird will likely be cooked within four hours (or just before).
- A stuffed turkey will require at least four hours of cooking time and typically an additional 15 minutes to reach the desired internal temperature.
- However, regardless of the method employed, the same USDA regulations regarding the internal temperature of a 15-pound turkey apply.
- Don’t stop cooking your bird until the thickest portions of the thigh, wing, and breast reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
A 12-pound turkey should be cooked at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for three to three and a half hours. If you want to get more specific with those times, it will depend on whether your turkey is stuffed or not (do you see a pattern here?). At 325 degrees, a 12-pound turkey unstuffed will take approximately three hours to cook.
In contrast, stuffing a 12-pound bird will take closer to three and a half hours. The precise cooking time will vary based on the cooking method, your oven, and other factors, but this is a fairly accurate range. As with other turkey sizes, determining when a 12-pound turkey is done depends on its internal temperature.
When in doubt, adhere to USDA recommendations: 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to measure the temperatures in the thickest portions of the thigh, wing, and breast to avoid misreading. The most common method of roasting a turkey in the oven takes approximately 3 to 5 hours.
How Long Does it Take to Smoke a Turkey? – A 13-pound turkey smoked for approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes at 180 degrees for 90 minutes, 215 degrees for 2 hours, and 350 degrees for 40 minutes (or until turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 and juices run clear).
- After 90 minutes at 180 degrees, the internal temperature of a 13-pound turkey was 80 degrees.
- After two hours at 215 degrees, the internal temperature of a 13-pound turkey was 140 degrees.
- The internal temperature of the 13-pound turkey was 168 degrees after 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
How long does smoking a 13-pound turkey at 325 degrees take?
At 325 degrees, your turkey will reach the appropriate temperature without becoming dry. Regardless of size, the average total cook time is between three and four hours. Simply remove the meat from the grill and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
