This smoked turkey recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving or any occasion. It delivers juicy, flavorful meat with crispy skin-all made on your grill or smoker. Plus, it frees up your oven for side dishes!
If you don't have a grill or smoker, try my juicy turkey roulade or spatchcock turkey recipes instead. No matter which recipe you choose, be sure to safely thaw your turkey first. Don't forget to save the carcass for homemade turkey stock!
Why this is my favorite smoker recipe
- Frees up your oven for other dishes.
- Customize the smoky flavor with your favorite wood (apple, cherry, hickory, etc.).
- Perfect for serving a crowd-smoke two smaller turkeys side by side!
Ingredients for a whole smoked turkey:
Recipe Card?
To find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions CLICK HERE to go to the recipe card.
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How to prepare a turkey for smoking
- Ensure the turkey is fully thawed.
- Tuck the wingtips under to stabilize the bird.
- Stuff the cavity with the onion, apple, and herbs.
- Line a disposable roasting pan with orange slices and place the turkey on top. Pour the juice into the pan and add the turkey neck.
How to smoke a turkey
- Preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F.
- Insert meat thermometers into the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
- Smoke the turkey for 30 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the turkey from the smoker, cover it with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- Smoke the whole turkey on the grill or smoker for 30 minutes per pound.
- Once the thermometers have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit remove the whole bird from the smoker and cover it with aluminum foil letting the turkey rests for 15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Transfer the smoked turkey to a cutting board and carve for serving. I am step by step instructions on how to carve a turkey if you needed further instructions.
Add more flavor!
Turkey Rub
My foolproof blend of savory spices.
Did you make this recipe?
Do you have feedback that would be helpful to others? If so can help this small business owner by leaving a rating and a review in the comments section? Thank you for being part of the Savoring The Good Community. ~ Sarah
Learn a kitchen skill
How To Carve A Turkey
Grab a sharp knife, a large cutting board and your confidence. We are going to do this together.
Turkey Preparation Essentials
- How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey Safely: Step-by-Step Guide
- Turkey Brine (Dry Mix)
- Best Turkey Rub Recipe
- Whole Smoked Turkey Recipe
- Spatchcock Turkey (Step-by-Step Photos to Spatchcock a Turkey)
- Oven Roasted Turkey Recipe
- How To Carve A Turkey (Photos Instructions)
- How to Carve a Turkey Breast (9 Simple Steps With Photos)
Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
Plan for 30 minutes per pound at 250°F. For an average-sized turkey, allow at least 7 hours, plus an additional 45 minutes for resting.
The pan holds liquid to create a moist cooking environment and catches drippings for gravy.
Apple, cherry, mesquite, or a combination work well.
Allow 1.5 pounds per person to account for bones and leftovers. 
Chef Tip
1 ½ pounds per person will allow everyone to get enough turkey at the Thanksgiving meal and you may even have leftovers the next day.
Ingredients
- 1 15 pound (1 15 pound) Turkey whole, thawed
- 1 recipe (1 recipe) Dry Turkey Brine Recipe - Optional but adds great flavors and extra moistness.
- 1 (1) Onion - sliced in half
- 1 (1) Apple - sliced in half
- 1 (1) Orange - sliced
- 1 Cup (248 Gram) Juice - apple juice apple cider or orange juice, for the roasting pan
- Herbs rosemary, sage, parsley
Instructions
How to prepare a turkey for smoking
- Be sure the turkey is properly and safely thawed. I have several methods of thawing a frozen turkey safely if you are new to cooking a frozen turkey.1 15 pound Turkey
- If you are going to brine the turkey allow an extra day for brining. Follow my brining instructions in another post.1 recipe Dry Turkey Brine Recipe - Optional but adds great flavors and extra moistness.
How to smoke a turkey
- Heat your smoker or grill to 225 F.
- Tuck the wings under to stabilize the bird and keep the wingtips from burning.
- Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the apple, onion, and herbs. Line the disposable aluminum pan with orange slices, placing the prepared turkey on top of the orange slices.1 Onion - sliced in half, 1 Apple - sliced in half, 1 Orange - sliced, Herbs
- Pour the apple juice ( or liquid of your choice) along with the turkey neck into the pan.1 Cup (248 Gram) Juice - apple juice
- Insert a meat thermometer into the breast as well as the thigh of the bird. Be sure these are oven-safe thermometers. Smoke the whole turkey on the grill or smoker for 30 minutes per pound. Once the thermometers have reached 165 remove the whole smoked turkey from the smoker and cover with foil allowing it to rest for 15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Transfer the smoked turkey to a cutting board and carve for serving.
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