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+ servings
smoked turkey breast, alf sliced
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4.84 from 6 votes

Smoked Turkey Breast

Smoked Turkey Breast is brined and grilled with hardwood smoke for a tender, juicy and flavorful main dish to serve for any holiday or family dinner.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 15 minutes
Course: Turkey
Cuisine: American
Keyword: small Thanksgiving dinner, smoked turkey
Servings: 14 servings
Calories: 367kcal
Author: Milisa

Ingredients

Turkey Brine:

  • 6 quarts warm water
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1 whole lemon quartered
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon peppercorns

For the Turkey:

  • 7 pound turkey breast bone-in
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon green chile powder
  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ½ teaspoon ground rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ¼ cup green chile rub

Instructions

  • In a large pan, add warm water and kosher salt. Mix with a whisk until salt has dissolved.
  • Squeeze lemon into salt solution and add lemon rinds, rosemary and peppercorns. Mix well.
  • Place turkey breast into brine, cover and refrigerator for 1 to 4 hours.
  • Remove turkey breast from brine into a colander and drain well. Discard brine.
  • Pat turkey dry with paper towels and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Using poultry shears, cut down both sides of the backbone to remove it.
  • With a sharp knife, score the breast bone, but do not cut through the breast meat. 
  • Pull the sides of the turkey breast apart, turn over on the baking sheet, pressing hands down to flatten the turkey breast.
  • Mix melted butter and add green chile powder, granulated garlic, ground rosemary, smoked paprika and dry mustard.
  • Using an injector, inject butter mixture into turkey breast and under skin.
  • Sprinkle with dry rub all over.
  • Prepare a grill fire to about 325° using pecan or hickory for smoke flavor.
  • Place turkey over indirect fire and cook with the grill closed.
  • Cook about 11/2 hours to 2 hours until internal temperature, near the bone reaches 165°.
  • Remove from grill and rest 15 minutes before slicing.
  • Using a sharp knife, slice the breast meat away from the bone in two pieces.
  • Slice thin as needed and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Store leftover turkey wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and refrigerated up to 4 days.
To freeze smoked turkey, wrap with 2 layers of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil or vacuum seal. Freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 69g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 190mg | Sodium: 4586mg