Transform turkey breast into an impressive, mouthwatering BBQ. This easy Texas style smoked turkey breast recipe gives juicy, tender meat with sweet, smoky flavor from a few simple ingredients and easy steps.
Optional: Dry brine the turkey breast overnight or for 24 hours before cooking to enhance flavor and moisture retention.
Season the breast with salt (if not brined) and lots of coarse black pepper. Add dry rub if desired.
Insert a remote probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast.
Set Up and Preheat Smoker
Set up your smoker for indirect heat and preheat to 225°-275° F. *see note 4. Plan to use the upper shelf if your smoker has multiple racks.
Smoke the Turkey
Place seasoned turkey breast in the smoker furthest from heat source.
Smoke until internal temperature reaches about 148° F.
Place the breast on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Pour melted butter over top or place butter slices on breast, then tightly wrap in the aluminum foil.
Return wrapped breast to smoker and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 158-160°F. Optionally, increase smoker heat to 325°F to speed up cooking time once the breast is wrapped.
Place back in smoker and continue to cook until the internal temp reaches 158 to 160. (Once the turkey is wrapped, you can turn up the smoker's heat to 325° F if you need to speed up the cook time).
Rest and Slice
Remove smoked turkey breast and let rest while still wrapped in foil for 15-20 minutes.
Unwrap and slice against the grain into 1/4" to 1/2" slices. Save turkey juices and butter from foil for making gravy or drizzling.
Video
Notes
A 2-pound turkey breast will provide about 4 servings.
For bone-in breasts, remove bone using a boning knife and peel off skin.
If your turkey breast was already wet brined, then place it in a bowl of cold water to rinse (debrine) for about 5 minutes to remove excess salt. There is no need to rinse a dry brined bird.
Use a drip pan with a few inches of water in your smoker to catch the drippings and add some humidity to the smoker.
For more smoke flavor in a pellet smoker, use a lower temperature in a pellet smoker, around 225°F. You can also use a pellet smoke tube for more smoke flavor.
For food safety, cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Simple turkey rub recipe: 1 Tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp smoked pap 1 tsp each onion and garlic powder 1/2 tsp each thyme rosemary 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper