So how to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker? If you want to add flavor and moisture to your turkey, smoking it is a great option.. Smoking also produces a crispy skin that is delicious.
In this blog post, we will show you how to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker as well as how long to smoke a turkey in electric smoker also. We will also provide some tips on how to make the best smoked turkey. Happy smoking and Christmas!
Table of Contents
Why should We Smoke Turkey?
Why should we smoke turkey?
Not only does BBQ smoking turkey make you look like a grill master, but it also has some great health benefits. Check out this side information before going to how to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker.
Smoked turkey is an excellent source of lean protein, which helps to keep you fuller for longer periods of time between meals.
Its also rich in vitamins B and zinc, two essential nutrients for your body. Plus, its much lower in calories than other meats such as chicken.
Alright, lets find out how long to smoke a turkey in electric smoker!
Why Should I Use Electric Smoker instead of Original Smoker?
Electric smokers are a great option for those who love to smoke their own food. They provide consistent heat and temperature control, making them an ideal choice for smoking foods such as turkeys.
Plus, theyre much easier to use than traditional charcoal or wood burning smokers, requiring less effort to maintain the temperature and produce more flavorful results in the end.
Now, lets find out how to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker!
How Long to Smoke A Turkey in Electric Smoker?
Smoking a turkey in an electric smoker takes about 3-4 hours. The cooking time will depend on the size of the turkey and the temperature that you cook it at. We recommend smoking your turkey at a temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Smoke A Turkey in an Electric Smoker?
Ingredients:
- 1 turkey (10lb)
- 1 cup of hickory or mesquite wood chips
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
The rub:
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- Half of tablespoon black pepper, ground
- Half of tablespoon parsley, dried
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- Half of teaspoon lemon pepper
Aromatics:
- 4 sprigs of rosemary
- 4 sprigs of thyme
- 1 head garlic
- Half a white onion peeled are all you need
Instructions of how to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker:
#1 Brining your turkey
Brine turkey before learning how to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker
- In a large pot, mix the brine ingredients with 6 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes whilst stirring regularly, then remove from heat and leave to cool down to room temperature.
- Add 6 more cups of cold water and mix again before placing in the refrigerator until completely cold.
- Once mixture is chilled, place turkey (with neck and innards already removed) breast side down in either a brine bag or sealed container.
- Pour the brine into the bag or container until the turkey is fully submerged. If necessary, add more cold water.
- Place the bag or container with your turkey in it into your refrigerator or a food safe cooler for 2-3 days.
- After that time has passed, remove the turkey from the brine and rinse off any leftover residue with cold water; be sure to pay extra attention to rinsing out the inside cavity.
- Pat the turkey until dry with paper towels when finished.
#2 Make the rub before smoking
- In a shaker, mix together all of the rub ingredients.
#3 How to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker
- Preheat your electric smoker to 275°F for 20 minutes.
- Rinse the brine off the turkey and dry it before placing it breast side up on a cutting board.
- Stuff the cavity with aromatics, then evenly spray cooking oil over the outside of the bird.
- Sprinkle rub all over before using butchers twine to tie legs close and tight against breasts.
- Put turkey in pre-heated smoker, still breast side up.
NOTE: Oil the grate to prevent the turkey from sticking.
- You will need to close the smoker and make sure that the vent is only partially open.
- Set a timer for 30-40 minutes/ 1lb of turkey you are smoking.
- When the internal temperature reaches 155°F, you can add more rub to any exposed parts of skin.
- Pull the turkey out of the smoker when the internal temperature of the breasts and thighs reaches 165°F (following USDA safety)
- Use a meat probe to measure this, rather than relying on the little plastic pop-up indicator that some turkeys have.
- Cover your turkey in butcher paper or tin foil and let it sit for 30 minutes before carving.
- Serve your delicious turkey now!
How to Know My Smoked Turkey is Done Cooking in Electric Smoker?
Your smoked turkey is done cooking when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F. This temperature indicates that your poultry has reached a safe level for consumption and is cooked through.
If your electric smoker does not have a probe, you can use an oven thermometer to check how hot it is inside.
Additionally, you can also observe how your smoked turkey looks. When finished, it should be golden brown and have a soft texture.
Tips to Smoke a Turkey in An Electric Smoker
To master how to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker recipe, here are 2 golden tips for you to notice:
How to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker?
#1 Choose the right smoke
Turkey tends to take in smoke more quickly than red meat, so use woods with mild flavors. Apple and cherry wood have a sweet taste that goes well with turkey.
Hickory and mesquite are heavier woods whose strong flavor can quickly overpower the taste of turkey by blending about 1/4 of the stronger-flavored wood along with 3/4 milder flavored wood.
#2 Spatchcock the turkey
Spatchcock the turkey
To spatchcock a turkey, remove the spine and loosen or remove the breastbone to make the turkey lay flat.
NOTE: When you spatchcock the turkey, it provides two benefits. First, more of the surface area will be exposed to the smoke which will give it a deeper flavor. Second, since the bird is thinner overall, itll cook faster than if leave whole.
Thats all for how to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker, now were moving to a quick FAQs section then wrap up everything with a conclusion.
If you want to be a master in cooking and you want to know how to defrost ground turkey, you need to know well about the temperature as well as the way to cook it.
Top 3 Smoker for You to Consider
- Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
For your holiday gatherings, this Masterbuilt Gravity grill and smoker can handle even the most difficult chores, like smoking a turkey. This smoker has what it takes to complete the job well, unlike many others that cannot accommodate a bird the size of a typical Christmas turkey.
- Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
The six adjustable shelves provide you the flexibility to rearrange the more than 1,100 square inches of cooking space to prepare your complete holiday meal. You wont want to use anything else because there is plenty of room for many turkeys and sides.
- Weber 22-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
Any type of meat you want to cook can be smoked using the Smokey Mountain cooker. It is the ideal smoker for your holiday culinary needs with more than 700 square inches of grilling space.
This smoker has a fantastic design in addition to doing a fantastic job at smoking your turkey. This grill is built to last a long time because it has a porcelain enamel exterior shell, plated steel grates, and aluminum dampers.
FAQs of Smoking Turkey in Electric Smoker
What is the optimal temperature for smoking a turkey: 225 or 250 degrees?
To smoke a turkey, many people opt for smoker temperatures as low as 225 degrees. However, if youre looking to speed up the process, smoked at 275-300 degrees. When smoking at a lower temperature gives the potential for a richer flavor due to the extra time spent in the smoker.
Is it necessary to utilize water in the pan when smoking a turkey in an electric smoker?
Filling a water pan with boiling hot water and placing it in your smoker helps to both maintain the temperature and get things heated up quickly, especially when its cold outside and your smoker struggles to do its job.
How do you cook a turkey so that it remains moist and juicy?
My recommended solution for cooking your turkey is to smoke it directly on the grill grates. Place a roasting pan filled with an inch of water underneath the grates, approximately 3-4 inches from the meat. By keeping the environment moist, you will ensure that your turkey gets evenly crisp on all sides.
Is it recommended to wrap turkey in foil when smoking it?
It stated that if you smoke the turkey for too long, it will result in a dry bird. To prevent this, Heilig recommended wrapping the turkey tightly in aluminum foil before finishing the cooking process in the smoker. The internal temperature of the cooked turkey should reach 165 degrees; after it reaches this point, allow the bird to rest for 5-10 minutes before carving it.
Should I spray my turkey while smoking or not?
Use chicken stock, apple juice or diluted apple cider vinegar to baste your turkey while smoking it. You can also spray the turkey with cooking oil. Intend on bastings every 45 to 60 minutes.
Why electric smoker is good for turkey?
Culinary experts agree that electric smokers are great for smoking turkey because they provide the perfect balance of smoke, heat, and moisture. Electric smokers are very easy to maintain, allowing you to set your desired temperature and just let it go. The firebox is also insulated so theres no need to constantly monitor the fire or adjust air damper-leaning and maintenance.
Conclusion
We hope you found these tips and hacks helpful for how to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker. Christmas is a time to come together with family and friends, and we are happy to be your assistant in making that happen.
Cooking can sometimes be stressful, but with the right tools and advice, it can be fun too. Visit thebluestove.com to find out more cooking tips and tricks. Thank you for being supportive and well see you soon!
