This article will guide you on how to smoke a turkey on a Pit Boss, so that your final product is juicy and delicious, just the way you like it.
Have you smoked a turkey on a Pit Boss or any other smoker? Smoking a whole turkey on a Pit Boss grill can be challenging. Follow these steps to smoke a whole turkey like a professional.
Why smoking a turkey on a Pit Boss is a good idea.
People will use a Pit Boss for cooking birds and meat like turkeys because they want to slow cook the turkey, to produce moist and tender meat with a delicious flavor.
Crucially, smoking is a great way to cook meat evenly and prevent it from drying out.
This can be achieved by smoking at around 220-250°F for 8-12 hours.
However, the best way to cook on a Pit Boss is to smoke at around 225-250°F for 2-4 hours. It will deliver the most satisfying flavor in your meat.
To achieve this temperature range, all you need are the correct wood chips and a smoker box.
You can use apple wood chips, coupled with sage, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves in your smoker box or on top of the Pit Boss. Your meats will smell absolutely wonderful!
Read More >> Can You Use A Pit Boss Without Pellets – (Explained)
Time needed: 4 hours.
How to smoke a turkey on a Pit Boss
- Buy a fresh turkey
A fresh turkey is the best option for smoking since it will have the most flavor. If you choose a frozen one, it will likely not absorb the smoke and flavors and may end up dry. So be sure to get fresh meat for the best results.
- Gather your supplies
You’ll need to gather your supplies – a smoker of your choice such as a Pit Boss, the correct wood chips or pellets, a turkey of course, and the appropriate spices.
- Soak wood chips in water for 30 minutes
This is if you use wood chips instead of wood pellets. To get more smoke from the wood chips, soak them in water. This will allow the wood chips to absorb water and expand, creating more smoke. The extra smoke will help flavor your food better. You can also wrap the wood chips in cheesecloth before adding them to your grill.
- Rinse the turkey and pat it dry
It’s essential to rinse the turkey and dry it before smoking it, as this will help ensure that the skin is crispy and the meat is juicy.
- Create a rub for the turkey
The rub will give the turkey flavor and help it caramelize as it cooks.Mix the following ingredients:
1 tablespoon (15 ml) of paprika,
1 tablespoon (15 ml) of garlic powder,
1 tablespoon (15 ml) of onion powder,
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of black pepper,
One teaspoon (5 ml) of cayenne pepper.
Rub this on the turkey before cooking it. Wait at least 30 minutes (preferably overnight) before cooking. This will help lock the flavors into the meat when it cooks. - Preheat the smoker
Preheat the smoker to 225 °F (107 °C) before placing the meat in it. This is to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Smoke the turkey
Smoke the turkey, starting skin side down, for 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 °F (74 °C).
- Baste with apple juice
Brush with apple juice after being roasted for 2 hours to keep the meat moist.
- Remove from the smoker
Remove it from the smoker once it is cooked through and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This will allow it to cool down. Enjoy!
Now that you know how to smoke a turkey on a Pit Boss, you can enjoy a perfectly cooked bird any time you want! Smoking your meat is simple, as long as you follow the recommended steps.
Check Price on Amazon for Pit Boss Grills Accessories >> Pit Boss Accessories
thanksgiving turkey by louisiana-grills.com
What is the biggest issue when smoking in a Pit Boss
When you are smoking your meat in a Pit Boss, the biggest issue is figuring out how to cook it evenly. This can be tricky since the turkey must cook slowly to absorb the smoke and flavor properly. If you’re not careful, the outside can become dry while the inside remains raw.
When you smoke on a pellet grill like the Pit Boss, the selection of pellet is essential because every pellet comes with a different unique flavor. It directly impacts your smoking flavor. No way around it – trial and error! You’ll get to figure out what smoky flavors suit your tastes.
How Do You Know When It Is Cooked?
It’s important to monitor the meat’s temperature frequently when smoking. You need to place your thermometer into the meat. Many people make a mistake when they put the thermometer into the pan instead. This results in improperly cooked meat. The meat is properly cooked when it reaches 165°F internal temperature and is safe to consume.
If you’re not sure your meat is safely cooked, cook it for a few minutes longer. Never cook it for less time than is recommended, as dangerous food-borne illnesses can result.
Final Word
You don’t need any specialized knowledge or expertise to cook a delicious, juicy turkey, or any other meta for that matter. It is pretty easy to do, as long as you follow the basic guidelines. Go ahead, impress your guests by serving them a juicy and delicious smoked turkey!
Pit Boss smokers are an excellent choice for smoking turkeys because they are vented and let out most of the smoke during the cooking process. This locks in the essential flavors but doesn’t make the meat smell burnt.
FAQs
How long does it take to smoke a turkey on a Pit Boss?
Many things can affect the time taken to properly cook a turkey on a Pit Boss. The temperature and humidity of your smoker will have the most impact on cook times. It is important to monitor your smoker’s temperature constantly while smoking and adjust accordingly.
Another factor that will affect cook times is the size of the bird. A bird weighing 8-12 pounds at 225°F will be perfectly cooked in 4 to 6 hours. If your Pit Boss is not maintaining the desired temperature range, you can try adding wet pellets to create more humidity and produce more smoke.
If you follow these tips and do some testing with your Pit Boss, you should be able to achieve consistent results when smoking a turkey.
How long will it take to smoke a turkey, by weight?
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- 30 minutes per pound at 225°F
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- 25 minutes per pound at 250°F
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- 15 minutes per pound at 350°F
What internal temp do I need for the turkey?
The turkey will be the juiciest at 225-250 degrees. Ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Allow sitting for around 20-30 minutes after removing it from the smoker before slicing it.
What temperature do you cook a turkey on different models of Pit Boss pellet grills?
The temperature you should cook a turkey on a pellet smoker can vary depending on your model. However, most pellet grills will have a temperature range of 200–450F. Therefore, the best temperature to cook on a pellet grills is 225-250F.
It is best to use an automated thermometer to check your turkey’s temperature as you cook it. This will prevent you from opening the lid and losing precious heat. Once the thermometer reaches 170F, you can begin basting the turkey with melted butter or margarine, and your choice of seasonings.
How long do you smoke a turkey at 225F?
The roasting time can vary from 6 to 8 hours, depending on the size of the bird and your preference for the texture of the bird.
What pellets to use for turkey?
Use wood with sweeter notes, such as maple, apple, cherry, or pecan when cooking turkey. Avoid using oak or hickory, which would give it too smoky a flavor and overwhelm the meat’s natural flavors.
How do you smoke a turkey and keep it moist?
Smoking one can be the best way to keep it moist when you’re cooking a turkey. Smoking is a preservation technique, meaning that when you smoke meat, it will stay fresh longer.
A few basic tips can help you smoke meat and keep it moist. First, you may want to brine the meat before smoking it, which will help add moisture and flavor. Second, ensure your smoker is temperature-controlled so your meat cooks properly and stays moist throughout the process. Finally, make sure you use a fresh bird, not a frozen one because fresh birds stay moist the longest.