Easy Smoked Turkey Breast recipe made with bacon, olive oil & an herb seasoning! Simple method, no brining & results in tender, moist & flavorful smoked turkey.
Why Smoke a Turkey Breast?
When I got my Traeger electric smoker, to be honest, turkey wasn’t high on my list of foods I was anxious to make. On a whim I decided to smoke a turkey breast to go alongside some tri-tip I was taking to a get-together. You know what? The turkey breast disappeared first and everyone raved about it!
My not-so-secret method? Wrapping the turkey breast in BACON. The bacon traps moisture and gives the turkey an absolutely amazing flavor. I’m actually adopting this method for smoking my whole Thanksgiving turkey this year too. It’s THAT good.
Using an electric Smoker to Cook Turkey
We got our Traeger Electric Smoker several months ago and we LOVE it. I thought learning how to use the Traeger would be difficult, but it was actually really easy. Since it’s an electric smoker, you choose the temperature (just like an oven!) and the attached temperature probes keep you informed at what temperature your meat is at.
Traeger includes a handy cookbook that has been super helpful figuring out what pellets to use, how long certain meats need to smoke and what temperature they’re fully cooked. We use our Traeger around once a week and I usually smoke very basic foods. It’s been a really fun & delicious process to learn.
How long to smoke a turkey breast
The length of time it takes to smoke a turkey breast depends on several variables. I highly recommend using an internal temperature probe to keep track of cooking temperature so that you don’t overcook it. I use 3-lb boneless turkey breasts and they smoke at 250 degrees F in about 3 hours. If your turkey breast is bone-in, you’ll need to add another 1-1.5 hours. Along the same lines, if your turkey breast is 4.75lbs instead of 3 lbs, you’ll likely need to add an additional 1.5-2 hours of cooking time. To cook your turkey a bit faster you can also increase the cooking temperature to 275 degrees F.
Smoked Turkey Breast recipe ingredients
TURKEY: I use a 3-lb boneless turkey breast because it smokes a lot faster than a bone-in one. They usually go on sale around the holidays and I buy 3-4 for use throughout the year. Costco sells amazing ones!
BACON: Just get the cheap bacon, it doesn’t need to be thick, you’re just using it to add moisture, fat and flavor.
SEASONINGS: You’ll also need about 2-3 TBSP olive oil, salt & pepper and about 2 tsp of an all-purpose herb seasoning that doesn’t include salt.
Ingredients
- 3 lb boneless turkey breast
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 2 tsp all-purpose herb seasoning salt-free
- 8 slices bacon raw
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Brush the turkey with olive oil and sprinkle on the all-purpose seasoning and salt & pepper. Coat all sides, turning as needed.
- Use 3 strips of bacon and wrap it around the middle of the turkey breast. I usually place a piece around the very middle, then one on either side. Turn your turkey breast and wrap 3 slices of bacon around the turkey going the other direction. Use the 2 remaining strips of bacon to cover any parts left exposed.
- Turn on your smoker and set the temperature to 250°F. Insert wood pellets. I like to use cherry or apple wood.
- Place your turkey breast on the grill grate and insert the temperature probe into the center of the thickest part. Smoke for 3-4 hours, until the internal temperature reads 160°F.
- Transfer turkey to a baking dish and cover with foil. Let turkey rest somewhere warm for at least 45 minutes, but preferably an hour.
- Remove the bacon and throw away. Slice turkey and serve with a side of gravy and cranberry sauce, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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How to check the internal temp of a Turkey Breast
To know when your meat reaches the right temperature, your best tool is going to be a meat thermometer. My all-time favorite meat thermometer is the Thermapen. It’s super fast and incredibly durable. Another great meat thermometer is the ThermoPop which is a more basic version that works just as well!
How much smoked turkey breast per person?
Our 3-lb turkey breast generally serves 8-10 people. However you may want to adjust this serving if you’re feeding big eaters or if you don’t plan to have many side dishes.
What turkey breast to buy
I prefer to but boneless turkey breasts so that they cook faster. If you use a bone-in turkey breast, you’ll need to add about 1.5-2 hours additional cooking time, depending on how big the turkey breast is. You can find boneless turkey breasts year-round in the freezer section of your grocery store.
What Pellets to use for Smoking a Turkey
There are so many options of smoking pellets to use! When cooking a turkey, I prefer to use Cherrywood or Applewood pellets. Traeger also makes a “Gourmet” blend that yields delicious results!
More Easy Smoked Recipes and Holiday Dinner Ideas:
If you loved this Easy Smoked Turkey Breast recipe, there are so many more flavorful meals to try for family dinners, holiday gatherings, and backyard cookouts! Our smoky Easy Smoked Chicken Legs are always a favorite, while crispy Best Homemade Chicken Strips and family-friendly McDonald’s Copycat Chicken Nuggets are two of our most popular chicken recipes for busy weeknights. For even more easy dinner inspiration, try sweet and savory Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken or comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Soup when you need a cozy meal everyone will love.
Planning a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter menu? Pair this smoked turkey breast with easy side dishes and fresh salads that work perfectly for holiday meals and potlucks. Our sweet and creamy Orange Cream Fruit Salad and classic Easy Pistachio Salad are always crowd favorites, while refreshing Mandarin Orange Salad adds a fresh pop of flavor to any holiday table. For even more easy side dish ideas, try creamy Cookie Salad or flavorful Cucumber Tomato Salad for your next family gathering or special occasion meal.
Angie says
What kind of all purpose seasoning do you use?
Jessica says
I use all sorts…i liked to this one- https://butterwithasideofbread.com/easy-smoked-turkey-breast-recipe/
If you opt to use one with salt, just don’t add salt until you taste it.
Nicole says
That’s what we’re here for 🙂
Willow says
Can you make it without bacon?
Nellie says
Absolutely!
Mary says
Hi! I want to try this recipe, but I have a question. The only 3 pound boneless turkey breast I can find has a netting over it. Do I remove the netting before I wrap it in the bacon?
Thanks for your time! Mary
Jessica says
Yes, you’ll remove the netting! Those are the kind I get too. It comes apart in pieces, but the bacon does help to hold it together.