So, you want to smoke a turkey breast in an electric smoker? Well, buckle up, mate, because you’re in for a wild ride!
These are some basic steps to smoke a turkey breast in an electric smoker:
- Prepare the turkey breast
- Marinate the turkey breast
- Make the dry rub
- Smoke the turkey breast
- Baste, carve & serve
In the rest of the blog, I will take you through the ins and outs of smokin’ up a perfectly juicy and delicious turkey breast in no time. So, grab your favorite cold beverage, sit back and let’s get smokin’!
What You’re Going To Need
Before you dive in, let’s go over a few things you’ll need:
- A turkey breast (A boneless turkey breast is ideal for smoking, as it will cook evenly and be easy to carve. But you can choose as per your preference.)
- Your trusty electric smoker
- Wood chips (I love apple or cherry)
- A meat thermometer
- Some aluminum foil
- A basting brush
- Your favorite seasonings and spices
Note: You may also choose to soak the wood chips in water for 30 minutes before using them to add extra moisture and flavor to the smoke.
Got everything ready? Let’s get started!
Step 1: Prepare the Turkey Breast
Are you ready to take on the challenge of smokin’ a turkey breast? Great! Let’s make sure we have the right cut of meat first.
“The Bigger, the Better?” Not always!
When it comes to smokin’ turkey, size really does matter. You want to look for a skin-on, boneless turkey breast that’s between 4-6 pounds.
Trust me, anything larger might not fit in your electric smoker, and anything smaller will cook up too fast. This size is just perfect and will give you plenty of delicious meat for leftovers.
Once you’ve got your turkey breast, give it a good rinse and pat it dry with some paper towels. Then, pop it in a large plastic bag and set it aside while you gather the rest of your ingredients.
Step 2: Marinate the Turkey Breast
Marinating surely makes the world a better place! This step is optional, but if you want to add an extra layer of flavor to your turkey breast, marinate it for a few hours before smoking it.
And lucky for you, I’ve got you covered with a super simple marinade recipe that’s sure to make your turkey the star of the show. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Just mix all these ingredients in a bowl and pour the marinade over your turkey breast in a plastic bag. Make sure to massage the marinade into the meat, seal the bag, and pop it in the fridge for 2-4 hours. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Step 3: Make the Dry Rub
Alright, folks, it’s time to get your spice on! You’re gonna make a dry rub for our turkey breast, and trust me, this is gonna be finger-lickin’ good.
A dry rub is like a little love letter from your taste buds to your turkey. It’s just a blend of spices that you sprinkle on the meat before you smoke it, and it’ll give your turkey the most amazing smoky flavor and keep it nice and juicy.
So, here’s the recipe for a super simple dry rub that’s going to make your turkey taste like a million bucks:
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Mix all these ingredients together in a bowl, and then grab your turkey breast. And give it a nice massage with the dry rub, making sure to cover every inch of the meat.
Don’t be shy with the spices; you want that flavor to sink in. And that’s it! You’re all set to smoke your turkey and have your taste buds dancing with joy.
Step 4: Smoke the Turkey Breast
Let’s get started with that electric smoker of yours! First thing first, fill up the water pan with some water and plop it right in the smoker. Then, grab those wood chips and throw ’em in the chip pan.
For this recipe, I recommend using either hickory or mesquite for a smoky flavor that’ll knock your socks off.
Turn on that smoker and set the temperature to 225°F. You’re gonna smoke this turkey breast for about 3 hours. So keep an eye on the temperature every hour to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Once the smoker’s heated up, place the turkey breast on the smoking rack. Make sure it’s in the center of the smoker, so it gets an even amount of smoke. Close that lid and let it smoke for 3 hours.
After 3 hours have passed, grab that meat thermometer and check the internal temperature of the turkey breast. It should be at least 165°F. If it’s not, just keep smoking it until it reaches that temp. Easy peasy!
Step 5: Baste, Carve & Serve
It’s almost time to baste your turkey breast! About an hour before it’s fully cooked, baste it to keep it moist and give it a shiny golden glow. Mix melted butter and apple juice for a tasty basting liquid and brush it on every 15 minutes until the turkey’s done.
When it’s fully cooked, let it rest for 10-15 minutes so the juices can spread and make it even juicier. And then, voila! Carve that gorgeous smoked turkey breast and serve it with your favorite sides.
You’ll be the talk of the table as everyone raves about the mouth-watering taste of your perfectly smoked turkey breast!
A Few Tips to Keep in Mind
- Keep an eye on the temperature and make sure it stays between 225°F and 250°F.
- Cover the turkey breast with foil if the skin is too dark.
- Don’t open the smoker too often, as this will release the heat and smoke.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, folks! Your very own juicy and delicious turkey breast, smoke-kissed to perfection. Smoking a turkey breast in an electric smoker is an easy and delicious way to enjoy this holiday staple.
With the right ingredients, a bit of preparation, and patience, you can create a smokey and perfectly cooked turkey breast that everyone will love.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your electric smoker and get ready to smoke up the tastiest turkey breast of your life! Happy smokin’!
