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Katie's Cucina » Recipes » Grilling

Smoked Turkey Breast

Published: Sep 3, 2021 · Modified: Oct 25, 2022 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links

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Two photos divided by recipe title for Pinterest; top of a plate of turkey and sides, bottom of carving a whole turkey breast.
Top view of a platter filled with sliced turkey bresat with recipe title text on image for pinterest.
White plate filled with three slices of turkey breast with mashed potatoes and broccoli casserole with recipe title text on image.
Golden brown whole turkey breast with recipe title text on image of recipe.
Top view of a white plate filled with turkey breast slices with mashed potatoes and broccoli casserole with a platter filled with sliced turkey breast.
Two photos split by recipe title text for Pinterest; top of a plate full of sliced turkey and sides and bottom of a platter of sliced turkey breast.

If you love to grill you will love my smoked Smoked Turkey Breast recipe. The turkey breast is sweet and savory with a hint of smokiness. This whole turkey breast is cooked indirectly on the grill for 2-3 hours until golden and juicy.

Top view of sliced turkey breast, mashed potatoes, and broccoli casserole with silverware on the side and platter of turkey next to the plate.

I love turkey; whether it’s a turkey tenderloin, Thanksgiving in the Crock Pot, or my oven roasted turkey breast. When I’m not making those recipes I love to make my smoked turkey breast. I can eat turkey year round, and even though I only have a gas grill I can make the most amazing smoked turkey breast; thanks to a DIY smoker box. Don’t worry–I share below on how to make your own too.

The key to a juicy turkey breast is to turkey brine. The brined turkey mixed with a light smoke on the grill plus the most amazing sweet and savory rub makes for a mouth watering turkey breast. Whether you want to make turkey for a Sunday dinner or for a Thanksgiving day feast my Grilled Turkey Breast recipe is easy to execute and tastes delicious.

Jump to:
  • Why this Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • Directions
  • FAQs
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Turkey Sides
  • Smoked Turkey Breast

Why this Recipe Works

You don’t need a smoker in order to make this smoked turkey breast recipe! I teach you how to make your own DIY smoke box below.

The most flavorful turkey you will ever have. Your family and friends will be requesting this going forward.

The rub consist of simple pantry ingredients everyone has on hand!

Ingredients

Ingredients: brown sugar, oregano, cumin, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, chili powder, and butter.
  • Turkey Breast – A whole turkey breast ranging in size from 5-8 pounds.
  • Spices – You will want a mix of chili powder, salt, cumin powder, oregano, mustard powder, and smoked paprika.
  • Brown Sugar – Sweet brown sugar mixed into
  • Butter – A stick of unsalted butter is all you will need.

Directions

How to Soak Wood Chips

Three photos on how to make a smoker box for a gas grill.

Soak the wood chips or hickory wood blocks for at least a half hour. Place the drained wood chips in a disposable foil container.Wrap tightly with foil and poke a few holes on the top. Place directly on the heat of the grill.

Preheat the grill to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

While grill preheats, rinse and pat dry the brined turkey. Spray a half-size aluminum foil steam pan with non-stick cooking spray. Rinse and pat dry the turkey breast and place in the pan.

Turkey Rub

Left photo of spices and butter in bowl, right photo of mixed spices and butter.

In a bowl mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano, mustard powder, and smoked paprika. Mix until well blended.

Top view of a female hand holding open the skin of a turkey breast with butter/rub mixture.

Then place some of the seasoned butter underneath the skin of the turkey breast. Then slather the rest of the butter mixture all over the outside of the turkey breast. Place aluminum foil over top and transfer to the grill.

How to Grill Turkey Breast

Two metal pans wrapped with aluminum foil on top of a grill.

Before placing the turkey breast on the grill, turn off one side of the burners. You will cook the turkey not directly over the heat source–in indirect heat. Open up a little piece of the aluminum foil and pour 2 cups of water into the pan. Close the foil back and close the lid on the grill.

Browned turkey breast in a metal pan with juices over a grill grate.

Cook for 1 hour, remove the foil and baste the turkey with the juices in the foil pan. Close the lid and cook for an additional hour. Repeat again, and baste (meaning pour some of the juices from the pan over the turkey breast).

Golden brown turkey breast in a metal pan with juices.

Take the temperature of the turkey. It should read around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Close the lid and cook for another 30-60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Female hand carving a full browned turkey breast on a wooden cutting board.

Place the aluminum foil pan with the turkey in it on a baking sheet and transfer into your home. Remove it out of the liquid and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and enjoying.

FAQs

Three slices of turkey breast on a plate filled with side dishes with silverware and napkin on the side.

Here are all the frequently asked questions readers have asked when making this recipe.

How much turkey should I buy per person?

Typically you want to buy a pound per person which includes the bone. This should give you at least a half pound of meat per person plus a little extra for leftovers.

Do I need to soak wood chips for gas grill?

Yes, it is best if you soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes before placing on the grill.

What can I use instead of a smoker box?

I do not own a smoker box, but I was able to make a DIY smoker box using an aluminum foil loaf pan and aluminum foil. Then I poked a few holes in the top of the aluminum foil so the smoke could escape out. You also can make a foil pouch and poke holes in the top to make a smoker box.

Tips & Tricks

Top view of sliced turkey breast on a white platter.

Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve learned when making this recipe.

  • Brine – Always make sure you brine your turkey breast prior to cooking. This will ensure you have a moist and juicy turkey breast.
  • Basting – Basting is essential to get that beautiful brown crisp skin. You can use a turkey baster to easily remove the liquid from the bottom of the pan and squirt on top of the turkey breast. You can also use a measuring cup or small ladle to scoop the liquid and pour on top of the turkey.
  • Wood Chips – Make sure you soak the wood chips or blocks for at least a half hour. Place the drained wood chips in a disposable foil container. Wrap tightly with foil and poke a few holes on the top. Place directly on the heat of the grill.
  • Cooking Times – Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the turkey and the grill that you use.
  • Serving Size – Is based on an 8 pound turkey giving each guest a little over a half pound of turkey per plate.
  • Gas Grill – This recipe was tested and made on a gas grill. Cooking times may vary depending on what style grill you cook the turkey breast on.

Turkey Sides

Top view of a plate filled with three slices of turkey bresat, mashed potatoes, and casserole with a platter of sliced turkey on the side.

If you make this grilled turkey breast you have to make sides to go along with it. Here are a few of my favorite turkey sides.

  • Baked Mashed Potatoes
  • Creamed Spinach
  • Broccoli Cheese Casserole
  • How to Make Turkey Gravy

Still craving more grilled food? Try these other grilled recipes…

  • Grilled Brown Sugar Chili Pork Tenderloin
  • Smoked Tequila Lime Beer Can Chicken
  • Grilled Barbecue Turkey Breast
  • Grilled Asparagus in Foil

If you decide grilling a turkey breast is what you want to make, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!

Don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, and subscribe to my email list!

Top view of sliced turkey breast on a white platter.

Smoked Turkey Breast

If you love to grill you will love my smoked Smoked Turkey Breast recipe. The turkey breast is sweet and savory with a hint of smokiness. This whole turkey breast is cooked indirectly on the grill for 2-3 hours until golden and juicy.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Resting time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 395kcal
Author: Katie

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Hickory Chips
  • Half-size aluminum foil steam pan

Ingredients

  • 8 pound Whole Turkey Breast brined
  • ½ cup Unsalted Butter softened
  • ¼ cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Salt
  • 1-½ teaspoons Cumin Powder
  • 1-½ teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Soak the wood chips or hickory wood blocks for at least a half hour. Place the drained wood chips in a disposable foil container. Wrap tightly with foil and poke a few holes on the top. Place directly on the heat of the grill.
  • Preheat the grill to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • While grill preheats, rinse and pat dry the brined turkey. Spray a half-size aluminum foil steam pan with non-stick cooking spray. Rinse and pat dry the turkey breast and place in the pan.
    8 pound Whole Turkey Breast
  • In a bowl mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano, mustard powder, and smoked paprika. Mix until well blended.
    ¼ cup Brown Sugar, 1 tablespoon Chili Powder, 1 tablespoon Salt, 1-½ teaspoons Cumin Powder, 1-½ teaspoons oregano, 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Then place some of the seasoned butter underneath the skin of the turkey breast. Then slather the rest of the butter mixture all over the outside of the turkey breast. Place aluminum foil over top and transfer to the grill.
    ½ cup Unsalted Butter
  • Before placing the turkey breast on the grill, turn off one side of the burners. You will cook the turkey not directly over the heat source–in indirect heat. Open up a little piece of the aluminum foil and pour 2 cups of water into the pan. Close the foil back and close the lid on the grill.
  • Cook for 1 hour, remove the foil and baste the turkey with the juices in the foil pan. Close the lid and cook for an additional hour. Repeat again, and baste. Take the temperature of the turkey. It should read around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Close the lid and cook for another 30-60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the aluminum foil pan with the turkey in it on a baking tray and transfer into your home. Remove it out of the liquid and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and enjoying.

Notes

  • Brine – Always make sure you brine your turkey breast prior to cooking. This will ensure you have a moist and juicy turkey breast.
  • Wood Chips – Make sure you soak the wood chips or blocks for at least a half hour. Place the drained wood chips in a disposable foil container.Wrap tightly with foil and poke a few holes on the top. Place directly on the heat of the grill.
  • Cooking Times – Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the turkey and the grill that you use.
  • Serving Size – Is based on an 8 pound turkey giving each guest a little over a half pound of turkey per plate.
This recipe was tested and made on a gas grill. Cooking times may vary depending on what style grill you cook the turkey breast on.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.66lb | Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 65g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 184mg | Sodium: 1218mg | Potassium: 766mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 584IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @KatieJasiewicz or tag #katiescucina!
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Disclosure: There are affiliate links present in this post. That means if you click on a link and purchase something. I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continuous support of Katie’s Cucina!

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About Katie

Katie is a busy mom of 2 children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don't take hours to cook! She started her blog 10 years ago as a way to help others get cooking in the kitchen.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Droolius

    November 14, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    looks and sounds great!!

    Reply
  2. Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray

    November 14, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    This looks great–love the idea of grilled turkey.

    Reply
  3. sushiandsitups.com

    November 14, 2011 at 11:46 am

    Looks great! I haven't had to be in charge of the turkey yet. It seems like a lot of pressure!

    Reply

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I'm Katie Jasiewicz: home cook, food blogger, and recipe developer. A busy mom of two children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don’t take hours to cook! My mission is to create easy-to-make modern comfort food for the busy family. (more)

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