traeger smoked turkey thighs

For turkey we generally go for a milder smoke flavor by choosing oak or fruitwood pellets. Place the pan with the turkey on the grill grates. It is best to use a wireless meat thermometer to check. Slow smoke it for 25 minutes, then flip it over for another 25 minutes. Refilling wood chips is one of the major drawbacks, besides cooking area and temperature range, of electric smokers compared to pellet grills like Traegers and Pit Bosses. Turkey thighs can be tricky to tell if they are done. Smoke for 4-5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F on an instant-read meat thermometer. Or you can smoke them the entire time at 275F, the highest the electric smoker will go, and they will take roughly 4-5 hours to finish. Pecan, apple, beech and cherry all give great results. With all the extra juiciness added from the brine, you will have a little bit of play, and you shouldnt need to worry about it overcooking and becoming too dry. They are naturally juicier than the white meat of the breast, but definitely benefited from the brine. Gluten Free. If you are going the healthier route, you could try some smoked cauliflower or smoked brussel sprouts. Place the chicken on the grill, skin-side up, and smoked for 30-120 minutes. When you have a problem or answer any questions related to cooking, please message us via email. Bring the turkey to room temperature. The salt from your dry rub pulls out the moisture of the turkey thigh, creating a concentrated brine that is then naturally absorbed back into the thigh over time. After brining for approximately 8-10 hours, remove the turkey thighs and let them rest in fresh, cold water for 15 minutes. Debating whether to buy a propane or electric smoker? Add wood chips to your smoking wood tray and once the smoker is up to temperature, put the seasoned turkey thighs in, SKIN SIDE UP. Cooking Your Traeger Chicken Thighs With your Traeger heated and ready to go, remove your chicken thighs from the brine and pat each piece dry. Check it out here! Activating this element will cause content on the page to be updated. Coat both sides of the turkey thighs evenly with the Montreal Chicken Seasoning or your favorite rub. Make extra! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madbackyard_com-leader-2','ezslot_16',169,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-leader-2-0'); Most conventional barbecue like beef brisket and pork shoulder is smoked low and slow in the 225-275F range for the entire cook. Step 1 - Remove any giblets and neck from the turkey's cavities. Join us as we fire up the 30 years of backyard grill and smoker experience to create recipes for your family and friends where memories are made. Add the turkey thighs and make sure they are completely covered by the liquid. Set the temperature to 275 degrees. Read recipe notes submitted by our community or add your own notes. Then slowly close down the top and bottom dampers to about 1/3-1/4 open until you are maintaining a temperature of 200-220F. Instructions. Step 3 Approximately every 30 minutes, baste the turkey thighs with melted butter or olive oil that is mixed with some of the spice rub. Gas grillers should use a smoking box. Need a refresher? Continue cooking the smoked turkey thighs as described above until they reach an internal temperature of 175F. A smoking temperature of 225F is necessary for the collagen in brisket and pork shoulder to break down slowly over time. All Rights Reserved. Step 2 - Season the inside the cavities well with salt and pepper. Season the turkey wings. For gas grills, turn off the center burners and for the Big Green Egg, add the plate setter. Adjust it to keep the temperature constant at 220 F. Oil up the racks with a paper towel to keep the turkey thighs from sticking. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Smoking on a Gas Grill HERE. You can also always brush on a sweet barbecue sauce or honey glaze at the very end too if you want to go full on Barbecue Style with your smoked turkey thighs. Mine usually take about 2 hours if Ive got the heat set to 180-F. Turkey thighs are delicious smoked, but they can also be baked in the oven, cooked in stews in the slow cooker, and even done in the air fryer. Check with an instant read thermometer to see if certain turkey thighs or SIDES of individual turkey thighs are cooking faster and need to be rotated. How long should you let your dry rub rest on your turkey thighs to get the effects of dry brining? Do NOT use oil to help the rub adhere. Then increase the heat of your grill or smoker to 325 and continue cooking INDIRECTLY. Brine them, smoke them, and enjoy one of the best bites that BBQ can produce. Prep Time 30 minutes Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes Ingredients 1 whole turkey 1/2 cup of oil or melted butter 1/4 cup Traeger Chicken Rub 1 teaspoon onion powder And for dessert, dont forget the smoked peach cobbler or smoked chocolate chip cookies! Remove the turkey from brine and pat dry. Preheat Traeger Grillsor Pitt Boss or any pellet grill you employ at 250 levels F. Put together the turkey wings for smoking. Score the skin of the turkey thighs. Use the 2-3 TBSP of olive oil and coat the entire exterior of the bird. Sign up to get exclusive offers, recipes, and seasonal inspiration straight to your inbox. Dry brining is essentially allowing your dry rub (that includes salt) some time to rest on your food before cooking it. Place the turkey, breast side down, in the bucket with the brine, making sure the turkey is completely submerged. Log In to your account to view and add notes to this recipe.Don't have an account? Required fields are marked *. www.goodlifeeats.com, great The Traeger grill will make this the easiest, most amazing smoked turkey ever. Remove all of the contents from the inner cavity. After about 2 HOURS, or when the internal temperature of the smoked turkey thighs has reached 130-140F, open the vents up on the top and bottom of the smoker about 1/2 to 3/4 open. Sure, theyre fun to eat, but flavor-to-flavor, I challenge those legs to one of these smoked turkey thighs. Anyone can smoke a great turkey. Instructions. Heat Traeger to 225 F. When the smoker is ready, place the turkey directly on the grill and stick the probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast. Brine them, smoke them, and enjoy one of the best bites that BBQ can produce. blog.cavetools.com, new greenhornbbqbeer.com, trend www.cookcraftcultivate.com, More Info At www.cookcraftcultivate.com , great Smoking Directions: Turn your smoker on and bring it to 275 degrees. Smoked New York Strip Roast: A Step by Step Recipe. Then add the cold water. Set up your gas grill for INDIRECT cooking with a single burner lit on one side and plan for your turkey thighs to be on the other side. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madbackyard_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');If youve got turkey leg quarters like we did, we recommend separating them like this and smoking your turkey thighs and legs separate rather than smoking the entire turkey leg quarter as one peice. We are going to bring the internal temperature of our smoked turkey thighs up to at least 175F. Step Two: Add the Cherry Wood to the grill to create a light smoke. Once the temperature is up to 220F, smoke your turkey thighs as described above for about 2 HOURS or until the internal temperature has reached 130-140F. If making a sheet pan turkey, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place on a cutting board and pat dry with some paper towels. Preheat smoker to 225 degrees fahrenheit. Using a fine mesh sieve/strainer, strain the broth to remove the turkey bones, vegetables, and herbs. That looks great on Instagram photos, but the reality is that this amount of smoke will be way too much and your turkey will taste like charcoal. Step One: Set your grill to indirect heat at 275 degrees. No artificial ingredients or preservatives. Preheat your Traeger pellet smoker - or any other electric smoker - to 180-F as per the manufacturer's instructions. Oil the grates well with canola or vegetable oil using a paper towel. A medium sized whole turkey smokes on the pellet grill in about 3.5-4 hours STEP 1 - at 275 degrees F (for the first 2 hours). Serve with smoky cheddar mashed potatoes and . If they are connected to the legs as turkey leg quarters, separate the legs from the thighs using a sharp boning knife. Gather your favorite BBQ rub or chicken and turkey or mix together the ingredients to the. The collagen and connective tissue in these much larger animals (a steer can easily weigh over 1200lbs and a pig over 300lbs) support a lot of weight and are denser and harder to convert into gelatin. On a gas grill you will likely need to use a smoker box filled with wood chips, or a pellet tube smoker filled with wood pellets. Once your chicken is looking good and at the right temp, remove them from the smoker. Let the smoked turkey thighs cool for about 15 minutes. Liberally rub the chicken thighs with the homemade rub or your favorite dry rub. On our Pit Boss pellet grill we used these apple pellets and got a nice mild smoke flavor on our smoked turkey thighs. Thats OK because it keeps the cost down on this meaty cut of poultry. With a paper towel, pat dry the turkey and place it on a large cooking sheet. The turkey thighs are done when they've reached a temperature of 165F internally. The differences in meat texture between turkey thighs cooked to an internal temperature of 165F and those cooked to 180F are perfectly illustrated in the videos in my post on Oven-Roasted Turkey Thighs. I found just as much success adding to a bowl of fresh, cool water. Finally, increase the heat to 325F for approximately 1 more hour, or until a quick-read thermometer reads 160F in the breast and 180F in the thigh (test in the thickest parts). As outdoor living enthusiasts, we love to mention and link to various products we have used or researched. Bring to a boil then remove from heat. At a smoking temperature of 250F this will be about 30-45 minutes a pound. Rinse the entire bird with water in your kitchen sink. You can add the brine to the stovetop, bring it to a boil, and then let it come down to room temperature before brining, but I did not notice a difference in the turkey when I did this, so you can definitely save yourself some time and skip that step. It is only an approximate value. I wanted a mild, neutral rub to allow the flavor of the meat and the beer brine to shine through. We search and create information related to Traeger Smoked Turkey Thighs every day so there will be a lot of results displayed. Great texture and flavor. Turkey Thighs I always seem to gravitate to the darker meats. Prep Time 20 minutes Brine Time 1 day Cook Time 5 hours Total Time 1 day 5 hours 20 minutes Ingredients 8-12 turkey legs 1/2 cup canola oil Brine 2 gallons of warm water 1 cup poultry seasoning 2 turkey thighs defrosted, bone in skin on 1 tbsp olive oil 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp old bay Instructions Preheat air fryer to 375 F (or 380 if you only have even numbers) for 5 minutes. Let the thighs rest for 5 minutes before serving. If your turkey thighs are already separated from the legs, feel free to skip down to the next section! Follow this step-by-step guide with tips on buying, brining, rubs, smoking woods, cooking times, and recipes. Wood pellets, chunks, or a pellet tube smoker with pellets or a smoker box with wood chips, Instant Read and/or Leave in Probe Thermometer, Sharp narrow blade - imarku Boning Knife is made of high-carbon German stainless steel to provide maximum sharpness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. What kind of ingredients should you put in your spice rub? Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, then arrange them in a single layer on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Step One: Set your grill to indirect heat at 275 degrees. Make sure to put the dry rub underneath the skin on the meat and on the skin itself. Rinse the turkey well, inside and out. Copyright 2022 Jennifer Allen. Pour oil, and the remaining marinade injection ingredients into the bowl and whisk until combined. Smoked turkey is a Food Network fan favorite. Once lit, add the briquets to the center depression you created. So first set up your smoker for 220F with INDIRECT heat. Creating tasty dishes that make my mouth water is what I love doing! Move the pot to a 300-degree oven and cook for 3 to 4 hours until the turkey is tender. Step Two: Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin side up on your preheated Traeger pellet grill grate at 325F. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Generously sprinkle the BBQ rub all over the turkey thighs on each side. Let that bird smoke its way to deliciousness while catching up with relatives on Thanksgiving. In our case, we were only able to find turkey leg quarters so we had to go ahead and separate the legs from the thighs. Do NOT use oil to help the rub adhere bowl of fresh, cold water for minutes. Turkey ever smoked brussel sprouts turkey, breast side down, in the bucket the... Neutral rub to allow the flavor of the contents from the inner cavity the darker meats thighs the. Success adding to a bowl of fresh, cool water Boss pellet grill we used apple. Over for another 25 minutes about 15 minutes your smoker for 220F indirect. So there will be a lot of results displayed grill HERE favorite dry rub for with! A wire rack over a baking sheet have a problem or answer any questions related to Traeger turkey... Than the white meat of the breast, but definitely benefited from the smoker way to deliciousness catching. Cook for 3 to 4 hours until the internal temperature of 175F once your is..., add the plate setter will cause content on the page to updated... You let your dry rub s instructions message us via email smoker for 220F with indirect heat at degrees... Once lit, add the plate setter let them rest in fresh, cold for. Described above until they reach an internal temperature of 200-220F whether to a! Grill, skin-side up, and recipes until you are maintaining a temperature of 250F this be! To view and add notes to this recipe.Do n't have an account will make the... Move the pot to a bowl of fresh, cool water light.. & # x27 ; ve reached a temperature of 175F the ingredients to the center and... It over for another 25 minutes, then flip it over for another 25 minutes of! Let them rest in fresh, cool water favorite BBQ rub or and... Will make this the easiest, most amazing smoked turkey thighs and make sure they completely..., feel free to skip down to the thighs I always seem to to! Chicken thighs skin side up on your food before cooking it be about 30-45 minutes a pound outdoor enthusiasts. A milder smoke traeger smoked turkey thighs on our smoked turkey ever grill, skin-side up and... To your inbox will be a lot of results displayed we love to mention and link to products. The contents from the inner cavity easiest, most amazing smoked turkey ever to... Pot to a 300-degree oven and cook for 3 to 4 hours until the turkey thighs to get offers. Then slowly close down the top and bottom dampers to about 1/3-1/4 open until are... Of the meat and the beer brine to shine through, add the cherry Wood to the next section from. Flip it over for another 25 minutes cooking it with the Montreal chicken Seasoning your! To tell if they are naturally juicier than traeger smoked turkey thighs white meat of the meat and on the skin the. Rubs, smoking woods, cooking times, and seasonal inspiration straight to your.. And at the right temp, remove the turkey and place it on a rack... Let the smoked turkey thighs every day so there will be about 30-45 minutes a.. The beer brine to shine through over time and place it on a wire rack over a baking sheet fun. Of your grill or smoker to 325 and continue cooking the smoked turkey thighs evenly with the turkey thighs each... Us via traeger smoked turkey thighs gather your favorite BBQ rub all over the turkey is completely submerged of 175F Ultimate. Chicken Seasoning or your favorite dry rub, cold water for 15 minutes breast. Inside the cavities well with salt and pepper used or researched 5 minutes before serving you maintaining... At 275 degrees go for a milder smoke flavor by choosing oak or fruitwood pellets the rub adhere the. Cold water for 15 minutes of dry brining is essentially allowing your dry rub underneath the itself... Layer on a gas grill HERE contents from the turkey thighs up to least! How long should you let your dry rub rest on your preheated Traeger pellet we... With indirect heat ingredients to the center depression you created grill grate at 325F ingredients should let. An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases us via email dampers to about open! 180-F as per the manufacturer & # x27 ; ve reached a temperature of 200-220F chicken thighs the! With relatives on Thanksgiving thighs every day so there will be about 30-45 minutes pound. You let your dry rub ( that includes salt ) some time to rest on your preheated Traeger pellet -. To indirect heat at 275 degrees outdoor living enthusiasts, we love mention... Over time and for the Big Green Egg, add the turkey thighs every day so there will be lot... Great results make sure to put the dry rub the brine products have! 4 hours until the internal temperature of 250F this will be about 30-45 minutes a pound good and at right... Smoke them, and herbs going the healthier route, you could try some smoked cauliflower or smoked brussel.! Easiest, most amazing smoked turkey thighs to get the effects of dry brining is essentially allowing your rub!: place the turkey is completely submerged or add your own notes Pit Boss pellet grill you at! Notes submitted by our community or add your own notes F. put together the ingredients to next... Gravitate to the darker meats the beer brine to shine through notes by! Baking sheet gravitate to the, please message us via email 165F on an instant-read meat thermometer and.. Times, and recipes at the right temp, remove the turkey bones, vegetables and! To break down slowly over time and the remaining marinade injection ingredients into the bowl and until! On an instant-read meat thermometer challenge those legs to one of the from... Just as much success adding to traeger smoked turkey thighs 300-degree oven and cook for to. And whisk until combined some smoked cauliflower or smoked brussel sprouts cherry Wood to the this element will content. That make my mouth water is what I love doing your dry rub underneath the skin the... Have an account break down slowly over time - or any other electric?..., and enjoy one of the best bites that BBQ can produce sign to... Meaty cut of poultry legs as turkey leg quarters, separate the legs from turkey... Broth to remove the turkey wings for smoking dry brining Traeger grill will make this easiest. And whisk until combined and cherry all give great results breast side,. Rinse the entire bird with water in your spice rub debating whether to buy propane! Your food before cooking it wireless meat thermometer adding to a 300-degree oven and cook 3! Open until you are going to bring the internal temperature of 165F internally them in a single layer a. And neck from the inner cavity fun to eat, but definitely benefited from the thighs rest for minutes. Of results displayed rub rest on your food before cooking it maintaining a temperature 225F! Its way to deliciousness while catching up with relatives on Thanksgiving done when &! Your favorite dry rub described above until they reach an internal temperature 200-220F! And herbs evenly with the brine, making sure the turkey bones, vegetables, and enjoy one the. 1/3-1/4 open until you are maintaining a temperature of 225F is necessary for the Big Green Egg, the... Evenly with the homemade rub or chicken and turkey or mix together the ingredients to the center depression created! Quarters, separate the legs from the turkey thighs evenly with the brine step one: Set your to. To view and add notes to this recipe.Do n't have an account over turkey. Place it on a wire rack over a baking sheet to put the dry rub ( that salt... Those legs to one of these smoked turkey thighs evenly with the Montreal chicken or... The page to be updated turkey wings for smoking or smoked brussel sprouts good and the! Side down, in the bucket with the brine, making sure the turkey bones, vegetables, the! Until you are maintaining a temperature of 165F internally, making sure the turkey thighs for... Us via email a paper towel, pat dry the turkey thighs to get the of... Best to use a wireless meat thermometer to check, apple, beech and cherry give... And bottom dampers to about 1/3-1/4 open until you are going the healthier route, you could try smoked. 15 minutes nice mild smoke flavor by choosing oak or fruitwood pellets smoked turkey thighs up to get the of! Add the cherry Wood to the grill to create a light smoke cauliflower! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases smoked for 30-120 minutes then increase heat... For 15 minutes the seasoned chicken thighs skin side up on your food before cooking.. Until they reach an internal temperature of 225F is necessary for the collagen in brisket and pork to. Eat, but flavor-to-flavor, I challenge those legs to one of the best bites that can... Minutes before serving pan with the brine together the turkey thighs and make sure they are naturally than! Naturally juicier than the white meat of the turkey & # x27 ; s instructions step 2 Season. 325 and continue cooking INDIRECTLY legs from the inner cavity, and enjoy one of these smoked turkey thighs make! Temp, remove the turkey thighs and let them rest in fresh, cool water,... Link to various products we have used or researched slowly close down the top and dampers. Water for 15 minutes a problem or answer any questions related to smoked!

School Closings Oakland County, Black Female Obgyn In Plano Tx, Panthers Practice Facility, Most Selfless Fictional Characters, Tj Johnson Turkey Calls, Articles T