How to Smoke a Whole Turkey on a Pellet Grill

A smoked turkey with a beer brine is an incredible delicacy to add to your monthly menu, and preparing it is easier than you would ever imagine. You don’t need to be an expert chef to make this amazing meal and impress the people at your table. All you need is the right ingredients, a little time, and your favorite Z Grills model!

How to Choose a Turkey for Smoking?

A smoked turkey with a beer brine is an incredible delicacy to add to your monthly menu, and preparing it is easier than you would ever imagine. You don’t need to be an expert chef to make this amazing meal and impress the people at your table. All you need is the right ingredients, a little time, and your favorite Z Grills model!

How Long Does It Take to Smoke a Turkey?

If you like crispy turkey, I highly recommended smoking at 350 degrees for 3 hours, Ensure your turkey reaches 165F.

Preparing the Turkey for the Smoker

Before you can jump right into smoking your beer brined smoked turkey, you must prepare your turkey for cooking with these simple steps.

Brining

Bring one quart of water to a boil.
Once the water boils, add the contents of the brine packet–then return the liquid to a boil, and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove the brine from the heat source and add 3 quarts of coldwater with two beers of your choice. We are using Bud Lime, but a Honey Ale will work well too.
Place the brine in the fridge until it is cooled down to 40 degrees.
Remove the gizzard pack and neck from the cavity of the turkey, then place the turkey in the brining bag, breast side down.
Pour the brine into the bag until the turkey is fully submerged, taking care not to spill.
Seal the bag, and allow the turkey to brine for 12 to 18 hours–or up to 24 hours if needed–depending on the size of your turkey.
Remove the turkey from the brine, and rinse it with cold water.

Drying

Set the turkey on a roasting rack.
Carefully pat the turkey dry with a paper towel.

Seasoning

Place the turkey on a roasting pan on a roasting rack, and add 1 cup of a white wine of your choice.
Use an olive oil binder on the turkey, then season it with Cock-A-Doodle Brew Rub.
Add one cup of chicken stock to the pan.
Allow the turkey to sit at room temperature for 45 to 60 minutes in the blend before roasting.

How to Smoke a Turkey on a Pellet Grill: Step-by-Step Instructions

You can create the perfect smoked turkey with beer brine using these easy cooking steps!

Preheat the Z Grills to 350F

While your turkey is resting in the roasting pan, preheat your Z Grills model to 350F. Allow the grill to get up to temperature before proceeding to ensure even and consistent cooking.

Smoke the Turkey for 3 Hours

When your Z Grills model reaches the appropriate temperature, it is time to smoke the turkey. Place the turkey on the rack in the smoker facing breast side down. Allow the turkey to smoke for 1.5 hours, or until the turkey reaches 125F, then rotate the pan to ensure even cooking and juicy skin. This is necessary and recommended for most appliances, but uneven cooking is less of a concern for Z Grills pellet grills due to the fan-forced convection cooking, which ensures even cooking. Allow the turkey to cook for another 1.5 hours.

Check the Turkey’s Internal Temperature

After the initial 3-hour cook time, you will want to get a reading on the temperature of the turkey. Using a meat probe, test the temperature of the meat. Take care to check the thickest part of the breast to receive an accurate reading. When the temperature reaches 165F, the turkey is finished cooking.

Rest, Slice, and Serve

Once your turkey reaches 165F and has that perfectly crisped exterior, you can remove the turkey from your Z Grills model. Place it out to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. You will be able to smell the incredible aroma of the turkey and see the flavor on the surface of it. After 20 minutes, carve the turkey, and serve it up!

For this recipe, we recommend using the Z Grills 11002B, which has plenty of space and offers perfectly even cooking every time.

Chef Tommy’s Pro Tips for Smoked Turkey

Chef Tommy is the resident Z Grills culinary arts expert, and he recommends following these tips to ensure the perfect beer brined smoked turkey!

What Temperature Should Turkey Be?

When your turkey is finished cooking, it should be 165F internally at the thickest point. Be sure to check the thickest point to avoid coming into contact with undercooked meat. At this temperature, the turkey will be delicious, juicy, and easy to slice!

The Best Wood Pellets for Smoking Turkey

When you are smoking a turkey, the flavor can often come down to choosing the right wood pellets to impart that final flavor. We recommend using the Z Grills Cherry Wood Pellets, which offer a subtly fruity wood-fired flavor that people just can’t see to get enough of!

Should You Cover Your Turkey Once It’s Cooked?

Many people cover their turkey after cooking to protect it, but this is not the best approach. Covering your turkey will lead it to overcook, making the skin rubbery. Remove it from the tray and let it remain uncovered at room temperature.

Best Side Dishes for Smoked Turkey?

You have created this delicious beer brined smoke turkey, and you need the right dishes to serve it on your table. This flavor pairs beautifully with a poultry partner, like our smoked buffalo chicken dip. You can also bring more nutrients and flavor to your table with our smoked sweet potatoes. To bring the whole meal together, close out your dish with smoked cheesecake and burnt sugar sauce as a sweet balance to all that savory flavor!

More Smoked Turkey Recipes

If you like this smoked beer brine turkey, check out our delicious smoked turkey recipes, they’re the most important parts of your Thanksgiving menu. Lots more holiday recipes for you with our Z Grills Thanksgiving guide!