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Smoked Wild Turkey Breast

Smoked Wild Turkey Breast

By Jeremiah Doughty

Jeremiah Doughty’s recipe for smoking up some field-to-plate wild turkey breast starts with a 12-hour brine before getting a BBQ rubdown that complements the wood-fired flavor perfectly.

Prep Time

30 Min

Cook Time

8 Hr

Pellets

Apple
Yields: 4 Servings

Ingredients

main
1 Cupbrown sugar
1/4 Cupkosher salt
2 Tablespooncracked black pepper
4 Cupcold water
1 turkey breast and deboned thigh, tied with skin-on
Rub
1/4 Cuppaprika
2 Tablespoongarlic powder
2 Tablespoondried onion
2 Tablespoonfreshly ground black pepper
2 Tablespoonbrown sugar
2 Tablespoongranulated sugar
2 Tablespoonchili powder
2 Tablespoonground cumin
1 Tablespooncayenne pepper
1 Tablespoonkosher salt
Units of Measurement:

Steps

  • Step 1

    In a large glass bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, pepper and water. Add the turkey and weigh down to completely submerge if necessary. Transfer to the refrigerator to brine for 12-24 hours.

    Ingredients
    • 1 Cup brown sugar

    • 1/4 Cup kosher salt

    • 2 Tablespoon cracked black pepper

    • 4 Cup cold water

    • 1  turkey breast and deboned thigh, tied with skin-on

  • Step 2

    Remove the turkey from the brine and discard the brine.

  • Step 3

    When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature 180℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.

    180 ˚F / 82 ˚C

    Super Smoke

  • Step 4

    Make the rub: In a medium bowl, whisk together the paprika, garlic powder, dried onion, black pepper, brown sugar, granulated sugar, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and salt.

    Ingredients
    • 1/4 Cup paprika

    • 2 Tablespoon garlic powder

    • 2 Tablespoon dried onion

    • 2 Tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

    • 2 Tablespoon brown sugar

    • 2 Tablespoon granulated sugar

    • 2 Tablespoon chili powder

    • 2 Tablespoon ground cumin

    • 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper

    • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt

  • Step 5

    Season the turkey all over with the rub.

  • Step 6

    Insert the probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast. Place the turkey directly on the grill grates, skin-side up. Smoke until the internal temperature reaches 160℉, 5-8 hours.

    05:00

    180 ˚F / 82 ˚C

    160 ˚F / 71 ˚C

  • Step 7

    Remove the turkey from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes. The turkey will continue to cook once removed from the grill to reach a final temperature of 165℉.

  • Step 8

    Slice and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!

My Notes


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