Description
This recipe for the Best Smoked Turkey Breast delivers a juicy, flavorful turkey breast brined in a sweet and tangy apple cider mixture and seasoned with a savory rub. Smoking the turkey at a low temperature infuses it with a rich smoky flavor, perfectly complemented by apple wood smoke. Ideal for gatherings and special meals, this smoked turkey breast is tender, moist, and packed with mouthwatering taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Brine Ingredients
- 1 4-5 pound boneless skinless turkey breast (fresh, not previously brined)
- 3 cups apple cider
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub (or Turkey Rub)
- 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
Instructions
- Make the brine: In a large bowl, combine apple cider, water, apple cider vinegar, salt, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon of Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub, garlic powder, and onion powder. Whisk the mixture well until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved.
- Brine the turkey breast: Submerge the turkey breast completely in the prepared brine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate and the meat to stay moist.
- Preheat the smoker: Heat your smoker to 275°F. Use apple wood chips or chunks to enhance the turkey’s flavor, complementing the apple cider brine.
- Season the turkey: Remove the turkey breast from the brine and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels. Sprinkle all sides evenly with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub or your chosen turkey rub.
- Smoke the turkey: Place the seasoned turkey breast on the smoker grate. Close the lid and smoke for about 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the meat is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest and serve: Remove the turkey breast from the smoker and loosely cover it with foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice and serve immediately for the best flavor and juiciness.
Notes
- Using a cider brine enhances the natural sweetness and juiciness of the turkey breast, keeping it tender during smoking.
- Apple wood smoke pairs perfectly with turkey and the apple cider brine, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
- Ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- You can substitute the Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub with any favorite turkey rub to personalize the flavor.
- Resting the turkey before slicing is crucial to keep the meat moist and tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 6-7 oz cooked turkey)
- Calories: 94 kcal
- Sugar: 11.85 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 0.73 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.28 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.45 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.45 g
- Fiber: 1.37 g
- Protein: 1.21 g
- Cholesterol: 0.09 mg
