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Smoked Turkey Breast With Garlic And Herbs

Smoked turkey breast with garlic and herbs is a twist on the traditional Thanksgiving main you’ll love! Full of smoky flavor and buttery herbs, you’ll never go back to roasting a turkey after trying this!

slices of a smoked turkey breast on a bed of fresh herbs and sliced lemons on a white platter

This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details.

I use my smoker any chance I get so it’s no surprise that I would use it for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Why wouldn’t I want a smoked turkey breast?

slices of a smoked turkey breast on a bed of fresh herbs and sliced lemons on a white platter

It’s easy to make and extra delicious with that smoky flavor infused throughout.

And it frees up my oven for pies and side dishes.

Love that!

Ingredients

To make this you’ll need:

an overhead image showing the measured ingredients needed to make a smoked turkey breast

  • Turkey breast– A 20 ounce turkey breast
  • Butter– A whole 2 sticks
  • Herbs and seasonings– Fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary along with a peeled bulb of garlic and coarse salt and black pepper.

How to Smoke a Turkey Breast

To make smoked turkey breast, preheat the smoker to 250 degrees.

salt and pepper covered turkey breast on a wooden cutting board

While the smoker preheats, evenly season both sides of the turkey, by sprinkling one seasoning at a time all over the turkey starting with the salt.

salt and pepper covered turkey breast on the grates of a smoker

Then, put the seasoned turkey breast on the smoker.

sticks of butter and fresh herbs in a cast iron skillet sitting on smoker grates

Next, put the sticks of butter and the fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme in a small, oven safe dish and put them in the smoker, next to your turkey breast.

Leave the butter mixture it to smoke, uncovered, alongside the turkey until the butter mixture is needed.

smoked turkey breast in aluminum foil

When the turkey hits 150 degrees, remove it from the smoker and place it in a foil boat.

Then, remove the rosemary and thyme from the butter.

seasoned butter and herbs being poured out over a smoked turkey breast from a glass jar

Put the butter mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.

Pour over the turkey in the foil boat.

Finish wrapping the turkey in the foil.

smoked turkey breast in aluminum foil

Place the turkey back in the smoker and continue to cook for 15 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 160 degrees, then remove and rest for 15-30 minutes.

a smoked turkey breast on a white platter with fresh herbs and lemon slices

Slice and serve!

Enjoy!

a knife and meat fork slicing a smoked turkey breast

What wood should I use to smoke turkey breast?

A mild, sweeter wood works well for this recipe.

You could use:

  • apple 
  • cherry
  • another fruit wood
  • pecan
  • maple

Storing leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

slices of a smoked turkey breast on a bed of fresh herbs and sliced lemons on a white platter

Can You Freeze Sliced Smoked Turkey?

Yes! Once cooled sliced smoked turkey can be put in an airtight container or ziplocking freezer bag for up to 3 months.

How to Serve Smoked Turkey

Serve smoked turkey breast the way you would serve roasted turkey breast on the holidays, accompanied with all the sides and fixins.

Smoked turkey breast also makes delicious turkey sandwiches!

Tips and Tricks

  • A meat thermometer is crucial when you smoke poultry. It will let you know when the turkey is cooked perfectly.
  • If you pull the sticks from the herbs out of the butter, you can skip blending the butter and just pour it directly over the turkey.
  • The smoked herb butter is also delicious on potatoes and vegetables in general.
  • For a pretty presentation, place the smooth side of the turkey down when putting it in the foil boat and adding the butter mixture. You’ll want to set it in the smoker just like this as well. 
  • This recipe works for an offset smoker or oven as well. Nothing needs to be adjusted, including the cook temps.

slices of a smoked turkey breast on a bed of fresh herbs and sliced lemons on a white platter

Other Recipes to Smoke on Thanksgiving

Smoked turkey breast is a showstopping twist on the classic holiday main!

Make it this holiday season and enjoy!

Looking for other recipes to smoke on Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Try these:

If you’ve tried this SMOKED TURKEY BREAST, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTERESTFACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

slices of a smoked turkey breast on a bed of fresh herbs and sliced lemons on a white platter

Smoked Turkey Breast With Garlic And Herbs

Smoked turkey breast with garlic and herbs is a twist on the traditional Thanksgiving main you'll love! Full of smoky flavor and buttery herbs, you'll never go back to roasting a turkey after trying this!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Rest Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 371kcal

Equipment

  • aluminum foil
  • Meat Thermometer
  • Blender (optional)
  • Smoker

Ingredients

  • 1 20 oz Turkey Breast
  • 2 sticks Butter 1 cup
  • 3 Sage Sprigs
  • 3 Thyme Sprigs
  • 3 Rosemary Sprigs
  • 1 bulb Garlic peeled
  • 1 tbsp Coarse Salt
  • 1 tbsp Coarsely Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees.
  • Evenly season both sides of the turkey, by sprinkling one seasoning at a time all over the turkey. Start with the salt.
    1 tbsp Coarse Salt, 1 tbsp Coarsely Ground Black Pepper, 1 20 oz Turkey Breast
  • Place on the smoker and cook for about 1 ½ hours or until the turkey hits an internal temperature of 150 degrees.
  • Place the sticks of butter in a small, oven safe dish, along with the fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, and garlic. Place in the smoker, next to your turkey breast, and leave it to smoke, uncovered, until the butter mixture is needed.
    2 sticks Butter, 3 Sage Sprigs, 3 Thyme Sprigs, 3 Rosemary Sprigs, 1 bulb Garlic
  • When the turkey hits 150 degrees, remove it from the smoker and place it in a foil boat.
  • Remove the rosemary and thyme from the butter. Pour the butter mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour over the turkey in the foil boat. Finish wrapping the turkey in the foil.
  • Place the turkey back in the smoker and continue to cook for 15 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 160 degrees, then remove and rest for 15-30 minutes.
  • Slice and serve!

Notes

  • A meat thermometer is crucial when you smoke poultry. It will let you know when the turkey is cooked perfectly.
  • If you pull the sticks from the herbs out of the butter, you can skip blending the butter and just pour it directly over the turkey.
  • The smoked herb butter is also delicious on potatoes and vegetables in general.
  • For a pretty presentation, place the smooth side of the turkey down when putting it in the foil boat and adding the butter mixture. You’ll want to set it in the smoker just like this as well. 
  • This recipe works for an offset smoker or oven as well. Nothing needs to be adjusted, including the cook temps.

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1601mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 1008IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @4sonsrus or tag #4sonsrus!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details.

 

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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