Traeger Turkey Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey (12-15 lbs)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 lemons, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Remove turkey from packaging and pat dry inside and out.
- Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, and cayenne.
- Rub olive oil all over turkey, then season with spice mixture.
- Place lemons, onion, garlic, and herbs inside the cavity.
- Rub softened butter under the skin and over the outside.
- Let turkey rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Preheat Traeger to 325°F with apple wood pellets.
- Place turkey breast-side up on the grill grate.
- Smoke for 3-4 hours until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove from grill and let rest for 30 minutes before carving.
Special Notes
This Traeger turkey recipe creates a perfectly smoked bird with incredible flavor and moist, tender meat. The combination of herbs and spices creates a beautiful crust while the smoke adds depth of flavor. The key is to maintain a consistent temperature and monitor the internal temperature carefully. The apple wood pellets provide a mild, sweet smoke that complements the turkey perfectly. This method produces a turkey that's both flavorful and juicy, perfect for holiday meals or special occasions. Save the drippings for making gravy.