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    Home » Traeger Recipes

    Published: Jul 8, 2022 · Modified: Sep 16, 2023 by Mads Martigan · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast on a Traeger Pellet Grill

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Learn how to smoke a boneless turkey breast roast on a Traeger pellet grill, and why it is one of easiest, and most delicious, ways to smoke turkey!

    We take you step-by-step through preparing your boneless turkey breast, setting up your Traeger for the cook, and smoking your turkey to perfection.

    turkey breast roast on the grates of a traeger pellet grill

    We love smoking turkey around here.

    We've previously done our classic Pellet Grill Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey, a full Bone-in Smoked Turkey Breast, an Electric Smoker Turkey, as well as the juicy and fast cooking Spatchcocked Turkey on a Pellet Grill.

    And for some extra fun who could forget our caveman style Easy Smoked Turkey Legs and the ever popular Trash Can Turkey.

    Yes, you read that right.  A whole turkey cooked in a metal trash can in under 2 hours.  You've got to check that one out!

    But we thought, when you are just in the mood for some good turkey on a busy weeknight, what could be simpler than a smoked boneless turkey breast right on our trusty Traeger pellet grill?

    So let's get started!

     

    How to Prepare a Boneless Turkey Breast for the Traeger Pellet Grill

    Remove Packaging and Season

    a raw boneless turkey breast on a cutting board

    Open up the packaging and remove any giblet bags, gravy starter packets, or any other items that may be packed in with the boneless turkey breast roast.

    Don't remove any cooking twine or netting around the raw boneless turkey breast as this will help the turkey initially hold its shape while it smokes on the Traeger.

    Because there is not that much skin on a boneless turkey breast, we are not going to mess with any dry brining like we might with a whole turkey or a whole chicken where we are trying to get crispy skin.

    We are going to simply coat the outside of the boneless turkey breast with one of our favorite BBQ rubs.

    seasoning a raw boneless turkey breast

    If you are having a hard time getting your BBQ rub to adhere, use a little bit of cooking oil such as regular olive oil to help it stick.

     

    The Best Rub for a Traeger Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast

    We have a great BBQ Rub Recipe from scratch in the recipe card at the bottom of the article, but if you want something easy right off the shelf, check out Three Little Pigs Kansas City Championship BBQ Rub.

    a bottle of three little pigs bbq seasoning

    It's got a great flavor of not only typical BBQ seasonings but also onion, garlic, and even a little cayenne for some heat.

    We love it on turkey...and chicken too!

    Three Little Pigs Kansas City Championship BBQ Rub LARGE 12.5 Oz
    Check Price on Amazon

     

    The Best Wood Pellets for Smoking a Boneless Turkey Breast on a Traeger Pellet Grill

    You will need to take a minute to think about what type of pellets you want to use to smoke the boneless turkey breast on the Traeger.

    pellets in a bucket

    Straight mesquite and hickory will give a very aggressive smoke flavor on turkey and should be used only in small amounts mixed in with another type of pellet.

    We suggest going for a milder smoke flavor by choosing oak or fruitwood pellets.

    We especially like applewood pellets on turkey.

    Pecan, apple, beech, alder, and cherry will all give great results.

    Traeger Grills Apple 100% All-Natural Wood Pellets for Smokers and Pellet Grills, 20 lb. Bag
    • NOT ALL PELLETS ARE CREATED EQUAL: The best wood-fired grill on the market demands the best wood pellets on the market. Real taste doesnt just happen, it’s tied to quality materials and achieving perfect smoke; It starts with all-natural hardwood pellets made in American mi
    Check Price on Amazon

    For fun, you can choose your woods seasonally, using beech and cherry in spring and summer and pecan and apple into the fall and winter.

    Also. there is no reason you can't mix a few different kinds together in your Traeger!

    For the best results, store your unused pellets in a sealed room temperature container like this 20 lb pellet container rather than in the Traeger hopper outside.

    Traeger pellets do not last forever, but will definitely last a LOT longer if stored indoors in a quality airtight container.

    Oklahoma Joe's Pellet Bucket Kit, Black
    • Store up to 20 pounds of hardwood pellets in the heavy-duty plastic pellet bucket.
    • Weatherproof, airtight lid protects pellets from the elements, keeping them fresh and dry
    • Wire-mesh filter separates wood dust from the pellets for a clean burn
    • Heavy-duty plastic scoop to easily transfer pellets
    Check Price on Amazon

     

    How a Traeger Pellet Grill Works

    the traeger ironwood 885

    In order to cook ANYTHING well on a Traeger pellet grill, you need to first have a basic understanding of how a pellet grill works.

    ***Completely New to Using a Traeger Pellet Grill?  No Worries!****

    We've previously covered how to start a Traeger, how to season a Traeger, how to change the pellets in a Traeger, amd even how to troubleshoot a Traeger that won't ignite.

    We also recently compared our two favorite Traeger models head to head if you're in the market for a new Traeger or to upgrade your old one.

    Or hop over and check out this Complete Guide to Understanding How a Pellet Grill Works first if you are interested in learning more.

    Otherwise, if you already know your Traeger inside and out, skip down to the recipe below!

     

    Add the Hardwood Pellets

    First, you add hardwood pellets into the side hopper.

    The Traeger pellet grill automatically feeds these small wood pellets via an auger mechanism to a fire pot where they are burned up, providing both heat and smoky flavor.

    The pellet grill automatically controls the flow of pellets depending on your temperature setting so that you maintain an even temperature throughout the entire cook.

     

    How to Start Up the Traeger

    There is a specific start up process for the Traeger brand pellet grills you can read all about in depth here if you aren't sure how to fire it up the first time.

    Otherwise, here is the basic process for how to start a Traeger before throwing on your food:

    • Plug in the grill.
    • Flip the power switch to ON and turn the dial to "Smoke".
    • You will hear the fan kick on and the auger start to move and begin to kick pellets into the fire pot.  Your fire rod will begin to heat up as well.
    • Leave the lid open for about 5-7 minutes until you start to see white billowing smoke come out of the grill.  This happens when the pellets are first igniting.
    • Once a smoke is being produced, close the lid and change the temperature dial to your desired temperature setting.
    • Allow about 10-15 minutes to preheat the grill.
    • While you are waiting, make sure you've got the drip pan in place and the grease bucket hanging to catch any grease that comes out during the cook.  Use a grease bucket liner to minimize cleanup later.
    • Put your grates on if they aren't already in place.
    • Using a good bristle free grill brush, clean off the grill grates if there is any leftover stuck on food from the last cook.
    • When the pellet grill comes up to temperature go ahead and put on your food!

    Why Bristle Free Grill Brushes? 

    Check out our Ultimate Guide to How to Keep your Family Safe by using ONLY Bristle Free Grill Brushes, along with a selection of some of our favorites!

    Grill Brush and Scraper Bristle Free – Safe BBQ Brush 18'' Stainless Grill Grate Cleaner
    Check Price on Amazon

     

    How to Smoke a Boneless Turkey Breast on a Traeger Pellet Grill

    a boneless turkey breast smoking on a traeger pellet grill

     

    What Temperature do you Smoke a Boneless Turkey Breast on a Traeger Pellet Grill?

    Set the Traeger temperature to 250°F, and let the grill come up to temperature.

    If you used a rub or seasoning combination with NO sugar, feel free to bump the temperature to 300°F or even 325°F if you are crunched for time.

    a raw boneless turkey breast placed on a traeger pellet grill to smoke

    Because we want to impart as much smoky flavor as possible and also keep our Three Little Pigs Rub from burning, we are opting for a lower and slower cooking temperature.

     

    How Long Does it Take to Smoke a Boneless Turkey Breast Roast on a Traeger?

    Put your boneless turkey breast roast in the cooking chamber and let the Traeger do its thing!

    Place a temperature probe, if you have one, in the center of the boneless turkey breast.

    a leave in temperature probe placed in a boneless turkey breast smoking on a traeger pellet grill

    Otherwise, you can spot check later with an instant read thermometer.

    Always use good insulated grilling gloves when rotating or moving the turkey around.

    Pro Tip: We like combining insulated cloth liner gloves with black BBQ disposable gloves over them much like the BBQ competition cooks use to protect their hands and limit constant hand washing or fumbling with BBQ tongs and spatulas when handling big roasts or briskets in their smokers.

    GLOVEWORKS Industrial Black Nitrile Gloves, Box of 100, 5 Mil, Size X-Large, Latex Free, Powder Free, Textured, Disposable, GPNB48100-BX
    • GLOVEWORKS Industrial Black Nitrile Gloves are constructed from medium-weight 5-mil nitrile. They measure 9.5 inches from fingertip to cuff.
    • Nitrile industrial gloves are textured for enhanced grip. They offer excellent comfort and tactile sensitivity as well as strong barrier protection.
    • Latex-free industrial gloves are ideal for those allergic to natural rubber.
    Check Price on Amazon

    You can rotate and flip the boneless turkey breast over during the cook so that it smokes and cooks evenly in the Traeger.

    Even though the Traeger provides INDIRECT heat like an oven, we find there is still increased heat coming from the bottom, even at lower smoking temperatures, which tends to cook that side of the meat faster than the top.

    So it's always good practice to occasionally rotate and flip whatever you are smoking in your Traeger when you can.

    A 3 lb boneless turkey breast roast will take about 3 hours to smoke on a Traeger pellet grill at 250°F. 

    Again, you can raise the temperature up to 300°F if you don't want as much smoke flavor or want to be finished faster.

    Keep the lid closed as much as possible when you aren't rotating or flipping, and use the temperature probes to tell you when the turkey is close to done.

     

    Remove the Netting

    Pro Tip: Take a minute to remove the cooking twine or netting on the turkey breast when it is about halfway finished cooking.

    We found it much easier to remove it at this point vs. waiting until the turkey breast was fully cooked and the twine became more stuck to the meat.

    If some seasoning comes off with it, simply sprinkle some more on and then place the turkey back on the Traeger.

    At this point halfway through the cook, the boneless turkey breast should be cooked enough to hold its shape without the need for the netting any longer.

     

    How Do You Know When a Boneless Turkey Breast is Done Smoking on a Traeger?

    You'll want to monitor the internal temperature of the turkey breast roast as it cooks on the Traeger for doneness.

    Your Traeger smoked boneless turkey breast is ready to eat when it hits an internal temperature of 165°F on your instant read thermometer.

    checking the temperature of a smoked boneless turkey breast on a traeger pellet grill

    If you don't yet own an instant read thermometer, it's going to be hard to really know exactly when that turkey is done cooking on the pellet grill.

    One of our go-to and very affordable favorites is this affordable one from ThermoPro.

    ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking with Ambidextrous Backlit and Motion Sensing Kitchen Cooking Food Thermometer for BBQ Grill Smoker Oil Fry Candy Instant Read Thermometer
    • 2.0 inches large auto-rotating backlit display: Meat thermometers for grilling has a 180° auto-rotating backlit display, making this kitchen thermometer perfect for left-hand users and allows you to use it in low light conditions
    Check Price on Amazon

    If you prefer a leave-in thermometer you can just monitor from your phone while visiting with guests or doing other stuff, then check out our newest favorite, the MEATER leave in thermometer.

    It is extremely accurate and has an incredible 165 foot bluetooth range and works right with your smartphone so you don't need to carry a separate controller around with you like many other remote thermometers require.

    It's got a great free app that is constantly being updated and even has an algorithm to predict how much longer your type of meat will take to cook based on cooking temperature, target temperature, and current internal temperature.

    It's like a GPS for your meat!

    MEATER Plus | 165ft Long Range Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer with Bluetooth for The Oven, Grill, Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker, Sous Vide, Rotisserie
    • ► 2 Sensors, 1 Probe: Dual temperature sensors can monitor internal meat temperature up to 212°F and ambient / external temperature up to 527°F simultaneously. Dishwasher safe.
    • ► Advanced Estimator Algorithm: Can estimate how long to cook and rest your food to help plan your meal and manage your time.
    • ► Connectivity Suite: Monitor your cook from a phone or tablet over Bluetooth. Extend your range Using MEATER Link WiFi and MEATER Cloud to use Alexa and monitor your cook from a computer.
    Check Price on Amazon

    Anyways, back to our smoked boneless turkey roast...

     

    Carving and Serving a Traeger Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast

    Let the smoked boneless turkey breast rest for about 15 minutes before carving and serving so that the juice stays in the meat where you want it.

    a traeger smoked boneless turkey breast being sliced in half

    Carefully remove the cooking twine or netting from the turkey if you didn't already before slicing and serving.

    Slice the smoked turkey using a good meat slicing knife like our favorite from Mairico.

    Make sure to cut in nice thick slices and only slice as much as you are serving at once to keep the rest of the meat from drying out.

    a traeger smoked boneless turkey breast sliced up

    Always store any unserved boneless turkey breast in its whole form to reheat later.

    Smoked boneless turkey breast is great on its own with a little gravy, or you can pair it with our smoked twice baked potatoes and smoked green beans for a full meal prepared right on the Traeger!

    Smoked broccoli, smoked asparagus, smoked carrots, and even smoked cauliflower are great if you're eating healthy.

    If you want something a little richer, check out our Sticky Smoked Sweet Potatoes or maybe some Smoked Mac and Cheese or Traeger Smoked Baked Beans done in a cast iron skillet to cook and serve alongside your Traeger smoked boneless turkey breast.

    And of course for dessert...smoked peach cobbler, smoked chocolate chip cookies, or smoked apple pie!

    Enjoy!

    MAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium 11-inch Stainless Steel Carving Knife - Ergonomic Design - Best for Slicing Roasts, Meats, Fruits and Vegetables
    • IMPECCABLE PERFORMANCE: The long, ultra sharp blade is engineered to deliver highly precise cuts with minimal effort.
    • PROFESSIONAL DESIGN, SUPERB QUALITY: Most desirable length by professionals. Sharp blade with premium stainless steel engineered to excel on all cuts of meats, including big roasts. It is also designed to last.
    Check Price on Amazon

     

    📖 Recipe

    boneless turkey breast roast on a traeger pellet grill

    Traeger Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast

    Learn how to smoke a boneless turkey breast roast using a Traeger pellet grill, and why it is one of easiest, and most delicious, ways to smoke turkey!
    We take you step-by-step through preparing your boneless turkey breast, setting up your Traeger for the cook, and smoking your turkey to perfection.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Australian, barbecue, BBQ, Holiday, Smoked, Thanksgiving
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 350 kcal

    Equipment

    • Traeger Pellet Grill
    • Wood Pellets preferably apple or another fruitwood
    • Large Cutting Board
    • Internal Meat Thermometers
    • Kitchen Shears to remove netting
    • Carving Knife
    • Insulated BBQ Gloves

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 3 lb Boneless Turkey Breast Roast thawed
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • Your Favorite BBQ rub or our "In a Pinch BBQ Rub" below

    In a Pinch BBQ Rub

    • 2 tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Paprika
    • 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
    • ½ tablespoon Chili Powder
    • ½ tablespoon Garlic Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Course Ground Black Pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper optional

    Instructions
     

    Prepare the Boneless Turkey Breast

    • Remove the boneless turkey breast from its packaging and set aside any gravy packets or giblet bags included.
      1 3 lb Boneless Turkey Breast Roast
      a raw boneless turkey breast on a cutting board
    • Clean, rinse, and pat dry the boneless turkey breast roast well with paper towels.
    • Do not remove any twine or netting that is in place around the turkey.
    • Brush a thin layer of olive oil all around the turkey breast to help the seasoning stick.
      1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • Mix together the In a Pinch BBQ Rub ingredients together and apply some to all sides of the turkey. Or use your favorite BBQ rub for turkey.
      Your Favorite BBQ rub or our "In a Pinch BBQ Rub" below, 2 tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar, 1 tablespoon Paprika, 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt, 1 teaspoon Course Ground Black Pepper, ½ tablespoon Chili Powder, ½ tablespoon Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
      seasoning a raw boneless turkey breast

    Start the Traeger Pellet Grill

    • Remove the fire pot from the bottom of the Traeger and clean out any ashes left over from the last cook. Replace it and make sure it is secured in place with the clips on either side.
    • Load the hopper of the Traeger with your chosen wood pellets.
    • Turn on the Traeger and move the dial to the "Smoke" setting.
    • Leave the lid open for 5-7 minutes until you start seeing white billowing smoke stop coming out of the grill. This means the initial pellets are now ignited.
      smoke coming out when seasoning a traeger pellet grill
    • Place a disposable bucket liner in the grease bucket as well if you want to limit cleanup later.
    • Set the temperature on the control panel to 250° and close the lid.

    Smoking the Boneless Turkey Breast on the Traeger Pellet Grill

    • Position your seasoned boneless turkey breast on the oiled grates of the Traeger.
      a raw boneless turkey breast placed on a traeger pellet grill to smoke
    • Place an internal temperature probe if you have one into the center of the roast.
      a leave in temperature probe placed in a boneless turkey breast smoking on a traeger pellet grill
    • Close the lid. Rotate and flip occasionally for even cooking. This will take about 3 hours total.
      a boneless turkey breast smoking on a traeger pellet grill
    • After about 1.5 hours of smoking on the Traeger, use a pair of kitchen shears to remove the netting on the boneless turkey breast roast. Apply more oil and rub if needed.
    • When the internal temperature at the center of the boneless turkey breast has reached 165°F, carefully remove the turkey from the Traeger.
      checking the temperature of a smoked boneless turkey breast on a traeger pellet grill

    Rest and Carve

    • Let the turkey rest for 15-20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to distribute.
      a traeger smoked boneless turkey breast on a cutting board
    • Carve, plate, and serve immediately.
      a traeger smoked boneless turkey breast sliced up

    Nutrition

    Calories: 350kcal
    Keyword barbecue boneless turkey breast, boneless turkey breast on a smoker, pellet grill, Pellet Grill Boneless Turkey Breast, Pellet Grill Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast, Traeger Recipes, Traeger Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast, Traeger Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast Roast, Traeger Smoked Turkey Breast, Traeger Smoked Turkey Breast Roast, Traeger Turkey Breast, Traeger Turkey Roast
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

     

    More Traeger Recipes

    • turkey breast cooked on a pellet grill on a metal rack set over a cutting board
      Smoked Turkey Breast on a Pellet Grill
    • traeger smoked mac and cheese
      How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese on a Traeger Pellet Grill
    • corn smoking on the grate of a treager pellet grill
      Smoked Corn on the Cob on a Traeger Pellet Grill
    • Baked beans in a cast iron skillet on the grates of a Traeger pellet grill
      Smoked Baked Beans on a Traeger Pellet Grill

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Daren P. says

      September 25, 2022 at 7:15 am

      5 stars
      Came out really good mate, thanks for posting.

    2. Mads Martigan says

      September 25, 2022 at 7:17 am

      Thanks for reading!

    Leave a Reply

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    Recipe Rating




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    Robert "Mads" Martigan, the founder of Mad Backyard

    Hi, I'm Mads, the founder of Mad Backyard and an avid outdoorsman, barbecue/smoker buff, and pellet grilling enthusiast who loves to share my passion for outdoor living and outdoor cooking with the world.

    More about me →

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