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Smoked turkey tenderloins sliced on a white plate

Smoked Turkey Tenderloins

Learn how to make smoked turkey tenderloins on ANY grill or smoker, whether its a Traeger or Pit Boss pellet grill, a Masterbuilt propane or electric smoker, or just a simple Weber kettle!
Smoked turkey tenderloins are just about the simplest way to make some delicious turkey for a smaller crowd or on weeknight without the fuss of smoking a whole turkey!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Australian, barbecue, BBQ, Holiday, Smoked, Thanksgiving
Servings 6 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

  • Gas Grill, Pellet Grill, or Smoker
  • Wood pellets, chunks, or a pellet tube smoker with pellets or a smoker box with wood chips preferably a fruitwood like apple
  • Paper Towels
  • Cutting Board
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Instant Read and/or Leave in Probe Thermometer
  • Grilling Tongs
  • Heat Resistant Grilling Gloves
  • Slicing Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs Raw Turkey Tenderloins (4) ¾ lb tenderloins, usually there are 2 to a package.
  • Olive Oil
  • A Favorite BBQ rub like Three Little Pigs Kansas City Rub -OR - our BBQ Turkey Rub Below. sugar free so that the rub will not burn

BBQ Turkey Rub

  • 1 tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
  • ½ tablespoon Kosher Salt use more or less to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • teaspoon Cayenne Pepper optional for heat

Instructions
 

  • Light or turn on your smoker, grill or pellet grill and set up the temperature to 275°F. If using a grill, only light a small amount of charcoal or light one or two burners on one side for indirect cooking
    a pit boss pellet grill set from 270 to 275 degrees F

Season

  • Remove the turkey tenderloins form their packaging and rinse with cold running water.
    3 lbs Raw Turkey Tenderloins
    two packages of butterball raw turkey tenderloins
  • Place them on a cutting board and pat dry with paper towels.
    raw turkey tenderloins on a cutting board
  • Gather your favorite BBQ rub or chicken and turkey or mix together the ingredients to the BBQ Turkey Rub above in a small mixing bowl.
    A Favorite BBQ rub like Three Little Pigs Kansas City Rub -OR - our BBQ Turkey Rub Below., 1 tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar, 1 tablespoon Chili Powder, ½ tablespoon Kosher Salt, ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder, ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper, ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, 1 tablespoon Paprika
  • Brush or spray on a thin layer of regular olive oil on each side to help the rub stick.
    Olive Oil
  • Sprinkle the BBQ rub all over the turkey tenderloins on each side.
    seasoned turkey tenderloins

Finish Setting up your Grill or Smoker

  • Add your wood chunks directly to the firebox of a smoker, or use chips in a smoker box, or pellets in a tube smoker or pellet grill.
    a pit boss pellet grill making white smoke preheating
  • Oil the grates well with some more olive oil using a paper towel
  • Once smoke is being produced and the grill or smoker is at 275°F, put your turkey tenderloins on the indirect side and close the lid.
    raw turkey tenderloins placed in a smoker to smoke

Smoking the Turkey Tenderloins

  • Rotate and flip the turkey tenderloins as needed, maybe every 30 minutes, for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the tenderloins has reached 165°F.
    an instant thermometer showing 165 degree internal temperature of a smoked turkey tenderloin
  • Remove the smoked turkey tenderloins from the smoker and place on a cutting board to cool.
    smoked turkey tenderloins on a cutting board

Slicing and Serving

  • Let the smoked turkey tenderloins rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
  • Slice the tenderloins one at a time into 1 inch thick slices and serve immediately while hot.
    smoked turkey tenderloin sliced on a plate

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcal
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