Traeger Smoked Turkey Breast Without Brine

I may be a little biased (of course), but I truly believe this is the best smoked turkey breast recipe ever.  It comes out so tender, juicy and full of flavor without brining.  I recommend using my Homemade All-Purpose Seasoning Blend that makes a great poultry dry rub. If you love tender white meat, try these Turkey Tenderloins made in the air fryer or make some Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins for a small crowd or weeknight dinner.

This pellet grill turkey is an easy smoker recipe for beginners and experts alike and is ready to eat in under 3 hours.  Between the seasoning and gentle smoke flavors infused in the meat, your turkey dinner will be incredible, especially if it is served with homemade sugar-free Cranberry Jam and some cheesy Cheddar Drop Biscuits. And, while you have the smoker going, impress your guests with some Smoked Stuffed Mushrooms.

I used a boneless breast to make this low-carb turkey recipe, but you can also use bone-in. Boneless breasts are easy to slice and take less time to cook, which I really like.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• So easy – it’s an easy, impressive main dish that everyone will love
• No brine turkey – no brining is needed for tender, moist turkey breast
• Takes less time than a whole bird – smoking time is far less than cooking a whole turkey, with very little hands-on time
• Tender with delicate flavor – the white meat is tender, juicy and delicious, with a nice subtle smoke flavor
• Only 3 ingredients – it’s a simple pellet smoker turkey recipe with only 3 ingredients

Why cook a smoked boneless turkey breast instead of a whole turkey?

While a whole bird is a thing of beauty on a holiday table, it can be a lot of work and a lot of leftovers, especially for a small holiday gathering.  Cooking a turkey breast is faster, takes up less room in the fridge, thaws faster and leaves you with fewer leftovers.

For those of us who love white meat, this is a great option.  It’s lean, healthy and so, so good.

To brine or not to brine

I used an un-brined boneless, skin-on turkey breast and find that brining is not necessary to cook the most tender and flavorful breast on the smoker.

Many stores sell pre-brined breasts.  If the ingredient label includes salt, then it already contains brine.  However, the choice to brine or not is completely up to you.  Some people choose to brine even if it’s been pre-brined. I find it’s not necessary, takes up a lot of extra space and is extra work.  If you’re watching your sodium intake or are on a low-sodium diet, then avoiding brine is probably a good idea because the meat will retain salt from soaking.

Ingredients

Just a few ingredients are all you need:

• Boneless or bone-in turkey breast – either work with this recipe.  Boneless will cook faster than bone-in.
• Poultry rub – I like to use my all-purpose spice blend because it’s a perfect poultry seasoning, but you can use any seasoning you like
• Butter – helps the spices adhere to the surface and creates magnificent buttery turkey

Instructions

Pre-heat the smoker on the 'smoke' setting, which on a Traeger ranges 150°F – 170°F.

• Leave the breast in the netting to cook. It helps hold the breast together as it cooks.
• Pat the breast dry. It helps the butter and seasonings adhere much better. Be sure to pat dry the entire surface.

• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter
• Brush the melted butter onto entire surface of the breast

Food safety tip: If re-using the same brush to baste before cooking and during the smoking process, it's best to store it in the refrigerator between uses to minimize bacterial growth.

TIP: You may not need all 6 tablespoons of butter for basting, depending on the size of your breast.

How long to smoke a turkey breast

Average time for smoking is about 35 minutes per pound.  This recipe used a 4 pound boneless breast and it took 2.25 hours on the smoker.

Variations

• Use olive oil instead of butter – perfect non-dairy option
• Try using different pellets – pellet choice will change the smoke flavor.  Milder is better. I used a Traeger Hickory, Maple, Cherry pellet blend.
• BBQ flavors – if you want traditional BBQ flavors for your turkey rub, try my Keto Seasoning for BBQ or my Low-FODMAP BBQ Rub, which add a deep, rich BBQ flavor
• Coffee rub – for a phenomenal savory smoky flavor, try this Coffee Rub Recipe
• Dry brine overnight – allowing the seasonings to set on the breast overnight will infuse the meat with aromatics, creating more flavor.  Simply cover the meat with the dry rub and store in a sealed container or on a baking sheet covered in plastic wrap or foil overnight in the refrigerator.

How long do turkey leftovers last in the fridge?

Store up to 3 days in the fridge in a tightly sealed container or consider freezing.

Can you freeze turkey leftovers?

Yes, absolutely.  This is one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving leftovers.  Turkey freezes very well in freezer bags or tightly sealed, freezer-safe storage containers.  Leftovers should keep well frozen for up to 6 months.

What to serve with smoked turkey breast

Try these smoked turkey side dishes:

• Cranberry – cranberries and turkey were meant to be together. Replace cranberry sauce with this amazing Cranberry Jam and you'll have a new go-to favorite. Use it to make delicious turkey cranberry sandwiches with the leftovers.
• Use a dipping sauce – make creamy zesty Horseradish Mustard Sauce, or serve up with some tangy Blueberry BBQ Sauce
• Biscuits and dinner rolls – cheesy, savory Low-carb Cheddar Drop Biscuits or Pull-Apart Rolls are perfect pairings
• Salad – add crisp, fresh greens with a Kale BLT Salad, savory Fattoush Salad or Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
• Brussels sprouts – serve with some Stovetop Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Maple and Rosemary to complement the smoky flavors
• Low-carb alternatives to potatoes – make crispy Herb Roasted Rutabagas or low-carb, buttery Homemade Colcannon - it's the best mashed potato substitute!

FAQ

More smoker recipes