325°, butter, and a probe in the breast
Apple-wood holiday turkey
3–4.5 hr · Apple or maple
Poultry · 12–16 lb bird
Whole turkey
Pellet grills make calm, even holiday birds. Spatchcock if the oven of record is also busy.
Internal target
160°
Breast done
90°Probe220°
- Pit
- 300–350°
- Time
- 3–4.5 hr
- Rest
- 30–40 min
- USDA
- 165°
Roast
~15 min/lb
Safety floor
Breast 165°F. Thigh 175–180°F. Pull the breast a few degrees early for carryover.
Watch it cooked
HowToBBQRight · Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
HowToBBQRight
Recipes
How to cook it
- 1
Dry-brine 24–48 hours. Air-dry in the fridge overnight for skin.
- 2
325°F. Spatchcock to even the breast and thighs.
- 3
Pull at 160°F breast. Rest 30+ minutes, tented loosely — not steamed in foil.
Probe & cues
Thickest breast and inner thigh. Two probes if you have them.
- Breast 160°F, thigh 175°F+
- Legs loose, not fighting you
Start a cook
Logs the target and runs a pit timer. Saved on this device.