How to Cook the Perfect Traeger Turkey Breast: A Herb-Encrusted, Smoke-Roasted Delight

The recipe from Traeger for a herb-encrusted, smoke-roasted turkey breast is an excellent choice for a flavorful and moist turkey dish. This recipe takes advantage of a salt and brown sugar brine to enhance the turkey's juiciness, followed by a rub of herbed butter for a rich and aromatic crust. The entire process, including preparation and cooking, takes about 3 hours.

Ingredients:

• Brine:

  • 1 (6-7 lb) bone-in, skin-on turkey breast
  • 1 gallon + 1 cup water
  • 3/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar

• Herb Butter:

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, sage, rosemary, marjoram, and/or oregano), plus more for garnish
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

1. Brining:

   • Remove excess fat from the turkey breast.
   • Combine 1 gallon of water, salt, and brown sugar in a large stockpot. Stir until dissolved.
   • Add the turkey breast to the brine and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. Weigh down with a bag of ice if needed.
   • After brining, remove the turkey and pat dry, discarding the brine. Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a shallow pan, adding the remaining cup of water to the pan.

2. Preparation:

   • Preheat the Traeger grill to 325℉, lid closed for 15 minutes.
   • Make the herb butter by mixing butter, herbs, garlic, lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper.
   • Loosen the skin over the turkey breast and spread 2 tablespoons of the herb butter under the skin. Brush the remaining melted butter over the outside of the turkey.

3. Roasting:

   • Insert a meat probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast.
   • Place the turkey on the grill grates, close the lid, and roast until the internal temperature reaches 165℉, approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, basting with butter after 1.5 hours.
   • Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Smoking and Roasting Turkey Breast

Smoking and roasting a turkey breast on a pellet grill can elevate your holiday meals with rich, smoky flavors and a tender, juicy texture. This culinary technique combines the deep, flavorful smoke of a wood-fired grill with the precise, even heat of roasting, resulting in a perfectly cooked turkey breast.

Brining for Moisture and Flavor

Brining is a crucial first step in preparing a smoked turkey breast. A mixture of kosher salt and brown sugar dissolved in water creates a brine that infuses the turkey with moisture and flavor. Soaking the turkey breast in this brine for several hours, or overnight, ensures that the meat remains juicy and flavorful, even after hours on the grill.

Creating the Perfect Herb Butter

The herb butter mixture is what sets this recipe apart. Fresh herbs like parsley, sage, rosemary, marjoram, and oregano, combined with garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice, create a fragrant and savory butter that infuses the turkey with rich flavors. Applying this butter under the skin of the turkey breast ensures that every bite is seasoned to perfection.

The Smoking and Roasting Process

Using a pellet grill like the Traeger, you can achieve a perfect balance of smoke and heat. Preheating the grill to 325℉ and roasting the turkey breast until it reaches an internal temperature of 165℉ ensures that the meat is fully cooked while retaining its juiciness. Basting with the remaining herb butter during the cooking process adds an extra layer of flavor and helps to brown the skin beautifully.

Resting and Serving

Allowing the turkey breast to rest for 15 minutes after removing it from the grill is essential. This resting period lets the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it easier to carve and ensuring that each slice is moist and tender.

By following these steps, you can create a delicious, herb-encrusted, smoke-roasted turkey breast that will be the star of your holiday table. Whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress your guests with its rich flavors and succulent texture.