Custom Smoked Turkey Breast with Herb Citrus Brine
Moist turkey breast slow-smoked over fruitwood after soaking in a fragrant herb citrus brine, perfect for gatherings and celebrations. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 1020 minutes pairs turkey breast (bone-in), gallon water, kosher salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs turkey breast (bone-in)
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 6 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 2 cups fruitwood chips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 gallon water, 1 cup kosher salt, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 4 rosemary sprigs, 4 thyme sprigs, 6 smashed garlic cloves, 1 sliced orange, 1 sliced lemon, and 1 tbsp black peppercorns. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve to make the brine.
- Step 2: Submerge the 4 lb turkey breast in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for 12 hours to overnight for optimal flavor and moisture.
- Step 3: Remove the turkey breast from the brine, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry. Rub 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the skin.
- Step 4: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and soak 2 cups of fruitwood chips in water for 30 minutes.
- Step 5: Place the turkey breast skin side up on the smoker rack, add soaked fruitwood chips to the smoker box, and smoke for approximately 4-5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 6: Remove the turkey breast from the smoker and let rest tented with foil for 20 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Custom Smoked Turkey Breast with Herb Citrus Brine take to make?
Total time is about 1020 minutes (720 min prep + 300 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Custom Smoked Turkey Breast with Herb Citrus Brine?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep turkey breast (bone-in) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Custom Smoked Turkey Breast with Herb Citrus Brine?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Custom Smoked Turkey Breast with Herb Citrus Brine for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Custom Smoked Turkey Breast with Herb Citrus Brine?
American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
