Grilled Pecan-Smoked Turkey Breast with Mesquite Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy turkey breast infused with pecan wood smoke and finished with a sweet and smoky mesquite glaze, perfect for a Texas-inspired BBQ dinner. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 75 minutes pairs boneless turkey breast, mesquite barbecue sauce, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to medium heat, about 350°F. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over the entire surface of the 2 lb boneless turkey breast.
  2. Step 2: Drain the soaked 1 cup pecan wood chips and place them in a smoker box or wrap in foil with holes poked. Position the smoker box on the grill grates to infuse smoke.
  3. Step 3: Place the turkey breast directly over indirect heat on the grill. Cover and smoke for 45 minutes, maintaining a grill temperature of 300-350°F, until an internal temperature of 155°F is reached.
  4. Step 4: Brush 1/2 cup mesquite barbecue sauce generously over the turkey breast and cook for an additional 10 minutes over indirect heat until the glaze is caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove the turkey from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain. Serve warm with extra glaze on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Pecan-Smoked Turkey Breast with Mesquite Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Grilled Pecan-Smoked Turkey Breast with Mesquite Glaze?

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 boneless turkey breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Pecan-Smoked Turkey Breast with Mesquite Glaze?

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 Grilled Pecan-Smoked Turkey Breast with Mesquite Glaze 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 Grilled Pecan-Smoked Turkey Breast with Mesquite Glaze?

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.

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