Pellet Smoked Turkey Breast with Citrus and Herb Brine
Moist turkey breast enhanced by a citrus and herb brine, gently smoked on a pellet grill for a flavorful, tender finish. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 990 minutes pairs pounds turkey breast (bone-in, skin-on), gallon water, kosher salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, 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
- 5 pounds turkey breast (bone-in, skin-on)
- 1 gallon water
- 3/4 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 whole orange, sliced
- 1 whole lemon, sliced
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary sprigs
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 cups apple wood pellets
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 gallon water, 3/4 cup kosher salt, and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Heat gently, stirring until salt and sugar dissolve, then cool completely.
- Step 2: Add 1 sliced orange, 1 sliced lemon, 4 sprigs rosemary, 4 sprigs thyme, 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, and 4 smashed garlic cloves to the brine.
- Step 3: Submerge the 5-pound turkey breast in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for 12 hours.
- Step 4: Remove turkey from brine, rinse under cold water, and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Step 5: Preheat pellet smoker to 250°F and add 2 cups apple wood pellets for smoke.
- Step 6: Place turkey breast skin-side up on the smoker rack and smoke until internal temperature reaches 160°F, approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.
- Step 7: Remove turkey, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 20 minutes before slicing to serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pellet Smoked Turkey Breast with Citrus and Herb Brine take to make?
Total time is about 990 minutes (780 min prep + 210 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 Pellet Smoked Turkey Breast with Citrus and Herb 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 gallon water from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pellet Smoked Turkey Breast with Citrus and Herb 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 Pellet Smoked Turkey Breast with Citrus and Herb Brine for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Pellet Smoked Turkey Breast with Citrus and Herb 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.
