Thanksgiving or Christmas is around the corner and you can’t wait to indulge in a smoked turkey? I feel you! There’s nothing quite like a good roasted turkey. Especially if you have a Butterball turkey on hand, they are so simple to cook.

Table of contents
Butterball Smoked Turkey
Smoking a turkey requires plenty of time but it’s totally worth your patience, as it guarantees a delightful smoky flavor with tender and juicy meat. It This recipe will show you exactly how to prepare a holiday or weeknight dinner that your family will enjoy.

How To Make Butterball Smoked Turkey
Follow the recipe below and get ready to dig into the juiciest turkey ever!
Preparing The Turkey
Step 1: If frozen, take the turkey out of the freezer and place in the fridge for a few days. Thawing should take around 2-3 days before cooking. If fresh, skip to Step 2 on cooking day.
Step 2: Unwrap the turkey and remove the neck, giblets (and wingtips if you wish)
Step 3: Pat meat dry with clean paper towels
Step 4: Introduce your flavors. Depending on your personal preferences, you may choose to marinate or dry rub
To marinate, add previously prepared marinade to a meat injector and inject at various points – the turkey breast, thighs, wings, and legs
To apply the dry rub, spread some butter all over the turkey and rub the dry spices all over. The butter makes the spices stick to the meat.
Preparing The Smoker
Step 1: Pick your wood, I recommend light flavors like applewood or Cherrywood for turkey as it complements the flavor.
Step 2: Pre-heat smoker between 225-250° F for 10-15 mins
Smoking The Butterball Turkey
Step 1: Brush skin with oil, place the turkey breast side up on the smoker, to get that crispy skin. Put oven-safe meat thermometer into turkey thigh
Step 2: Cover the smoker and close the vents a quarter of the way
Step 3: Check your turkey temperature after 3-4 hours and three-quarters of the smoke time. At the first and second temperature checks, the turkey temperature should reach 140° F and 165° F, respectively. Your turkey is fully cooked if it reaches an internal temperature of 175°– 180° F in the thigh and 170° F in the breast. Note the Butterball turkeys don’t have a pop-up timer that lets you know when it’s cooked.
Step 4: Turn everything off and allow the finished turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes
Step 5: Serve up with your favorite sides, I have listed some of the ones I usually cook to go alongside below.
Sides To Try
Below are a list of the sides I like to whip up for smoked turkey. We all know the bird is the centrepiece but the sides are just as good
More Turkey Recipes
If you wondering how to smoke a turkey on an electric smoker then here is the perfect recipe, Or if you use a Pit Boss, you have to try my Pit Boss smoked turkey recipe, they both ensure you end up with moist, juicy turkey.
Got Leftovers?
Wondering how long will a smoked turkey last in the fridge? Leftover smoked turkey can last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Just make sure you covered it or put it in a sealed container.

Butterball Smoked Turkey Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Smoker
Ingredients
- 8-12 lbs Whole Butterball Turkey Frozen, or Fresh Turkey (8 – 12 lbs.)
- 2 tbsp Dry Rub
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Cooking Oil
Instructions
- Note: Butterball Turkeys are usually pre-brined. For this reason, do not add salt to your marinade or dry rub. If you still want to brine your turkey, follow simple brine recipes before applying a marinade or dry rub. They have some great tips on smoking it here.
- If frozen, take the turkey out of the freezer and placing it in the fridge for a few days.
- Unwrap the turkey and remove the neck, giblets (and wingtips if you wish)
- To apply the dry rub, spread some butter all over the turkey and rub the dry spices all over. The butter makes the spices stick to the meat.
- Picking your wood, I recommend light flavors like applewood or Cherrywood for turkey as it complements the flavor.
- Pre-heat smoker between 225-250° F for 10-15 mins
- Brush skin with oil, place the turkey breast side up on the smoker, to get that crispy skin. Put oven-safe meat thermometer into turkey thigh
- Cover the smoker and close the vents a quarter of the way
- Check your turkey temperature after 3-4 hours and three-quarters of the smoke time. At the first and second temperature checks, the turkey temperature should reach 140° F and 165° F, respectively. Your turkey is fully cooked if it reaches an internal temperature of 175°– 180° F in the thigh and 170° F in the breast. Note the Butterball turkeys don't have a pop-up timer that lets you know when it's cooked.
- Turn everything off and allow the finished turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes
- Serve with your favorite sides
When your read to enjoy the rich smoky flavor a Butterball turkey, pick one up and enjoy the flavors of your [perfectly smoked bird from my recipe
Smoke On!
Charlie

Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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