Traeger roasted turkey breast is a simple and flavorful way to prepare tender, well-seasoned turkey on a pellet grill or smoker without heating up the kitchen.
If you enjoy smoked turkey, this Traeger roasted turkey breast is an excellent recipe to keep on hand. It is easy enough for a weekend meal, but it also works beautifully when you want cooked turkey ready for sandwiches, quick dinners, or meal prep during the week. Cooking a turkey breast on a Traeger gives the meat a delicious smoky flavor while keeping the process straightforward and low-stress.
This recipe uses a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast and a homemade dry rub spice mix. The rub adds a savory, slightly sweet, and gently spicy flavor to the outside of the turkey. As the turkey breast cooks slowly on the grill, the seasoning develops into a flavorful crust while the inside stays juicy and tender. The best part is that the smoker does most of the work, so you can enjoy a delicious roasted turkey breast without turning on the oven.
How To Make A Traeger Roasted Turkey Breast
Begin with an approximately 4.5 to 5 pound bone-in turkey breast. Rinse the turkey breast, then pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels. Drying the surface helps the spice rub stick better and allows the skin to roast more evenly on the grill.
Make The Spice Rub Mix In Under 5 Minutes
The dry rub for this Traeger turkey breast comes together quickly with pantry spices. It includes brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and dry ground mustard. The combination creates a balanced seasoning that works well with turkey and other smoked meats.
Mix the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl until fully combined. Sprinkle the seasoning generously over the entire turkey breast, including the sides and the cavity area if desired. Use your hands to gently rub the seasoning into the surface so it coats the turkey evenly. This recipe makes more dry rub than you will need for one turkey breast, so store the extra spice mix in a covered container for another grilling project.
Cooking The Traeger Roasted Turkey Breast
Turn the Traeger to the smoke setting with the lid open. After about 4 to 5 minutes, you should see plenty of smoke coming from the grill, which means the pellets have ignited. Set the temperature to 325°F and close the lid. Allow the Traeger to preheat for about 15 minutes.
A helpful time-saving tip is to prepare the turkey breast and mix the dry rub while the grill is preheating. Once the Traeger is ready, place the seasoned turkey breast directly on the grill grate. Close the lid and cook for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Cooking time may vary depending on the exact size and thickness of the turkey breast, so use the time as a guide rather than a strict rule. The most reliable way to know when the turkey is ready is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
How To Know When The Turkey Breast Is Done
Insert a temperature probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast. When the internal temperature reaches 165°F, remove the turkey breast from the grill. Transfer it to a cutting board and let it rest for about 15 minutes before slicing.
Resting is an important step because it gives the juices time to redistribute through the meat. If you slice the turkey immediately after cooking, more of the juices may run out onto the cutting board. A short resting time helps keep the turkey breast moist, tender, and easier to slice.
After the turkey has rested, slice it and serve. The finished turkey breast is juicy, smoky, and full of flavor from the dry rub and pellet grill cooking method. It is delicious as a main dish and also makes excellent leftovers for sandwiches or simple dinners later in the week. If you have extra turkey, you can freeze a portion for another meal.
More Traeger Recipe Ideas
If you enjoy cooking on a Traeger or pellet grill, this roasted turkey breast is a great recipe to add to your regular rotation. The same style of cooking works well for other meats, vegetables, and even desserts. Once you are comfortable managing the grill temperature and checking internal temperatures, pellet grill recipes become easy and enjoyable.
- Traeger roasted chicken
- Smoked pork loin roast
- Grilled asparagus with lemon and Parmesan
- Smoked whole turkey
- Traeger smoked trout
Recipe adapted from a Traeger Grill recipe booklet.
Printable Recipe Below
Entree, Grill
American
Traeger roasted turkey breast
-
4.5
pound
turkey breast
, bone-in and skin-on
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup paprika
- 1/4 cup garlic powder
- 1/4 cup salt
- 2 Tablespoons black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 Tablespoon dry ground mustard
-
Rinse the turkey breast and pat it dry well with paper towels.
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Combine all dry rub ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle the spice rub generously over the turkey breast on all sides, rubbing it into the surface. Season inside the turkey breast if desired. Store any leftover rub in a covered container for future use.
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Turn the Traeger to the smoke setting with the lid open. After 4 to 5 minutes, when smoke appears and the pellets have ignited, set the temperature to 325°F. Close the lid and preheat for about 15 minutes.
-
Place the seasoned turkey breast directly on the grill grate. Close the lid and cook for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, checking the internal temperature occasionally with a probe inserted into the thickest part of the breast.
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When the turkey breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, remove it from the grill. Transfer it to a cutting board and let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
The dry rub recipe makes more than you will need for one turkey breast. The extra spice mix can be stored in a covered container and used for additional grilling or smoking recipes. The spice mix was not included in the calorie calculation.
