Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by Anne-Marie

A brine for smoked turkey breast that’s easy to make and delicious. Make this easy brined and smoked turkey breast recipe for holidays and parties.

Why this recipe works

I brine and smoke a turkey breast on Thanksgiving because my kids hate turkey!

Since my husband and I like turkey, I found that brining and smoking a turkey breast gives us just the perfect amount, with plenty of white meat for leftovers.

(Remember, it’s 1 to 1½ pounds of turkey per person or 2 pounds of turkey if you want plenty of breast meat for leftovers.)

We don’t miss the dark meat at all. And I usually make an Easy Crock-Pot Spiral Ham for the kids.

I’ve created a special brine for making the best juicy turkey breast meat for smoking that will work if you’re cooking or smoking a turkey breast or making an extra turkey breast with a full-sized turkey.

(See my post, Brining and smoking your Thanksgiving turkey, on how to brine and cook a larger bird.)

This recipe works for smoking turkey breast in an electric smoker, on a gas grill, charcoal grill, or in a ceramic smoker.

It’s also a gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, keto, and paleo-friendly recipe.

When you’re done, here are some suggestions on what to serve with smoked turkey breast.

Why you should brine and smoke a turkey breast

Brining helps make turkey meat incredibly juicy, moist, and tender. Plus, it gives the breast meat an exquisite smokey flavor.

What’s nice is that if you have a smaller smoker like a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker or a smaller version of the Kamado Joe Grill, you don’t have to worry about a turkey breast being too big to fit.

With a larger smoker, you’ll have plenty of room for a regular turkey and making a turkey breast – or two!

(Not sure what’s the best smoker grill to cook your turkey on? Check out my Best Smoker Grill Combo Guide!)

Brine Ingredients

• apple cider
• cooking wine or cooking sake
• rice vinegar
• sorghum syrup
• kosher salt
• fresh sage
• sprigs fresh rosemary
• fresh chives
• sprigs fresh lemon thyme
• fresh ginger
• ice cubes
• bone-in turkey breast

What kind of equipment do you need to make turkey brine?

What I love about this smoked turkey brine recipe is that you only need a 12-quart covered stockpot to make the brine and brine the turkey in. It’s truly a one-pot recipe.

You don’t need to mess with brining bags, bags of ice, and coolers.

Just make enough room in the refrigerator for the brining pot. So easy!

How to brine the turkey breast

1. Place the cider, cooking wine, rice vinegar, sorghum syrup, salt, sage leaves, rosemary, chives, thyme, and ginger in a large stockpot.

2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce the heat and let the liquid simmer until the salt and syrup dissolve.

3. Remove the stockpot from the stove and stir in the ice.

(You could also add 2 to 3 cups of ice-cold water.)

Cover the pot and place it in the refrigerator for an hour to let the turkey brine cool down.

4. (Do I have to remind you to thaw your frozen turkey?) Prepare the turkey by removing the wrapping and the turkey gravy packet.

Don’t wash your turkey before cooking.

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, you shouldn’t wash raw turkey before cooking.

Bacteria in raw poultry can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces.

Washing splashes the bacteria around your sink and countertops. And you! YUCK.

Place the turkey in the brine so it’s covered in liquid. (If it’s not covered, place the turkey breast and brine in a smaller pot.)

5. Place the lid on the pot and chill in the refrigerator for 5 to 12 hours.

Tips for making the brine

Cooking wine and vinegar: I initially used Holland House Sake Cooking Wine, which has been discontinued, and Nakano All Natural Rice Vinegar. In this brine recipe, you can use any brand of cooking wine (or cooking sake) and rice vinegar.

Sorghum: If you can’t find sorghum syrup online, you can use honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup instead. Brown sugar would also do in a pinch.

Turkey: Finally, don’t forget to buy a few extra turkey breasts while they’re on sale. This turkey breast brine isn’t just for the holidays.

You can brine and smoke a turkey for summer barbecues and use this brining and smoked turkey recipe to make hot turkey sandwiches for a football-watching party during the Big Game!

Finally, you can use boneless turkey breasts, though bone-in is cheaper. You can also use the leftover bone to make slow cooker turkey stock. (See my Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe for easy directions.)

How to smoke the turkey breast

1. Prepare your pellet smoker bringing the internal temperature to 225 degrees F using your favorite wood chips.

2. Remove the turkey from the brine. Pat dry with paper towels.

3. Place the turkey on the smoker grill grate low in the smoker. Smoke for a total cook time of 2 1/2 hours or until an instant-read thermometer placed near the thickest part of the breast registers 165 to 170 degrees F.

4. Remove the roast turkey from the smoker. Place the smoked breast on a cutting board. Then cover it loosely with aluminum foil, and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. This way, the juice, and flavor stay in the sliced smoked turkey breast.

5. Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What type of wood to use for smoking turkey?

Here are the best wood chip or wood pellets for smoking any poultry:

● Apple wood pellet or chip

● Hickory wood pellet or chip

● Maple wood pellet or chip

● Cherry wood pellet or chip

● Pecan wood pellet or chip

Serve the smoked turkey with these side dishes

• Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing Recipe
• Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
• Easy Gluten-Free Skillet Cornbread Recipe
• Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing Recipe with Chorizo, Squash & Apples
• Brussel Sprouts Salad with Cranberries Recipe
• Marinated Asparagus Recipe
• Sweetened Collard Greens Recipe
• Crock-Pot Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Parsnips Recipe
• Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Don’t forget to make a batch of Sara Moulton’s Best Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe (Gluten-Free), too!

Use brined turkey breast in these delicious leftover recipes

Make an additional smoked turkey breast brine to a larger bird, so you have plenty of meat leftover for sliced turkey sandwiches and leftover dishes like:

● Leftover Turkey Soup

● Turkey Cranberry Crescent Braid

● Leftover Turkey Enchilada Casserole

You can never have too much leftover smoked turkey meat!

More smoked turkey recipes

● How to prepare and cook a spatchcock or butterflied turkey

● Best Smoked Turkey Brine with Smoked Turkey Rub Recipe

Check out the Best Gluten Free Thanksgiving Desserts Recipes and the Best Keto Thanksgiving Recipes for more delicious recipes for your holiday table.

What's your favorite dish to serve on Thanksgiving?