How Long to Smoke a 25 lb Turkey?

Smoking a turkey is a fantastic way to achieve a juicy flavorful and incredibly tender bird for your Thanksgiving feast or any other special occasion. But how long does it take to smoke a 25 lb turkey? This guide will provide you with the answer and valuable tips to ensure your smoked turkey is cooked to perfection.

Smoking Time for a 25 lb Turkey

The general rule of thumb for smoking a turkey is 30 minutes per pound at 225°F or 25 minutes per pound at 250°F. This means that a 25 lb turkey would take approximately 7.5 hours at 225°F or 6.25 hours at 250°F. However, several factors can influence the actual smoking time, including:

Temperature: As mentioned above, the smoker temperature significantly impacts cooking time.
Brining: Brining the turkey beforehand can add moisture and slightly increase cooking time.
Wood Choice: Different types of wood impart varying flavors and can slightly affect cooking time.
Smoker Type: The efficiency and heat distribution of your smoker can play a role.

Therefore, it’s essential to use a meat thermometer to accurately monitor the internal temperature of the turkey. The ideal internal temperature for a smoked turkey is 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh away from the bone.

Tips for Smoking a 25 lb Turkey

Here are some additional tips to ensure your smoked turkey is a success:

Prepare the Turkey: Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
Season the Turkey: Rub the turkey with your favorite seasonings or a simple mixture of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Preheat the Smoker: Aim for a consistent temperature of either 225°F or 250°F.
Add Wood Chips: Soak wood chips in water for 30 minutes before adding them to the smoker. Use apple, hickory, or pecan wood for a delicious flavor.
Place the Turkey in the Smoker: Place the turkey breast-side up on the smoker rack.
Monitor the Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to regularly check the internal temperature of the turkey.
Rest the Turkey: Once the turkey reaches 165°F, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving.

Additional Resources

For more detailed instructions and helpful tips on smoking a turkey, you can refer to the following resources:

My 100 Year Old Home – How to Smoke a Turkey: This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions, including preparing the smoker, seasoning the turkey, and monitoring the temperature.
Reddit – r/smoking – I have a 24 pound turkey I plan to wet brine and smoke: This Reddit thread offers valuable insights and tips from experienced smokers on smoking a large turkey.

By following these guidelines and utilizing the provided resources, you’ll be well-equipped to smoke a delicious and perfectly cooked 25 lb turkey that will impress your guests and become a cherished tradition.

Basting the Turkey

how long to smoke 25 lb turkey

Wait until the final hour of cooking if you wish to baste your smoked turkey. The ingredients for the baste depends on your preferences. A little sweetness added to the baste gives the turkey’s surface a candied taste.

Stuff the turkey’s insides and every inch of its exterior with the baste. Double my recipe and repeat after 30 minutes if you want to baste a lot, allowing the first coat to soak in.

Making Smoke

how long to smoke 25 lb turkey

It’s time to add a healthy dose of smoke to the smoker now that it’s hot and the bird is on the cooking grate. Start the smoke now because meats absorb more smoke early in the cooking process than they do later.

Any wood works well for smoking, with the possible exception of mesquite. It’s not necessary to soak large chunks of wood. If you are using smaller wood chips, soak them first. This results in a longer, more steady smoke by slowing down the burn rate. Make sure you shake off as much water as possible. Wood chips should be damp but not dripping.

After inserting the wood into the smoker, shut it off and monitor the temperature. There’s no need to open the smoker for several hours unless you need to turn the turkey during the cooking process. Don’t waste heat or smoke by opening the smoker too much; keeping it closed keeps them in.

AWESOME Smoked Turkey Recipe For Beginners!

FAQ

How long does it take to smoke a 25 lbs turkey?

Put the turkey into the smoker and smoke for 30 to 40 minutes per pound, or until an instant read thermometer (or stay-in-the-bird probe thermometer) reads 160°F in the thickest part of the breast meat.

Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?

When smoking at 225°F, it can take about 30 to 45 minutes to cook one pound of turkey. That means a 12-pound turkey should take at least six hours to cook in a smoker. To smoke your turkey faster, increase the smoker’s temperature to 250°F to 275°F.

Is a 20 lb turkey too big to smoke?

In fact, it might be best to avoid smoking big birds (say, 20 pounds), because the increased time required could increase your risk of the bacteria issues we noted above. We’d recommend adding a pan of water as well, to help keep the smoking chamber moist.

How long to smoke a 20lb turkey at 300 degrees?

When I Googled how long to smoke a 20lb turkey at 300 degrees, it says approximately 20 minutes per pound. For a 20 lb turkey that would be 6.6 hours. That is a big difference from 3-4 hours. I plan on smoking it for Thanksgiving, but want to be sure to time it right.