Description
This Cajun Butter Smoked Turkey Breast recipe features a flavorful low-sodium Cajun spice rub and a fragrant butter bath with fresh herbs and garlic. Smoked to juicy perfection at 250 degrees Fahrenheit, the turkey breast delivers a tender, smoky taste ideal for a delicious main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Seasoning
- 20 ounces turkey breast, boneless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, preferably low sodium
Butter Bath
- 8 tablespoons butter, salted
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/8 cup fresh dill or fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or smashed
Instructions
- Prepare Smoker: Heat the smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and add wood chunks or pellets to create your preferred smoke flavor.
- Prepare Spice Rub and Turkey: In a small bowl, mix the Cajun seasoning. Pat the turkey breast dry with a paper towel, then brush it gently with olive oil. Rub the spice mixture evenly all over the turkey breast.
- Prepare Butter Bath: Place butter, chopped parsley, dill or thyme, and minced garlic in a heat-safe pan like a cast-iron skillet or small aluminum pan. Set the pan on the smoker grates to melt the butter and infuse it with smoke flavor.
- Smoke Turkey: Place the turkey breast directly on the smoker grates and smoke for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Butter Bath and Finish Smoking: Transfer the turkey to an aluminum foil boat or disposable aluminum pan. Pour the melted butter bath over the turkey and seal tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Continue Smoking: Smoke the turkey for an additional 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the breast.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the turkey from the smoker and let it rest covered for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Place a drip pan under the turkey to collect juices, which can be used for making turkey gravy, though a milder turkey broth is preferred to avoid intense smoke flavor.
- Use a water pan in the smoker to keep the turkey moist; enhance the water pan with aromatics like fresh herbs, whole peppercorns, turkey broth, or apple juice for added flavor in the steam.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 ounces
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
