Smoked Peppercorn Turkey Breast

Smoking a turkey breast instead of a whole bird is a game-changer, delivering rich, smoky flavors in a fraction of the time. This Smoked Peppercorn Turkey Breast is slow-cooked to perfection, spritzed with lager beer for extra moisture, and wrapped in butter for an ultra-juicy finish. The result? A flavorful, tender turkey breast that will be the highlight of any holiday meal. What truly elevates this dish is the Cranberry Chili BBQ Sauce a bold, tangy, and slightly spicy glaze that balances out the smoky depth of the turkey. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or just craving a unique twist on turkey, this recipe brings a restaurant-quality meal straight to your backyard smoker. Serve it with classic sides like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for the ultimate feast!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Turkey:

  • 3 whole turkey breasts, skinned & de-thawed
  • 2 tbsp Mesquite Peppercorn Lager Seasoning (or 1 tbsp sea salt & 1 tbsp black pepper)
  • 1.5 tbsp canola oil

• Spritz:

  • 12 oz lager beer

• Cranberry Chili BBQ Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp cranberry jelly
  • 1.5 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp garlic chili paste
  • 1.5 tsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1.5 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• Wrap:

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Coat turkey breasts with canola oil, then season with Mesquite Peppercorn Lager Seasoning (or salt & pepper). Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (ideally overnight).
2. Preheat the smoker to 275°F for indirect cooking. Add wood chips or chunks for extra smokiness.
3. Place turkey breasts on the smoker and cook for 1-1.5 hours, spritzing with lager beer every 20 minutes.
4. Once the turkey reaches 115°F, remove from the smoker.
5. Lay out a 2-ft piece of aluminum foil, add 2 tbsp butter, place the turkey on top, and add another 2 tbsp butter over it. Wrap tightly. Repeat for all turkey breasts.
6. Return the wrapped turkey to the smoker and cook for another hour or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
7. While the turkey is cooking, prepare the Cranberry Chili BBQ Sauce: Heat a cast iron skillet over the fire or in the smoker for 1 minute. Add all sauce ingredients and simmer for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
8. Once the turkey is done, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
9. Serve with the Cranberry Chili BBQ Sauce and enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 2.5 hours | Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Calories: 216 kcal per serving | Servings: 8

Why Smoked Turkey Breast?

Cooking a whole turkey requires extensive preparation, long thawing times, and careful monitoring to prevent dryness. Many home cooks find the process overwhelming, especially when juggling multiple dishes for a holiday meal. This Smoked Peppercorn Turkey Breast simplifies the experience while maintaining the flavors we associate with a traditional turkey dinner.

Here are a few key reasons why this method is a game-changer:

1. Shorter Cooking Time

A whole turkey can take hours to roast, but a turkey breast cooks in just over two hours in a smoker. This means you can spend more time enjoying your gathering and less time stressing over the oven.

2. Enhanced Flavor with Smoking

Smoking infuses the turkey with a deep, rich flavor that roasting alone can’t achieve. The combination of mesquite or hickory wood, a peppercorn seasoning rub, and periodic spritzing with lager beer results in a complex, savory taste that stands out from traditional turkey recipes.

3. Juicy and Tender Meat

One of the biggest concerns when cooking turkey is dryness. Smoking at a low, steady temperature helps retain moisture, and the addition of butter-wrapping ensures that the meat stays juicy and tender. Every bite delivers a buttery richness balanced by the smoky outer crust.

4. Unique Seasoning Profile

While classic turkey is often seasoned with herbs and butter, this recipe embraces bold peppercorn flavors. The spice rub combines smoky, slightly spicy, and aromatic elements, which complement the natural taste of turkey while enhancing its texture.

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The Role of Beer in This Recipe

One unique element in this Smoked Peppercorn Turkey Breast is the use of lager beer as a spritzing liquid. This technique serves two key purposes:

• Moisture Retention: Since smoking can gradually dry out meat, spritzing every 20 minutes helps keep the turkey breast moist throughout the cooking process.
• Flavor Infusion: The mild maltiness of lager beer enhances the turkey’s natural savoriness without overpowering it. The slight caramelization from the beer’s sugars also contributes to a delicious outer crust.

For those who prefer not to use beer, an alternative spritzing mixture of apple cider vinegar and water can achieve a similar moisture-boosting effect.

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Cranberry Chili BBQ Sauce: The Perfect Accompaniment

While the smoked turkey breast is already packed with bold flavors, the Cranberry Chili BBQ Sauce is what makes this dish truly unforgettable.

This sauce is a fusion of traditional cranberry flavors with a hint of smokiness, heat, and tang. It starts with cranberry jelly, providing a sweet-tart base that perfectly complements the turkey. To balance out the sweetness, ingredients like garlic chili paste, Worcestershire sauce, and rice wine vinegar are added, creating a layered flavor profile with depth and complexity.

Unlike heavy gravies or overly sweet cranberry sauces, this BBQ sauce provides a lighter, spicier contrast that enhances the smoked turkey without overwhelming it. It’s also versatile enough to be used as a dipping sauce or even as a glaze for additional smoked meats.

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The Importance of Butter Wrapping

One of the standout techniques in this recipe is wrapping the turkey breast in butter during the smoking process. This step serves multiple purposes:

• Basting the Meat Naturally: As the butter melts, it continuously bastes the turkey, ensuring that every bite remains moist and flavorful.
• Enhancing the Outer Crust: The fats in the butter help create a slightly crisp, golden-brown exterior without drying out the meat.
• Infusing Richness: Turkey breast is naturally lean, so adding butter enhances the overall taste and prevents any toughness.

This technique is similar to what’s often done with brisket and ribs in competitive BBQ smoking, where a second cooking phase involves wrapping the meat in foil to lock in moisture.

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What to Serve with Smoked Peppercorn Turkey Breast

This turkey breast pairs beautifully with classic holiday side dishes, but it also works well in a variety of other settings. Here are some great serving suggestions:

Traditional Pairings:

• Mashed potatoes & turkey gravy – A comforting, creamy balance to the smoky turkey.
• Green bean casserole – Adds a crunchy contrast to the tender turkey.
• Sweet potato casserole – The natural sweetness complements the smoky and peppery flavors.
• Cornbread stuffing – A Southern-style stuffing with a touch of smokiness pairs exceptionally well.

Non-Traditional Pairings:

• Grilled vegetables – Carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers charred over an open flame.
• Smoked mac & cheese – Extra smoky, creamy mac & cheese as a decadent side.
• Pickled onions & slaw – A tangy, crisp contrast that cuts through the richness.
• Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze – Adds acidity to balance the bold flavors of the turkey.

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Leftovers & Storage Tips

One of the best things about Smoked Peppercorn Turkey Breast is that it makes fantastic leftovers. Here’s how to store and reheat it properly:

• Refrigeration: Store sliced turkey in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Wrap slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 4 months.
• Reheating: Avoid using the microwave, as it can dry out the turkey. Instead, gently reheat slices in the oven at 300°F with a little broth to keep the meat moist.

Leftover Ideas:

If you have extra turkey, try these creative ways to enjoy it:

• Smoked turkey sandwiches with cranberry BBQ sauce on a brioche bun.
• Turkey tacos topped with coleslaw and chipotle mayo.
• Turkey salad with mixed greens, candied pecans, and balsamic dressing.
• Smoked turkey hash with potatoes and bell peppers for breakfast.

Conclusion:

Smoked Peppercorn Turkey Breast offers the perfect balance of ease, flavor, and holiday tradition without the stress of cooking a whole turkey. The combination of smoky, peppery seasoning, lager spritzing, and buttery wrapping ensures a juicy, flavorful turkey breast every time. The Cranberry Chili BBQ Sauce adds a bold, tangy twist, making this dish both classic and innovative.

Whether you’re planning a holiday feast, a summer BBQ, or a special weekend dinner, this recipe is an excellent way to elevate turkey beyond the traditional roasted bird. By embracing smoking techniques and bold flavors, you’ll create a turkey dish that is not only delicious but also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.