What Is the Best Wood for Smoking Turkey? & Which Ones to Avoid

Learn how to smoke it for delectable poultry that no one will be able to resist.

Our top 5 smoking kinds of wood for Turkey

• Apple
• Alder
• Cherry
• Pecan
• Oak

Even the most delectable cooked carnivorous dish pales in comparison to smoked poultry!

Scented with a woody scent, such meat develops a distinct smokey flavor that cannot be mistaken for anything else. And what could be better on the dinner table than smoked turkey?

However, when we decide to make some meal in this manner, the question of what type of wood to use frequently arises.

Will it affect the ultimate taste and flavor of the bird’s meat?

How do you avoid blundering and choose the correct woods to smoke this type of poultry?

What is the best wood for smoking turkey? Cherry is the greatest wood for tasty turkey; Alder is excellent for mild flavor; Maple tree wood is best for honey-like notes, and Applewood is best for a fruity smell. Choose a Hickory or an Oak tree if you want a strong aroma.

Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide!

What is the best wood to smoke turkey with?

Regarding smoking poultry and turkey, in particular, five types of wood are favored above the others. These are typically cherry, apple, alder, and a few others. Nevertheless, using various types of wood is acceptable if, for example, one wishes to produce a turkey with a greater aroma.

Everyone who has smoked meat or poultry at least once knows that the wood used in the cooking process is just as important as the meat itself.

It is not enough to just select the turkey that will be smoked (though the quality of the meat is important, don’t forget!). The wood that will be used is also important. The type of wood used will determine the taste and flavor of the finished dish.

As a result, the most common error made by inexperienced turkey smokers is selecting the incorrect or insufficiently suited wood. As a result, the meat may have an overpowering smoked flavor that interferes with the food’s taste, or the turkey’s flavor may change.

Because we want our delectable meaty delicacies to retain their natural flavor, it is critical to utilize wood that will complement the initial taste of the meat and accent it rather than overpower it.

This is why, if you are not yet an experienced smoker, we strongly advise you to use one of the following types of wood.

Cherry wood

The cherry wood is delicious enough without overpowering the meat’s natural flavor. Furthermore, cherry will lend a considerable tint to the carcass, making your guests appreciate and wonder how you did it.

Furthermore, it has another fantastic feature: this type of wood may perfectly match any brine used to prepare the meat.

To create the characteristic smokey aroma, consider adding a touch of hickory to the cherry wood when smoking!

Traeger Cherry Hardwood Pellets, All-Natural

Traeger wood pellets are sourced and manufactured in the United States. Made entirely of natural hardwood, you receive all the wood you need without using fillers or binding chemicals.

These pellets burn slowly, allowing your turkey to absorb all the delectable scents they provide.

Traeger cherry pellets are slightly more expensive than comparable pellets, so if you have a limited budget, you should consider some other options on this list.

Pros: Made in the United States, made from all-natural wood, no fillers, no binders, slow burn

Cons: Expensive when compared to comparable cherry pellets.

You can find them here.

Pecan wood

Choose this type of wood to give your smoked turkey a distinct sweet and nutty flavor and somewhat harsher smokey undertones.

However, we would advise everyone to test it on a portion of the meat before smoking the entire carcass. Not everyone may find pecan wood ideal for them owing to the particular aroma.

Pecan Wood Chunks from Weber

Weber’s pecan wood pieces, a less expensive alternative to cherry, will give your turkey that slightly sweet flavor you’re seeking for.

They are sourced in the United States and are not treated with any oils, resulting in all-natural wood.

However, there may be a substantial quantity of chips in the bag, and the size of the chunks may vary greatly.

Pros: Natural hardwood obtained in the United States, not treated with oils, low cost

There are more chips in the bag than is ideal, and the size of the chunks varies widely.

You can find them right here.

Alder wood

This type of wood is noted for its exceptionally mild flavor, even more, subtle than applewood! Perhaps this is why alder is commonly used to smoke fish, but don’t worry, the turkey will also benefit from being smoked with it!

Furthermore, because alder burns slowly, it is an excellent choice for beginners because there is little risk of making a sudden error and accidentally burning the entire carcass by heating it for too long.

Another advantage of alder wood is that it blends nicely with different herbs and seasonings – a great choice if you enjoy a variety of flavors!

Maple wood

Why not try something different and go with maple wood?

Its aromatic perfume and honey-like undertones may appear too different from the well-known wood scents, but they will impart a subtle earthy aroma to the bird’s meat and enhance its inherent flavor.

Maple Western Premium BBQ Products

These are genuine maple chunks, ideal for adding a subtle sweetness to your poultry.

Western heat-treats their wood to keep it rot-free and pest-free.

These chunks are normally fist-sized. However, the packing can range from chunks to chips. Larger portions must be placed aside to be chopped down (or saved for similar-sized chunks).

Advantages: Heat treated to avoid decay and bugs, real maple chunks, fist-sized bits

Cons: The size of the wood varies widely from chunks to chips.

Cameron’s Maple Smoking Wood Chips

Camerons, like Weber and Traeger, is a wood chip company that consistently produces high-quality wood with no extra chemicals or additives. This is just pure, natural hardwood and does an excellent job.

This stuff is simple to light and burns evenly to provide a consistent, smoky flavor.

Applewood

Applewood is noted for its fruity aroma overtones, which will undoubtedly give your turkey a unique flavor fusion!

Applewood does not produce a strong, substantial smokey fragrance, unlike most other woods, making it excellent for individuals who prefer it lightly smoked.

The only issue with this type of wood is that it takes longer to absorb into the meat.

Your chicken will require extra time to soak in the aroma.

To avoid burning the chicken while waiting to be fully smoked, either reduce the heat or spray the bird with water. Placing a pan of water inside the smoker can also help keep the environment warm and the meat moist.

Oklahoma Joe’s Apple Wood Chunks

Oklahoma Joe’s wood chunks are produced entirely of actual applewood, with no filler wood, for the purest apple smoke.

The chunks are large and immediately ignite, so your turkey will be smoking sooner.

While the chunks are large, the bag will have smaller bits and chips.

Pros: Made from real applewood with no filler wood, large chunks that fire immediately.

Cons: Smaller portions in the bag and more chips than preferred.

Weber Wood Cubic Meter Stephen Products 17138 Apple Chip

Weber products are usually worth a try, and these applewood chunks do not disappoint. This large bag should last you the better part of a year and is subtle and sweet like any fine applewood should be.

And what kind of wood should I use to smoke a turkey? Depending on your preferences, you should select the wood for smoking turkey. For a “heavy” scent, go with Hickory or Oaktree. Choose Cherry for a delicious scent, Alder for a light flavor, Maple tree for a honey-like scent, and Applewood for a soft fruit scent.

In any case, regardless of the one you choose, all of these types of wood are ideal for both novice smokers and seasoned cooks.

What wood you should avoid when smoking turkey

Not every flavor complements every type of meat, and this is especially true with turkey. It’s quite delicate, like a lot of white meat, and may be readily overpowered by more strong varieties of hardwood.

So here is a list of hardwoods I would want to avoid while smoking turkey.

Mesquite

Mesquite is a magnificent wood used for decades for traditional BBQ smoking. The trouble is, it’s been used for a long time with tough red meats.

And it’s easy to see why.

Mesquite is one of the most potent wood flavors available. It has a strong flavor, which is necessary when paired with meat like brisket.

But it’s just too strong a flavor for turkey, and it’ll overpower the other ingredients.

Some folks use a small amount of mesquite and pair it with a fruitwood for balance, but I would avoid it entirely.

Hickory

Hickory, another rich ‘earthy’ wood, is frequently used as a base layer for various meats.

While hickory is undeniably a traditional wood, it has far too strong a flavor for the turkey.

Oak 

Oak is another classic smoking wood with a strong flavor, albeit slightly lighter than mesquite and hickory.

It’s not commonly linked with poultry, and it’s easy to see why.

We did, however, include this in our list of the finest wood for smoking turkey and what to avoid simply because it is softer than hickory or mesquite.

It can, however, be blended with cherry to give a more subtle flavor. Furthermore, red oak species can impart a characteristic reddish tinge to white meats such as turkey, which looks stunning on the dinner table.

Other woods to avoid…

Evergreen, pine, spruce, eucalyptus, and redwood are among the woods found here. 

This is because some types of wood are highly resinous, leaving a lot of residue in your smoker or grill that is tough to remove later. The cooking resin will also affect the flavor of your meat. Some of these woods can also emit harmful smoke that might harm your health.

In addition to these woods, you should avoid any woods with mold or fungus. Painted or chemically-treated timbers should also not be used for smoking because the chemicals will impair the flavor of your foods and may create health problems.

Traeger Grills Turkey Blend Pellet – Top Choice

• It consists of pellets.
• Wood species include oak, hickory, maple, and rosemary.
• Size: unspecified
• 20-pound weight

When it comes to Thanksgiving turkey, you want it to be great. This is possible with the Traeger Grills Turkey Blend Pellet. This blend of hickory, oak, and maple hardwoods, with rosemary thrown in for added flavor, is specifically intended for turkey, giving it the perfect sweet and smoky flavor.

This hardwood blend is made entirely of food-grade premium pellets, with no fillers, bark, binding agents, or other ingredients that could interfere with the smoky flavor. The box contains 20 pounds of pellets, which should be more than enough to smoke your turkey to perfection.

In addition to the wood pellets, this box includes a kit for prepping the turkey before cooking it. This kit includes a delightful orange brine that provides a full, delectable taste and locks in moisture and a turkey rub that makes a spicy and savory crust. There is also a comprehensive set of instructions to guide you through the entire process of preparing your turkey.

The Traeger Grills Turkey Blend Pellet package offers all-natural hardwood in a blend of four delectable tastes that burns cleanly for a better-tasting chicken. The brine and rub package is an excellent addition.

What could be better: Because this wood pellet blend, along with the rub and brine kit, is meant for turkey and other poultry, you may need to keep alternative pellets on hand for beef, pig, shellfish, and other meats.

What Is the Best Wood for Smoking Turkey? (Burning Speed)

Wood	Hard/Soft Wood	Burn Speed	Comment
Apple	Hardwood	Good	This wood burns slowly and gives a gentle fruit smell t the meat
Alder	Hardwood	Fast	This wood burns fast, and you need twice more than any ordinary wood to smoke the meat properly. Gives a “heavy” wood smell to the meat.
Cherry	Hardwood	Good	Burns well and gives a pleasant flavor to the meat. This wood is a good option if you want an easy smoking experience.
Oak	Hardwood	Good	Good choice for the red meat. Burns slowly and gives much heat like alder has a strong smoke and smell.
Pecan	Hardwood	Fast	It Burns fast and gives a specific nut smell to the meat. You should try it first on the small piece of the meant. And only after smoking the whole turkey in it.

Chips, pellets, or chunks? Understand your options

When the wood is finally selected, it appears that we have completed our preparations and that it is now ready to begin smoking. No, no, no!

There is one more step that must not be overlooked. Before we begin, we must decide on the shape of the wood.

What exactly do we mean? The wood used for smoking food is typically sold in one of three forms: chunks, pellets, or chips.

They are all practically the same, with the only difference being that each style is intended for a specific sort of smoker.

For example, we can only use pellets because a pellet smoker is specifically intended for this type of wood.

On the other hand, an electric smoker can often accept pellets and chips, although it is still best to double-check before using either.

Finally, offset, and charcoal smokers are made to accommodate logs or pieces.

As stated in the description, most smokers cannot accept any type of wood; therefore, always check how small the wood must be cut before adding it to the device.

Otherwise, it is prone to breaking.

Which smoker should you buy? choosing a heat source

Since it appears that the type of smoker we use is equally important, let’s check out what devices are most commonly used and what distinguishes them.

As everyone has already guessed, the type of heat source has a direct impact on the way smoke is produced, which in turn has an impact on the final taste of the food.

A charcoal grill, for example, is one of the most popular since it is the simplest to use. It also produces a lot of smoke, which helps you to make properly smoked meat.

However, for the best results, use natural chunk charcoal. It burns hotter and longer, and the starches and wood byproducts it contains produce a more fragrant smoke that effectively taints the taste of the turkey.

Propane smokers are a little more difficult to deal with because it takes practice to learn how to deal with them easily. These smokers only use wood chips, which must not be moist, or else the smoking process will take much longer than it should.

There are other temperature complexities, but using a propane device will be a breeze if you understand.

Of course, classic smokers are easier to use for people new to smoking meals because they require no prior expertise. And it is always feasible to progress to more complex methods later on.

How long should you smoke different parts of a turkey?

This is arguably the most often requested question, and we can see why.

Most people believe the entire carcass will take longer than, say, wings. But is this true? And how much time does each of them require?

To demonstrate this, we created a simple graphic that compares the smoking time of various categories of smokers.

	Whole carcass	Breast	Wings	Legs
Smoker	240 F, 30-40 min/pound	240 F, 30-40 min/pound	225 F, 1-2 hours	225 F, 4 hours
Grill	325 F, 3 hours	350 F, 1-2 hours	325 F, 30-40 min	325 F, 45-60 min

And, regardless of whether you use a grill or a smoker, the ultimate internal temperature of the bird must be 165 F (check this at the thickest sections of the breast or the innermost part of the wings/thigh).

Helpful tips for cooking the perfect turkey

There are numerous recipes for smoking turkey, but no one can deny that certain ideas must always be followed if we want an optimally smoked bird.

Purchase it fresh.

Is there any need to explain why fresh poultry tastes so much better? Furthermore, it is juicier than its frozen or aged equivalent.

However, if the carcass was purchased a day or two before cooking, it is safe to consume.

Make the proper preparations.

We recommend removing the backbone and breastbone from the whole turkey before smoking it. It will help you to spread the bird open and smoke it more thoroughly and quickly.

Aside from that, the carcass prepared in this manner will absorb all of the spices and marinade much better, resulting in an outstanding taste!

Take note of the temperature.

To achieve the best-smoked turkey, the thickest part of the bird must be kept at 165 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the cooking process. Even if your smoker has one, we recommend utilizing a probe thermometer to achieve this.

Allow it to rest.

It is preferable not to serve the newly smoked bird right away.

Allow it to settle for about twenty minutes before cutting it.

As a result, the meat will remain moist and soak up more fluids.

Smoking a turkey may appear difficult at first, but after you become acquainted with the procedure and learn all the intricacies, cooking this delectable dish will be a pleasure for you and your guests!

Choosing your flavor

Smoking poultry is a complicated business that may take some time to master. It becomes even more challenging when working with lean meats like turkey. You must pay close attention to the amount of wood used, the cooking temperature, and the length of the smoke.

However, with a little effort and one or more of the wood options described here, you can put out a mean turkey that your friends and family will enjoy – well, maybe everyone except that friend who will always favor his cuisine over yours. It’s also a good idea to experiment with different wood combinations to create your signature flavor profile.

FAQs

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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