Elevate your holiday meals with this succulent smoked turkey breast, seasoned to perfection and slow-cooked for tender, juicy results

This smoked turkey breast recipe is perfect for BBQ enthusiasts looking to add a flavorful twist to their next cookout. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or meal prepping for the week, this easy smoked turkey breast delivers juicy, tender meat with a perfect balance of smokiness and herbs

Feeds 4-6 people 

Prep time 6 hours 

Cook time 180 minutes

Why Using A Yogurt Marinade For Turkey Breast Works

Tenderizes the Meat: The acidity in yogurt breaks down proteins, keeping turkey breast moist and tender during cooking.

Helps Retain Moisture: Yogurt forms a protective coating, preventing the turkey breast from drying out while smoking or grilling.

Enhances Flavor: The creamy texture holds spices and herbs in place, creating a flavorful crust that complements the turkey’s natural taste.

Adds a Subtle Tang: The slight tang from yogurt balances the rich smokiness, offering a more complex flavor profile.

Ingredients 

• 4-6 pound turkey breast (Skin Off) 
• 3 lemons 
• 5-6 rosemary sprigs 
• ¾ cup of olive oil 
• 2 large containers of plain greek yogurt (The ones i bought were 2 pound containers) 
• 3 tablespoons of minced garlic 
• 2-3 tablespoons of salt, pepper, & garlic seasoning 
• 3 tablespoons of greek seasoning (I’ll leave a simple greek seasoning down below)
• 1 stick of butter

Yogurt Marinade

Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, the juice of two lemons, Greek yogurt, and Greek seasoning. Be sure to mix thoroughly so all the ingredients meld together for a uniform flavor.

Marinate the Turkey: In a deep dish or ziplock bag, spread a layer of the yogurt marinade on the bottom. Then, place your turkey breast on top and pour the remaining marinade over it. For an extra burst of flavor, add rosemary sprigs and lemon slices on top. Place the turkey in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but for the best results, marinate it overnight.

Prepare the Turkey: When you’re ready to smoke or roast, remove the turkey breast from the marinade. Wipe off the excess, leaving a thin layer to act as a binder. Then, season the turkey breast on all sides with salt, pepper, and garlic seasoning. I recommend letting the turkey breast sit out at room temperature for at least 1 hour

Turkey Breast Cooking Process

Set Up Your Smoker or Oven: Preheat your smoker or oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the turkey breast inside and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).

Add Butter and Wrap: Lay down two sheets of aluminum foil and place half a stick of butter in the center. Position your turkey breast, skin side down, on the butter. Add the remaining butter on top of the turkey breast and wrap it up securely.

Finish Cooking: Return the wrapped turkey breast, skin side down, to the smoker or oven. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 162°F (72°C).

Rest and Serve: Once your turkey breast hits the target temperature, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 30 minutes. After resting, carve it up and enjoy your perfectly smoked turkey breast!

Smoked Prime Rib is another great holiday recipe

A side dish i serve with this is Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms or Loaded Baked Potatoes

My Double Smoked Ham With A Bourbon Glaze is a cheaper option for the holidays & is always a hit!

Greek Seasoning

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 2 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground rosemary

Instructions:

• In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients.
• Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly mixed.
• Store the Greek seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 12 months.

Usage:

This seasoning is perfect for grilled meats, vegetables, or adding to marinades. You can also sprinkle it on salads or roasted potatoes for a Greek twist!

Yield: 1

Smoked Turkey Breast

Print

This smoked turkey breast recipe is perfect for BBQ enthusiasts looking to add a flavorful twist to their next cookout. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or meal prepping for the week, this easy smoked turkey breast delivers juicy, tender meat with a perfect balance of smokiness and herbs

Prep Time: 6 hours

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 9 hours

Ingredients

• Ingredients
• 4-6 pound turkey breast (Skin Off)
• 3 lemons
• 5-6 rosemary sprigs
• ¾ cup of olive oil
• 2 large containers of plain greek yogurt (The ones i bought were 2 pound containers)
• 3 tablespoons of minced garlic
• 2-3 tablespoons of salt, pepper, & garlic seasoning
• 3 tablespoons of greek seasoning (I'll leave a simple greek seasoning down below)
• 1 stick of butter

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl add olive oil, minced garlic, juice of 2 lemons, greek yogurt & Greek seasoning

• Mix thoroughly so all the ingredients meld together 
• In a deep dish tray or zip lock bag add some of the yogurt marinade on the bottom
• Add your turkey breast and add the rest of the marinade over the top 
• Add rosemary sprigs and lemon slice on top and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours i recommend marinating it overnight 
• Remove the turkey breast from the marinade 
• Wipe down the entire turkey breast. Make sure you leave a very thin layer of the yogurt marinade on the turkey were going to use this as a binder 
• Season the turkey breast on all sides with salt, pepper, & garlic seasoning 
• Set your smoker or oven to 300 degrees (150°C)
• Smoke your turkey breast till the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees (63°C).
• Place a half of stick of butter on a layer of aluminum foil (I use 2 sheets of aluminum foil) 
• Place your turkey breast skin side down on the butter 
• Add the rest of the butter on the back side of the turkey breast and wrap 
• Place back in your smoker or oven skin side down till you reach an internal temperature of 162 degrees (72°C).
• Once you hit your temp remove from the smoker and let it rest for 30 minutes 
• Carve up and enjoy

Notes

Greek Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground rosemary

Why Yogurt Marinade Works for Turkey Breast

Tenderizes the Meat: The acidity in yogurt breaks down proteins, keeping turkey breast moist and tender during cooking.

Helps Retain Moisture: Yogurt forms a protective coating, preventing the turkey breast from drying out while smoking or grilling.

Enhances Flavor: The creamy texture holds spices and herbs in place, creating a flavorful crust that complements the turkey's natural taste.

Adds a Subtle Tang: The slight tang from yogurt balances the rich smokiness, offering a more complex flavor profile.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 93Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.28gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0.09mgSodium: 14.87mgCarbohydrates: 20.45gNet Carbohydrates: 0gFiber: 1.37gSugar: 11.85gProtein: 1.21g