20+ Smoked Recipes for Thanksgiving (2024)

ByHeather Painchaud July 31, 2023February 21, 2024 UpdatedFebruary 21, 2024

Discover mouthwatering smoked recipes for your Thanksgiving feast. From succulent smoked turkey to flavorful smoked salmon, elevate your holiday meal with these delicious dishes.

We all know that no Thanksgiving dinner is complete without dessert. There has to be pumpkin pie! Or apple pie. Or both. But before we get to dessert, what about the main course?

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Rather than the usual roasted turkey, why not try something new this year? This post is the perfect place to discover mouthwatering smoked recipes for your Thanksgiving feast. From succulent smoked turkey to flavorful smoked salmon, elevate your holiday meal with these delicious dishes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Looking for a complete guide to creating the perfect Thanksgiving feast? Find a carefully curated collection of our time-tested, family-favorite recipes inside the pages of this eBook!

Before we get started be sure to check out some of our favorite smoking supplies!

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Smoking supplies:

• Traeger 780 Pro Smoker Grill – this is our Traeger model. It’s the perfect size for families who like to entertain! Be sure to check out all of our must have Traeger products.
• Meater Thermometer – we love this wireless meat thermometer. It connects to an app that tells you exactly when your meat is done!
• Basting brush
• Paper towels
• Aluminum foil
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board

Thanksgiving Smoked Recipes:

Smoked Turkey Recipe – Learn how to cook a whole turkey on a Traeger grill with this easy recipe. This method of cooking makes for one of the tastiest birds we’ve ever had! Don’t forget to make a delicious turkey gravy from the dippings. You’ll love the subtle smoky flavor to the turkey breast!

Smoked Turkey Brine – We love to use this turkey brine recipe. It gives our delicious smoked turkey the most tender and juicy meat! Add this simple recipe to your preparations this holiday season.

Thisturkey injection recipeis the perfect way to season your thanksgiving turkey so that it is tender and juicy. Make the most delicious turkey breast with this easy recipe this year!

Smoked Salmon – Instead of a traditional Thanksgiving meal that is centered around turkey, offer up this easy Traeger smoked salmon recipe. Everyone will love the rich, smoky flavor of the tender salmon.

Smoked Brisket Recipe – Smoked brisket is a great option for a large crowd, like at backyard barbecues and family cookouts. That makes it an ideal main dish for the holidays too. This perfectly flavorful and juicy brisket is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving table.

See Also

Apple Cider Turkey Brine Recipe

Whole Smoked Chicken – This whole smoked chicken recipe is perfect for a small gathering, when an entire turkey would just be too much. The chicken is first brined with lemon and fresh herbs, then slowly smoked to perfection.

Learn how to make a turkey in a vertical smoker. Thissmoked turkey recipemakes the most delicious, juicy turkey you’ve ever had!!

Smoked Cream Cheese – Full of flavour, this smoked cream cheese recipe is a delicious twist on a classic spread. Infused with a rich smoky aroma, it’s perfect for bagels, crackers, or as a dip.

Tips and Tricks:

• Give your frozen turkey time to defrost before cooking it. The safest and best way to do that is in the refrigerator. A good rule of thumb is to allow a day for every 4-5 pounds. The next best option is to thaw it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound with this method.
• Having a good instant read thermometer is a must for home chefs. Always check the internal temperature in the thickest part of your meat to ensure it is fully cooked and meets food safety standards.
• Maintaining a consistent temperature in your smoker throughout the cooking process is important. An oven thermometer can help with that.
• Place some kind of drip pan, like a foil roasting pan, under your meat while cooking to make cleanup easier. It will catch any drips and save you from scrubbing the grill grates.
• Save yourself some of the stress of last minute meal prep. An easy way to do this is to make some of your sides, like mashed potatoes, ahead of time and reheat them for your Thanksgiving meal. Use a slow cooker to leave more room in the oven.
• Make sure that any leftovers are stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

• A simple side salad
• Classic yams
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Herb and garlic mashed potatoes
• Twice baked mashed potatoes
• Oven roasted carrots
• Skillet broccoli and bacon
• Grilled vegetables in foil
• Thanksgiving sausage stuffing
• Turkey gravy

Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes to wow your family and friends with? Check out this list of side dishes that will perfectly compliment your holiday turkey. And this Thanksgiving leftovers post will give you plenty of ideas for after the main event.