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🔥 Juicy, bold, and packed with smoky flavor, this Smoked Mexican Turkey Breast recipe is perfect for your next cookout or weeknight dinner. 🌮🍗
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Looking for something bold, smoky, and packed with flavor? This Smoked Mexican Turkey Breast is the perfect recipe to mix up your usual dinner routine. A blend of smoky spices, including cumin and smoked paprika, gives this juicy smoked turkey all the flavor of your favorite Mexican dishes. It’s simple, impressive, and delicious enough for any backyard cookout or weeknight dinner.
After we moved to North Carolina from Arizona, I found myself craving all the bold, vibrant flavors I had missed while living in the Southwest. That meant chili, lime, cumin, and smoky everything.
This smoked turkey breast came from one of those kitchen experiments – trying to capture that Southwest flavor I love, but in a way that felt easy and weeknight-friendly. After playing around with the perfect smoked turkey rub, this recipe became a go-to. It’s flavorful, juicy, and always a hit.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold, smoky flavor with Mexican-inspired spices
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Great for holidays, BBQs, or meal prep
- Pairs well with tacos, salads, or roasted veggies
- Easy to scale up for a crowd
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- turkey breast – use bone-in or boneless, adjust cook time
- butter – substitute with olive oil if preferred
- cumin – adds earthy warmth
- smoked paprika – essential for that classic smoked turkey seasoning
- coarse black pepper
- salt
- granulated garlic – garlic powder works too
- onion powder
✨ Variations
- Add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat
- Mix in chili powder into the smoked turkey rub for a Tex-Mex twist
- Swap lime juice for the butter drizzle at the end for a tangy finish
- Turn leftovers into tacos, burritos, or nachos
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🔥 Tips
- Always cook your smoked turkey breasts to an internal temperature, not time
- Use fruit wood or hickory for the best smoke flavor
- Let it rest after cooking to keep it juicy
- Place the smooth side down in the foil for a prettier final presentation
- A squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of cilantro brings it all together
❓ FAQs
Yes, monitor the internal temperature and adjust the cook time as needed. It should reach 160°F.
Yes, it’s the best way to make sure your turkey is safely and perfectly cooked.
Yes. Season the turkey breast the night before and store it covered in the fridge.
Slice against the grain for the most tender texture.
Definitely. It’s great on chicken, pork, and even beef for that same Southwest-inspired flavor.
Yes, just be sure to space the turkey breasts out in the smoker so they cook evenly. Watch the internal temperature.
No, it’s flavorful but not hot. You can easily add heat by adjusting the smoked turkey seasoning and add in cayenne or chili flakes to the seasoning blend.
Yes! Smoke it earlier in the day or even a day ahead. Reheat gently with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
Mexican Street Corn Salad, Cilantro Lime Rice, Charro beans, Mexican Rice, Grilled veggies like zucchini or bell peppers, Poblano mac and cheese, Taco Pasta Salad, Avocado Cilantro Pasta Salad, or a Southwest-style slaw.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
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Smoked Cajun Turkey Breast
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Smoked Garlic Herb Turkey Breast
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Smoked Texas Style Turkey Breast
Main Dish
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Smoked Mexican Turkey Breast
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Equipment
- grill-safe thermometer
- smoker
Ingredients
- 1 turkey breast, (20-ounce) boneless, skinless
- ½ cup melted butter, 1 stick
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons coarse black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 250°F.
- Season both sides of the turkey breast, starting with the salt, then sprinkle on the rest of the seasonings one at a time.
- Place the turkey breast on the smoker and cook for about 1½ hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F.
- Create a foil boat and place the turkey inside with the smooth side down. Pour the melted butter over the top, then wrap tightly.
- Return the wrapped turkey to the smoker and cook for another 15-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove the turkey from the smoker and let it rest, still wrapped, for 15-30 minutes.
- Unwrap, slice, and serve.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store leftover smoked turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap to help lock in moisture and prevent the food from drying out.
♨️ REHEATING
- Oven: Preheat to 300°F. Place sliced turkey in a baking dish with a splash of broth. Cover with foil and heat for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave: Place slices on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second bursts until warm.
- Skillet: Heat over medium-low with a bit of butter or oil. Add a splash of broth to keep it moist.
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 300°F. Wrap the slices in foil and heat for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freeze smoked turkey in freezer-safe bags or airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- For best results, freeze in portioned amounts and remove as much air as possible.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Cook to an internal temperature, not a specific time. Turkey is done at 160°F.
- Use fruit wood or hickory for optimal smoke flavor.
- Always let the turkey rest 15-30 minutes before slicing.
- Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or lime juice for a flavorful finish.
- Wrap with the smooth side down to preserve presentation and juiciness.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Oven: Season and roast the turkey breast at 325°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Baste with butter halfway through and tent with foil if it starts to brown too much.
- Grill: Use indirect heat and a smoker box or foil pouch filled with wood chips to achieve a smoky flavor. Monitor temperature closely.
- Electric smoker: Follow the same method as traditional, but adjust based on your model’s features.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Make turkey tacos, burrito bowls, or quesadillas.
- Dice and add to salads, soups, or pasta.
- Turn into turkey nachos with melted cheese, beans, and jalapeños.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
