National Turkey Federation Announces 2025 Turkey Smoke Barbecue Competition Lineup

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2025 – The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is thrilled to announce the full lineup for the 2025 Turkey Smoke Series, the premier barbecue competition celebrating the art of turkey barbecue across competitions from coast to coast. This year’s series features an expanded lineup of events, inviting pitmasters and barbecue enthusiasts to showcase turkey’s versatility on the grill and smoker.

“Turkey Smoke has become a staple of the competitive barbecue scene, and we’re excited to see it grow even bigger in 2025,” said Leslee Oden, president and CEO of the National Turkey Federation, organizer of Turkey Smoke. “From seasoned pitmasters to backyard enthusiasts, this series gives competitors the opportunity to showcase the versatility and incredible taste of turkey in some of the biggest barbecue events in the country.”

Turkey Smoke competitions will be featured at major competitions sanctioned by leading barbecue organizations nationwide. This year’s lineup includes stops at upcoming contests including:

• Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship – Lebanon, TN – March 14, 2025
• BBQ Gives Back – Urbanna, VA – March 21, 2025
• Smoke in the Spring – Osage City, KS – April 11, 2025
• Minnesota In May – St. Peter, MN – May 9, 2025
• Memphis In May – Memphis, TN – May 15, 2025
• Horse Town Brew n Que Festival – Norco, CA – May 31, 2025
• Hoosier BBQ Classic – Franklin, IN – June 7, 2025
• Giant National BBQ Battle – Washington, DC – June 21, 2025
• Art of the Que – Spencer, IA – June 27, 2025
• King Turkey Day Smokin’ Gobbler BBQ Cook-Off – Worthington, MN – July 11, 2025
• Smoke on the Rail BBQ Festival – New Freedom, PA – July 26, 2025
• BBQ & Fly-In on the River – Excelsior Springs, MS – August 16, 2025
• 8th Annual DuPont BBQ Cookoff – DuPont, WA – August 17, 2025
• Smoke on the Water BBQ Championship – Pine Bluff, AR – September 20, 2025
• Arlington BBQ Burnout – Arlington, TN – October 17, 2025
• Monroe Turkey Smoke – Monroe, NC – October 18, 2025
• American Royal World Series of Barbecue – Kansas City, MO – October 30, 2025
• Atlanta BBQ Store Classic – Cummings, GA – November 15, 2025
• BBQ Jackpot – Las Vegas, NV – November 21, 2025
• Texas BBQ Blowout – Paris, TX – December 6, 2025

Since its inception, the Turkey Smoke Series has introduced thousands of pitmasters and barbecue fans to the incredible possibilities of turkey on the smoker. Each event will feature a dedicated Turkey Smoke category where teams will bring their best smoked turkey creations to the judges, competing for prizes, bragging rights and a chance to be named Turkey Smoke champion!

This year marks an exciting milestone for Turkey Smoke, as competitions were selected through the newly implemented Turkey Smoke Grant Program. Events were chosen through a competitive application process, considering factors such as event size, geographic diversity and commitment to promoting turkey barbecue. The grant program allows Turkey Smoke to reach new audiences and introduce more pitmasters, fans, and consumers to the versatility and flavor of smoked turkey.

Competitors and barbecue fans can download the full 2025 Turkey Smoke Series schedule, find recipes and learn more about how to get involved in the future by visiting TurkeySmoke.org.

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