Grilled Turkey Breast

This is a great recipe to save oven space this holiday season. Grilled Turkey Breast comes out full of smokey flavor, crispy skin, and juicy on the inside. This tender turkey breast is a family favorite and easy to make.

Your holiday meal just got easier with this simple Grilled Turkey Breast Recipe. Add your favorite grilled sides and dinner is complete. You may even like this Grilled Whole Turkey, Blackstone Turkey Breast or Grilled Turkey Tenderloin for the perfect Thanksgiving turkey recipe.

What type of Turkey do I use?

We used a bone-in turkey for this recipe. We recommend leaving the skin on as it allows the skin get extra crispy on the grill. The turkey that we purchased was a 9 pound turkey, but you can use a different size depending on your family.

You can use a boneless turkey for this recipe if you prefer.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Turkey – You can grill a boneless turkey or a bone-in turkey. Just adjust your cooking time.
• Change the Seasoning – You can use any type of seasoning you prefer. Try adding fresh herbs such as fresh rosemary, basil, and fresh thyme. Just make sure to cover it in softened butter to get that crispy skin.
• Add Vegetables – You can stuff the turkey with onion, celery and other types of vegetables and grill.
• Grill – We used a gas grill but you can also use a charcoal grill.
• BBQ Turkey Breast – When the turkey is finished grilling, add Homemade BBQ Sauce or sauce of your choice for delicious flavor.

How to Grill Turkey Breast

• Step 1 – Preheat a grill over medium-high heat to approximately 350 degrees F. Place the turkey breast skin side up in a deep sided foil pan. Dry turkey with paper towels.

• Step 2 – Combine the butter, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper together in a small pan.

• Step 3 – Rub the butter mixture on the outside of the turkey breast using a basting brush.

• Step 4 – Place the drip pan directly on the hot side of the grill on the grill grates.  Close the grill lid on the grill.

• Step 5 – Cook for 13-15 minutes per pound (so I baked the 9 lb turkey breasts for 2 hours) until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey is cooked to the current temperature.

• Step 6 – Remove the oven, loosely cover with foil and allow the turkey breast to rest for at least at least 30 minutes or to room temperature.

• Step 7 – Then the turkey is ready to slice and then serve. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Seasoning Turkey – We recommend thoroughly seasoning the turkey before placing on the grill.
• Grilling Turkey – Place turkey on the grill and close the lid. Grill the turkey for the indicated time depending on the size of the turkey.
• Meat Thermometer – Make sure to use a instant read thermometer to check temperature of turkey before serving. Insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the breast.
• Rest Turkey – Allow turkey to rest before slicing. This allows the turkey to lock in the juices. If slice to early then you turkey could be dry.
• Brine Turkey – We did not brine turkey before cooking, but you can if you prefer.

How to Bake a Turkey Breast

Place the turkey in a roasting pan or baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 13-15 minutes per pound until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. 

We recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure turkey is done prior to serving.

How Long do you Grill a Turkey Breast?

When you grill a turkey, it will depend on the size of your turkey on how long it takes to grill. You will grill a turkey for about 15 minutes for each pound the turkey is.

Our turkey was about 9 pounds and we cooked our turkey for about 2 hours. Make sure to always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the turkey reaches a temperature of 160 degrees.

How Long does it take to Cook a Boneless Turkey Breast on a Grill?

Cooking a boneless turkey on the grill doesn’t take as long as a bone-in turkey. This recipe is for bone-in turkey. But a boneless turkey will take about 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Make sure to always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature before serving.

What to Serve with Grilled Turkey?

There are many different sides that you can serve with this grilled turkey. If you are making it for the holiday you may choose to make sides in the oven. But it would also be easy to grill some too.

• Grilled Bacon Wrapped Corn on the Cob
• Grilled Asparagus Recipe
• Foil Pack Grilled Vegetables