This Grilled Turkey Recipe cooks tender, smoky, and full of flavor! The Perfect main dish for Thanksgiving, summer cookouts, or anytime you want a juicy bird cooked on the grill.
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Why You’ll Love this Grilled Turkey Recipe!
The first time I grilled a whole turkey, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But it quickly became one of my favorite ways to prepare it!
The smoky flavor from the grill adds something you just can’t get in the oven, and the skin turns out beautifully crisp and packed with amazing flavor!
Now, grilling turkey is a tradition in my house, especially when we want a holiday meal that feels a little more special and it always is a crowd favorite! If you looking for other ways to cook your holiday turkey, you might like this Smoked Turkey or Blackstone Turkey Breast.
Ingredients
- Whole Turkey – Give time for the turkey to fully thaw
- Butter – We used unsalted butter
- Simple Spices – We used garlic powder, salt, black pepper, paprika and thyme leaves. You can easily substitute to what you prefer.
- Chicken Broth – If you are out, just use water
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make Grilled Turkey
Step 1 – Preheat the grill to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2 – Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and tuck the wings under the turkey. You can tie back the wings of the turkey if you prefer.
Step 3 – Place the turkey in a aluminum foil roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan. Rub the butter all over the skin of the turkey.
Step 4 – Mix together the garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika and dried thyme leaves. Rub and pat this mixture on the outside of the turkey.
Step 5 – Turn off the middle burner on the grill and then place the turkey on the grill grate over indirect heat with the lid on the grill closed.
Step 6 – Cook the turkey based on the size of the turkey and use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 7 – Remove the turkey from the grill and let the turkey rest for 20 minutes. Move the turkey to a serving platter, carve and enjoy!
Grilled Turkey
Ingredients
- 12-24 pound Whole Turkey fully thawed
- 1/2 cup Butter softened
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Dried Thyme Leaves
- 2 cups chicken Broth
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and tuck the wings under the turkey. You can tie back the wings of the turkey if you prefer.
- Place the turkey in a foil roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan.
- Rub the butter all over the skin of the turkey.
- Mix together the garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika and dried thyme leaves. Rub this mixture on the outside of the turkey.
- Turn off the middle burner on the grill and then place the turkey on the grill over indirect heat with the lid on the grill closed.
- Cook the turkey based on the size of the turkey and use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A 12-15 pound turkey will take approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours. A 15-20 pound turkey will take approximately 2 ½ – 3 hours. A 20-24 pound turkey will take approximately 3 – 3 ½ hours. Check the turkey every 30 minutes and add more broth if needed.
- Remove the turkey from the grill and let the turkey rest for 20 minutes.
- Move the turkey to a serving platter, carve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Garlic Cloves
- Rosemary
- Chopped Onions
- You can even add in some stuffing to the turkey. You can stuff the turkey with oranges and lemons.
- A 12-15 pound turkey will take approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours.
- For a 15-20 pound turkey will take approximately 2 ½ – 3 hours.
- A 20-24 pound turkey will take approximately 3 – 3 ½ hours.
- Check the turkey every 30 minutes and add more broth if needed.
Nutrition Facts
Recipe Tips
- Rimmed Baking Sheet – To ensure that you keep the turkey drippings in the pan to make the best gravy, use a large enough pan to grill the turkey.
- Meat Thermometer – Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure that your turkey is fully cooked before slicing.
- Rest Turkey – Before Slicing Turkey, allow turkey to rest. This helps to lock in the juices to keep the turkey from getting dry.
Serving Recommendations
Complete your holiday meal with these easy side dishes. Everything can easily be cooked outdoor to save oven space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grill the turkey with the lid on the grill closed. You do not need to place a lid on the pan that the turkey is in.
Both work to cook a turkey. But gas offers more control, while charcoal adds smokier flavor.
Store leftover turkey in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
Yes, turkey freezes great in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
More Easy Grilled Holiday Meats
If you make this Grilled Turkey Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you!
