Happy Holidays from Flawed yet Functional! I am an Autoimmune Protocol-using Type 1 Diabetic who keeps my blood sugar under control. The main “frees” of the AIP diet are dairy, eggs, and gluten (though there are a few more). I’m going to show you how to cook a turkey on a charcoal grill that tastes amazing and is completely dairy-free! This turkey on a charcoal grill is perfect for your upcoming holiday feast! Traditionally, cooking a turkey involves butter.
Disclosure: At Flawed yet Functional, I only recommend products that have genuine value and that I personally use. Some of the links below are affiliate links, which merely implies that I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase using the links provided!
The holidays are upon us which means decadent, rich family meals are in store. There’s no reason why holiday get-togethers have to be food-focused; delicious meals can still be made that please everyone while following the AIP guidelines (check out these 8 helpful food tradition swaps!). For a holiday meal, grilling a turkey over charcoal is a great option whether you follow a strict diet or not. It tastes delicious, and it frees up the oven for other food. Win win!.
Of course, grilling a turkey requires a grill! We use an XL Big Green Egg, but any large enough charcoal grill will work! The grill must be large enough to accommodate the turkey in a roasting pan and have a fully closed lid. A Weber or any other brand of kettle-type or ceramic grill will work just fine.
The instructions here will focus on the Big Green Egg or other ceramic style grill set-up. The benefit of this type of grill is it is extremely efficient in its use of heat. A little charcoal goes a long way. If you use a Weber grill, pay attention to your charcoal while the turkey cooks and follow these guidelines. You may need to add more.
One accessory we’ve purchased for our grill is a ceramic plate setter. This triangular ceramic part sits beneath the grill grate and has a “plate” in the middle of it along with three large air holes around the outside.
The plate setter allows for a cook with indirect heat. It can be used for smoking (just place wood on top of the charcoal) or indirect grilling, like we did for our turkey.
To set up indirect heat cooking on a kettle-type grill, check out this video.
A good leave-in thermometer is invaluable when it comes to grilling and smoking. If you use a thermometer, grilling can be “fix it and forget it. It is much simpler, but you still need to monitor the grill’s internal temperature, almost obviously!.
We use and love the Smoke leave-in thermometer from ThermoWorks. It uses two probes so you can monitor the grill temperature and meat temperature simultaneously.
I highly recommend this leave-in thermometer set up. It works great time after time. We have had ours for 2 years, and it is still working great.
Two years may not seem like a long time, but when we’ve used grocery store leave-in thermometers in the past, we’ve had a lot of problems. For us, the $15–$25 leave-in thermometers from the grocery store last for about one or two cooks. The probe quickly loses its ability to sense the temperature. Therefore, having a single leave-in thermometer that has withstood two years and at least sixteen thorough cooks is quite the accomplishment!
Grilling a turkey is a fantastic way to enjoy a delicious and flavorful Thanksgiving or holiday meal outdoors. While not the most common method grilling offers a unique and fun experience, allowing you to savor the smoky aroma and create a memorable dining experience for your guests.
We’ll go over every step of grilling a turkey in this in-depth guide, including preparation, cooking, and safety advice. We’ll also address frequently asked questions and offer helpful guidance to guarantee you have a successful and pleasurable grilling experience.
Preparing Your Turkey for Grilling:
- Choose the right turkey: Select a fresh or thawed turkey that is under 16 pounds for optimal grilling results.
- Remove giblets and neck: Locate and remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity.
- Drain and pat dry: Drain any excess juices from the turkey and pat it dry with clean paper towels.
- Turn wings and tuck legs: Turn the wings back to hold the neck skin in place and tuck the legs for a more compact shape.
- Brush with oil: Brush or spray the entire turkey with cooking or vegetable oil to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
Grilling Your Turkey:
Outdoor Charcoal Grilling:
- Prepare the charcoal grill: Remove the cooking grate and open all vents to allow for proper airflow.
- Position the drip pan: Place a drip pan in the center of the charcoal grate to catch drippings.
- Light the charcoal: Arrange 25-30 briquettes along each side of the drip pan and light them. Let the briquettes burn until covered with gray ash, approximately 30 minutes.
- Replace the cooking grate: Once the coals are ready, place the cooking grate back on the grill over the coals.
- Place the turkey on the grill: Carefully position the turkey, breast-side up, on the cooking grate over the drip pan.
- Cover the grill: Close the grill lid, leaving the vents open for proper ventilation.
- Maintain heat: Add 6-8 briquettes to each side of the grill every 45-60 minutes to maintain consistent heat.
- Monitor internal temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 180°F in the thigh and 170°F in the breast.
- Rest before carving: Once cooked, remove the turkey from the grill and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Outdoor Gas Grilling:
- Prepare the gas grill: Before turning on the grill, lift the grate and place a drip pan directly on the flavorizer bars, ceramic briquettes, or lava rocks. Replace the grate.
- Set up for indirect heat: Preheat the grill for indirect heat cooking according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn the burners on high for 10-15 minutes with the lid closed.
- Prepare the turkey: Follow the same preparation steps as for charcoal grilling.
- Reduce heat and place turkey: Turn the temperature down to approximately 350°F. Place the turkey, breast-side up, on the cooking grate over the drip pan. Close the lid and cook with minimal peeking.
- Turn the turkey (optional): Depending on the burner arrangement, you may need to turn the turkey over halfway through grilling to ensure even cooking.
- Check internal temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 180°F in the thigh and 170°F in the breast.
- Rest before carving: Once cooked, remove the turkey from the grill and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Grilling Tips:
- Don’t stuff a turkey that you plan on grilling. Stuffing can trap moisture and prevent the turkey from cooking evenly.
- Avoid using lighter fluid-infused briquettes. Lighter fluid can impart an unpleasant taste to the turkey.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
- Let the turkey rest before carving to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and moist turkey.
Additional Resources:
- Butterball® Turkey Talk-Line®: 1-800-BUTTERBALL or text 844-877-3456 for expert turkey advice.
- Butterball® website: www.butterball.com for recipes, cooking tips, and product information.
Grilling a turkey can be a fun and rewarding experience, adding a unique flavor and ambiance to your holiday or special occasion meal. By following these steps, tips, and safety guidelines, you can confidently grill a delicious and perfectly cooked turkey that will impress your guests and create lasting memories. Remember to choose the right turkey, prepare it properly, and monitor the internal temperature carefully to ensure a safe and enjoyable grilling experience.
V-Rack or Roasting Rack with Roasting Pan
Lastly, you need a rack to hold the turkey in a roasting pan
Cookware placed in a grill won’t break; in fact, it will serve the same purpose as an oven, if a little sloppy.
How to Grill a Turkey on a Charcoal Grill
FAQ
How long does it take to grill a turkey on a charcoal grill?
Can you cook a whole turkey on a Weber charcoal grill?
What kind of charcoal is best for grilling turkey?
Do you flip a turkey when grilling?