How to Cook Turkey on a Charcoal Grill: A Guide to Grilling Perfection

Ah, Thanksgiving. A time for family, friends, and of course, a delicious turkey. But who says you have to stick to the oven? Grilling your Thanksgiving turkey is a fun, flavorful way to change things up and impress your guests.

But before you fire up the grill, let’s delve into the secrets of how to cook turkey on a charcoal grill like a pro.

The Secrets to Grilling a Delicious Turkey:

1. Prep Your Bird:

Size Matters: Choose a turkey that’s 20 pounds or less. Anything bigger might not fit on your grill.
Brining is Optional: Brining your turkey can help it stay moist and flavorful, but it’s not mandatory.
Dry it Out: Pat your turkey dry inside and out, ensuring you remove the giblets.
Season it Up: Rub your turkey with olive oil and liberally season it with salt and pepper. You can also add fresh herbs and aromatics like onions, lemons, and garlic for extra flavor.

2. Get Your Grill Ready:

Light it Up: Build a medium-sized charcoal fire and let the coals burn until they’re white-hot.
Divide and Conquer: Divide the coals into two piles on opposite sides of the grill.
Smoke it Up: Scatter soaked wood chips (apple, hickory, alder, or whatever you like) on top of the coals for a subtle smoky flavor.
Create a Drip Pan: Place a foil pan filled with white wine (or chicken broth or water) between the piles of coals. This will add moisture and flavor to the turkey.

3. Time to Grill:

Place and Cover: Put your turkey on the grill, breast-side up, and cover the grill.
Adjust the Vents: Open the vents on the lid and bottom of the grill halfway to maintain a slow fire.
Keep an Eye on it: Check on your turkey every half hour or so, adding two or three charcoal briquettes to each side if needed.
Cook it Through: Cook your turkey until the temperature in the thickest part of the breast reads 161°F. This usually takes about 3 hours.
Let it Rest: Remove the turkey from the grill and let it rest, tented with aluminum foil, for half an hour.

4. Gravy Time:

Stock it Up: Simmer the turkey neck and giblets with low-sodium chicken broth, a carrot, an onion, and a celery stalk for a few hours to make a flavorful stock.
Combine the Flavors: Remove the foil drip pan from the grill and combine its contents with the turkey stock in a large saucepan.
Make it Thick: Make a roux with butter and flour, then slowly whisk in the turkey stock and drip pan contents. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened.
Season to Taste: Adjust the gravy with salt and pepper to your liking.

Tips and Tricks for Grilling Success:

Don’t Stuff it: Stuffing a turkey on the grill is a no-no. Make your stuffing separately in the oven.
Use a Thermometer: A meat thermometer is your best friend for ensuring your turkey is cooked through.
Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs, spices, and wood chips to find your perfect flavor combination.
Relax and Enjoy: Grilling your Thanksgiving turkey should be a fun experience. So relax, enjoy the process, and savor the delicious results.

Grilling your Thanksgiving turkey is a delicious and memorable way to celebrate the holiday. By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure a perfectly cooked bird that will have your guests raving So fire up the grill, grab your favorite seasonings, and get ready to create a Thanksgiving feast that will go down in history

Additional Resources:

Marin Mommies: Cook Your Thanksgiving Turkey on the Charcoal Grill: https://www.marinmommies.com/chef-daddy-barbeques-thanksgiving-turkey
Weber Grills: Roasting a Whole Turkey on the Grill: https://www.weber.com/US/en/grill-skills/mastering-poultry/turkey/roasting-a-whole-turkey-on-the-grill/weber-34544.html

Happy Grilling!

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Indirect heat is essential for a moist, evenly cooked turkey. Make two beds of charcoal on either side of the charcoal grate, leaving a large space empty in the center. Arrange two large disposable foil pans inside a roasting rack, then place the pan over a wide open area to provide indirect heat. Close the lid.

Once every hour, add five to eight briquettes to each bed of charcoal. This helps to maintain a fairly even level of heat. Drop the briquettes into the grill gently so they don’t send ashes onto the turkey.

Tilt the turkey with the grill lid open so that the juices that collect in the center will pour into the pan and flavor the gravy’s base. Cook the turkey until [conversion imperial=”170° to 175°F” metric=”75º to 80ºC”] an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (not touching the bone) registers. After moving the turkey to a platter, allow it to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. During this time, the internal temperature will increase slightly.

Charcoal Grilled Turkey

FAQ

How long does it take a turkey to cook on a charcoal grill?

You’ll want to check on your bird every half hour or so, adding two or three charcoal briquets to each side if needed. Cook your turkey until the temperature in the thickest part of the breast reads 161ºF. Our test bird took about 3 hours.

How do you cook a turkey on a Weber charcoal grill?

Indirect heat is essential for a moist, evenly cooked turkey. Create two beds of charcoal on opposite sides of the charcoal grate and leave a wide area open in middle. Place the turkey on a roasting rack set inside two large disposable foil pans and place the pan over the wide open area (indirect heat). Close the lid.

What kind of charcoal is best for grilling turkey?

The most popular types of wood used are oak, hickory, walnut, alder and mesquite. There are other types of lump charcoal such as quebracho, bintochotan, coconut, kiawe and eucalyptus wood. Each type of wood will burn at different rates and temperatures and will give off distinctive smoke flavors.

Do you cover a turkey with foil on the grill?

We’ve found that covering a turkey in foil yields much moister results than roasting it without foil, and we favor simply covering up the breast to even out cooking time. Some people swear that roasting a turkey breast-side down and flipping it halfway through achieves the same results as a foil covered breast.

How do you cook a Turkey on a charcoal grill?

1. Arrange the charcoal briquettes in a two-zone fire configuration, with the coals piled on one side of the grill. 2. Place a drip pan filled with water on the other side of the grill to catch the drippings and prevent flare-ups. 3. Preheat the grill to a temperature of around 325°F (163°C) before placing the turkey on the cooking grates.

How do you Grill a whole turkey?

To grill a whole turkey, you will need: Charcoal Grill – You can also use a gas grill, but the instructions in this post cater to a charcoal. Charcoal – Classic charcoal gives the best flavor. Lighter Fluid – To get the fire going. Drip Pans – Use a drip pan underneath to collect drippings for gravy.

Can you cook a Turkey on a Weber charcoal grill?

One of the most flavorful and traditional ways to cook a turkey is on a Weber charcoal grill. The combination of smoky flavors and a crispy exterior makes for a truly memorable Thanksgiving feast. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to cook a succulent turkey on your Weber charcoal grill.

How do you cook a turkey breast on a grill?

Brush or spray entire turkey with cooking or vegetable oil. Place turkey, breast up, on cooking grate over drip pan. Cover grill, leaving vents open. Add 6 to 8 briquettes to each side every 45 to 60 minutes. Using a meat thermometer, cook turkey to internal temperature of 180° F in thigh and 170° F in breast.