Grilled Turkey Breast is perfect for a smaller Thanksgiving or a healthier year-round change of pace. Use traditional seasoning or make BBQ with the recommended brown sugar dry rub.
Easy to do with the simple instructions. Any turkey, fresh or frozen, skin-on-bone-in whole or half breast, or a boneless turkey breast, will work—season to your taste.
Turkey breast—bone-in or bonelessOil—vegetable oil, olive oil, or butterOptional brine and rub Other optional seasoning—sprigs of fresh thyme, basil, rosemary, or other fresh herbs, pepper
Fire up the backyard BBQ grill for this easy recipe. There is no need for an oven; prep the turkey, control the grill temperature, place it on the grill, and return in a few hours.
This recipe is great for any smaller gathering when you dont need a whole turkey. Its also a perfect summer change of pace or for a smaller holiday feast. Use the suggested brown sugar spice, a BBQ rub, or season like a traditional holiday bird.
Grilling turkey breast is a fantastic way to enjoy juicy, flavorful white meat without having to cook a whole bird. A grilled turkey breast cooks faster than a whole turkey and is the perfect size for feeding a smaller gathering. With a few simple tricks, you can make a mouthwateringly delicious grilled turkey breast right in your own backyard.
Why Choose Turkey Breast for Grilling
There are several great reasons to opt for grilling just a turkey breast rather than a whole turkey:
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Quick cooking time – A turkey breast will grill in only 1-1.5 hours, while a whole turkey takes at least 2.5-3 hours to cook through. The quicker cook time makes grilling breast more convenient.
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Easier to manage – Dealing with indirect heat for a breast is simpler than maintaining even heat for a large whole turkey
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Feeds fewer guests – A turkey breast serving 4-6 people is ideal for smaller holiday gatherings or dinner parties. A whole bird feeds 8+ people.
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All white meat – Turkey breast is 100% lean, moist, tender white meat. You don’t have to worry about dried out dark meat or cooking wings and legs
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Minimal prep – There’s no tricky trussing or complicated roasting pans needed Turkey breast prep is super simple
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Juicier meat – Removing the bone prevents drying out and grilling indirectly locks in juice.
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Crispier skin – Grilling creates the crispiest, crackliest turkey skin possible. No other cooking method makes skin this good.
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Infuse flavors – Grilling lets you impart great smoky taste or add herbs/spices via a marinade.
Tips for Grilling Turkey Breast
Follow these handy tips for grilling the most scrumptious, juicy turkey breast with deliciously crispy skin:
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Go boneless – Removing the bone allows the breast to cook more evenly. Plus, it’s easier to carve and slice after grilling.
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Brine first – Soaking in a saltwater brine seasons the meat and ensures a super juicy result.
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Use indirect heat – Positioning the breast away from direct heat prevents burning and drying out.
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Cook to 165°F – Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. 165°F is the perfect temp for safety and optimal juiciness.
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Baste while cooking – Basting adds wonderful flavor and keeps the breast nice and moist. Butter or herb sauce make tasty baste options.
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Let it rest – Allowing the breast to rest after grilling lets juices redistribute for the most tender, juicy slices.
Step-by-Step Grilled Turkey Breast
Follow these simple steps for grilling an unbelievably moist, flavorful turkey breast:
Ingredients:
- 3-5 lb boneless, skin-on turkey breast
- Brine of your choice
- Olive oil
- Herb butter baste
- Apple wood chips
Directions:
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Trim excess fat and rinse turkey breast. Pat dry with paper towels.
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Make brine and submerge turkey breast 1-2 hours.
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Remove turkey from brine, pat dry, and let sit at room temp 30 minutes.
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Prepare grill for indirect cooking at 350-400°F. Add apple wood chips to coals.
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Coat turkey breast with olive oil. Place skin-side up over indirect heat, over drip pan.
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Grill 1-1.5 hours until 165°F, basting with herb butter every 20 minutes.
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Remove turkey from grill, tent loosely with foil, and let rest 15 minutes.
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Slice turkey breast across the grain. Serve warm.
Easy Brine for Moist Turkey Breast
This straightforward brine infuses the turkey breast with fabulous flavor and keeps it unbelievably juicy:
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons peppercorns
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
Bring all ingredients to a boil, cool, then soak turkey breast 1-2 hours.
Best Wood Chips for Turkey Breast
For fantastic smoky flavor, add these wood chips to your grill when cooking turkey breast:
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Apple – mild, sweet, fruity smoke
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Cherry – mellow, slightly sweet smoke
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Hickory – bold, intense, bacon-like smoke
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Mesquite – strong, earthy smoke flavor
Soak chips 30 minutes before grilling, then add to hot coals for smoke.
Herb Butter Baste
Baste the turkey breast while grilling with this flavorful herb butter mixture:
- Melt:
- 1 stick salted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Brush this butter baste over the turkey breast every 20 minutes during grilling.
Achieving Perfectly Crispy Skin
Get fantastically crispy crackling turkey skin with these helpful tips:
- Pat turkey breast very dry before grilling
- Maintain grill temp around 400°F
- Start breast skin-side up
- Avoid opening grill often
- Baste with butter for extra crispy skin
- Grill over indirect heat, not direct flame
- Let skin directly face hot grill grates to crisp
Essential Grilling Gear
Having the right grilling tools makes cooking turkey breast super easy:
- Instant-read thermometer – monitors doneness precisely
- Disposable foil pan – catches drippings under breast
- Basting brush – evenly applies butter baste
- Meat claws – safely shreds and handles hot breast
- Grill tongs – grips and flips breast with ease
Now you’ve got all the insider tips and step-by-step instructions needed to grill up the most mouthwateringly delicious turkey breast ever! Juicy, tender meat with crunchy browned skin and wonderful smoky flavor make grilled turkey breast an extraordinary treat. Fire up your grill and enjoy this fantastic poultry option.
⏲️How Long to Grill a turkey breast?
Total grill time will be about 15-20 minutes per pound—usually 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours, depending on weight, thickness, and the grill.
Check the internal temperature early due to the variables. You must have your final temperatures correct using an instant-read thermometer. Undercooking is not safe, and overcooking will rapidly dry the turkey.
️How to monitor temperatures
Like most recipes, your success in grilling a turkey breast will depend on your ability to control the cooking temperature and obtain the best final temperature. You must be able to control the cooking (surface) temperature and accurately monitor the end point of cooking.
Here are some suggestions I use, but there are many more good products that will work at your local big box store.
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How To Grill A Turkey Breast – Ace Hardware
FAQ
How long do you grill a turkey breast?
Brush the turkey skin with the melted butter and grill the turkey breast, skin side up, positioned over the foil pan, over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165º in the thickest part of the breast (not touching the bone), 1 to 1 ½ hours.
Can you put a turkey on a gas grill?
Can I Cook My Turkey on a Gas Grill? Absolutely! I prefer a charcoal grill for the flavors that come from lump charcoal and wood. But, if you have a gas grill you can still get some great flavors by using a smoke tube.
Do you cover turkey with foil when grilling?
When cooking a turkey, it is recommended to cover it for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out. However, towards the end of the cooking process, it is advised to remove the cover to allow the skin to crisp up (1). Covering the turkey with foil helps trap steam and moisture, resulting in a juicier bird.
Can boneless turkey breast be grilled?
Boneless turkey breast can be grilled on a gas grill, charcoal grill, or even in an oven. It can be grilled whole or sliced into strips or chunks. It can be marinated or seasoned with a variety of different flavors. Grilled boneless turkey breast is a great addition to any summer barbecue or cookout.
How long do you cook a turkey breast on a grill?
Cover the grill and cook the turkey breast halves, adding more water to the pan as needed, until they are a rich golden brown and cooked through, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. To test for doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the breast halves, away from the bone; it should register 165°F.
How do you cook a turkey breast on a BBQ?
Tenderized breast meat rolled up with seasoned ground turkey, sliced into portions and wrapped in a beautiful strip of pork bacon. Perfect for the barbecue. Ingredients: Turkey breast, ground turkey, bacon, salt, onion flakes, pepper, parsley BBQ: Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes per side.