When you imagine the quintessential roasted turkey, chances are an oven-baked bird comes to mind. But did you know that rotisserie cooking is an amazing (and flavorful!) way to prepare turkey? If you have a rotisserie attachment for your grill or a countertop rotisserie appliance, the answer is yes – you most certainly can rotisserie a turkey!
As someone who loves cooking turkey on the rotisserie I’m excited to share this complete guide to rotisserie turkey. From tips for trussing and seasoning to timing carving, and serving suggestions, you’ll find everything you need to know to master this delicious roasting method. Let’s get started!
What is a Rotisserie Turkey?
A rotisserie turkey is a whole turkey cooked slowly on a rotisserie device. The turkey rotates continuously over a heat source, allowing the meat to baste in its own juices while roasting evenly on all sides. The rotisserie can be a horizontal spit attached to a grill or a vertical countertop appliance.
The constant movement self-bastes the turkey, keeping the meat incredibly moist and flavorful. The convection heat from the rotation also crisps up the skin beautifully. Compared to a stationary oven roast, rotisserie cooking gives phenomenally juicy, tender results every time.
Benefits of Choosing Rotisserie Turkey
Rotisserie turkey boasts a number of advantages over oven roasting:
- Self-basting action keeps meat very moist.
- Rotating distributes heat for consistent, even cooking.
- Crackling crisp and golden brown skin develops.
- Herbs and spices deeply season the meat.
- Less hands-on time since no basting or flipping required.
- Grilling frees up oven space for other dishes.
- Fun, showstopping centerpiece for holidays or gatherings.
Equipment Needed for Rotisserie Turkey
To make turkey on a rotisserie at home, you’ll need either:
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Outdoor Grill Rotisserie– A rotisserie attachment like the Weber Rotisserie Ring Set fits many kettle style grills.
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Countertop Rotisserie– An electric countertop rotisserie oven like the Ronco ST5000SS enables indoor turkey roasting.
Other handy equipment includes butcher’s twine, basting brushes, meat thermometers, roasting pans, and carving boards.
Choosing and Preparing the Right Turkey
For the rotisserie, smaller turkeys around 12-18 lbs are best. Birds over 20 lbs are difficult for most home rotisseries to handle. You can cook two small turkeys simultaneously for a festive presentation.
Before cooking, remove giblets, pat the turkey dry, and truss tightly. Be sure to tuck the wings in close to the body and tie the legs together. Season generously inside and out.
How Long Does Rotisserie Turkey Take?
Cooking times depend on the size of your turkey and temperature of the rotisserie. In general, plan on:
- 12 lb turkey: 2 to 2 1⁄2 hours
- 16 lb turkey: 3 to 3 1⁄2 hours
- 18 lb turkey: 3 1⁄2 to 4 hours
Target an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thighs. Let the turkey rest 20 minutes before carving.
Incredible Flavor Options
One amazing benefit of rotisserie turkey is that seasonings and rubs really penetrate the meat.
Delicious rotisserie turkey ideas include:
- Herb rub with rosemary, thyme, sage
- Cajun style with bold spices
- Asian 5 spice, sesame, ginger
- Chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic
- Brown sugar and citrus zest
You can also place flavorful liquids and fruits inside the cavity while roasting.
Serving Suggestions
After carving your masterpiece turkey, serve it up:
- Traditionally with stuffing, mashed potatoes, veggies.
- On sandwiches with cranberry sauce and mayo.
- In salads with greens, nuts, cheese, dried fruit.
- In quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos.
- Sliced over leafy greens as an entree salad.
Get Started with Rotisserie Turkey
As you can see, rotisserie turkey is absolutely delicious, foolproof, and worth adding to your cooking repertoire. With the right tools and techniques, you’ll be rewarded with the most tender, flavorful holiday turkey ever. Give it a try this season!
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It is easy to put a chicken on a rotisserie, but turkeys don’t seem to get as much spinning love. I find this a missed opportunity, as a rotisserie turkey is one of my favorite preparations. The self basting action of the rotisserie’s spin makes for an almost foolproof dinner. I’ve never had a dry and disappointing turkey. Ever.
Maybe the thought of spinning a 14 pound bird seems daunting. Don’t worry, it’s not. As the saying goes, if you can spin a chicken, you can spin a turkey. It’s that easy.
When it comes to grilling, I like the kettle more than the Summit Grill Center or the Performer. As everyone knows, turkeys are big, and the Kettle Rotisserie ring has plenty of vertical space for one of these birds.
If you want to impress your guests at your next holiday party, the rotisserie is the way to go. There is nothing more tasty than a dizzy turkey.
What you need : 1 fresh or thawed turkey, 12-16 pounds olive oil salt and pepper butcher twine
Prepare the grill for indirect medium high heat, 350-400 F.
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When using the rotisserie, I mound all of my charcoal to one side of the grill.
Use a Char-Basket Charcoal Fuel Holder and an aluminum drip pan to help out.
With a pair of kitchen shears, remove the wing tips.
Wing tips don’t have much meat, and if they stick out from the body, they tend to catch fire. They are worth losing.
Generously salt and pepper both the inside and outside of the turkey.
Lightly rub olive oil all over the skin.
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For a rotisserie turkey, I up my trussing.
I not only tie the legs together and wrap the body, but I also put more string over the wings. The last thing we want after hours of spinning is a wing to break loose and burn.
Mount the turkey on the spit.
Push the forks together before tightening the set screws, so that the turkey is compact and secured.
Place the spit on the grill.
When using the rotisserie ring on the grill, make sure the counterweight is on the side that is not touching the breast meat. This helps balance out the turkey and reduces stress on the rotisserie motor.
For a 14-pound turkey, grill it for about 2 to 2 ¼ hours, or until the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh reads 170 F. You can easily check the temperature of your turkey with an instant read thermometer or an iGrill.
Rotisserie Grilling Two Turkeys?
FAQ
How big of a turkey can you rotisserie?
What are 2 other ways to cook a turkey other than in the oven?
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Cook it
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on the stove top in a Dutch oven.
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Pull out the
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slow cooker for your turkey.
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Or
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grill it on a beer can.
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Cook a
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whole turkey in an extra large pressure cooker.
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How long does it take to cook a turkey on a Weber rotisserie?
Can you rotisserie a boneless turkey breast?
How do you cook a Turkey on a rotisserie?
There is nothing more tasty than a dizzy turkey. Prepare the grill for indirect medium high heat, 350-400 F. When using the rotisserie, I mound all of my charcoal to one side of the grill. Use a Char-Basket Charcoal Fuel Holder and an aluminum drip pan to help out. With a pair of kitchen shears, remove the wing tips.
Can you cook a turkey breast in a rotisserie?
If you have time, dry brine the turkey breast with the spice rub: Rub with spices the night before, or up to 48 hours before cooking. Wrap the turkey in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until 2 hours before cooking. Grill with Rotisserie attachment (I use a Weber Summit with an infrared rotisserie burner.
Does a rotisserie ring fit a Turkey?
Turkey’s are big, obviously, and the Kettle Rotisserie ring provides more than enough vertical space for such a big piece of poultry. If you are planning to wow your guests at your next holiday gathering, look no further than the rotisserie. There is nothing more tasty than a dizzy turkey. Prepare the grill for indirect medium high heat, 350-400 F.
How to cook a turkey breast on a Weber rotisserie?
How to cook a turkey breast on a Weber gas grill rotisserie? Grill the turkey on the rotisserie, keeping the lid closed, until the turkey breast reads 165º F internal with an instant-read thermometer, approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Add unlit briquettes every hour, if needed, to keep the temperature up.
How do you keep a turkey breast cool on a rotisserie?
To keep the breast meat cool, set the bag of ice on the turkey’s breast, arranging it so the ice does not touch the thighs or drumsticks. Let the turkey rest at room temperature until it is time to cook. Prepare the grill: Set your grill up for rotisserie cooking at medium heat (350°F).
How do you Grill a Turkey on a rotisserie ring?
Mount the turkey on the spit. Push the forks together before tightening the set screws, so that the turkey is compact and secured. Place the spit on the grill. If grilling with the rotisserie ring, be sure to set the counterweight to the side opposite of the breast meat. This helps balance out the turkey and reduces stress on the rotisserie motor.