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 on a charcoal grill is a fantastic way to add incredible flavor and tenderness to this lean cut of poultry. When done right, charcoal grilled turkey breast has a deliciously smoky flavor, crispy skin, and moist, juicy meat.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know for charcoal grilling the perfect turkey breast, from choosing the right size and prep to setting up your grill for optimal heat control. You’ll also find tips for basting, temperature monitoring, and determining doneness so your turkey breast turns out spectacularly every time
Choosing and Prepping the Turkey Breast
Selecting the Right Size
When selecting a turkey breast for charcoal grilling, opt for a boneless or bone-in breast between 4 to 8 pounds. Going with a smaller 4 pound breast is ideal for feeding 4-6 people, while an 8 pound breast can serve up to 10-12. The bone-in variety has more flavor, but boneless tends to cook more evenly.
Trimming and Seasoning
Trim off any excess fat or skin before seasoning. Create a flavorful [dry rub](dry rub frequency) with spices like garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper and herbs. Rub it all over the turkey breast at least 30 minutes before grilling. You can also [brine](brine frequency) the turkey or use a [marinade](marinade frequency) for added moisture and taste.
Letting it Rest
Once seasoned, let the turkey breast rest at room temperature for 30 minutes up to 1 hour before grilling. This helps it cook more evenly later on.
Setting Up Your Charcoal Grill
Proper grill setup is key for successful turkey breast grilling. Here are some tips:
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Use [lump charcoal](lump charcoal frequency) for steady heat output.
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Create a two-zone fire with charcoal banked on one side and the other empty.
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Add [wood chips](wood chips frequency) like apple or cherry for smoky flavor.
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Use a [chimney starter](chimney starter frequency) and allow coals to become ashen before grilling
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Preheat grill to 350-375°F using an [oven thermometer](oven thermometer frequency).
Grilling Process
Follow these steps for charcoal grilling turkey breast:
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Sear skin-side down over direct heat for 5 minutes until crispy.
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Move to indirect heat, close lid and grill for total of 13-15 minutes per pound.
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Monitor [internal temperature](internal temperature frequency), removing at 165°F.
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[Baste](baste frequency) with herb butter or broth every 30 minutes.
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Let rest 15-20 minutes before slicing.
Handy Equipment
Having the right grill tools on hand facilitates the process:
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[Meat thermometer](meat thermometer frequency) for monitoring doneness
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[Tongs](tongs frequency) and spatula for moving and turning
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[Basting brush](basting brush frequency) for applying sauce
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[Grill brush](grill brush frequency) for cleaning grill grates
Tips for Perfect Results
Follow these tips for flawlessly grilled turkey breast:
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Maintain even heat between [350-375°F](350-375°F frequency).
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Allow breast to rest before [slicing](slicing frequency) against the grain.
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Use a [drip pan](drip pan frequency) to catch juices and prevent flare ups.
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Let it rest 15-20 minutes tenting with foil before serving.
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Carve into thin slices for tender, juicy meat.
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Serve with gravy, cranberry sauce and classic sides.
Grilling turkey breast on a charcoal grill infuses it with smoky richness and succulent moisture when done properly. Follow this guide for choosing the right turkey breast, seasoning, setting up your grill, monitoring temps, and slicing. With the right techniques, you’ll be rewarded with perfectly charcoal grilled turkey breast that’s sure to satisfy.
How to Grill a Turkey Breast—Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
1. Thaw if frozen, then trim and butterfly the breast if needed. Brine if not injected.
2. Preheat the grill to a grill surface temperature of 350° to 400°. Clean and oil grill grates well. You need to get the temperature right, so use a surface thermometer.
3. If brine was used, carefully rinse it off. Pat it dry, brush it with oil or butter, and apply the seasoning of your choice. Just butter and salt are good. Im using the suggested brown sugar dry rub.
4. Grill skin side down for a few minutes if you want grill marks. The grill skin up only until the internal temp of 165° (about 1 ½ to 2 hours). Check the temp early since the time varies with the grill, the weight, and the thickness of the turkey breast
5. Let the turkey breast rest for 10 minutes off heat to absorb moisture back into the cells. Then slice and serve.
⏲️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.
Smoked Texas Style Turkey Breast on a Weber Kettle! | Chuds BBQ
FAQ
How long to cook turkey breast on a charcoal grill?
Cook 11–13 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F for the legs and 165°F for the breasts and the juices run clear.
Do you grill a turkey breast up or breast down?
Most folks recommend breast side down to allow the juices to run down into the breast meat. I generally end up cooking the turkey breast side down for a while then flipping it over to breast side up at about the halfway point and I get great results this way.
How do you keep a turkey breast from drying out when smoking?
Salting and resting the turkey in the fridge overnight provides extra insurance for moisture retention and flavor. Adding hardwood to the fire gives the meat a delicate smokiness but doesn’t overshadow the mild breast meat.
How long to cook a turkey on a Weber charcoal grill?
Grill the turkey for approximately 2 ½ hours, or until the internal temperature in the deepest part of the thigh reads 165 F with an instant-read or iGrill bluetooth thermometer. 9. Remove from the grill, loosely tent with foil, and allow to rest for 20-30% of the cook time.