You don’t need a smoker to get the great flavor and juicy meat of a Smoked Turkey. We’ll show you how to make a smoked turkey on a charcoal grill!.
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A smoked turkey is a great way to prepare a turkey, even though it’s not the traditional way to do it. This is especially true here in Wisconsin, where there is already a light covering of snow.
I have heard that smoking is best when it is cold and/or snowy because the cooler temperatures keep the grill (or smoker) from getting too hot.
What you need is a low and slow smoke to make a bird that is moist and tender and smells and tastes great.
Smoking a turkey on a charcoal grill results in incredibly moist, flavorful meat infused with a delicious smoky essence. While roasting in the oven is the traditional preparation, smoked turkey takes your holiday centerpiece to the next level. Follow this guide to learn how to smoke a turkey on a charcoal grill for your next gathering.
Benefits of Smoking Turkey on a Grill
Compared to roasting smoking turkey offers several advantages
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Deeply penetrated smoky flavor from absorbing smoke over several hours.
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Juicier meat thanks to gentle indirect heating that doesn’t dry out the turkey.
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Infusion of flavor from wood chips – commonly hickory, pecan, apple, or cherry.
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Easy monitoring and temperature regulation on a grill vs. oven.
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Fun, hands-on experience of smoking on a grill.
What You’ll Need
Smoking a turkey requires some special equipment and a charcoal grill with a lid Here’s the gear you’ll need
- Charcoal grill with lid
- Natural lump charcoal
- Smoking wood chips – soaked
- Disposable aluminum drip pan
- Meat thermometer
- Oven mitts and grilling tools
- Non-stick spray or oil
- 10-15 lb turkey
- Poultry seasoning rub
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for smoking turkey on a charcoal grill:
1. Prepare the Turkey
- Thaw turkey completely over 24-36 hours in fridge.
- Remove giblets and neck from cavities.
- Pat turkey dry inside and out with paper towels.
- Rub poultry seasoning all over turkey skin and underside.
2. Soak Wood Chips
- Soak smoking wood chips in water for 30 minutes to an hour before grilling. This prevents burning.
3. Set Up Grill for Smoking
- Open bottom grill vents fully to create airflow.
- Fill charcoal bed on one side of grill only.
- Light a full chimney of lump charcoal.
- Once hot, pour charcoal onto grill.
- Add soaked wood chips right on charcoal.
- Fill disposable drip pan with water and place on empty side of grill.
4. Put Turkey on Grill
- With mitts, place turkey directly on grill grates over drip pan.
- Position turkey breast side up, opposite charcoal bed.
- Close lid vents halfway to regulate temperature.
5. Maintain Proper Heat
- Keep temp between 250-300°F by opening/closing vents.
- Add 8-10 fresh briquettes every 45-60 minutes to maintain heat.
- Check drip pan and add water as needed to prevent drying.
6. Smoke Turkey Until Done
- Smoke turkey for approx. 3-4 hours until deep golden brown.
- Turkey is done when breast meat reaches 165°F and thigh 175°F.
7. Let Turkey Rest
- Carefully remove turkey when finished smoking.
- Tent turkey loosely with foil and let rest 15-20 minutes.
8. Carve and Serve
- Using a sharp knife, carefully carve smoked turkey.
- Slice breast meat and serve drumsticks/wings whole.
- Enjoy your delicious smoked turkey!
Smoking a turkey on a charcoal grill takes some time and effort, but the incredibly moist, flavorful meat is worth it. The infusion of smoke and spices is unmatched. Follow these tips for turkey smoking success at your next gathering.
It’s too cold to use my grill as a smoker
You should check on your grill more often when it’s cold outside to make sure there are enough coals and that it stays at the right temperature (around 170 to 200F).
If it’s cold, you should also give yourself an extra hour of cooking time in case the grill’s heat drops below 150F. That way you give yourself the time to let it cook really, really slow if needed.
A leave-in thermometer is a great way to monitor both the temperature of your coals and turkey. ThermoWorks makes a wonderful tool for this in their Smoke Remote. With two channels, you can have a probe measuring both at the same time. And it has a wireless receiver, so you don’t have to stay by your grill/smoker to check the temps!
How to smoke a turkey on a charcoal grill
For some reason, smoking a turkey on a charcoal grill is a bit trickier than smoking anything else on your charcoal grill.
First, you will need to set up your grill for indirect cooking. When we smoke a turkey on a grill, we like to put the coals in a circle around the outside of the grill. This leaves a space in the middle without coals so we can put a pan there to catch any juices that run off the turkey. The bird will go over this pan.
The tricky part about smoking a turkey is that the bird is typically quite large. You’ll need to keep an eye on your charcoal grill for five to six hours to make sure the temperature stays around 200F. This will keep your bird smoking and cooking at a good rate.
Don’t worry if your temperature goes up or down; we have some troubleshooting tips below to help.
Just starting out on the grill.
Charcoal Smoked Turkey Whole Tips For Beginners
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke a turkey on a charcoal grill?
What’s the best way to smoke a turkey on the grill?
Do you wrap turkey in foil when smoking?
How do you cook a smoked turkey on a charcoal grill?
Get a flavorful smoked turkey on a charcoal grill! Yield: 1 (12 lb) turkey Clean your grill grates and set up your grill for indirect heating, with a drip pan directly in the center of the bottom grate and your coals arranged around the pan. Place an oven thermometer in the grill and preheat the grill to 200F. Mix the rub together in a small bowl.
Can you smoke a Turkey on a char grill?
Smoking a turkey is an art form that can transform an ordinary bird into a culinary masterpiece. With the help of your Char-Griller grill, you can infuse your turkey with a delightful smoky flavor and achieve a juicy, tender texture that will have your guests raving.
How do you smoke a Turkey?
With olive oil, canola oil, or butter, coat the outside and inside of the turkey then coat with your rub of choice or simply use garlic, salt and pepper. Optionally, fill the cavity with aromatics including Coca-Cola (poured inside), apple, onion, garlic and more ingredients of your choosing. Smoke It!
How to cook a Turkey on a grill?
First, you will need to set up your grill for indirect cooking. For smoking a turkey on a grill, we like to arrange the coals in a circle around the exterior of the grill, leaving a space in the center without coals where we can put a pan to catch any juices that drip from the bird. The bird will go over this pan.
How long do you cook a Turkey in a smoker?
Once your turkey is ready and your smoker is up to temperature, . Plan on cooking it 30 minutes for every pound that it weighs. Place a drip pan filled with water underneath the turkey in the smoker. Every hour, baste the turkey with the juice that it produces throughout the cook. If you opted to brine it prior, there’s no need to baste.
How do you smoke a chicken on a gas grill?
Place a handful of smoking chips over the warm coals and place the bird on the top grill grate, above the drip pan. Cover the grill. Smoke for 5-6 hours. Pour ½ c of chicken broth into the cavity every 2 hours, as needed if the bird looks dry. Add new coals and chips every half hour and check to be sure your temperature is holding around 200F.