[This grilled turkey post is sponsored by The Home Depot! I’ve been working all year with their Weber Genesis II E315 grill and I absolutely adore it. It would make a fantastic gift for the holidays! p.s. right now, The Home Depot! is offering free delivery on all grills purchased online and free assembly on all grills purchased in-store!]
If you’re anything like me and feel that Thanksgiving is 99% about the sides dishes and the pie, and you could possibly take a plate WITHOUT turkey? Well, this is for you. A grilled turkey that tastes incredible, is super moist and loaded with flavor. Buttery, herby goodness.
So you guys know that every year, we roast a turkey and also smoke a turkey. They both turn out incredible and everyone loves having the two options.
But, this year I’m going the grill route. All year I’ve been working with The Home Depot, using the Weber Genesis II E315 grill and it has changed the game for me. Grilling this turkey was about 50 times easier than using our smoker and now there is no looking back.
Not to mention, it’s a fantastic way to switch up your traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Without going too untraditional.
First, the turkey only took about 3 hours total. The prep is super simple. The ingredients are all things you most likely have on hand.
Second, it has SO much flavor. Super smoky and delicious. The skin is ridiculously crispy and irresistible, just like it is when you roast it in the oven. And! You can still make gravy with the drippings. You can even make the gravy right on the grill if you’d like!
I like to stuff the turkey with some onions and lemons and herbs – all of the aromatics for increased flavor. I don’t stuff the bird with stuffing on the grill (though guess what? An incredible grilled stuffing (!!!) recipe is coming up next!), but I do fill the pan with a bit of stock and more aromatics.
Also! The key is to use a disposable roasting pan and double it up. This prevents your quality roasting pan from discoloring and warping on the grill and it makes clean-up easy on the holiday when you have the most dishes!
Grilling a whole turkey is a fantastic way to free up oven space and infuse delicious smoky flavor into your bird for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas. But knowing exactly how long to grill a turkey can be tricky. This complete guide covers everything you need to know for grilling turkey success.
Overview of Grill Times
The general rule of thumb for grilling time is approximately 15 minutes per pound. So a 10 lb turkey will take around 2.5 hours at a grill temperature of 325-350°F. A 15 lb turkey will need 3-4 hours.
It’s best to grill smaller birds in the 10-15 lb range both for ease of handling and to ensure even cooking. Larger turkeys over 16 lbs are difficult to maneuver on a grill and run a greater risk of uneven cooking
While the 15 minutes per pound estimate works as a baseline, always rely on a meat thermometer over cook times alone to gauge doneness. Every grill and turkey varies slightly.
Factors That Affect Grill Time
Several factors impact just how long your turkey will take to grill:
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Turkey size – The heavier your turkey, the longer the grill time.
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Temperature – Higher heat decreases cook time Grill around 325-350°F for best results
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Brining – Soaking in a saltwater brine hydrates the turkey, reducing grill time.
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Stuffing – A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed one.
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Weather – Wind, cold temps, rain can increase times.
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Grill type – Charcoal vs. gas grills have different heating efficiency.
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Grill skill – Experienced grill masters learn nuances that shorten cook times.
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Opening lid – Each time the lid is lifted, heat escapes and cook time increases. Minimize peeking!
Monitor all these factors and adjust your grilling time up or down accordingly for each unique turkey cook. Rely on an instant read thermometer for guaranteed safety and doneness.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps when grilling a whole turkey:
1. Prep the Turkey
- Thaw: Thaw turkey completely in the fridge 1-2 days before grilling. Do not grill frozen.
- Remove giblets and neck from cavities. Rinse turkey and pat dry.
- Tuck wing tips under body, tie legs together with string.
2. Brine (Optional)
- For added moisture and flavor, soak turkey in brine overnight in fridge.
- Rinse turkey after brining and pat dry.
3. Prepare the Grill
- With all burners on high, preheat gas grill to 450°F or heat charcoal grill completely.
- Place a drip pan under the grill grates to catch drippings for gravy.
4. Season the Turkey
- Coat turkey all over with oil or melted butter to promote browning.
- Generously season inside and out with desired spices and herbs.
5. Grill the Turkey
- Place turkey breast up over drip pan, directly on oiled grates.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, 325-350°F. Close lid to maintain heat.
- Grill 15 minutes per pound, 3-4 hours for a 15 lb turkey.
- Check temperature in thickest thigh part with a meat thermometer for doneness.
6. Finish and Rest
- Turkey is done at 165°F thigh, 170°F breast. Juices will run clear.
- Let turkey rest 15 minutes before easy, flawless carving.
Tips and Techniques
- Use foil to tent any areas like legs and wings that brown too fast.
- For gas grills, place turkey over center burner turned off to create indirect heat.
- Try adding wood chips to gas or charcoal grill for extra smoky flavor.
- Use a disposable foil drip pan under turkey filled with broth, aromatics, onions, herbs.
- For charcoal grilling, bank lit coals on either side and replenish with fresh coals as needed.
- Brush on any sugary glazes only during the last 30 minutes to avoid burning.
- Invest in a good instant read digital thermometer for monitoring doneness accurately.
- Let turkey rest at least 15-30 minutes before slicing to allow juices to reabsorb for moister meat.
Turkey Grill FAQs
How long per pound to grill turkey?
Approximately 15 minutes per pound at 325-350°F is ideal, so a 15 lb turkey will take 3-4 hours. Rely on a meat thermometer.
What temperature do you grill a whole turkey?
For whole birds, indirect medium-low heat between 325-350°F works best. High direct heat risks burning the outside before the inside cooks through.
Should you grill a turkey breast up or down?
Grill turkey breast side up. This protects the delicate white breast meat and allows fat to baste the breast as it renders.
Is it better to grill a turkey stuffed or unstuffed?
It’s safest to grill an unstuffed turkey. Stuffing increases the risk of bacteria growth. Cook stuffing separately.
Can you grill a frozen turkey?
Absolutely not. A turkey must be fully thawed before grilling for food safety. Thaw turkey in the fridge 1-2 days before grilling day.
What is the minimum grill time for a 12 lb turkey?
A good estimate is 15 minutes per pound. So for a 12 lb turkey, allow around 3 hours grill time minimum at 325°F until a thermometer reads 165°F thigh/170°F breast.
Conclusion
Grilling imparts amazing smoky flavor to turkey when done properly using indirect heat. Allow 15 minutes per pound grill time for whole birds under 16 pounds. Monitor temperature closely with a reliable meat thermometer instead of relying solely on time. Rest turkey before slicing for the juiciest results at the table. Refer to this guide for tips and times to master grilling mouthwatering turkey on your barbecue.
IT FREES UP YOUR OVEN SPACE!
Oh yes. On a day where you have a million dishes going at once, we’ve just eliminated the one that tends to take the most time. This way, you can have space to make sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, brussels gratin, kale gratin and homemade parker house rolls. Even all at once!
Grilling your turkey is a must at this point.
It seriously blows my mind how effortless this is. I do recommend checking on the bird every 20 to 30 minutes, as well as your grill, to make sure you don’t run out of propane. But if you start with a full tank, you’ll be golden! And you’ll just be dyyying over how incredible the turkey looks and smells and tastes.
In my kitchen gift guide earlier this week, I shared my Weber Genesis II E315 grill. Sure, I know it doesn’t go IN your kitchen, but it has become my outdoor kitchen. If you follow along on instagram, you know that we grill ALL THE THINGS and this grill is perfect. It’s easy to use and makes the process work seamlessly.
It would make such a fantastic gift for the holiday season! Especially because The Home Depot is offering free delivery for online grill orders and free assembly for in-store grill purchases! Go go go grab the Weber Genesis II E315!
Now go make all the plans for this beautiful bird to appear on your table.
Best Grilled Turkey Recipe
