How to Grill a Juicy, Smoky Whole Turkey with Charcoal

Forget roasting your holiday bird in the oven Grilling a whole turkey over charcoal infuses it with delicious smoky flavor and incredibly moist, tender meat With the right technique, you can have a show-stopping charcoal grilled turkey.

Benefits of Grilled Turkey

Cooking turkey on a charcoal grill has many advantages over oven roasting

• Infuses turkey with smoky charcoal flavor
• Crispy, seasoned skin from grilling
• Frees up oven space for sides and pie
• Moist and tender meat when cooked properly
• Fun alternative preparation method
• Works great all year round, not just holidays

With the right tools and a little guidance, you can master grilling turkey on a charcoal grill.

Equipment Needed

• Charcoal grill with lid, 22-26 inch diameter minimum

• Charcoal

• Chimney starter

• Instant read digital thermometer

• Disposable foil drip pans

• Long handled tongs and grill brush

• Meat injector (optional)

Having the proper gear makes grilling turkey much easier.

Prep the Turkey

Proper preparation ensures the turkey grills evenly.

• Thaw frozen turkey 1-2 days in refrigerator before grilling

• Remove giblets and neck from cavities

• Rinse turkey and pat very dry, inside and out

• Truss legs together with kitchen twine

• Apply olive oil, herbs, and spices under and on skin

• Stuff cavity with aromatics like onion, apple, rosemary

• Let turkey sit at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling

Arrange the Charcoal

The keys are indirect heat and drip control:

• Pile charcoal evenly on two sides of grill only

• Place drip pan in center to catch drippings

• Position turkey over drip pan in center with no coals below

• Keep lid vent open halfway to allow airflow

This creates a hot charcoal zone on each side with a cooler zone in middle for turkey.

Maintain the Temperature

• Start with hot charcoal to reach 325-350°F

• Add 6-8 fresh briquettes to each pile every 45-60 minutes

• Use chimney starter to light new charcoal

• Check temp often, keep grill vents half open

Controlling temperature by adding fresh charcoal regularly prevents flame outs.

Baste and Rotate

For maximum moisture and flavor:

• Baste turkey with broth or oil every 30 minutes

• Loosely tent breast and legs with foil if browning too fast

• Carefully rotate turkey for even cooking

Frequent basting keeps the turkey from drying out.

Use a Meat Thermometer

Doneness is vital – turkey must reach the proper internal temp:

• Insert probe near thigh and breast but not touching bone

• Thigh should reach 170-175°F

• Breast should reach 165°F minimum

• Juices will run clear at thigh when turkey is done

Do not rely on pop-up timer, use an accurate digital thermometer.

Allow Turkey to Rest

Letting it rest makes a big difference in texture:

• Once turkey reaches ideal internal temp, remove from grill

• Tent loosely with foil and let rest 30 minutes

• Temperature will rise another 5°F as juices redistribute

Skipping this rest time can lead to dry meat.

Carve and Serve

Time to show off your juicy grilled masterpiece:

• Carve breast meat into thin slices

• Cut leg quarters away from body and separate joints

• Arrange slices on a platter and drizzle with pan juices

• Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary

You’ll impress everyone with your perfectly grilled Thanksgiving turkey!

Turkey Grilling Tips and Tricks

• Choose smaller 12-15 lb turkey to fit grill space

• Dry brine turkey in fridge 1-2 days before grilling

• Grill over indirect heat with charcoal banked on sides

• Use water pan or drip pan under turkey

• Rotate turkey for even cooking and use meat thermometer

• Let turkey rest before slicing into it

• Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours

With the right preparation and grilling technique, you can have incredible charcoal grilled turkey year round. The smoky flavor and juicy texture is far better than oven roasting. Give your next holiday or summertime turkey the grill treatment!

Frequently Asked Questions

What size turkey is best for grilling on charcoal?

Look for a 12-15 pound turkey to fit on most grills comfortably. Larger birds are harder to maneuver. Smaller turkeys under 12 lbs may cook too quickly.

How long per pound should you grill turkey?

Plan for about 15 minutes per pound at a grill temperature of 325-350°F. So a 12 lb turkey will take about 2 1/2 – 3 hours to grill. Use a meat thermometer for best accuracy.

Should you flip a turkey on the grill?

There is no need to flip the turkey. Place it breast side up on the grill grate over indirect heat and leave it in one position for even cooking. Rotate occasionally.

Is grilled turkey safe to eat?

Yes, as long as the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 170-175°F in the thigh it is safe to eat when grilled. Use a digital food thermometer to verify safe doneness.

Can you grill a turkey on a gas grill?

Yes, you can grill a turkey on a gas grill using indirect heat. Place turkey on one side with no burners below it. Add a drip pan underneath and keep the lid closed as much as possible. Maintain temperature around 325°F.

Grilling turkey over charcoal takes some finesse, but the reward of juicy, smoky meat is well worth the effort. Follow these guidelines for your best grilled turkey yet!